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Hughes defies logic to set up titanic encounter with Vunipola
Nathan Hughes’ ability to defy medical opinion has set up a titanic clash with England No8 rival Billy Vunipola when Wasps attempt to reach a second successive Aviva Premiership play-off final by winning at Saracens tomorrow.
Hughes suffered a recurrence of knee ligament damage playing for England against France in March and along with Northampton’s Courtney Lawes, who suffered a similar injury in the same match, was immediately ruled out for the rest of the season. The medical diagnosis also said Hughes would not be fit for England’s three-test tour of South Africa but if the Fijian born No8 delivers a big performance against Vunipola, head coach Eddie Jones could be tempted to draft one of his most effective ball carriers into the tour squad.
Hughes has been named to start for Wasps who are missing the injured James Haskell and Tommy Taylor and he will be in direct opposition to Vunipola whose return from knee surgery was halted by a hamstring injury. Now, Vunipola is ready to prove he is still the most destructive force in English rugby and will relish the chance to take on his England rival.
Dai Young, the Wasps director of rugby, is understandably delighted to have Hughes in his back row against a formidable Sarries pack that has a back five featuring not only Vunipola but three locks in George Kruis, Maro Itoje and Nick Isiekwe.
Young said: “We have prepared well over the last fortnight and while it is disappointing to be without the likes of James Haskell, Tommy Taylor and Simon McIntyre through injury, it is good to have Nathan Hughes and James Gaskell back.
“Sarries are obviously a top side – their record over the last few years speaks for itself, so we know we will have to produce our best to beat them. It is also important that we play at that level for the full 80 minutes. This is an area we have discussed in detail and where I believe the quality of our bench will make a positive impact.
“I am confident we can score points, even against their legendary defence; it will be a big battle up front and we know we have to stop their ball carriers and win the battle of the gain line, with and without the ball. Both teams will be really up for it. “
Flanker Jackson Wray will make his 200th appearance for Sarries who are without Lions and Wales wing Liam Williams due to a shoulder injury and Chris Wyles comes in for what will be his last home match before retiring. Hooker Schalk Brits starts on the bench and will, like Wyles, be making his last home appearance before quitting professional rugby.
Brits, the former Springbok hooker, is hoping for a fitting finale at Twickenham in the Premiership final on May 26 although the temptation of another season of top-flight rugby has kept him awake at night. Brits celebrated his 37 Birthday this week and said: “ I have had many nights when I have been asking the question “ why retire?”. I didn’t want to be asked to retire and you always want to finish on a high and physically this is the best I have felt since my knee operation a couple of seasons ago.
“It is a credit to Sarries and the way they manage me that I am kept fresh for the weekends. But, you have to step away from the game at some point and this is the right time. “
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Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments