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The England view on the threatened player strike in Wales
By PA
England assistant Kevin Sinfield and skipper Owen Farrell have shared their thoughts on the current standoff in Wales that has thrown this Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations match in Cardiff into jeopardy. The build-up to the 139th meeting between the rivals is being overshadowed by the threat of strike action by Wales players, who are locked in a contract dispute with the WRU.
Wales coach Warren Gatland is confident the match will go ahead even though he had to shelve plans on Tuesday to name his team for the match. How is this uncertainty affecting England, though?
“Nothing has changed for us,” Sinfield said. “We control what we can control and look ahead to what will be a fantastic game and something that we’ve all looked forward to. We’ve planned as normal, nothing’s changed for us.”
When asked if he sympathised with the predicament of Welsh players, captain Owen Farrell said: “From what I’ve heard, yeah. I know quite a lot of them and I’m sure they are not being unreasonable with what they are asking for. I don’t think they’re like that.
“Then again, I don’t know the other side of it. To be in this situation is obviously not very pleasing for them, but I’m sure they will get it sorted.
“I’m sure that anyone who is going through a bit of adversity tries to use it and it brings them closer together. As I have said before about this game, going down to Cardiff and playing in front of a packed house at the Principality is always a massive challenge and we are expecting that at the weekend.”
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Latest Comments
Come on, RugbyPass. You let a notorious homer grade his own beloved team?
Anyway. I rate Barrett, and I’m one of those who think no one else but him and Mo’unga should have ever dressed the ABs’ 10 jersey as long as both are still active, but he wasn’t a 9.5. Barrett is the best game controller of all contemporary ABs’ first fives. Kiwi fans are obsessed with ball running 10s and many don’t realize, that there are other boxes a “first five” needs to tick, than instinctive genius attacking rugby. The DMac lovers don’t seem to notice, that his poor tactical decisions costed ABs some games this year, granting tries to both Pumas and Springboks. As for BB, just review the miniseries against England earlier this year. In one of the games, Barrett came on the field, and literally turned the tables by putting immense pressure on the English through clever kicking. It’s not sexy, but it wins games and championships. Ask Handré Pollard, who started his international career as a ball running 10/12, and then turned himself into a game controller.
Anyway x2. 10 is a perfect performance, that couldn’t have been better. 10 is Dusautoir in the 2011 RWC finals. Barrett wasn’t next door to a performance, that couldn’t have been better as much as I rate him.
Go to commentsToo many boks held up in when touching down - Siya and Fassi should've scored
At least the line-out is getting better. A good tour but a soft finish in H2 in this game I think
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