NATIONS2018 Te’o will sock it to the French
Townsend calling on some Blair flair
BLAIR KINGHORN will make his first start for Scotland against Ireland on Saturday after being named in Gregor Townsend’s side for their pivotal clash in Dublin.
The Edinburgh wing’s inclusion is the only alteration to the side who beat England last time out, as he replaces the injured Tommy Seymour. Kinghorn, above, who week because we all wanted to get back out on the pitch. Sometimes it’s disappointing that you need to have a loss to have a reaction. We can be scratching our heads and thinking, ‘Why did this need to happen for us to feel this way?’
“It’s not that we were complacent but sometimes you do get beaten and it does bring a desire to get back out there and put it right.” This is new emotional territory for England. It is the first time they have experienced a loss mid-campaign under Jones, with their only other defeat coming in the final game of last season’s Six Nations against Ireland. Behind the scenes, England’s three internal planning groups – attack, defence and breakdown – have convened and come up with three key points each to work on. Of the three, it is breakdown that has been prioritised.
“I don’t think we need to reinvent the wheel because we’re a great team but there are always themes to each week and the breakdown is something we’ve had a look at this time. It has been more of a focal point,” said May. “It wasn’t good enough against Scotland so we’ve had some extra practice.”
No one has been exempt; not even wings like May. The hope is that the deficiencies exposed by Scotland have been corrected.
“It was dark. We were all disappointed and want to go out there and give it our best game,” said May. “The Stade de France is a brilliant place to play rugby, so it’s exciting.”
England will make a call this morning on whether Hartley is fit following a calf injury, while flanker Sam Underhill is expected to be out for eight to 10 weeks with a toe injury.
ENGLAND
has scored eight tries for his club side this season, made his debut off the bench in that triumphant Calcutta Cup win.
Now he will hope to play a part in a victory over Joe Schmidt’s side that would see the Scots back in title contention.
Townsend said: “We were delighted with the
(probable):
result against England and backing up our win against France with an improved display.
“The squad prepared very well for the challenge of taking on England and there has been a similar focus this week.”
SCOTLAND: Replacements: Replacements: