LAM OFFERS SUPPORT TO TROUBLED HARDAKER
Rose management team when England played – and lost – Grand Slam games in Scotland and Wales. “I remember training at a university in Scotland and just the language,” he said.
“Then at Wembley, when we played Wales, walking down the tunnel at half-time and a little bit of spit ending up on my tracksuit.
“I remember those things and understand how important it is to perform and to win when you play for England.
“To have had that experience – and received the emotions from the other side – certainly motivates me personally.”
Jones names his team today when the fate of Manu Tuilagi will finally be known.
The juggernaut centre was retained by Jones in a 26-man squad despite the head coach giving the impression he had next to no chance of playing.
Yesterday, Tuilagi worked on his own, away from the rest of the back division, during the section of training open to the media (right).
Jack Nowell did not train at all, increasing the likelihood Jonny May and Joe Cokanasiga will be starting wings.
John O’Neill, former Australia Rugby Union boss. “The only memories I have of England and the English are unpleasant ones. They are so chauvinistic and arrogant!” France No.8 (and anti-English regular) Imanol Harinordoquy.
“The South African public won’t accept defeat against England. I feel it in my heart and I see it in the guys around me.” The late, great Springbok Joost van der Westhuizen. “Look at what these b ****** s have done to Wales. They’ve taken our coal, our water, our steel. They buy our houses and live in them for a fortnight every 12 months. And what have they given us? Absolutely nothing. We’ve been exploited, raped, controlled and punished by the English – and we’re playing them this afternoon.” Phil Bennett, Welsh captain in 1977.
was how one New Zealand paper described England back in 2003 when England, unusually, had a better team. “England is the one match we all love and it is the one you get excited for. That huge rivalry we have with England will still be there in 50 years’ time. It’s something we have built into us as Irish people.”
“So, Will, how do you take to the fact that the whole of Scotland hates you?” Journalist to former England captain Will Carling in 1995. NEW Wigan coach Adrian Lam has offered his full support to Zak Hardaker as the full-back prepares to return to training following treatment for alcohol issues.
Hardaker has spent time at Tony Adams’ Sporting Chance Clinic after admitting being more than twice the drink-drive limit in September, ahead of his return from a 14-month playing ban for cocaine use.
He will resume training with the Warriors in the first week of December and Lam says he will do everything he can to help the England international.
Lam, who will be in charge for one year before handing the reins over to Shaun Edwards, said: “I believe that better people make better players. It’s our responsibility to help him get through what he has to get through, and make him achieve what he needs to do in life as a priority, rather than a rugby league player.
“There’s no doubt that on the field, once he gets going, he’ll be so beneficial for the side it’ll be unreal.
“I’m looking forward to working with him because I believe I can help him in that area as well.
“We all have our own issues in life, and he understood his position and his situation.
“It will be ongoing this work – it just doesn’t get fixed overnight.
“But we’re here for him and he knows that, it’s important for him that Wigan are supporting him through this period.
“Whether it’s his last chance or not, his priority for us is that he gets it right with life.”