2023-10-12 09:35:00
Spicy, this XV of the Rose. As they face Fiji in the quarter-final on Sunday – perhaps one of the most loved teams in the world for their flamboyant play – the players of the England team prefer to use sarcasm: “I wouldn’t say not that Fiji are their second team, I would rather say that England is their first hated team,” said Billy Vunipola at a press conference, in response to knowing whether the French or neutral public were going to be for Fiji on Sunday in Marseille.
“If we have to be enemy number 1, we will be happy to play this role! “, insisted the Saracens third row.
“Outside England, I don’t think we’re particularly popular
Qualified in group D with four victories in as many matches, England remains on a painful success against Samoa (18-17) and is often criticized for its restrictive game.
“Outside England, I don’t think we’re particularly popular, but that doesn’t bother us,” smiles hooker Jamie George. Billy (Vunipola), Elliot (Daly) and I play at Saracens, a club that is not very popular and that doesn’t bother us. I don’t know why the supporters of other teams don’t like England, what I do know is that since our arrival in France, our English supporters have been very supportive, amazing! »
Supporters who this week criticize World Rugby’s choice to entrust the refereeing of Sunday’s match to Frenchman Mathieu Raynal, a first for him at this level. On Argentina.
Farrell in 10, Smith at the back?
Appearing with a bandage around his knee in training on Tuesday, English fly-half Owen Farrell no longer had it this Wednesday on the pitch at the Georges-Carcassonne stadium in Aix-en-Provence and trained normally. Often criticized for his supposed arrogance, Farrell played first center against Samoa, alongside George Ford in 10.
The 32-year-old could be entrusted by his coach Steve Borthwick with the keys to the game, he who has just overtaken the illustrious Jonny Wilkinson in the number of points scored for the XV de la Rose (1,181 against 1,179). Ford would start on the bench to make way for a pair of solid centers (Tuilagi-Marchant or Lawrence) while nugget Marcus Smith would take No. 15 from Freddie Stewart.
1697103978
#Rugby #World #Cup #enemy #number #England #pumped #quarterfinal