The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Defensively brilliant as he ensured everything that he hit stayed hit, but also offered more offensively with smart support play to those around him. KO
Les Bleus saw hopes of a first Grand Slam since 2010 ended in a shock 28-17 defeat on Sunday.Mohamed Haouas was red carded for a punch on Jamie Ritchie before the interval as the competition was blown wide open on a memorable afternoon in Edinburgh.Sean Maitland notched a brace of tries for Scotland, while Stuart McInally also crossed the whitewash to add to 13 points from the boot of Adam Hastings.Damian Penaud and Charles Ollivon struck for France, who lost Romain Ntamack to injury on a crushing afternoon that means the winner of the 2020 competition might not be decided for some time to come.George North is selected to play at outside centre with Scarlets' Johnny McNicholl making his international debut on the wing and Saracens' former England youth international Nick Tompkins earning a spot on the bench.Rhys Webb is also named among the replacements with his Wales eligibility restored after leaving Toulon early, but Tomos Williams gets the nod at scrum-half and Dillon Lewis is drafted in at tighthead prop.After an injury nightmare that has seen him ruled out of international rugby since early 2018, Taulupe Faletau is back at no8, though there is no room in the squad for uncapped Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit.Niccolo Cannone wins his first cap in the second row and Leonardo Sarto is recalled on the wing.There is no Sergio Parisse for the Azzurri, with the iconic no8 - who has been succeeded as captain by hooker Luca Bigi - only set to feature in one or both of Italy's home matches against Scotland and England as he bids farewell to international rugby.He was originally supposed to retire at the World Cup, only for a final appearance to be cancelled as a result of Typhoon Hagibis.Following the departure of former head coach Conor O'Shea to the RFU, Italy are under the interim management of South African Franco Smith, who played for and later spent six years in charge of Treviso between 2007-13.Jordan Larmour is deemed fit enough to take his place at full-back, Conor Murray gets the nod over John Cooney at 9 and Bundee Aki - whose World Cup campaign ended prematurely with that red card against Samoa - is preferred to Robbie Henshaw in the centres.Rob Herring is in at hooker following the retirement of former captain Rory Best, with the uncapped Rory Kelleher named among the replacements.Gregor Townsend also has a debutant at no8 in the form of Edinburgh's Nick Haining, while Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie complete the back row with Magnus Bradbury sidelined due to a thigh strain.There are 10 changes in total to the side that lost to Japan in October, with Stuart Hogg succeeding Stuart McInally as captain.Experienced hooker Camille Chat misses out with a calf injury, meaning that Julien Marchand - who only has two senior international caps to his name - gets the nod at hooker,.Romain Ntamack is preferred to fellow youngster Matthieu Jalibert at fly-half.Toulon flanker Charles Ollivon has succeeded Guilhem Guirado as France captain.In the pack, Tom Curry moves from blindside flanker to no8 in the absence of Billy Vunipola, who broke his arm again playing for Saracens against Racing 92.Courtney Lawes goes to 6 and Jones has opted for Bath's Charlie Ewels instead of George Kruis as a second-row partner for Maro Itoje.Mako Vunipola is focusing on preparing for next week's Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland after an eye injury, so Joe Marler starts at loosehead prop.You can find our Community Guidelines in full
Wales are looking to make it four wins from four and take another step towards a Grand Slam triumph, having already beaten France, Italy and England.Scotland meanwhile are desperate for a victory to ignite their championship after back-to-back losses to Ireland and France, and they have Finn Russell back from concussion to start at fly-half along with WP Nel back in the front row.The match is due to kick-off at 2:15pm, with our full build-up getting underway at 1:15pm.Hello and welcome to Murrayfield where Warren Gatland's Wales are looking to edge one step closer to the Grand Slam. {{#sender.isSelf}}
Placed in the unenviable position of replacing the best loosehead on the world and did himself proud. Berghan, 19. Please Wainwright, 21. {{ fixture.venue.name }}, {{ fixture.venue.location }} Start your Independent Premium subscription today. real-world solutions, and more.
Kinghorn; 14. Please Superb in defence, particularly aerially, and made a crucial tackle on Jonny May when he looked to be away.Probably one of his best outings for Les Bleus that came at the perfect time with Wesley Fofana still absent through injury. try again, the name must be unique There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts {{#sender.isSelf}} real-world solutions, and more. Superb in defence, particularly aerially, and made a crucial tackle on Jonny May when he looked to be away.Probably one of his best outings for Les Bleus that came at the perfect time with Wesley Fofana still absent through injury. Owens, 3. Part of a Toulouse spine running through the back line that clicked into gear and he calmly finished a brilliant 70m move to get France off the mark.A beautiful finish sparked wild celebrations inside the Prinicipality Stadium as he soared above Elliot Daly and juggled the ball as he crashed to the turf before placing it over the line. Defensively brilliant as he ensured everything that he hit stayed hit, but also offered more offensively with smart support play to those around him.
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