England

Springboks camp 'not aware' of any Mbonambi comment

Curry accused the South African hooker of calling him a ‘white ****’ during the Springboks’ 16-15 win in the Rugby World Cup semi-final in Paris last night.

Curry approached referee Ben O’Keeffe regarding the alleged slur and the exchange was picked up on the match-day ref mic and is being reported on.

Assistant coach Deon Davids has denied knowledge of the incident when quizzed by reporters this Sunday.

“I am not aware of any comment, it was never discussed. I don’t know,” said Davids.

Flying Fijians go out fighting

Fiji scored two successive tries when they were 14 points down to lock the game up at 24-all inside the last 10 minutes.

The national side had a chance to score a winner with about five minutes extra being played but they failed to look after the ball when it mattered most.

Discipline proved to be Fiji’s downfall with England flyhalf Owen Farrell kicking five penalties.

The thousands of England fans voices failed to deter the 15 Fijians on the pitch.

Farrell registered the first points with a penalty in the 10th minute.

'La Machine' a target for England

The Naitasiri man is a threat at the breakdowns in this World Cup and this is one of the reasons England coach Steve Borthwick will try to minimize the involvement of the Fiji Water Flying Fijians loose forwards.

However, Botia is not taking it as a compliment but says he looks forward to the match.

“I heard what they said and some people asked me the same question as well so I understand what they saw so it’s something to compete so I’ll see what they have.”

England players expecting Samoan physicality in last pool D match

     

Both sides have named their line-ups with Manu Samoa making nine changes to the match-day 23 that lost to Japan last week.

English second-rower Maro Itoje told the media in a press conference in Paris on Wednesday that they expect a big game from the Samoans.

"Samoa are a very good side, much improved from the last time we played them," Itoje said.

"They are a physical side, they are organised, they play with a lot of power and skill; so it is going to be a great game."

'We want to put shots in': England set to fight Samoan fire with fire

With a quarter-final on the horizon in Marseille on October 15, there might be a temptation for the already qualified English to sit back and let their final Pool D game unfold without fighting fully in the collisions.

However, assistant coach Wigglesworth has explained that England won’t shy away from confrontation despite the run that saw them suffer three red cards in four matches, including the dismissal of Tom Curry less than three minutes into the Rugby World Cup opener versus Argentina on September 9.

Rugby World Cup: England v Samoa - Kyle Sinckler eyes 'last dance' shot at glory

Sinckler is one of several players, such as Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes, who have passed their 30th birthday.

Jack Willis, David Ribbans, Henry Arundell and Joe Marchant will play in France next year and may be ineligible.

"It has been mentioned - the 'last dance'. It makes everyone aware how special this is," said Sinckler.

"It will never happen again."

Another massive England blow as Anthony Watson ruled out of World Cup

In the week Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola were issued with bans that rule them out of the critical opener against Argentina on September 9 in Marseille, Steve Borthwick has now lost a first-choice wing.

Watson sustained the damage in last Saturday’s 29-10 rout by Ireland and has been replaced in the 33-man World Cup squad by Jonny May, who starts Saturday’s Summer Nations Series clash with Fiji.

Seven changes for Fiji whose midfield combo is one not to be missed

Simon Raiwalui has now rung the alterations for their final Summer Nations Series match ahead of next month’s finals campaign which begins with their September 10 meeting with Wales in Bordeaux.

Three changes are in the backline with Ilaisa Droasese in for Sireli Maqala at full-back, Selesitino Ravutaumada on the right wing for Jiuta Wainiqolo and skipper Waisea Nayacalevu named at outside centre for Iosefo Masi.

England considering a brand-new midfield combination for Tuilagi

Manu Tuilagi has had numerous partners at centre during his decade-plus involvement at Test level, but he has yet to play alongside Ollie Lawrence.

Both were included in the 33-strong squad named on Monday for next month’s Rugby World Cup in France and Borthwick has suggested the Tuilagi-Lawrence combination is something he would consider as he believes it’s a partnership that could work.

Lawrence has made eight starts in his 11-cap career, seven of those run-on appearances coming with Henry Slade as his midfield partner.

Sale poised to schmooze Manu Tuilagi after 'insulting' first offer

The Sharks director of rugby is poised to present the soon-to-be 32-year-old with a significantly improved contract offer that he hopes will be enough to convince their former marquee salary cap player to stay on in Manchester rather than take up more lucrative offers in France and Japan.