Posts

Posted on

England insist Dupont is ‘human’ but admit stopping him is a conundrum

  • Freeman urges team to put early pressure on France
  • Murley injury rules wing out for France and Scotland

England have vowed not to put France’s superstar scrum-half Antoine Dupont on a pedestal as Steve Borthwick seeks to end his side’s miserable run of form against Les Bleus on Saturday.

Borthwick will be without Cadan Murley for the match after he picked up a foot injury in the 27-22 defeat by Ireland last weekend and has been ruled out until after the Scotland game but, while Dupont and co represent a daunting challenge, Tommy Freeman has insisted that France are “only human”.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Walker and Tomori partnership shows promise as Milan hold firm in derby | Nicky Bandini

Draw in Milan derby suited nobody but the English duo showed they may be the answer to defensive frailties

Sérgio Conceição said last week that he was sick and tired of this transfer window. “A month is far too long,” he argued. “It has not been positive on an emotional level for many of our players.”

The counter-point arrived in the Milan derby on Sunday night. Starting at right-back for the Rossoneri was Kyle Walker, signed on loan from Manchester City a fortnight after he had informed the Premier League champions of his desire for a move. He was outshone on his debut by the man inside him at centre-back, Fikayo Tomori, who has spent this entire window being linked with transfers elsewhere.

Continue reading...