Welcome injury news for England duo
Two England players who picked up injuries during the November internationals are due to make their returns to action this weekend.
England flanker Tom Curry, who was one of the standout players for during the June series with South Africa, is on the bench for Sale Sharks’ European Rugby Champions Cup game with Bordeaux-Begles at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday.
The 20-year-old flanker picked up the knock in England’s 12-11 November win against the Springboks and missed games against New Zealand, Japan and Australia.
Chris Ashton, who has scored five tries in two European Challenge Cup games for the Sharks, is at full back.
Sharks’ Director of Rugby Steve Diamond said, “After Bordeaux, we remain top of the Pool but we need to compound last week’s away victory with – hopefully – another win this week. Lads who’ve been rested or out with injuries are returning to the squad.”
Continue reading below…
Watch: RugbyPass Exceptional Stories: Henry Fraser
George Kruis returns to the Saracens XV as Mark McCall makes four changes for the trip to Cardiff Blues in the Heineken Champions Cup.
The lock has been sidelined since going off in England’s autumn international against New Zealand with a calf injury five weeks ago.
Elsewhere back rower Ben Earl, who made an instant impact as a replacement in last weekend’s win over Saturday’s hosts, scoring two tries in quick succession replaces Jackson Wray at Number 8.
Nick Tompkins returns to partner captain Brad Barritt in the centre and Ben Spencer comes in at scrum-half.
Argentina international Juan Figallo is back on the bench.
Wray, Liam Williams and Billy Vunipola are missing through injury. Williams had a scan on his hamstring in the week while Vunipola should be available in a fortnight.
Saracens team to face Cardiff Blues at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday 15th December (KO 13H00):
15. Alex Goode, 14. Sean Maitland, 13. Nick Tompkins, 12. Brad Barritt ©, 11. Alex Lewington, 10. Owen Farrell 9. Ben Spencer, 1. Mako Vunipola 2. Jamie George, 3. Vincent Koch, 4. Will Skelton, 5. George Kruis, 6. Mike Rhodes
7. Schalk Burger, 8. Ben Earl
Replacements:16. Tom Woolstencroft 17. Richard Barrington 18. Juan Figallo 19. Dom Day 20. Nick Isiekwe 21. Calum Clark 22. Richard Wigglesworth 23. Alex Lozowski
Sharks team to face Bordeaux-Begles at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday 15th December (KO 13H00):
15.Chris Ashton; 14.Denny Solomona, 13.Sam James, 12.Luke James, 11.Byron McGuigan; 10.Rob du Preez, 9.Faf de Klerk; 1.Tom Bristow, 2.Curtis Langdon, 3.Alexandru Tarus, 4.Josh Beaumont, 5.James Phillips, 6.Jean-Luc du Preez, 7.Ben Curry, 8.Josh Strauss (capt.).
Replacements 16.Rob Webber, 17.Ross Harrison, 18.WillGriff John, 19.Bryn Evans, 20.Tom Curry, 21.Will Cliff, 22.Connor Docherty, 23.Arron Reed
You may also like: Rugby World Cup Japan city guide – Kumamoto
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments