It’s time for our Monday wrap of who has their name in lights and who is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the weekend.
THEY’RE ON FIRE!
France v Scotland thriller: After another largely disappointing contest between England and Wales, France and Scotland certainly made up for that with a Saturday night thriller in Saint-Etienne. Both chanced their arms at every opportunity and both will take plenty from the 80 minutes, with France’s big guns dusting off the cobwebs while Scotland gain further confidence ahead of a pivotal Pool B opener against South Africa. If both sides replicate this kind of form there’s no reason they can’t have strong campaigns at the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Okay guys, I’m officially warmed up for the World Cup now.
Can only imagine what French and Scottish hearts are like.#FRAvSCO
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) August 12, 2023
Liam Williams oozes class: It wasn’t all doom and gloom at Twickenham, however, as Williams rolled back the years with a performance that oozed class. The effortless way he can stop and change direction leaves those hunting him down look rather foolish and Williams did this on more than one occasion on Saturday. A player whose composure in a high pressure environment continues to defy belief, Wales boast one of the calmest operators at full-back and will hope he can build on this performance ahead of what is likely going to be his last World Cup.
Superb performance yesterday from the Welsh fullback🔥 pic.twitter.com/xMRttHjzGY
— Andrew Forde (@andrewfrugby) August 13, 2023
Highlanders scoop up Jamie Joseph: In a clever bit of business, the Dunedin side has lured Japan boss Jamie Joseph back to the club to serve as the head of rugby from 2024. The tactician has already had a stint with the Highlanders between 2011 and 2016 and he believes it’s a chance to give back to an area that has offered him so much throughout his life, after he led them to Super Rugby glory back in 2015.
.@Highlanders club legend Jamie Joseph returns to the club as the Head of Rugby on a four-year deal.#SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/oDd91zgAO9
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) August 10, 2023
Namibia claim away win over Chile: While most eyes were on the action at Twickenham and Saint-Etienne, there was more World Cup warm-up action in South America. It was number 22 in the world versus number 21, and in the end, the higher-ranked side came out on top, with Namibia securing a 28-26 win. Allister Coetzee’s side scored in the 75th minute, with Tiaan Swanepoel’s conversion sealing the victory.
It’s a WIN for Namibia in Chile 🇳🇦🏉 pic.twitter.com/jCgmoEt8BT
— Namibia Rugby (@namibia_rugby) August 12, 2023
Os Lobos defeat USA, again: Last year, Portugal drew 16-16 with the USA to secure their place at Rugby World Cup 2023. This time around, Os Lobos left no doubt around who the better side was as they ran in seven tries to seal a comprehensive 46-20 victory over the Eagles. The result will give Portugal confidence ahead of their first Rugby World Cup campaign since 2007 as they look to cause a shock.
END OF THE GAME🇵🇹🇵🇹
PORTUGAL 46 x 20 USA
— Portugal Rugby (@PortugalRugby) August 12, 2023
COLD AS ICE!
Owen Farrell in hot water: Much of Saturday night and Sunday’s reaction to the World Cup warm-ups centred around that tackle from Farrell. The England captain made contact with the head of Wales back-row Taine Basham and found his initial yellow card upgraded to a red after the bunker review system studied the evidence. It’s not the first time Farrell’s tackle technique has caused him and his team angst and he’s now set to miss their remaining warm-up games plus their World Cup pool opener against Argentina. The fly-half will find out on Tuesday whether a suspension will run for the duration of their pool games, with England dealt a significant blow ahead of the tournament.
This Owen Farrell ‘tackle’ has a 6-week ban and a place on WR’s site as an example of a dangerous tackle written all over it… pic.twitter.com/U46FhioLsq
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) August 13, 2023
Johnny Sexton’s Portugal match: The Ireland captain is meant to be serving a three-game suspension for berating match officials after Leinster’s Champions Cup final loss to La Rochelle earlier this year but somehow managed to play in a warm-up match against Portugal this past week. The friendly match was played behind closed doors and considered unofficial which allowed the experienced fly-half to take part. It is a very convenient technicality for a player who is desperate for game time and subsequently caused plenty of debate on social media.
✈️ Ireland are off to the Algarve as they continue their preparations for #RWC2023.
☘️ Johnny Sexton is set to feature in a behind-closed-doors clash.https://t.co/DQ0jyyYJAt
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) August 7, 2023
Springboks injuries: South Africa announced their Rugby World Cup squad last week and there were some notable omissions from the 33-man group. Management was banking on Handre Pollard returning from his calf issue in time for the global showpiece but it isn’t to be. Joining him on the sidelines is Lukhanyo Am, who recently picked up an injury and is heartbroken to miss the tournament. Meanwhile, lock Lood de Jager is set to miss the World Cup due to a chest issue. It is suspected to be an illness of some sort but little information has been released on it. All three players have been named in a stand-by group suggesting they could possibly still feature in the event of an injury.
🇿🇦 Our winners and losers from the Springboks’ #RWC2023 squad.
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) August 9, 2023
Veteran Wallabies duo miss out: In typical Eddie Jones fashion, the wily coach shocked the world with his World Cup squad that was loaded with young players as he remarkably omitted two greats in Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper. The decision comes as a huge surprise considering that Hooper, who is also the most capped Wallabies captain, was one of the key leaders during this year’s Rugby Championship. Meanwhile, Cooper was Jones’ go-to fly-half before he handed the jersey to Carter Gordon, who is the only specialist number 10 in the squad.
✅ Max Jorgensen and Will Skelton.
❌ Michael Hooper and Pete Samu.🇦🇺 Our winners and losers from Eddie Jones’ Wallabies #RWC2023 squad.
✍️ @jaredwright17https://t.co/XSPtNy9iIV
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) August 10, 2023
Warm-up injuries: The fixtures to help prepare teams for the World Cup have always proven to be testing times for players and coaches alike. They provide the opportunity for players to secure their place in the squad and coaches the chance to make up their minds on their final few spots. However, the fixtures always produce unwanted injuries, and this year is the same. This weekend’s action has put an injury cloud over Dewi Lake, Jack van Poortvliet, Romain Ntamack and Duhan van der Merwe – all of whom are key men to their respective sides.
Dewi Lake is not a player Wales can afford having a serious injury ahead of the World Cup.#ENGvWAL pic.twitter.com/Qm9jQqt9K1
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) August 12, 2023
READ MORE: Two Cents Rugby ranks the five biggest shock calls in this year’s Rugby World Cup squads
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