Rugby Union: Richards returns to await chance
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ONCE AGAIN we obituarists have been proved wrong over Dean Richards. The man himself appeared to write off his international chances when he forewent England's New Year training in Lanzarote but yesterday, alive and kicking, he was back on the England bench for Saturday's match against Wales in Cardiff.
The last time the Leicester No 8 assumed this position, he replaced Tim Rodber at Murrayfield and won another two caps last season. Richards's return is again at Rodber's expense, the Northampton forward's leg having failed to recover quickly enough after having 24 stitches inserted in it as a result of a training accident.
At least Richards will know what to expect at the Arms Park. England players, for whom Welsh expectorations reach fever pitch whenever they play there, will be glad to know that the Welsh Rugby Union's 'Fans' Charter' will on Saturday be printed in the match programme for the first time.
Although spitting scarcely creates the right wholesome image, the WRU reacted with lofty disdain to assertions dragged out of Wade Dooley's recent autobiography, embellished by the England lock and endorsed by Roger Uttley, the former England coach, that pre-match walks from tunnel to pitch were liable to end in a drenching whether or not it was actually raining.
The union pointed to its Charter which encourages good sportsmanship, respect and courtesy - which means simply that Dooley is likely to get more of the same disgusting treatment before Wales play England.
Meanwhile, the England A team, who have already beaten France 29-17 this season, know that even if England remain unchanged for the rest of the season the prize of a Lions tour to New Zealand is attainable for many of them. They play Italy B at Bath tonight.
However, the disjointed nature of rugby at this level, together with improvements in Italian rugby, make both John Hall, the captain, and Jack Rowell, the coach, wary. 'This is a scratch team, it's not a squad that keeps evolving,' Rowell said. As the coach is not best pleased to have been excluded from England's close-season tour to north America, this is his, as well as his players', chance to prove a point.
ENGLAND A (v Italy B, Bath, tonight): A Buzza (Wasps); T Underwood (Leicester), D Hopley (Wasps), S Potter (Leicester), H Thorneycroft (Northampton); P Challinor (Harlequins), M Dawson (Northampton); C Clark (Swansea), K Dunn (Wasps), A Mullins (Harlequins), M Johnson (Leicester), A Blackmore (Bristol), J Hall (capt, Bath), S Ojomoh (Bath), N Back (Leicester).
ITALY B: P Dotto; L Perzanio, S Bordon, M Tommasi, L Manteri; M Bonomi (capt), G Faltiba; F Properzicurti, A Marengoni, A Piazza, R Cassina, M Giarcheri, A Sgorlon, F Coppo, D Beretta.
Referee: G Black (Ireland).
Wales and the money business,
page 28
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments