Youngs is delighted it’s finally clicking
BEN YOUNGS has warned Ireland that England have got their mojo back.
A stodgy autumn and the early Six Nations struggles were cast off by an exciting performance against France at Twickenham which delivered a dramatic late win. And now that
England are finally in the groove, Youngs (left) says the World Cup finalists intend to kick on in Dublin on Saturday.
“It’s disappointing we didn’t hit the straps we should have done at the start of the tournament,” said the scrum-half.
“It’s been and gone now but what is pleasing is we have shown what we’re about and we can do it again this week.
“We’d love to be going to Dublin with something to win but we’ll still be there, fully committed.
“The balance of run, kick, pass and counterattack was really good against France. That blend seemed to click nicely.”
The frustrations of
England’s consistent failure to make full use of the talents at their disposal had been laid at Eddie Jones’ coaching doorstep but Youngs insisted the dull rugby seen was not down to any tactical handbrake.
He added: “It wasn’t a case of rewriting the script. We’ve been trying to attack like this since the autumn – it’s just taken a long while for some of it to come through.”
Ireland have some injury concerns to deal with as centre Garry Ringrose (ankle) and second row James Ryan (concussion) will miss out at the weekend due to injuries picked up in the narrow victory over Scotland on Sunday.
KEN OWENS hopes Wales can lift the spirits of a nation by sealing Grand Slam glory.
Wayne Pivac’s side travel to Paris on Saturday with only France standing between them and a shock Six Nations clean sweep, something Owens (inset) is keen to do for the Welsh fans.
“After the England game I was driving through the village where I live. The sun was out and there was a spring in people’s steps,” said hooker Owens, 34. “What it makes you realise, as players, is the effect we can have on people.
“In the last month or so we’ve managed to get some good results which has given people something to smile about.
“For the public in general, it would be a huge uplift after a tough year for the country.”
SIR BRADLEY WIGGINS has called for a new investigation into the British Cycling doctor who ordered testosterone – but he believes it was NOT for doping an elite athlete. Britain’s first winner of the Tour de France nine years ago said: “What exactly happened? Someone must know.” Wiggins
a five-time Olympic champion, broke his silence on the damning verdict of a medical tribunal which plunged cycling into crisis.
A two-year hearing concluded Dr Richard Freeman, who was Wiggins’ chief medical consultant on the road with Team Sky and at British Cycling, ordered banned Testogel sachets
“knowing or believing” they were intended to help an unnamed rider’s performance.
Dr Freeman claimed it was to treat former performance director Shane Sutton for erectile dysfunction – an assertion the Aussie denied and the tribunal rejected.
But it led to a blizzard of questions about who the drug was for and who else knew about it.
Speaking on his Eurosport podcast, Wiggins said: “There needs to be more of an explanation. Who were they for then?
“I don’t think for one minute they were for any rider. That wasn’t the type of system that was run. That leaves this cloud.
“There’s something else going on and someone knows something and it needs a follow-up now. There should be another investigation.”
The tribunal resumes in Manchester tomorrow.
Dr Freeman faces two further UK Anti-doping charges regarding the Testogel. British Cycling and Ineos Grenadiers – formerly Team Sky – said they will cooperate with that investigation, while Sutton expressed hope it will get to the bottom of what really happened.