A number of the sevens team will go on tour. |
A player of ours has been proven guilty of biting. That's a scar that will never heal. |
Any time an England team goes on the pitch, the expectation is there to win. The important thing for us is beating Wales, starting the momentum and getting the ball rolling. If you look at what was achieved by Wales last season, they won by a kick in the last five minutes against us which enabled them to grow. For us, it created a little bit of instability and, from that, we stuttered through the championship, so it is important we get a win in this first game. |
Apart from the injury we've got with Josh, I'm not really going to make any changes. |
Apart from the injury we've got with Josh, I'm not really going to make any changes. We must focus on beating Italy because everything will be wasted if we don't put another big performance in. Rome is a tough place to go and Italy are always hard to play against. |
As regards such comments, the dressing room is actually a very positive area. I am very happy with what is happening there. There is a real spark among the players and a desire to get things right against the Irish. |
But a couple of high shots were dangerous, and that does need to be cleaned out of the game. |
Every team has injuries, so that is something you have just got to deal with. |
Everybody will be reviewed, it is important that we have that honesty. |
For the preparation for the England side competing against the best it's important we give the players every opportunity to perform at their best. With the system we've got that isn't possible and that's a disappointment for me. |
George has been playing consistently well for Leicester, and he was certainly pushing to be in the 22. It is unfortunate for him. |
He has an exceptional record not only in this sport but also in rugby league, earning him the respect of the whole squad. |
He has demonstrated this in Wasps' recent Heineken Cup and Zurich Premiership matches, and merits his return on his current form. |
He will be missed by Bath during this crucial time of the season and by ourselves on the tour to Australia. |
He's had nine weeks to focus on this game. He was competing for a ball in the air, which just goes to show his ultra-competitive nature. I have no doubts about his self-control. We've been in regular contact. |