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Marler and Daly to start against France

By Peter Thompson
Joe Marler

Joe Marler and Elliot Daly have been named in injury-hit England’s starting line-up for their Six Nations opener against France at Twickenham on Saturday.

Marler fractured his leg just four weeks ago, but the prop has recovered to take his place in a side that includes five changes from the line-up for the victory against Australia in December.

Daly was banned for the win over the Wallabies after he was sent off against Argentina, but the Wasps man returns on the left wing, with Jonny May on the other flank and Jack Nowell among the defending champions’ replacements.

Maro Itoje switches to blindside flanker to cover for the injured Chris Robshaw, so Joe Launchbury comes into the second-row in the absence of George Kruis (knee).

Fit-again flanker James Haskell and prop Matt Mullan return to the bench along with Nowell.

England head coach Eddie Jones said: “We’ve been able to select a very strong and experienced team to play against France and we are excited to get the tournament under way.

“There’s a great rivalry between the countries so we’re looking forward to a great occasion playing against one of England’s oldest foes.”

 

England team: Mike Brown, Jonny May, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley (captain), Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Maro Itoje, Tom Wood, Nathan Hughes.

Replacements: Jamie George, Matt Mullan, Kyle Sinckler, Teimana Harrison, James Haskell, Danny Care, Ben Te’o, Jack Nowell.

 

 

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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