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The 'pretty exceptional' Ireland player Tom Curry is bracing for

By PA
Eddie Jones, the England head coach, talks to Tom Curry (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Tom Curry admits there is no margin for error as England enter the decisive phase of their Guinness Six Nations title quest.

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Ireland visit Twickenham on Saturday before the tournament is completed by a clash with the only other side in contention for Wales’ crown – favourites France, who must be faced in Paris.

Eddie Jones has adopted a siege mentality, claiming that even a barista in a coffee shop told him England had no chance of defeating Andy Farrell’s men, but bookmakers see the visitors as only marginal favourites.

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Back in the Game – RFU

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Back in the Game – RFU

And with his head coach billing the match as a semi-final, openside flanker Curry knows that round four is do or die.

“We have to win this one and then we have to win the next one to be in with a shot of winning the championship,” Curry said.

“We know the set-up of the tournament. France away is a big finish, but our focus is firmly on Ireland and how we want to win. If we don’t get this game right, nothing else falls into place.

“We are looking to put in a good performance, as always, but there is a real build of excitement, especially as this tournament progresses.

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“It’s because of the way we have been training, how tight everyone has been getting. Hopefully it all goes out there in terms of 80 minutes on Saturday.”

England’s preparations were dealt a double blow on the eve of the match as lock Maro Itoje became a doubt because of illness and forwards coach Richard Cockerill tested positive for Covid.

Itoje’s availability hinges on how he recovers overnight with Joe Launchbury on standby to partner Charlie Ewels in the second row and either Nick Isiekwe or Ollie Chessum stepping up to the bench.

Cockerill has begun self-isolating and will not be present at Twickenham to oversee the pack, so his fellow forwards coach Matt Proudfoot will perform his matchday duties.

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Curry, who deputised for Courtney Lawes as captain in the first two rounds, insists this type of disruption is taken in England’s stride.

“It’s normal now isn’t it? As a team we’re probably the best prepared in terms of abnormal things like that happening,” Curry said.

“We grow from that, people stepping in, stepping up, and taking control of those situations.

“We’re developing that resilience, whether that’s practising different combinations, or being more player-driven with line-outs or set-plays. It all feeds into the ability to be resilient.”

England are expecting the usual breakdown onslaught on Saturday and in his Lions team-mate Tadhg Beirne, Ireland possess a master of his craft despite his height.

“Beirne is probably the most different because of how tall he is and how effective he is around the breakdown,” Curry said.

“He is able to get his arms in and also keep his body height, which is pretty exceptional for someone of that nature. He is a brilliant operator.

“It’s going to be a huge contest for us because it is something at international rugby you have to get right otherwise you struggle to get momentum.”

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 6 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.

29 Go to comments
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