Wednesday Round-Up

No changes for England: England head coach Stuart Lancaster has kept the faith in the crop of players which put away Wales at the Millennium Stadium last weekend, naming an identical match day squad for this Saturday’s clash at Twickenham. With Italy the visitors to London this weekend, Lancaster has resisted the temptation to include a string of supposed frontline players making their way back from injury. After hearing positive injury updates on the likes of Kyle Eastmond, Brad Barritt and Geoff Parling, many an English fan may well have expected to see their names included for the visit of the Azzurri in three days time. However, after weighing up the relative fitness of the returning players, Lancaster says he has opted for the same squad in order to gain some consistency in his side’s performances. The likes of Eastmond and Barritt may well turn out for their respective clubs this weekend, no doubt with a mighty point to prove, having seen their compatriots go so well against the old enemy in Cardiff last time out.

Roberts has faith in staff: Wales centre Jamie Roberts has reiterated his faith in Wales’ medical staff, after they were all cleared of any wrongdoing in the George North incident by World Rugby, formerly the International Rugby Board. Having been asked to provide a full explanation as to why the Northampton Saints winger remained on the pitch after shipping an obvious blow to the head which left the player concussed, the sport’s governing body have highlighted their satisfaction in the Welsh medical staff’s response. According to Welsh medical manager Prav Mathema, he himself was unsighted when the clash of heads between North and team-mate Richard Hibbard occurred, an explanation World Rugby are seemingly happy to accept, despite the extensive replay facilities on offer at the Millennium Stadium. However, despite Roberts referring to the incident as unfortunate, the Racing Metro man, a qualified doctor himself, reaffirmed his and his teammates trust in the judgement of the Welsh Rugby Union medical staff.

Ryan Sheady