Rugby News

A round-up of today's other rugby stories

Sheridan out due to neck injury

ENGLAND: England were forced into a late frontrow change yesterday when destructive loosehead prop Andrew Sheridan dropped out of the side to face South Africa with a neck injury.

Sheridan suffered the injury during England's 28-14 defeat by Australia last Saturday and he was still in discomfort yesterday, when he was named in the team to tackle the world champions tomorrow. England manager Martin Johnson had hoped Sheridan would recover in time - but medics ruled the Sale Sharks prop should be rested.

Wasps prop Tim Payne has been promoted from outside the squad to win his ninth cap at loosehead, with Matt Stevens remaining on the bench to cover both sides of the scrum.

McCaw defends style of play

NEW ZEALAND: Richie McCaw has delivered an emphatic message to the critics who question his style of play.

Bob Dwyer, Australia's 1991 World Cup-winning coach, recently weighed into captain McCaw with some outspoken comments published in the New Zealand media.

Dwyer said McCaw effectively refereed Test matches he played in, and there appeared to be one law for New Zealand's openside flanker and one for every other player.

But McCaw, who will lead the All Blacks into battle against Wales on Saturday, said: "I don't even worry about it any more.

"I go into games believing I am doing what is the right thing. You do what you are allowed to.

"The ruck is quite simple if you get it right. If you get across the advantage line, it's simple to see. When it becomes more of a wrestle, it turns into a bit of a lottery. You help yourself out by going forward."

After disposing of Scotland and Ireland without conceding a try, McCaw and company are clear favourites to successfully complete the third stage of a potential grand slam tour.

McCaw added: "I have got a lot of respect for the Wales backrow, especially Martyn Williams. He has been around a long time."

New Zealand's preparations, meanwhile, are not proving trouble-free, with hooker Corey Flynn ruled out of the Wales clash and next week's Twickenham showdown with England.

Elsewhere, Tony Woodcock will start at loosehead prop against Wales after avoiding a ban following his disciplinary hearing in Dublin last night.

Springboks make two changes

SOUTH AFRICA: Coach Peter de Villiers has made two changes to the team which beat Scotland last weekend for the season-ending Test against England at Twickenham tomorrow.

Jannie du Plessis has come into the frontrow in place of brother Bismarck, who injured a hamstring at Murrayfield, and Danie Rossouw will start at flanker for Juan Smith, who took a knock to the head and was advised not to play. Winger Bryan Habana was doubtful earlier in the week but is fit to start.

SOUTH AFRICA: B Mtawarira, J Smit, J du Plessis, B Botha, V Matfield, S Burger, D Rossouw, P Spies, R Januarie, R Pienaar, B Habana, J de Villiers, A Jacobs, JP Pietersen, C Jantjes. Replacements: C Ralepelle, B Mujati, A Bekker, R Kankowski, H Brussow, F Steyn, J Fourie.

Tillous-Borde likes to use build

FRANCE: Sebastien Tillous-Borde, France's new scrumhalf, is only 23 but he has earned the nickname "Little Byron Kelleher" through his powerful play and build reminiscent of the former All Black. "Such a nickname is a compliment because I regard Kelleher as the best scrumhalf in the world," Tillous-Borde said in Marcoussis yesterday where the French are training for tomorrow's Test against Australia. "I suppose it comes from my stature," said the Castres player, who is 1.75 metres tall and weighs 93 kilos, one centimetre and two kilos less than Kelleher.

"I'm different from the other French scrumhalves. I like to use my build, it makes things easier to keep the team moving forward when you get bad possession."

In 2006 he helped France's under-21 team managed by Marc Lievremont, now France head coach, to win the World Cup. A year later, Tillous-Borde left Biarritz for Castres, tired of staying in the shadow of Dimitri Yachvili and a year later Lievremont named him in his squad, deprived of the best players in the Top 14, for the tour of Australia.

Lievremont gave the nod for the November Tests to Jean-Baptiste Elissalde with Morgan Parra as his understudy. After Parra broke his finger against Argentina, Tillous-Borde was recalled to the squad and when Napolioni Nalaga knocked out Elissalde in the Pacific Islanders Test last weekend, Lievremont sent him on.The France coach decided to let Elissalde recover and rewarded Tillous-Borde with a start against Australia.