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England and Wales continue their preparations for the Rugby World Cup with the second of back-to-back warm-up meetings.
Wales secured a strong victory in Cardiff last weekend, coming from behind as second half tries from Gareth Davies and George North helped Warren Gatland’s side to a 20-9 victory. England have since named their final World Cup squad, with Steve Borthwick hopes the clarity it provides his remaining 33 players will allow them to build cohesion over the next few weeks.
Perhaps in recognition of a need to build winning momentum ahead of the tournament, Borthwick has opted for a close to full-strength side as the hosts return to Twickenham for the first time since a record defeat to France during the Six Nations. Gatland, meanwhile, has freshened up his starting fifteen, an entirely new line-up ready to press for places in his World Cup selection, which will be named a week on Monday.
Follow all of the latest updates from Twickenham LIVE below:
England vs Wales
A bit of rain blew through southwest London a little earlier, but it looks a pleasant enough evening for rugby, the forecast clear from now and the temperature still up in the twenties. After this soggy British summer, it is welcome news – there was a sense that both England and Wales were keeping some clubs in their bag last weekend, and this might be a day to show off a bit more of their attacking range.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 August 2023 16:10
England want to have a ‘ruthless scrum’ against Wales, says coach Tom Harrison
England want to develop their scrum into a “ruthless” weapon in time for the World Cup as Wales provide another important test of its progress at Twickenham on Saturday.
A major improvement in the scrum was evident during the Six Nations, when it emerged as the most effective in the tournament just months after being statistically the worst among tier one sides.
It wobbled in the opening Summer Nations match in Cardiff, however, and England are looking to bounce back in the second instalment of the double header.
“We want to have a ruthless scrum. England want to scrummage,” scrum coach Tom Harrison said. “Joe Marler and Dan Cole are in the squad and those two players want to scrummage.
“What we’re working on is if it doesn’t go right or there is a problem, how can we solve it quickly? How can we be so ruthless that if a team tries to do something against us, we can solve the problem?”
Harry Latham-Coyle12 August 2023 16:00
Freddie Steward has welcomed the introduction of the ‘Bunker’ review system after enlisting the help of a psychologist to move on from the controversial red card he received against Ireland in March.
England’s full-back was sent off at the Aviva Stadium for making a dangerous tackle on Hugo Keenan but a hugely contentious decision was subsequently overturned by a disciplinary hearing.
World Rugby has since trialled a procedure designed to help referees make the right call that will be in place throughout the Summer Nations Series.
The Bunker enables a foul play official to review yellow cards at the request of the referee, with the scope to upgrade them to a red if warranted by the offence.
Any incident will be analysed while the match continues and the player is in the sin-bin, thereby preventing the type of lengthy delays witnessed when Jaco Peyper deliberated over Steward’s red card.
“It’s a good step forward. Games are significantly affected because when it’s 15 v 14 it’s a different game,” Steward said.
“If the right decision is made or the wrong decision is made, it gives an opportunity to correct that which is good for the game.”
Harry Latham-Coyle12 August 2023 15:50
Steve Borthwick: Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence can forge effective partnership
Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence could be paired together in a potent centre combination as England assess their midfield permutations for the World Cup.
Head coach Steve Borthwick believes that despite broad similarities in playing style – both players are physical carriers who run through rather than around opponents – they can forge an effective partnership.
It raises the prospect of England entering the crucial opener against Argentina on September 9 with Tuilagi and Lawrence operating outside fly-half Owen Farrell.
Lawrence entered the World Cup training camp on the back of his breakthrough Six Nations, filling the hard-running role usually performed by Tuilagi.
“I think they can play together – Manu at 12 and Ollie at 13,” Borthwick said.
“That was Ollie’s first proper Six Nations, as in being involved every week. He did really well before unfortunately having to go off in the France game with a hamstring injury.
“Ollie brings carry but he’s also a very good defender. He rates exceptionally high as a defender on all the systems we use to analyse performances across the Premiership.
“We know Manu’s strengths and experience and I think they can play together in a specific way.”
Harry Latham-Coyle12 August 2023 15:40
Warren Gatland ‘pretty confident’ Taulupe Faletau will be fit for World Cup
The Cardiff number eight, who has won 100 caps, will play no part in Wales’ tournament warm-up schedule as he continues his recovery from a calf muscle injury.
He is not involved against England at Twickenham on Saturday, and has also been ruled out of contention to face world champions South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday week.
Gatland said: “Taulupe won’t be available next week.
“He trained pretty well , he is not feeling anything in his calf, so we are pretty confident he is available for selection.”
Harry Latham-Coyle12 August 2023 15:25
Owen Farrell on Saracen teammate Ben Earl ahead of first England start
“Ben is a brilliant player. He’s a game-changing player at times and he’s worked exceptionally hard to have as much impact as he does,” Farrell said.
“I’m chuffed for him that he’s got a start and I’m excited to see him run out on Saturday.”
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Jack Rathborn12 August 2023 15:10
Owen Farrell on England World Cup squad
“We are really clear that we have a lot of work to do,” Farrell said. “But we have an exciting time ahead of us and that’s leading massively into Saturday.
“We want to be in the position to be able to take the opportunities in front of us and to work hard so that we are able to move the ball.
“Everyone has to be a part of it, and we have been working hard this week to do that.”.
Jack Rathborn12 August 2023 15:00
Owen Farrell eyes Wales ‘opportunity’ to show the real England
“We are all excited here,” he said. “This weekend is an opportunity to show what we can do. We want to be in the best place possible for the World Cup, and we’re building towards that. Playing Wales at Twickenham is a fantastic opportunity for the team and we’re all excited to get out there.”
(PA)
Jack Rathborn12 August 2023 14:50
Dismal England left reeling by Wales in Rugby World Cup warm-up
A reminder about last week, then, where England put in a dismal display, hitting their confidence in the build-up to France.
Second-half tries from Gareth Davies and George North staved off a fifth successive home loss for Wales as England boss Steve Borthwick was given plenty to ponder less than 48 hours before he names his World Cup squad.
Few players left lasting impressions, although there were some impressive moments from fly-half Marcus Smith and No 8 Alex Dombrandt, with Wales responding superbly to a three-point interval deficit.
Jack Rathborn12 August 2023 14:40
Steve Borthwick avoids grand statements but England’s Rugby World Cup squad offers clues
Borthwick has named his squad a full three weeks before the World Rugby-imposed deadline. It is hoped that this clarity will be helpful; there was a sense in the England camp that the anxiety over selection among the players undermined their preparation for the trip to the Principality Stadium on Saturday. Now, those chosen have a clear run and peace of mind: Borthwick hopes his squad and preferred combinations have the time to build cohesion over the three remaining warm-up fixtures ahead of England’s tournament opener against Argentina on 9 September.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 August 2023 14:30
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