Shiggins
Simon Poidevin (60)
Punched Chris Ashton!!! what a ledgend!!
this kid Looks alright, anyone heard about him?
"Johnson ready to give rookie Tuilagi debut against Wales
Gavin Mairs
August 4, 2011 - 12:38PM
Mid-field monster ... Manu Tuilagi.
Mid-field monster ... Manu Tuilagi. Photo: Getty Images
Manu Tuilagi, Leicester's 20 year-old Samoan-born centre, will be unveiled on Thursday by England manager Martin Johnson when he names his side to face Wales in the Investec international at Twickenham on Saturday.
Tuilagi, who missed the last five weeks of the season having been suspended for punching England teammate Chris Ashton during Leicester's victory over Northampton in the Aviva Premiership semi-final, is to make his international debut after only one season in the Premiership.
Johnson has been impressed by Tuilagi's physicality and attitude in England's six-week training camp and he is expected to be named in the midfield alongside Wasps centre Riki Flutey.
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Gloucester's 21 year-old wing Charlie Sharples, the other rookie who is pushing hard for a place in Johnson's 30-man World Cup squad, is likely to be on the bench but is in line to make his England debut during the first of three World Cup warm-up matches.
There will also be an emotional return to the England side for Matt Stevens, 28, the Saracens prop who won the last of his 32 caps in November 2008 before he was banned for two years for taking cocaine.
Stevens is thought to have been included at his favoured tighthead prop position, with London Irish's Alex Corbisiero at loosehead and Northampton's Dylan Hartley at hooker.
"I have played for England before and I know the honour that it is and I know the incredible feeling it is to run out in front of the players at Twickenham or anywhere in the world," said Stevens, who appeared in the World Cup final defeat by South Africa in 2007. "It is a fantastic experience and one I hope to have again."
With Wales coach Warren Gatland expected to name an almost full-strength line-up on Thursday - Gavin Henson is only set for a place on the bench - Johnson is likely to include a rich seam of experience in his team. Lewis Moody will return as captain, having missed the Six Nations Championship with a knee ligament, while Jonny Wilkinson will start at fly-half and Mark Cueto and Matt Banahan, who started England's Six Nations defeat by Ireland in the midfield, are expected to start on the wings.
London Irish full-back Delon Armitage, who was suspended for eight weeks in January for verbally abusing a drug-testing official, and England's game against the Barbarians, with a three-week ban for striking Northampton fly-half Stephen Myler, is also given a chance to redeem himself with a starting berth ahead of Ben Foden.
With Ben Youngs still rehabilitating from knee surgery, Harlequins in-form scrum-half Danny Care can rekindle his partnership with Wilkinson, who can overtake Dan Carter as the world's top points-scorer with a 10-point haul or more against the Welsh.
Simon Shaw and Tom Palmer are to start in the second row while James Haskell, who played openside during the Six Nations, will make his first start at No.8 since November 2009 as Johnson explores his options.
Gatland meanwhile is set to name Mike Phillips and Stephen Jones at half-back, Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies in the midfield and George North and Shane Williams on the wings, with Morgan Stoddart at full-back.
Tongan-born Dragons forward Toby Faletau will start at No.8 alongside flankers Sam Warbuton and Dan Lydiate, with Alun Wyn Jones and Bradley Davies in the second row. Craig Mitchell, Huw Bennett and Paul James are expected to be named in the front row.
Wasps have signed Scotland international full-back Hugo Southwell from Stade Francais on a two-year deal.
The Telegraph, London
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...ainst-wales-20110804-1icq9.html#ixzz1U6p6nxz0
this kid Looks alright, anyone heard about him?
"Johnson ready to give rookie Tuilagi debut against Wales
Gavin Mairs
August 4, 2011 - 12:38PM
Mid-field monster ... Manu Tuilagi.
Mid-field monster ... Manu Tuilagi. Photo: Getty Images
Manu Tuilagi, Leicester's 20 year-old Samoan-born centre, will be unveiled on Thursday by England manager Martin Johnson when he names his side to face Wales in the Investec international at Twickenham on Saturday.
Tuilagi, who missed the last five weeks of the season having been suspended for punching England teammate Chris Ashton during Leicester's victory over Northampton in the Aviva Premiership semi-final, is to make his international debut after only one season in the Premiership.
Johnson has been impressed by Tuilagi's physicality and attitude in England's six-week training camp and he is expected to be named in the midfield alongside Wasps centre Riki Flutey.
Advertisement: Story continues below
Gloucester's 21 year-old wing Charlie Sharples, the other rookie who is pushing hard for a place in Johnson's 30-man World Cup squad, is likely to be on the bench but is in line to make his England debut during the first of three World Cup warm-up matches.
There will also be an emotional return to the England side for Matt Stevens, 28, the Saracens prop who won the last of his 32 caps in November 2008 before he was banned for two years for taking cocaine.
Stevens is thought to have been included at his favoured tighthead prop position, with London Irish's Alex Corbisiero at loosehead and Northampton's Dylan Hartley at hooker.
"I have played for England before and I know the honour that it is and I know the incredible feeling it is to run out in front of the players at Twickenham or anywhere in the world," said Stevens, who appeared in the World Cup final defeat by South Africa in 2007. "It is a fantastic experience and one I hope to have again."
With Wales coach Warren Gatland expected to name an almost full-strength line-up on Thursday - Gavin Henson is only set for a place on the bench - Johnson is likely to include a rich seam of experience in his team. Lewis Moody will return as captain, having missed the Six Nations Championship with a knee ligament, while Jonny Wilkinson will start at fly-half and Mark Cueto and Matt Banahan, who started England's Six Nations defeat by Ireland in the midfield, are expected to start on the wings.
London Irish full-back Delon Armitage, who was suspended for eight weeks in January for verbally abusing a drug-testing official, and England's game against the Barbarians, with a three-week ban for striking Northampton fly-half Stephen Myler, is also given a chance to redeem himself with a starting berth ahead of Ben Foden.
With Ben Youngs still rehabilitating from knee surgery, Harlequins in-form scrum-half Danny Care can rekindle his partnership with Wilkinson, who can overtake Dan Carter as the world's top points-scorer with a 10-point haul or more against the Welsh.
Simon Shaw and Tom Palmer are to start in the second row while James Haskell, who played openside during the Six Nations, will make his first start at No.8 since November 2009 as Johnson explores his options.
Gatland meanwhile is set to name Mike Phillips and Stephen Jones at half-back, Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies in the midfield and George North and Shane Williams on the wings, with Morgan Stoddart at full-back.
Tongan-born Dragons forward Toby Faletau will start at No.8 alongside flankers Sam Warbuton and Dan Lydiate, with Alun Wyn Jones and Bradley Davies in the second row. Craig Mitchell, Huw Bennett and Paul James are expected to be named in the front row.
Wasps have signed Scotland international full-back Hugo Southwell from Stade Francais on a two-year deal.
The Telegraph, London
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...ainst-wales-20110804-1icq9.html#ixzz1U6p6nxz0
