Tuesday’s Rugby News has O’Connor to London Irish, a Wallaby selection dilemma, English injuries and Mike Phillips sacked.
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O’Connor set to join London Irish
London Irish are set to announce the signing of former Wallaby back James O’Connor in a news conference later today (9pm AEDT). O’Connor was previously told that the ARU would not offer him a 2014 contract following a disciplinary investigation which found that he had ‘failed to uphold the behavioural and cultural standards expected within the team.’ While the 23-year-old also considered Japanese or French rugby, it appears that London Irish have secured his services.
‘He’s a world-class player, he’s a terrific kid and I’m sure that will all be unveiled at the front end of this week,’ London Irish coach Brian Smith said. O’Connor has also stated that he chose England due to their style of rugby and what it could potentially do to improve his overall play, particularly his game management from the five-eighth and fullback. [/one_half]
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Wallaby selection duel at No.12
Brumbies team-mates Matt Toomua and Christian Leali’ifano will both be closely considered for the Wallabies starting inside centre job, testing a pact made previously between the two playmakers. Matt Toomua has revealed that when he and Leali’ifano were competing for the Brumbies five-eighth position, ‘we had a chat [in the] pre-season and said, ‘This never gets between us’.’ Leali’ifano played inside centre for all six Rugby Championship matches before hurting his ankle before the third Bledisloe Test.
A solid performance from Toomua has created McKenzie’s selection dilemma. England and Australia name their teams on Thursday, with Owen Farrell expected to start at five-eighth for England. Toomua has also emphasised that he would relish a rematch with Billy Twelvetrees, who was the British and Irish Lions No. 12 in their shock loss to the Brumbies in June. [/one_half]
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English injury blow
English prop Alex Corbisiero will not play against the Wallabies on Saturday due to a knee injury. Corbisiero twisted his left knee while playing for Northampton just over two weeks ago and has not recovered in time. He is expected to play against Argentina on November 9. Mako Vunipola or Joe Marler will likely replace the Lions prop, giving some hope to the Australian scrum.
English coach Stuart Lancaster is confident hooker Dylan Hartley and prop David Wilson will be available for selection , despite the pair suffering ankle and calf injuries respectively. ‘We know we face a massive threat against them,’ Lancaster said. ‘They’re a good side with quality players. We won’t be taking them for granted.’ [/one_half]
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Phillips sacked by Bayonne
Welsh scrumhalf Mike Phillips has reportedly been dismissed by Bayonne after turning up drunk to a video analysis session, described by chairman Alain Afflelou as ‘treason.’ Afflelou has said that if the club had not sacked Phillips, he would have resigned and has no intention of paying the Lions representative any compensation.
Phillips has claimed that he learned of his sacking from an interview with a French newspaper and will start legal proceedings against the Top 14 club. Team-mates Dwayne Haare and Stephen Brett also faced the Bayonne board for their involvement in the same incident but Phillips is expected to be given the most severe punishment because he was also fined and suspended for 10 days last year for an off-field incident. [/one_half]
