Pom's hilarious reaction as former teammate turned ref spares him from 'stonewall' second yellow
After being yellow-carded by referee Karl Dickson in the first half, the official looked to be reaching for his pocket when Danny Care contentiously…
England begin their latest rebuild on when they clash with Scotland at Murrayfield during the opening weekend of the 2016 Six Nations.
Astute and outspoken coach Eddie Jones has pledged to guide England back to the top of the rugby world, but this is a tricky start against a vastly improved Scottish side.
Jones culled nine British and Irish Lions from his original squad selection, but has preserved 512 caps and no debutants in the starting XV for this clash.
In the competitive halfback position Danny Care has been preferred ahead of long-term rival Ben Youngs, while the other contentious spot was at loosehead prop, where Joe Marler edged out Mako Vunipola.
Flanker Jack Clifford, prop Paul Hill and centre Ollie Devoto are set to make their international debuts off the bench.
Perhaps the most curious aspect of England’s selection is the absence of a specialist openside flanker, one of the reasons attributed to their spectacular World Cup failure.
Scotland have identified this particular shortfall and chosen two openside flankers in their starting XV. John Hardie will work in tandem with John Barclay, who did not make last year’s World Cup squad and has been absent for the past three Six Nations campaigns, but has 46 caps and plenty of mileage on the clock. Blair Cowan off the bench is another 7 option.
In the backs, Glasgow centre Mark Bennett has recovered from a shoulder injury in a settled side that features only two changes from the starting XV that almost upset Australia in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Scotland playing with renewed vigour, England looking to open a new chapter; this will be a fascinating battle for the Calcutta Cup – international rugby’s oldest trophy.
Prediction
Scotland by 3.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
After being yellow-carded by referee Karl Dickson in the first half, the official looked to be reaching for his pocket when Danny Care contentiously…
What goes up must come down, right? As the kicking game in rugby has continued to progress and progress over the last few years,…
Louis Armstrong was asked once: ‘What is jazz?’ His reply: ‘Man, when you got to ask what it is, you’ll never get to know.’…
Wallabies stars have reacted overwhelmingly positively to the appointment of Joe Schmidt to the head coach role, with the likes of Andrew Kellaway, Lalakai…
Rugby has had some ridiculous kickers. The ability and skill with the boot can turn the course of a play, a scoreline, or a…
Five years after running out for Darren Coleman's NSW Country in the NRC, Emmanuel Meafou is set to become Les Bleus' latest international after…