England's World Cup Plans Hit By Player Spat, Injuries
Muhammad Rameez Published August 10, 2019 | 11:11 PM
England's World Cup build-up has been disrupted by a spat between Ben Te'o and Mike Brown and a clutch of injury withdrawals before Sunday's Test against Six Nations champions Wales
A Rugby Football Union spokesman confirmed there was an "altercation" during a social event at the squad's heat and humidity training camp in Italy last week.
As a result, Te'o and Brown were dropped from the squad for Sunday's visit of Wales to Twickenham in a match staged 24 hours before head coach Eddie Jones finalises his 31-man World Cup squad.
Despite the RFU's earlier admission, Jones bizarrely replied when asked about the incident: "No, I'm not able to confirm that. I'm not able to confirm. I think I've answered the question." Plans for the opening warm-up Test against Warren Gatland's team have been disturbed by injuries to centre Henry Slade, flanker Sam Underhill and wing Ruaridh McConnochie.
A day after naming the starting XV, Jones was forced into a significant reshuffle, including to the back row, where the experiment of deploying opensides Underhill and Tom Curry in tandem will have to be delayed.
Slade (knee), Underhill (toe) and McConnochie (hip) have been ruled out, so Jonathan Joseph, Joe Cokanasiga and Lewis Ludlum have been propelled into the starting XV.
Facing an experimental side picked by the 59-year-old head coach is Wales's strongest available XV, including 13 starters from the Grand Slam-clinching victory over Ireland in March.
Jones, however, shrugged off the mounting problems as ideal for this stage of tournament preparation.
"It's all part of a World Cup campaign -- adapting, adjusting, bring people in and out, finding your role. It's a most fascinating time," he said.
Wales will become rugby union's new number one-ranked nation if they avoid defeat against England at Twickenham on Sunday after New Zealand's 47-26 Rugby Championship defeat to Australia on Saturday.
World Rugby's latest rankings list, to be published on Monday, will confirm the end of New Zealand's 10-year reign at the top if Wales triumph.
Gatland's side, who are chasing a 15th successive victory, have made a change to their match-day 23 for Sunday, with scrum-half Tomos Williams being ruled out.
His place on the bench has been taken by Ospreys' Aled Davies.
England (15-1) Elliot Daly; Joe Cokanasiga, Jonathan Joseph, Piers Francis, Anthony Watson; George Ford (capt), Willi Heinz; Billy Vunipola, Tom Curry, Lewis Ludlam; Charlie Ewels, Joe Launchbury; Dan Cole, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge Replacements: Jack Singleton, Joe Marler, Harry Williams, George Kruis, Courtney Lawes, Ben Youngs, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi Coach: Eddie Jones (AUS) Wales (15-1) Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Gareth Davies; Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright; Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Adam Beard; Tomas Francis, Ken Owens, Nicky SmithReplacements: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Jake Ball, Aaron Shingler, Aled Davies, Dan Biggar, Owen WatkinCoach: Warren Gatland (NZL)
Related Topics
Recent Stories
SC orders end of encroachments in Karachi
Nazish Jahangir denies viral screenshots, calls them fake
Govt likely to hike electricity price once again
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
Malala expresses unwavering support for Gaza people
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
More Stories From Sports
-
IOC Refugees Olympic Team to be announced on May 2
26 minutes ago -
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
2 hours ago -
Norman sees Adelaide success as blueprint for all LIV Golf events
2 hours ago -
Mohsin Naqvi reconstitutes women’s selection committee
3 hours ago -
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performance
4 hours ago -
Paris holds its breath for Olympic swimming events in murky Seine
6 hours ago
-
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
16 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
16 hours ago -
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
16 hours ago -
Watford hire Cleverley as permanent boss
16 hours ago -
Karachi, Lahore, Multan win matches of National Women’s Cricket Tournament
17 hours ago -
No communication gap among players, asserts Babar Azam
17 hours ago