HENDERSON’S PREGNANT PAUSE GIVES TONER ANOTHER CHANCE
IRELAND will be without Lions second row Iain Henderson for tomorrow’s Twickenham clash.
The Ulster strongman (above) missed two training sessions this week to be with his pregnant
wife, who yesterday gave birth
France ........ 2 2 0 Ireland ........ 2 2 0 Wales .......... 2 1 0 England ...... 2 1 0 Scotland ..... 2 0 0 Italy ............ 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 1 59 1 43 1 56 1 30 2 18 0 22 to a baby boy, so Leinster’s Devin Toner will take his place.
It will be Toner’s first start since being left out of the Ireland World Cup squad.
“It’s brilliant for him,” said Ireland captain Johnny Sexton. “Obviously everyone has setbacks through their career and he had a big one at a bad time, but he has bounced back well.
“The reception he got against Scotland – I’ve never heard a crowd cheer so loud for a lineout win. It just shows what everyone thinks of him. All the lads are delighted for him.”
Sexton acknowledged that Ireland had been surprised by England’s selection for the game.
“There are a few changes and unexpected things,” said Sexton. “We prepared for different combinations but we will catch up on them this evening and tomorrow.” 39 20 26 17 24 32 30 0 32 -14 77-55 9 9 5 5 2 0
Wales 42 Italy 0; Ireland 19 Scotland 12; France 24 England 17 Ireland 24 Wales 14; Scotland 6 England 13; France 35 Italy 22
Italy v Scotland (2.15pm); Wales v France (4.45pm)
England v Ireland (3pm) Ireland v Italy (2.15pm); England v Wales (4.45pm) Scotland v France (3pm) Wales v Scotland (2.15pm); Italy v England (4.45pm);
France v Ireland (8pm)