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English trio continue to dominate in Top 14
By Josh Raisey
French publication Midi Olympique have included for the second week running the English trio of Mako Vunipola, Kyle Sinckler and Jack Willis in their Top 14 team of the week.
Props Vunipola and Sinckler have continued to take the French top division by storm in their debut seasons, with both registering wins over the weekend.
The former Saracens loosehead played an hour at the Stade de la Rabine of Vannes' first-ever win in the league, a 30-20 victory over Lyon. The Bretagne club finished the match with 100 per scrum success, which the retired England prop would have played a huge part in.
Sinckler enjoyed a similar level of scrum dominance in the French capital, finishing with 91 per cent scrum success as his Toulon side defeated Stade Francais at the Stade Jean-Bouin. The 31-year-old made the second-most tackles of the match, with 13, and the joint-most dominant tackles, with two.
The two England props will go head-to-head on Saturday at the Stade Mayol.
Reigning champions Toulouse maintained their unbeaten start to the season on Saturday, the only side to do so, with an 11-20 victory over Montpellier at the GGL Stadium. Jack Willis was at the heart of proceedings again for the French giants, as he has been for the past twelve months, which must be agonising viewing for England head coach Steve Borthwick, who cannot pick him.
Vannes' victory left the Top 14 newcomers in ninth place in the division, while Toulon are in sixth after three rounds. Toulouse, of course, sit at the top after their undefeated start ahead of a repeat of last season's final against Bordeaux-Begles Sunday.
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Latest Comments
Italians defended well. Luckily the scrums went well for the ABs.
Go to commentsYou were 'valuing' the players by you saying "they are not greats" though, I was pointing out another reason why they are greats, inside the team I mean (which is more important to selections on the pitch stuff).
Someone like TJ would be bitterly disappointed he didn't play on this end of year tour. He is still good enough to come on in that France game and ensure the team get the victory (with regards to how well Ratima had been playing). At the very least this is a 'sorry you didn't get that chance' offering, he's not here to get token farewell games, he will be playing to try and prove that he should have been on the pitch last week.
The other decision to play your best over the future is really personal though so can agree with your reasoning. Just sharing a slightly different perspective. I'll have to check the ratings and see how they went.
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