Hughes availability 'absolutely huge' for England, says Alphonsi
Having Nathan Hughes available is “absolutely huge” for England’s Six Nations chances, says World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi.
The powerhouse number eight is in Eddies Jones’ squad for round three of the tournament having missed wins over Italy and Wales with a shoulder injury.
Hughes’ return is a timely one for England, with Billy Vunipola out of the competition and Sam Simmonds ruled out for the next two matches.
Alphonsi, a Women’s Rugby World Cup winner with England in 2014 who is now a prominent pundit and analyst, believes the addition of Wasps star Hughes gives Jones’ side another dimension.
“It’s absolutely huge [having Hughes available],” Alphonsi told Omnisport via Land Rover, who is a key partner of HITZ; a national programme that uses the power of rugby to inspire and motivate young adults to get back into education or employment.
“I mean Sam Simmonds obviously was a shining light against Italy. Unfortunately, he only got 40 minutes against Wales.
“To have someone like Nathan back is huge, we spoke at the start of the tournament about having Nathan, and Billy, the size and weight they bring – about five stone on the top of what Sam Simmonds has – so it will also help with England’s ability just to break through opposition defences.
“That’s probably the one thing England have been missing in their game, it’s only going to add to what they’re currently doing – you add that to Ben Te’o and so on and it’s only going to give England more options and give the backs a platform to play off.”
— Nathan Hughes (@NateWJHughes) February 12, 2018
England were denied a second consecutive Grand Slam by Ireland in Dublin in last year’s finale.
This time around England could have the chance of revenge as their final game is against Ireland at Twickenham on St Patrick’s Day, something Alphonsi sees as a huge motivator for Jones’ men.
“I think what we all love about international sport is getting the opportunity for revenge, for England to play Ireland on St Patrick’s Day at Twickenham I think they’ve been thinking about it for the last year,” she added.
“It’s one of those opportunities to pick up a Grand Slam and what better way to do it than against Ireland after what happened last year, it will definitely give England an added advantage as well.”
England women’s team are also flying in the Six Nations having started with huge wins over Italy and Wales.
Following defeat in last year’s World Cup final to New Zealand, Alphonsi believes winning a Grand Slam would be a big sign of intent, but warned that a trip to France will pose a tough challenge.
“It [a Grand Slam] would be a huge statement,” she said.
“The France game is the biggest one that could be the decider, just because they love to come out and support the women.
“You could get 11 or 12 thousand people there all in favour of the French so that’s going to add another element of pressure to the way England will play away from home, winning away in France is never easy.”
Maggie Alphonsi is a Land Rover Ambassador. Land Rover is a key partner of HITZ, the sport for change programme that uses rugby to motivate young adults. Follow @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal
Comments on RugbyPass
The Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
1 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
4 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
4 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
2 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to commentsLove it when we overlap! Promise it was not forethought.
19 Go to commentsjfc can this guy plz stay out of the news for one week
2 Go to commentsIf stormers aren’t available. Based on form and likely availability at the time of the wales Test, you’d think Masuku would be a no-brainer to start. But starting Jordan also makes sense having Masuku come off the bench to close out the game.
2 Go to commentsGlad Tom Curry not playing needs time to recover such a great player also his brother Ben how well is he playing now .
1 Go to commentsLet’s examine what might be irking the brainless E: Up until 20 years before this coming Julys tests: 16 games: 14 wins for SA; 1 win for Ire; 1 draw From 20 years until July’ tests Ireland V SA: 13 matches Ireland won 8; SA won 4; 1 draw Points scored Ireland 261; SA 189 Ave Winning Margin: Ireland 11 points; SA 4 points (away 3, home 6) Away win record: Ireland 33.33%; SA 25% Neutral matches 1: Ireland win RWC France 2023. Last SA win June 2016 (8 years ago) They boast 3 World cups in that period (they do boast). The above record is not good, probably not much better than theirs against NZ for same period. That’s why the dopey E is starting fights in his head. He will probably ship a yellow when things don’t go their way in the first test.
127 Go to commentsGoode is like a wet fart on The Rugby Pod and should be shoved aside. Jim knows what he is on about and can get on better without Goode’s nasty little cheap shots.
127 Go to comments