Eddie Jones calls for rugby rule change as wonderkid trains with England

Rugby World Cup 2023 – Day 17 highlights

We are now just days away from the Rugby World Cup Pool stage coming to an end, with only a few games remaining before the knockouts begin – with many more big games and talking points yet to come.

This weekend will be no different and Ireland vs Scotland on Saturday will be fiercely contested as both sides still have a chance at going through to the quarter-finals. There is a slim chance that both teams can advance, sending South Africa home, and Jacques Nienaber has already played down the prospect of them colluding in order to achieve that result.

England have already qualified as Pool winners but face Samoa as they look to continue with their positive momentum while also trying out some new partnerships ahead of the quarter-finals, with Tom Curry one of the names expected to be restored to the starting lineup after his suspension.

While Wales will face a rotated Georgian side, as Warren Gatland’s side along with Fiji are set to advance at Australia’s expense – though perhaps surprisingly Rugby Australia have stood by Eddie Jones despite a disastrous World Cup campaign.

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Australia star to wear Portugal shirt

Australia star Rob Valetini has got his Portugal shirt at the ready as he prepares to hope for a European victory over Fiji.

The Wallabies’ hopes are pinned on Portugal keeping Fiji from securing a single point in their final pool match, as Valenti is backing the Portuguese to do them a favour.

“I’ve actually swapped jerseys, so I’ll probably be wearing that,” Valetini said. “I reckon they can beat Fiji. They’re quite a skilful team and on their day they can beat anyone. They’d have to believe that they can do it.”

‘Selfless’ England star praised

Dan Cole has made just one appearance for England at the World Cup, but he has been singled out for praise by his team-mate Courtney Lawes.

Cole could feature in his side’s final Pool game against Samoa and has been cited as a “brilliant example” by Lawes in the buildup to the match.

“You can probably watch Dan the entire game just banging rucks, getting us quick ball, to be honest. That is an example of someone who is so selfless,” Lawes said.

“He is not worried about any kind of glory. He is doing his job, he wants to be on the pitch, wants to scrum well, he wants to maul well and he wants to make sure our breakdown is as quick as it possibly can be and then in defence, he is going to bang people.

“He is a brilliant example of somebody who is just going to do his part in the cog; he is going to be that one cog in the chain that leads to a try or a good win over Argentina and we have got plenty of players like that.”

Fiji star’s son passes away

Fiji star Josua Tuisova was reportedly informed of the death of his seven-year-old son on the eve of his country’s recent victory over Georgia.

Reports out of Fiji have claimed that Tuisova has remained in France and will not be in attendance at his son’s funeral today.

Tuisova’s son has had a long battle with illness before passing away, shortly before his father competed for his country at the World Cup.

Rugby Australia withdraws huge contract

Rugby Australia has sensationally withdrawn its offer to NRL star Angus Crichton just days after tabling £840,000 to get him to defect.

He was set to play for the Wallabies and Western Force in Super Rugby, before having his offer retracted as confirmed by his manager David Rawlings.

The decision had come in for some criticism but with Rugby Australia urged to be overhauled after a disappointing World Cup, some big decisions have already been made.

Hybrid contracts for England stars

England stars could reportedly be placed on hybrid contracts that would allow Steve Borthwick to have a bigger say than he currently does.

PA have claimed that negotiations are ongoing that would see the RFU would pay a larger sum to clubs than the current amount of £40,000 awarded for every player supplied to the elite player squad.

In return, Borthwick would have a greater control over a set number of players conditioning, playing time and position for their clubs.

Itoje wants ‘tier two’ term axed

England star Maro Itoje has called for a re-think on how the ‘tier two’ term is used in rugby.

He alongside many supporters have been impressed with the performances of teams that are perceived to be a level below the top sides, enough for him to propose the ‘tier two’ term is axed or dramatically altered.

“We’ve seen the general level of play of alleged tier two nations go through the roof in this World Cup and I think we’re starting to see the lines blur between tier one and tier two, which is brilliant,” Itoje said.

“I would love for us to have a conversation where there’s no such thing as tier two, or where tier two starts from countries ranked 20 and under. That would be a brilliant evolution of the game.”

England wonderkid in training

England rising talent George Timmins has been spotted training with Steve Borthwick’s squad in France ahead of their final Pool match with Samoa.

The under-18 flanker has had a barnstorming few months after finishing school and is clearly very highly rated by the current setup.

The Bath forward is not eligible to play at this tournament as he has not been named in the squad officially, but perhaps England have one eye on the future…

Eddie Jones wants rule change

Under-fire Australia boss Eddie Jones has called for rugby to use technology less and have the TMO involved in fewer instances.

Jones wants play to be sped up as opposed to continuous pauses for TMO, something the bunker system was designed to help address at the Rugby World Cup, but Jones thinks that more change is necessary.

“We have got so many stoppages now, we had a TMO for everything,” said Jones.

“We need to make the referee the sole judge of the game. If there is something that is an obvious red card then go back to that. We have got to keep the game moving.

“I think part of it [fans booing] is because there is so much discontent with the flow of the game. I don’t know how many minutes they spent with the TMO deliberating on a possible Portugal maul try.

“It was obvious it was a no try, so why do we have to watch replays and replays of it?”

Good morning

Hello and welcome to Express Sport’s live coverage of the Rugby World Cup, where you can find all the latest news and updates from the tournament in France.

Be sure to check out yesterday’s blog to ensure you’re up to date with the current state of play.

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