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England's Dan Robson undergoing medical checks after falling ill in camp
By Online Editors
England's replacement scrum-half Dan Robson is undergoing medical checks after being ruled out of Saturday's Guinness Six Nations clash with Scotland through illness.
Robson was poised to win his third cap as Ben Youngs' understudy for the climax to the tournament at Twickenham but will now be replaced on the bench by Saracens' Ben Spencer.
"Dan is not available and has left camp. He's got some investigations and consultations going on. We're trying to investigate exactly what's wrong," forwards coach Steve Borthwick said.
Spencer won both of his caps as a replacement on last year's tour to South Africa and Borthwick views his former Saracens team-mate as a ready-made replacement for Robson.
"I was fortunate enough to play with Ben. He's a good player. He's fast, fit and has real good fundamentals of the game. He can pass well and kicks well," Borthwick added.
"He's had time with us last year and knows our principles of play. He's played with and against a lot of the players here, so knows them well."
PA
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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