As Hogg blunder lets Ireland off hook
Wee George won’t get caught short Youngs: Dupont’s got skills to destroy us
for a long time and he goes out and puts in a performance like that. He’s passionate about being captain of his country in the Six Nations for the first time. It was outstanding for him.”
Ireland’s four-point lead at the break owed largely to a few huge defensive moments and an executed move involving Cian
Healy and Conor Murray which saw Sexton charge through a gaping hole inside 10 minutes.
Scotland – thanks to the boot of Adam Hastings – were always in the game and after 50 minutes they finally found a route across the try-line.
They made use of an overlap on to send Hogg in, but the
GEORGE FURBANK has shown his new England team-mates he is up to the challenge of Six Nations rugby – by putting the wind up prop Joe
Marler in the gents.
The Northampton full-back (right) will make his debut at the Stade de France with
France sure to make a target of him.
But Marler has already been convinced he has the character for Test rugby skipper dropped the ball as he went to touch down. It was the ultimate let-off for the hosts who went on to ground out a win.
Hogg later apologised to his team-mates for the “schoolboy” error in failing to ground the ball with the line at his mercy.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said: “A try would after running into Furbank at England’s Algarve training camp. “One day in Portugal last week I went for a wee,” explained Marler.
“I was just finishing and then I got a ‘boo’ behind me and it scared the s*** out of me.
“I turned around and I thought it would be one of the older guys, and it was George staring at me deadpan.
“I just walked back to my villa thinking to myself: ‘What has just happened?’ And then: ‘I like it’. It was good from him – it showed me that he had a bit about him.”
ANTOINE DUPONT has been identified by England as France’s danger man today with the 23-year-old tipped to be a global game-changer as a scrum-half.
The French have traditionally looked to the No.9 to be their playmaker and opposite number Ben Youngs thinks they have unearthed a gem in Dupont.
“He’s certainly going to be a nine that dominates for the next decade without doubt. At his age I think he’s got an amazing future,” said Youngs. “You’ve got nines like Will Genia who, when he came in, took the role to another level.
“I look at Dupont and think he’s got the skillset to do that. I’m a real big fan of his. I think he’ll be a huge talisman for French rugby moving forward.”
With 20 caps, Dupont is actually one of the more experienced players in a radically overhauled French side.
While that naivety offers opportunities for England it also carries with it a threat. “When you’re a young side like that you do play without fear, you do play with freedom,” said Youngs.
“It is important in the first 20 we get a grip of the game and try to dictate it.”
France were dealt a blow last night when winger Damien Penaud was ruled out by a calf injury. His place is taken by Vincent Rattez. have been a great bonus for Stuart on top of a great performance – he will be very disappointed.
“He was probably excited for scoring the try. It’s not like him.
“He should flush that and move on because he was outstanding and has been a very good leader the last two weeks.”