Bits ‘n’ Pieces

Australia coach Eddie Jones has kept the same team that faced Scotland last weekend for the crunch match with France in Stade De France this Saturday. The outspoken aussie said that he was “..reasonably happy with the way we started the tour against Scotland and haven’t seen the need to make any changes at this stage.” The Wallabies held a 28 nil lead over the Scots at halftime, but allowed them back into the game to leave the end score 14 – 31. A mistake like that against le Bleus and the Wallabies may be facing a defeat.

AUSTRALIA:

15 – Latham
14 – Rathbone
13 – Mortlock
12 – Giteau
11 – Tuqiri
10 – Larkham
9 – Gregan (capt)
1 – Young
2 – Paul
3 – Baxter
4 – Harrison
5 – Vickerman
6 – Smith
7 – Waugh
8 – Roe

Replacements:

16 – Cannon

17 – Dunning
18 – Chisholm
19 – Lyons
20 – Flatley
21 – Rogers
22 – Sailor

….In the French camp Toulouse full back Clement Poitrenaud has joined the squad in place of ankle injury victim Damien Traille for Saturday’s Test…

Yannick Jauzion will most likely replace Traille in the centre, with Poitrenaud taking Jauzions place on the bench….

…..Former All Blacks captain Reuben Thorne has been called up by New Zealand as cover for injured lock Jono Gibbes ahead of Saturday’s game against Italy in Rome….

Gibbes has a calf injury that could rule him out of the All Blacks’ tour, which also includes games against Wales, France and the Barbarians….

….the England team, with new captain Jason Robinson, to play Canada sees one change following the withdrawal of Joe Worsley with a dead leg. The uncapped Gloucester backrow player Andy Hazell comes into the team with another uncapped player, Saracens forward Hugh Vyvyan, being added to the bench….

ENGLAND:

15 – Robinson (capt)
14 – Cueto
13 – Tindall
12 – Paul
11 – Lewsey
10 – Hodgson
9 – Gomarsall
1 – Rowntree
2 – Thompson
3 – White
4 – Grewcock
5 – Borthwick
6 – Moody
7 – Hazell
8 – Corry
Replacements:

16 – Titterrell
17 – Sheridan
18 – Kay
19 – Vyvyan
20 – Charlton
21 – Greenwood
22 – Cohen