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Itoje ruled out of Wales game
By Online Editors
Maro Itoje has been ruled out of England's Guinness Six Nations match with Wales.
He's failed to recover after injuring medial ligaments during England's 32-20 win over Ireland at the Aviva on matchday one.
He was initially expected to be ruled out for the rest of the tournament, but the England camp had express positive noises in the build-up to Saturday's game with Wales at the Principality Stadium, which has been billed as the Grand Slam decider.
in the aftermath of England's 44-8 win over France at Twickenham head coach Eddie Jones refused to rule out Itoje's return in time for the Wales clash, while on Monday England defence coach John Mitchell said the Saracens club man was "progressing nicely”.
Forwards coach Steve Borthwick told Sky Sports that he was "not quite ready" to face Wales.
"He continues to rehab day-by-day. He is not going to be available for Saturday's game. So you are always looking to the future and the timelines of progression is day-by-day. He is doing well, but not quite ready for Saturday."
Asked whether he'd be ready to return for the Italy game Borthwick said: "I expect him to continue to be monitored on a day-by-day basis and progress. he is not fit for this Saturday and right now I am not looking beyond that.
It means that England are likely to stick with the second row combination of Courtney Lawes and George Kruis for the game with Wales, with Joe Launchbury on the bench.
Watch: Eddie Jones "We are playing the greatest Welsh side ever"
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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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