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Last year they bamboozled the champions at Twickenham with their controversial ‘ruckless’
tactics and although a law change means that ploy can never be used on a rugby field
again, England are braced for more surprises.
(Image: AFP) Talking point 2: Number eight void
Te’o’s presence takes on extra importance due to the absence of number eights Billy
Vunipola and Nathan Hughes, England’s most effective sources of momentum.
Vunipola in particular will be missed and into his shoes steps Sam Simmonds, the lighter yet
effective Exeter back row who will be looking to argue his case for inclusion in the next
World Cup squad.
Talking point 1: Over to you, Te'o
Eddie Jones has taken the bold step of selecting Ben Te’o ahead of Jonathan Joseph at
outside centre despite his near four-month absence with a high ankle sprain.
Te’o is a destructive ball carrier who will bring a physical edge to England’s midfield, but a
question mark hangs over his fitness.
(Image: PA) Recap: Wales 34-7 Scotland
Wales made a flying start to the NatWest 6 Nations as they blew Scotland away 34-7 in
Cardiff.
The Scots, without a win in the Welsh capital since 2002, never recovered from conceding
tries inside the first 12 minutes to Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies and full-back Leigh
Halfpenny.
Halfpenny claimed a second touchdown after half-time and added four conversions and two
penalties for a 24-point haul, before wing Steff Evans’ try secured a five-point maximum as
Scotland’s recent resurgence came to a grinding halt.
Substitute back Peter Horne scored a consolation 79th-minute try for Scotland that Finn
Russell converted, but the damage had long been done.
Read more here.
(Image: REUTERS) Recap: France 13-15 Ireland
Johnny Sexton’s incredible drop goal after time ensured Ireland won their 6 Nations opener
15-13 vs France in Paris.
Teddy Thomas’ brilliance to score a try had put the hosts into a 13-12 lead, but the Irish dug
in and remained in the contest.
Sexton scored all of visitors’ points and took on an audacious drop-goal from just inside the
France half to seal a dramatic win.
The thrilling end left the hosts deflated, though Irish full-back Rob Kearney hailed his side’s
finish.
Read more here.
(Image: REUTERS) Italy starting team
ITALY: 15-Matteo Minozzi, 14-Tommaso Benvenuti, 13-Tommaso Boni, 12-Tommaso
Castello, 11-Mattia Bellini, 10-Tommaso Allan, 9-Marcello Violi, 1-Andrea Lovotti, 2-
Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3-Simone Ferrari, 4-Alessandro Zanni, 5-Dean Budd, 6-Sebastian
Negri, 7-Renato Giammarioli, 8-Sergio Parisse
BENCH: 16-Luca Bigi, 17-Nicola Quaglio, 18-Tizano Pasquali, 19-George Biagi, 20-Maxime
Mbanda, 21-Edoardo Gori, 22-Carlo Canna, 23-Jayden Hayward
(Image: PA) 12:07KEY EVENT England starting team for Italy clash
STARTING TEAM
15 Mike Brown (Harlequins 64 caps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby 28 caps)
13 Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors 8 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens 53 caps)
11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers 29 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers 40 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers 73 caps)
1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens 44 caps)
2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints 89 caps)