Or.Hartley takes younger England players under his wing to ready them for Wales RBS 6 Nations test.
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England opened their Six Nations defence with a hard-fought 19-16 victory over France last weekend and the reigning Grand Slam champion will be looking for an improvement at the Principality Stadium. “Those two will be given every opportunity to prove their fitness – they’re important players”. Maro has been in the team a long time and he’s a fantastic player.
“It’s a game that is going to be decided on the basics of the game”. They had quite a few injuries but they still beat us so we know we have got to be extremely good to beat England.
It is thought that Wales were keen for the roof to be closed to ensure pristine conditions that would allow for a better running game.
Add to that the already absent Billy Vunipola and England’s forward roster begins to look less and less experienced, and Wales will undoubtedly be looking to capitalise on that come Saturday. He has talked of the fear factor, how England are “petrified” of playing Wales in Cardiff and how some players may have “shadows in the corner” after they were thrashed there in 2013.
Jones did admit to omitting Clifford, the son of a Kenyan father and an English mother, from last month’s training camp in Brighton as a hurry-up and did not attempt to downplay the breakdown challenge awaiting England.
Wales and England have made two changes apiece for Saturday’s Six Nations showdown in Cardiff, including just a second start for Red Rose ace Jack Clifford. “The flip side of that assessment is that an England win would be a significant achievement”.
Jones said the result felt like a loss.
Jones tactics have worked perfectly off the pitch and bought him and his coaches thinking time this week.
“We are just going to concentrate on ourselves and put a big focus on ourselves. And that’s a good feeling”.
England face the prospect of fielding a rookie back row against a feared all-Lions Wales trio after Tom Wood became a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Cardiff because of a shoulder problem. Clifford scored his only test try against Wales a year ago. Who is writing, tweeting, posting and sharing?
“It’s a big game and both players want to be part of the team, as you’d expect”.
He’s counting on superior experience throughout his side to make a difference. If there is one thing we struggle for in the rugby media in this country it is meaningful analysis of the game and proper explanation of its nuances and tactics.
“But there’s no excuses from us”. We have to be on our A game.
“Before Italy, we tried to prepare a little bit about England as well”.
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“Jack Nowell starts this week with Jonny May changing to a finisher”.
