The magic sponges are back for Eddie and his players
LONDON: Six Nations champions England have received a timely boost, and head coach Eddie Jones an unexpected birthday present, ahead of their 2018 campaign opener against Italy with several players returning from injury ahead of schedule.
Flank Chris Robshaw, lock Maro Itoje and fullback Mike Brown have all been cleared to play, while wing Jack Nowell is also back in training, though Sunday’s game in Rome will come too early for him.
“The injury news is the best birthday present of all,” said Jones, who turned 58 on Tuesday.
“In the old days they used to have magic sponges when you would be down and out and the guy would come out with a yellow sponge, put it on you and you’d recover.
“Well, the magic sponges are back. Nowell wasn’t supposed to do a fitness session on Friday, but he did it, as did Brownie.”
Itoje fractured his jaw while playing for Saracens last month and then injured his hip, while Brown was suffering from blurred vision and Robshaw and Nowell from back and ankle injuries, respectively.
England are still missing several key players, including No 8 Billy Vunipola, who has a broken arm, and suspended duo Joe Marler and James Haskell.
“It’s great to have all the squad in place because out of our top 30 players, we have probably got about 25 percent of them out,” Jones said.
“So to have these guys come back into contention is absolutely outstanding.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand Rugby have confirmed the third Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia later this year will be held in the Yokohama Stadium, the venue for the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
NZR had already signalled they were keen on taking the trans-Tasman clash to Japan after announcing in May that they would face the Brave Blossoms before heading to Europe for the end-of-year tour.
The world champion All Blacks face the Wallabies on 27 October in Yokohama before they play Japan at the National Stadium in Tokyo on 3 November.
“We’re delighted to confirm that a Bledisloe Cup Test match will be played in Japan for the second time in the history of this great rivalry,” NZR chief executive Steve Tew said in a statement yesterday.
“The All Blacks have huge support in Japan, so the Bledisloe Cup Test will be important for the team as we build support ahead of Rugby World Cup 2019.”
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said having two Tests on consecutive weeks in Japan would also help the side acclimatise for the 2019 World Cup.
“It will be great for the team to prepare in two of the Rugby World Cup cities and play at the same venues,” Hansen said. – Reuters