RUGBY:PETER STRINGER has been called into the Ireland squad for Sunday's match against France as cover for his Munster team-mate Tomás O'Leary. O'Leary, named as starting scrumhalf, has had restricted training this week due to a stiff back.
“Tomás is not ruled out of the game, but we will wait and see how he progresses over the next 48 hours before making any decisions on changes to the match 22,” said Ireland team manager Paul McNaughton.
Martin Johnson has named an unchanged England team to play Italy at Twickenham tomorrow as he looks to build on the good start made in their opening victory over Wales in Cardiff last week.
The only change in the match-day 22 is the introduction of flanker Hendre Fourie on the bench for Joe Worsley after he recovered from a calf strain.
Johnson said it was important to overcome the usual discussion that the Italian game would be the easiest. “There was a big build-up for that Wales game and this isn’t seen as the biggest match of the week, but the way we are looking at it is they are the only team who can beat us this week,” Johnson said.
“We have the same conversations year in, year out, but with Italy they are very tough games. They should have won last week and they put you under pressure.”
Pablo Canavosio will play at scrumhalf for Italy after coach Nick Mallet opted for his experience rather than the promise of uncapped Fabio Semenzato.
ENGLAND: B Foden; C Ashton, M Tindall (capt), S Hape, M Cueto; T Flood, B Youngs; A Sheridan, D Hartley, D Cole, L Deacon, T Palmer, T Wood, J Haskell, N Easter. Replacements: S Thompson, D Wilson, S Shaw, H Fourie, D Care, J Wilkinson, M Banahan.
ITALY: L McLean; A Masi, G Canale, A Sgarbi, M Bergamasco; L Orquera, P Canavosio; S Perugini, L Ghiraldini, M Castrogiovanni, C Del Fava, Q Geldenhuys, V Bernabo, A Zanni, S Parisse (capt). Replacements: F Ongaro, A Lo Cicero, S Dellape, R Barbieri, F Semenzato, K Burton, G Garcia.
