England seek final flourish and some welcome escapism
Lawes aims to lift nation amid coronavirus crisis Wales set to produce big performance, says Pivac
England have pledged to lift the spirits of the nation in these gloomladen and fraught times by finishing what is expected to be their final Guinness Six Nations match of the season with a flourish against Wales at Twickenham.
Eddie Jones’s side are also aiming to keep alive their hopes of snatching the title from the clutches of a France side homing in on their first Grand Slam since 2010.
But with little hope of the championship being completed for several months because of the coronavirus outbreak, there is far more on the line today than sporting ambition. This could potentially be the last major international sporting fixture played on home soil in front of a capacity crowd for several months because of public health risks due to coronavirus.
And no doubt the 82,000 fans at Twickenham today will be hoping for a glorious distraction from these uncertain and extraordinary times, with the traditional rivalry and at times hostility of the fixture expected to be temporarily set aside – off the pitch at least.
Once the action starts, however, it will be business as usual, with the England camp insisting that the coronavirus crisis – which has already caused the cancellation of their match against Italy next week – has not affected their preparations or mindset. Even so, there is an acknowledgement that today’s 80 minutes can have a bigger impact beyond the result.
“Sport is obviously a great way of bringing the nation together,” Courtney Lawes, the England flanker, said. “We’ve got a job to do. We’ve done everything preparation-wise to make sure we’re in the best position to get the win.
“We love playing at Twickenham, the fans definitely give us a bit of an edge. We want to do our best to exploit that. On home turf we want to come out firing and do our best for the fans coming to see us.”
It is a sentiment echoed by John Mitchell, the England assistant coach. “The great thing about rugby is that it brings a lot of diversity together and it’s an opportunity for everyone to put aside their struggles and enjoy an outing,” he said. “Coming to Twickenham is like a Colosseum on a rugby day, there’s no greater experience. What’s vitally important for all people is to be able to connect to other people because everyone has their tough times and challenges. Sport is a great avenue for this.”
In times when medical bulletins dominate news reports, the New Zealander is right that sport can offer welcome escapism. The stark reality of the situation will be all too evident, however. Precautionary measures have been put in place at the stadium, including positioning of hand sanitisers and personal hygiene information posters. Staff have been provided with guidance on symptoms and preventive control. Any fans who suspect they have been exposed to the virus have been warned to stay away.
Mako Vunipola, after a brief stopover in Hong Kong on his way back from Tonga, has not been considered, a decision criticised by Public Health England yesterday.
Against this backdrop, talk of chest-thumping rhetoric ahead of what Jones predicts will be a “tough affair” seems misplaced. Yet one of the few certainties is that it will be a bone-shuddering contest, against a Wales side seeking to avoid a third successive defeat in Wayne Pivac’s first championship since succeeding Warren Gatland as head coach.
Wales have picked a back row capable of challenging England’s roving unit, with Josh Navidi preferred to Taulupe Faletau at No8, while the verbal jousting of England captain Owen Farrell and Wales fly-half Dan Biggar will be a key subplot. Nick Tompkins, the Saracens centre born and raised in Kent, who was overlooked by England but is now thriving on the international stage for Wales, will also have a point to prove.
“The level of intensity has noticeably gone up in training, and it has been no holds barred,” Pivac said. “That tells me a big performance is coming.”
And yet this is an England side looking to return to their World Cup pomp, buoyed by the dismantling of Ireland and still believing they can pip France to the title.
The return of a fit-again Anthony Watson to the wing in place of Jonathan Joseph has strengthened their aerial defences, while Mark Wilson will give England two genuine poachers in the back row, with Tom Curry continuing at No 8.
Yet it is in the front five where England look to have too much firepower, and where they will seek to deny Pivac’s side any foothold, although Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones will rage against this pretence. If England secure this dominance, as they did against Ireland, it is hard to look beyond a 24th victory in 27 Tests under Jones at Twickenham. Wales have other ideas. A flourishing finale awaits.