IT’S OWEN THE WIRE DOWN TO
Sweat on over Farrell
ENGLAND will wait until the last minute today before deciding whether goal-kicker Owen Farrell will face Scotland.
Farrell injured his leg when he collided with a team-mate in training on Thursday.
England could equal New Zealands’s record of 18 Test wins running if they win the Calcutta Cup today and are also chasing back-toback Grand Slams.
“Owen didn’t train today and we’re monitoring his leg injury,” said defence coach Paul Gustard.
“We have until tomorrow before kick-off to make a decision, which means he has at least another 24 hours of recovery ahead of him.
Rehab
“Owen is a very resilient and robust character but he’ll also do the right thing by the team.
“He didn’t train so by definition there’s a small concern about him but we’re confident in his rehab.”
If Farrell fails to recover, Ben Te’o will step up from the bench and George Ford will take over the kicking.
But the last time Ford kicked for England, at Twickenham against Wales last May, he missed six out of seven and was booed by home fans.
Whether Farrell is fit or not, James Haskell has vowed that England will come out all guns blazing today.
England froze in the first half when Italy confused them by refusing to contest the rucks last time at HQ.
Haskell said: “We probably haven’t put in the performances that we want to. Emotionally it always feels like we’re there in the right place but maybe it just comes down to the individuals making sure they switch on and take the risks.
“International rugby is about taking risks, not standing still and seeing what the opposition do. We have to be all guns blazing.”
Stuart Hogg has issued a defiant rallying cry, predicting a first Scottish win over England at Twickenham for 34 years.
Hogg’s electric attacking play has brought him 16 tries in 51 Tests and he will be a key player in Scotland’s bid to collect the Triple Crown and stay on course for the title. Hogg said: “We are not just going to lie down and have our belly tickled.
“We truly believe we can come down here and win, and it would be massive for us.
Initiative
“We are excited and ready to go and we have to put them on the back foot and take the initiative.
“England are a world-class outfit and there are key individuals we are going to have to shut down.
“Hopefully it is our turn to come down and win.”