New boy of France unfazed by first start – Six Nations Rugby 2010

New boy of France Marc Andreu says he is unfazed by making his first international start as his country go for a Grand Slam against Italy in their Six Nations rugby clash in Paris this Sunday.
The Castres winger is the surprise name in Marc Lievremont’s starting line-up following his debut for Les Bleus against Wales in Cardiff two weeks ago.
 "I now have to stay focused and continue to train well this weekend to be at the top of my game on Sunday.
Andreu made his bow for the France team in a three-minute cameo appearance as a substitute against Wales a fortnight ago.
"That was a first step. I’m now in the starting line-up against a fine Italy side that are having a great tournament.
"For my first start, I’m going to try and perform well so I can stay in this squad that is packed full of top players."
"This does not bother me at all. On the contrary. It should be seen as a strength and not as a weakness. I have always been small and it has never posed me any problems. I’ll play to my qualities to beat my opponents," Andreu said.
That has been shown this season as the winger has become a key part of the Castres team, the surprise leaders of the Top 14 league, starting 20 times and scoring five tries in all competitions.
Born in the town of Frejus on the Cote d’Azur, Andreu grew up in southwest France in a small town outside Bordeaux.
But the pacey winger could well have been lining up for another French national team alongside Thierry Henry and Yoann Gourcuff: he spent his early teenage years concentrating on his football and played in the same youth team as Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh.
He took up rugby seriously at the age of 15 and later signed for Toulon in 2002.
In his seven-year spell with the southern club, Andreu became known for his lightning speed and mazy running with the ball, winning call-ups to France’s Sevens and university sides.
Now Andreu is fulfilling a long-time dream in turning out for the full national team against the Italians.
"All kids who start playing rugby dream of one day playing for the French team and even one day appearing in the Six Nations," he said.
Italy have a wretched record in the tournament, having notched up only their seventh-ever win in ten years against Scotland a fortnight ago.
Yet Andreu is refusing to underestimate the threat they pose.
"We’ll have to take the Italians very seriously after they beat Scotland. They played well against England and Ireland so we must be very careful," he said.
France V Italy Hospitality
Six Nations Hospitality

Six Nations Rugby 2010 : Scotland V England Hospitality

Scotland will target this game as their “championship” having not won a single match in 2010.  While their final game against Ireland will be intense, to beat their oldest enemy would put them in the winner’s circle, but more importantly, will scuttle any hopes England have of winning the Six Nations rugby 2010.
Andy Robinson and his side will want to again take steps forward.  They were on the right path, being competitive against France and dominating Wales for most of the game.  But the loss to Italy in Rome was damaging coming into this game for two key reasons.
Again the spectre of being unable to score tries reared its head, with the Italians keeping their try line intact.  But worse still is that England will in all their glorified pragmatism know that they need not do anything particular intricate to beat a Scottish side that is slowly growing, but still seemingly missing the necessary munitions needed to win them a test match.
Still, while England march up North with a stronger record in this tournament, and with a stronger looking match day squad, this is far from a guarantee of any success.  Far more impressive English sides than Martin Johnson’s current hybrid have come to Murrayfield and lost.  
Much of Scotland’s ability to succeed in what is only their second and final home game in 2010 will come down to belief.  Any confidence they had carefully built up since Robinson came on board would have evaporated with their loss to the Azzurri.
But they can compete, and will need to heed their coach’s call to be ruthless against England.  Scotland’s two domestic sides, both who are in the top four of the Magners League, showed that Scottish rugby is stronger than their mediocre recent international record suggests.  
Captain Chris Cusiter himself said that the creating and hard work is being done by the team, it is just a case of being more clinical to finish moves – and by association matches – off.
Crucial to their hopes will be their Glasgow spine, with their entire back row and numbers 9, 10, 11 and 12 in the backline all being Warriors.  These combinations should ensure a little more cohesiveness on the field, and that could be the difference between the two sides.
Certainly the Scottish pack is strong enough to resist anything the English throw at them.
For England, they have made only two changes, bringing in Wasps flanker Joe Worsley and Tigers second rower Louis Deacon.  
With their backline retained from their loss against Ireland, it is now or never for what is England’s front line three quarter division.  A loss here, coupled with another directionless display from their on-field tacticians, should increase the cadence – and rightly so – for Johnson to look elsewhere for men to wear the red rose.
England does have the superior record overall against the teams, including winning nine of the last 12.  But since 2006 the ledger stands at 2 wins apiece.  
Scotland V England Hospitality
Six Nations Hospitality

Lee Byrne warns Ireland that Wales will end their Triple Crown hopes

Wales full back Lee Byrne is gunning for Ireland and second place in the RBS Six Nations 2010.
The 29-year-old has been stunned by his country’s bad luck in the championship, narrow losses to England and France just one score away from being victories.
But Byrne insists Wales can go to Croke Park this Saturday  and upset the Irish in their bid for a Triple Crown.
‘We’ve got nothing to fear there,’ said Byrne.
‘It’s been a very  odd year for us – both matches we lost we could have won and the match we won, we should have lost.
‘The one thing about us is our fitness – we have some strong in the last 20 minutes of every match we have played.
‘All we need to do now is start a bit stronger. Ireland are a very good side! but then again so are we.’
Victory in their final two games – against Ireland and Italy – will mean they cannot be overhauled by Scotland, Ireland or Italy with England having already lost a game as well.
‘Second place is our goal now and that would be great given the start we had.’
Byrne himself has had a Six Nations in the spotlight. Initially suspended because of the ‘subgate’ fiasco when he became the 16th player on the pitch for Ospreys in the Heineken Cup against Leicester, he was able to play when the ban was lifted at the last minute.
Then he was accused of deliberately falling over under pressure when chasing a ball against Scotland, resulting in the Scot being sin binned and the penalty from which the Welsh drew level seconds from time.
They went on to grab an injury-time try through Shane Williams to beat the 13 men in blue.
Byrne, who had earlier scored a try, insisted he WAS tripped by Godman and that his opponent got what he deserved.     
The former Bridgend union and league player has joined up with RBS RugbyForce promoting the sport at grassroots level.
He said: ‘I came through the grassroots system so it means a lot to me to put something back.  I’m happy to get involved with this because it means so much to so many people – including me.
‘My days at Bridgend were really enjoyable and I made a lot of friends – I try and get back there whenever I can.
‘RBS RugbyForce is spreading the word and the more people involved in the game the better for it – and the Wales team of course!’
Ireland V Wales Hospitality
Six Nations Hospitality

Six Nations 2010: Wales and Ireland ‘have lost respect’ for England HQ Twickenham

Lawrence Dallaglio has challenged Martin Johnson’s England to restore Twickenham’s reputation as one of the most feared stadia in world rugby during their RBS Six Nations campaign this season.
England have won only five out of 10 Test matches at Twickenham under Johnson, while Saturday’s opponents, Wales, are seeking their second successive Six Nations victory in London and fourth in total.
Defending Grand Slam champions Ireland, the other visitors to Twickenham this season, enjoy an even more impressive record, having won twice in their past three visits to English headquarters and five out of their six most recent championship encounters.
A win ratio of just 50 per cent at Twickenham under Johnson contrasts sharply with the home record in the run-up to England’s World Cup triumph in 2003, when they went unbeaten for four years and won 22 Test matches in a row.
Dallaglio, who was part of England’s World Cup-winning pack under Johnson’s captaincy, feels it is imperative Twickenham once again becomes a daunting fortress for visiting teams.
"England have to put building blocks in place and as a coach and as a player, the building blocks have to be that you win your home games," Dallaglio said.
"Twickenham needs to be a place that people respect. Respect is a term that is used a lot in rugby. Well, they should start respecting Twickenham. But the only way to get respect is by making sure that any team that comes there is sent home with the right message.
"The key for England in this Six Nations is winning the games at Twickenham and it is interesting that the two teams ,Wales V Ireland they play at home are probably teams that have lost their respect for Twickenham.
"You are not going to make it a fortress straight away but England need to start to make it a place that teams and supporters respect again. A victory over Wales would be a massive step in the right direction."
"We all have massive expectations and have a lot of players coming back. That is not to say we are going to be world beaters in the space of several weeks. But I think you will see improved performances from each player. Johnno now has a better understanding of each player and the coaches have a better understanding of what Johnno wants.
"Once you have that understanding, you have a really good base level. It is now about taking that onto the pitch and expressing ourselves. I believe we are at that place. I know we will be judged on how we play against Wales but the majority of our squad have been together for the last year or so I feel there are no more excuses."
Ireland V Wales Hospitality
Six Nations Hospitality

Rugby: EK rugby star Ally targets Six Nations crown

RUGBY star Ally Strokosch believes it’s time Scotland realised their potential and lifted the Six Nations crown.
The 26-year-old from Stewartfield (pictured right) will have to watch from the sidelines at Murrayfield on Sunday as Scotland open their championship account against France.
The Gloucester flanker suffered a heartbreak injury and is out of the match – but says now is the time for the Dark Blues to stand up and be counted after years of talented teams failing to live up to their billing.
Ally told the News: “I definitely believe we can win the championship this year and that is our plan. We’ve set ourselves a target and that target is to win it. I think we are better prepared than last year and we are not a young team anymore.
“We’ve got a good side and it’s time all the potential we’ve talked about for the last few years was realised.
“France will be a tough start for us, but a lot of our guys have faced the French players regularly in European rugby and beaten them, so we know them well and what to expect.
“We had a good build up with the performances in the Autumn Tests (where Scotland beat Australia) and, although we lost the third game, that should stand us in good stead. We need to build our defensive display, though, and be quicker in the attack when we play France.
“But confidence is high and so is the spirit in the squad.”
After recording their first win over Australia in 27 years back in November, the Scotland camp will, no doubt, still be buzzing from the famous 9-8 victory.
However, if Andy Robinson’s Scotland side are to record victory over France this weekend they will have to overcome their terrible opening day hoodoo. For the Scots have lost nine of their last 10 opening matches in the Six Nations and this is something Ally says they are determined to change as the team aim to beat France, England, Wales, Ireland and Italy to the coveted title.
The former East Kilbride Rugby Club player added: “It’s a record we want to change. We are by no means the finished article yet, but I’m confident we can have a big impact this year – and we need to start with a good performance against France.
“They will be one of the biggest threats this year along with Ireland and Wales. Ireland are full of quality players at the moment and they won the Grand Slam last year, so they will go in as favourites. And Wales won the Grand Slam two years ago, so they are in there, too.
“It will be great to see how it unfolds this year, but we need to focus on beating France first.”
After this weekend’s match, Scotland travel to the Millennium Stadium on February 13 to face Wales, to the Stadio Flaminio on February 27 to face Italy before the Calcutta Cup match with England at Murrayfield on March 13 and a potentially huge match with Ireland on the final day, March 20, at Croke Park.
The Scots are looking forward to a home tie with England as they aim to avenge their 26-12 defeat at Twickenham last year.
“It’s always good to play England,” said Ally with great zeal. “It’s great to have them at Murrayfield this year and have the crowd behind us.
“To be honest, I’m not really that bothered where we play them anyway – I just care about winning the match.”

Ireland V Scotland Hospitality

Six Nations Hospitality

Six Nations: Why Ireland can achieve the almost impossible dream

If nothing else the 2010 Six Nations Championship will break new ground on the musical front. In their wisdom, the organisers have commissioned an official anthem, cunningly entitled Six Together, to give the tournament – ahem – a "new sonic identity". The idea is to combine a Welsh harp, Irish pipes, Scottish bagpipes, a French accordion, an Italian mandolin and an English cathedral choir on the same record, a concept which could easily broaden the definition of Eurotrash. Come back Max Boyce, Harry Lauder and Pavarotti, all is forgiven.
It is too late now but Bryan Ferry’s version of Let’s Stick Together, or Tom Jones’s Delilah, would have been more appropriate. What is the Six Nations if not a collective, cross-border celebration of history, fraternity and late-night karaoke? If it has a traditional backing track it is the sound of raucous cheering drifting from the pubs of Rose Street and Baggot Street and gales of laughter on matchday trains. I remember staying in a guest house close to Lansdowne Road and discussing the afternoon’s game with the landlady. Her son would be there, she said, although he did not have a ticket. "Just you wait and see," she said, winking. Sure enough, an hour prior to kick-off, an ambulance drew up outside the front door. Into the back jumped yer man, who promptly lay down on a stretcher and covered himself up with a blanket. Within seconds the ambulance had disappeared around the corner to be ushered straight into the ground. The Irish are truly a resourceful people, economic downturn or not.
Which is another good reason why Brian O’Driscoll’s side may just be worth backing to collect a second title to add to the long-awaited triumph of 2009, their first grand slam since 1948. Hang around long enough for an ambulance and the chances of two arriving improve. To win consecutive Six Nations slams, however, is about more than mere good fortune or the law of averages. England have achieved the feat twice since the Great War, Wales have not managed it for a century and Scotland, Ireland and Italy are still waiting. Only France in 1997 and 1998 have cracked the code in the professional era and both of those successes were in the old Five Nations.
What people always forget is the tournament’s X-factor: the ceaseless undertow of ancient rivalry. No one likes an uppity neighbour, as Wales discovered last season.
"There’s more pressure on defending champions and we found that last year," said Warren Gatland, the Wales coach who used to be in charge of Ireland. "Everyone targets you as the game to win. I wouldn’t normally have expected France to be doing a lap of honour in Paris, having beaten Wales. Ireland will go in as favourites but they’ve got two tough games in England and France and our meetings with them are really close. On the plus side, they’ve got two teams playing well in Europe at the moment, a lot of experience and a lot of confidence."
Ireland also have a coach, Declan Kidney, who knows more about the psychology behind sustained success than most. Under Kidney, Munster developed from perennial nearly-men into ruthless champions. If some of the players involved are long in the tooth – John Hayes is about to become the first man to play 50 Six Nations games – the mentality has been absorbed by the next generation. Talk to the likes of Rob Kearney and Jamie Heaslip and they will tell you, not cockily but matter‑of‑fact, that they expect to win every game. Winning is a habit and Ireland are disinclined to kick it, particularly with O’Driscoll at the helm. "We’re owed nothing in this Six Nations" he said. "You don’t retain anything, you give it back and then you try and win it again. We need to start from scratch. It will be the same attitude we’ve had for the past 10 years. You try and build into a competition, you don’t win it in the first couple of weeks. That’s how you lose it."

Ireland V Italy Hospitality

Six Nations Hospitality

Mathieu Bastareaud back for France determined to repair his damage

Euan Murray wraps his arms around his 18st body and shivers. The Northampton Saints and Scotland tighthead prop is a mountain of a man, but he looks vulnerable when facing the subject of his religious choices.
This Sunday, as Scotland take on France at Murrayfield in their first match of the Six Nations, the 29-year‑old will not be on the pitch. He has decided to forgo Sunday matches, and all non-religious activity that affects the Christian Sabbath – including interviews with Sunday newspapers.
Tired of explaining himself, he recently informed his club that he would no longer discuss the decision, and so as we approach the subject Murray sighs. He rearranges his feet on the coffee table in front of him, and sinks deeper into his coat, visibly retreating. "What do you want me to say about it? I don’t think I need to say much about it. It’s a decision, a difficult decision I had to make. And I’m happy with my decision."
There is a stony silence. The interest in his story has been intense and there is a weariness apparent over being cast in the role of religious curiosity of the week. But it is impossible for Murray not to discuss the subject in detail because his two great loves – rugby and Christianity – are so inextricably linked. Even as he speaks the language of the two collide. "Take my yoke upon thee …" he says, quoting the Bible, before pausing to note the irony. "You know like the yoke we use in training?"
To sacrifice one for the other has been tough and there is a revealing sadness in his voice as he describes what it has been like to miss games for Northampton. "I missed being part of it," he says quietly. "Someone actually told me the score the last time and I was really, really happy that we’d won."
Does he sometimes wonder if he’s made the right decision? There is a very long pause. "I believe that biblically I’ve made the right decision." And emotionally? Murray blows out his cheeks. "Well, when you really become a Christian, life’s a battle. You’re going against the tide. The crowd are going one way and you’re going another. It’s always going to be a battle to be different. The easy thing is to go along with the crowd, everybody’s doing it. You know? Try going the opposite direction to a crowd. It’s hard. You won’t get very far."
Murray was raised as a Christian, his mother taking the family to church in Glasgow. But he only turned to Christ in earnest after he was knocked unconscious in a game against Munster in September 2005. For those who witnessed the incident, the images are distressing. A collision with Anthony Horgan’s knee sent Murray’s head snapping back. As he lay on the pitch, his face contorted, his body writhing, he suffered a horrific seizure. Those around him thought he was dying. When he finally regained consciousness he entered a state of delirium, swaying on his feet and battling with the paramedics as he roared in confusion.
"Sometimes it takes a bang on the head to wake someone up," he says. "Some people don’t get that chance. For some people it’s bang, dead." He laughs.
He suggests that the path many professional sportsmen follow is "rotten". He tries to explain. "All the shiny bubbles," he says, holding out his big hands and shaking his head in sadness. "The money, the possessions, the fame, the great elusive relationship – all bubbles that appear perfectly spherical, all the colours of the rainbow. They’re bright and shiny and light as a feather, and you chase them because it’s good fun, but the minute you get them they burst and they’re empty." He pauses. "I’d had enough of chasing bubbles."
In a portrait of Murray it would be misleading to only reference the religious sportsman. As a young boy growing up in the countryside south of Glasgow he worked on a farm, mucking out the outhouses, feeding the milk calves. "I loved working with animals, and the manual hard work," he says. "It made me strong."
He went on to qualify as a veterinarian – "because I love puppies and kittens," he jokes – only embarking on a professional rugby career at the advanced age of 23. Even so, during that first year of rugby he still practised as a vet one day a week, before deciding to give it up and focus on the game.
Wales V Italy Hospitality
Six Nations Hospitality

Six Nations: ‘Rugby is not what fuels my happiness,’ says Euan Murray

Euan Murray wraps his arms around his 18st body and shivers. The Northampton Saints and Scotland tighthead prop is a mountain of a man, but he looks vulnerable when facing the subject of his religious choices.
This Sunday, as Scotland take on France at Murrayfield in their first match of the Six Nations, the 29-year‑old will not be on the pitch. He has decided to forgo Sunday matches, and all non-religious activity that affects the Christian Sabbath – including interviews with Sunday newspapers.
Tired of explaining himself, he recently informed his club that he would no longer discuss the decision, and so as we approach the subject Murray sighs. He rearranges his feet on the coffee table in front of him, and sinks deeper into his coat, visibly retreating. "What do you want me to say about it? I don’t think I need to say much about it. It’s a decision, a difficult decision I had to make. And I’m happy with my decision."
There is a stony silence. The interest in his story has been intense and there is a weariness apparent over being cast in the role of religious curiosity of the week. But it is impossible for Murray not to discuss the subject in detail because his two great loves – rugby and Christianity – are so inextricably linked. Even as he speaks the language of the two collide. "Take my yoke upon thee …" he says, quoting the Bible, before pausing to note the irony. "You know like the yoke we use in training?"
To sacrifice one for the other has been tough and there is a revealing sadness in his voice as he describes what it has been like to miss games for Northampton. "I missed being part of it," he says quietly. "Someone actually told me the score the last time and I was really, really happy that we’d won."
Does he sometimes wonder if he’s made the right decision? There is a very long pause. "I believe that biblically I’ve made the right decision." And emotionally? Murray blows out his cheeks. "Well, when you really become a Christian, life’s a battle. You’re going against the tide. The crowd are going one way and you’re going another. It’s always going to be a battle to be different. The easy thing is to go along with the crowd, everybody’s doing it. You know? Try going the opposite direction to a crowd. It’s hard. You won’t get very far."
Murray was raised as a Christian, his mother taking the family to church in Glasgow. But he only turned to Christ in earnest after he was knocked unconscious in a game against Munster in September 2005. For those who witnessed the incident, the images are distressing. A collision with Anthony Horgan’s knee sent Murray’s head snapping back. As he lay on the pitch, his face contorted, his body writhing, he suffered a horrific seizure. Those around him thought he was dying. When he finally regained consciousness he entered a state of delirium, swaying on his feet and battling with the paramedics as he roared in confusion.
"Sometimes it takes a bang on the head to wake someone up," he says. "Some people don’t get that chance. For some people it’s bang, dead." He laughs.
He suggests that the path many professional sportsmen follow is "rotten". He tries to explain. "All the shiny bubbles," he says, holding out his big hands and shaking his head in sadness. "The money, the possessions, the fame, the great elusive relationship – all bubbles that appear perfectly spherical, all the colours of the rainbow. They’re bright and shiny and light as a feather, and you chase them because it’s good fun, but the minute you get them they burst and they’re empty." He pauses. "I’d had enough of chasing bubbles."
In a portrait of Murray it would be misleading to only reference the religious sportsman. As a young boy growing up in the countryside south of Glasgow he worked on a farm, mucking out the outhouses, feeding the milk calves. "I loved working with animals, and the manual hard work," he says. "It made me strong."
He went on to qualify as a veterinarian – "because I love puppies and kittens," he jokes – only embarking on a professional rugby career at the advanced age of 23. Even so, during that first year of rugby he still practised as a vet one day a week, before deciding to give it up and focus on the game.
Wales V Italy Hospitality
Six Nations Hospitality

RUGBY: Kidney gears up for Six Nations test

IRELAND coach, Declan Kidney, said having a competitive squad would be key to following on last year’s success in the Six Nations Championships.
There was no talk, however, of Grand Slams, with Kidney preferring to focus only on the visit of Italy to Croke Park on Saturday and the opening game in a new campaign.
Kidney was basically saying the slate was clean again and the side had to build once more towards achieving what they did last year.
The Irish management made a few tough calls on Tuesday when announcing the team to start against Italy.
But Kidney said competitiveness in the squad would breed success.
"Having players all bidding for the same places is what you want.
"It is crucial and if you do not have it, then the team, the squad, do not grow."
He added: "Last year we tried to put ourselves in a position where there would have to be calls to be made when selecting the teams.
"You look at the players and see how they are going. You just have to be honest and make the calls on form, which players are going better.
"Some of the decisions are so marginal it is almost inexplicable, others are based around combinations and also the opposition we face."
Andrew Trimble was one of several close calls made by Kidney, but he said the Ulster winger had come through well after a difficult spell with injury.
"In Andrew’s case, he had an injury situation where it was do you get it sorted, or do you play?
"Ulster, Andrew and ourselves decided the right option was not to take him on the summer tour to North America.
"He got what he needed done, had a big pre-season and when he started playing in September he showed great form. He has continued to do that on a consistent basis.
"Andrew was probably unlucky in November not to get a game, but Shane (Horgan) deserved his outing on that occasion.
"This time around he (Horgan) loses out and Andrew gets his chance."
Last year, Ulster skipper and hooker, Rory Best played a big part in the Grand Slam and he also captained the Ireland side which toured North America.
But he has not played since following a neck injury which required surgery. Remarkably, Best has returned to playing earlier than expected and with him fit and ready to go, Kidney had no problem naming him on the bench.
"It is a credit to Rory. It was a major injury, but the way he has got himself back and fit again. Indeed I think he is probably fitter than he has been for some time.
"I think the importance of the club system to us as well was reflected in that he was able to play for Banbridge just two weeks ago and then get an outing against Saxons last Sunday.
"The fact that he has presented himself as being fit and ready to go is a credit to himself as much as anyone else.
"He was a senior player for us last year and we are going to need all that experience coming into the game."

Wales V France Hospitality
Six Nations Hospitality

SIX NATIONS 2010: Jonny Wilkinson back in the firing line

For now, Jonny Wilkinson has put aside his contented new life on the Cote d’Azur. The joys of swimming in the sea and cycling in the mountains, freediving and al fresco dining – and, of course, the challenge of French club rugby – are temporarily on hold.
He has swapped it all for his designated place at the eye of a storm with England, in Surrey, at Twickenham and beyond in this RBS Six Nations.
The 30-year-old will attempt to galvanise England’s misfiring attacking game armed with the shield of healthy perspective. After the missing years of savage injuries, from 2003 to 2009, when his future was repeatedly called into question, the former Newcastle fly-half is simply revelling in a long spell of unbroken rugby.
A few unflattering reviews cannot diminish his upbeat mood, not when he admits that, had circumstances been different, his playing days could have been over already.
When Wilkinson lined up for England against Australia on November 6, it was his first Test for 18 months and the first time manager Martin Johnson had been able to select his former team-mate.
That day, he performed admirably in a losing cause, but the next two matches – against Argentina and New Zealand – saw him struggle to impose himself and inspire a side weighed down by caution.
This was not the commanding Jonny of old and the upshot was an overwhelmingly negative reaction which stung him. More than two months on, he insists he took all the comments in his stride – emphasising that criticism had increasingly come with the territory in his England career.
‘It didn’t really have an impact on me,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t affect my life whether someone decides that I am the best thing since sliced bread or that I am rubbish. All I can do is try my best for the team.
‘My career has been dominated by talk of injuries, but in recent times with England I have experienced people questioning me regularly. The first time was during the 2007 Six Nations, then there were more questions in the 2008 Six Nations.
‘I wouldn’t want to be in an England team if I didn’t deserve to be. But I will keep going while I can do a job and, at the moment, I feel relatively happy about the way I am playing.’

The most persistent barb directed at Wilkinson in November was that he played too deep behind the gain line. Since then, England’s attack coach Brian Smith has made it plain that he wants the first receiver to play flat and the man in possession of the No 10 shirt is willing to oblige, if it helps the team function better.

England V Wales Hospitality

Scotland V England Hospitality

Ireland V Italy Hospitality

France V Italy Hospitality

Six Nations Hospitality