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RugbyU: France's Dusautoir eyes Twickenham glory

February 22, 2013 10:15
France captain Thierry Dusautoir has said Saturday's Six Nations Championship clash against England at Twickenham could be a "career-defining" match for his struggling side. World Cup finalists France, the pre-tournament favourites, have arrived in London in the shock position of being bottom of the table following defeats by Italy and Wales -- their worst start to a Championship for 31 years.

Rugby-Bastareaud v Tuilagi clash adds spice to 'Le Crunch'

February 21, 2013 12:30
By Julien Pretot MARCOUSSIS, France, Feb 21 (Reuters) - When heavyweight centres Mathieu Bastareaud and Manu Tuilagi cross paths in Saturday's Six Nations match between France and England at Twickenham, expect fireworks. The pair add spice to a game that is as eagerly awaited as ever even though France have no chance of winning the championship after losing their first two matches.

RugbyU: Lawes back as England make changes for France

February 21, 2013 10:45
Courtney Lawes will make his first England start at blindside flanker as one of three changes to a winning side announced Thursday by head coach Stuart Lancaster for the Six Nations clash against France at Twickenham. In two other switches to the starting side that saw off Ireland 12-6 last time out in Dublin, the powerful Manu Tuilagi, who came off the bench at Lansdowne Road, is in midfield in place of ball-playing centre Billy Twelvetrees while Dylan Hartley takes over at hooker from Tom Youngs.

RugbyU: Lawes back as England make changes for France

February 21, 2013 08:02
Courtney Lawes will make his first England start at blindside flanker as one of three changes to a winning side announced Thursday by head coach Stuart Lancaster for Saturday's Six Nations clash against France at Twickenham. In two other switches to the starting side that saw off Ireland 12-6 last time out in Dublin, the powerful Manu Tuilagi, who came off the bench at Lansdowne Road, is in midfield in place of ball-playing centre Billy Twelvetrees while Dylan Hartley takes over at hooker from Tom Youngs.

UPDATE 1-Rugby-Tuilagi back to lock horns with Bastareaud

February 21, 2013 08:01
* Centre Tuilagi recalled to face France * Lawes, Hartley also start for England at Twickenham (Adds detail, quotes) By Mitch Phillips BAGSHOT, England, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Twickenham will be shaken to its foundations on Saturday when the mighty Manu Tuilagi, recalled to the England starting team as one of three changes, meets mountainous Mathieu Bastareaud in a 36-stone (230kg) Six Nations demolition derby.

Rugby-Lancaster makes three changes for England against France

February 21, 2013 07:45
BAGSHOT, England, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Manu Tuilagi, Courtney Lawes and Dylan Hartley will all start for England against France in the Six Nations on Saturday after coach Stuart Lancaster showed he was not afraid to shake up a winning team. Despite opening the championship with impressive victories over Scotland and Ireland, Lancaster opted to start with the three experienced men, who all came off the bench to play important roles in Dublin, when he announced his team on Thursday.

RugbyU: Barritt glad to be "pillar of strength"

February 20, 2013 22:00
Brad Barritt may not be a fans' favourite but so long as he has the respect of his team-mates England's midfield defensive anchorman is perfectly happy to keep adding to his tackle count. All great rugby teams feature a balance of skills and defence has become a key component of the modern game.

RugbyU: England squad unchanged for France

February 19, 2013 16:45
England head coach Stuart Lancaster named Tuesday an unchanged 23-man squad for the Six Nations clash against France at Twickenham on Saturday. Lancaster will select his starting side and eight replacements from the same matchday 23 chosen for the 12-6 victory over Ireland in Dublin on February 10 -- a result that left England top of the table and the only side capable of winning a Grand Slam Six Nations.

RugbyU: Lancaster expects Morgan to play Six Nations role

February 18, 2013 10:30
England coach Stuart Lancaster is hopeful Ben Morgan will recover from his ankle injury in time to play some part in the on-going Six Nations tournament. Morgan was injured in England's victory over Scotland in the opening round of fixtures and has been ruled out for this weekend's France clash, but Lancaster believes the Gloucester number eight could return against Italy on March 10. The 23-year-old has been joined on the sidelines by Gloucester fly-half Freddie Burns, who is struggling with a knee injury, and Lancaster revealed he would also miss the France match.

Rugby-Lions coach frets over picking too many England players

February 13, 2013 09:59
LONDON, Feb 12 (Reuters) - British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland believes picking too many English players for this year's Australia tour could cause problems because of the extra media focus and their unpopularity among other nations. The New Zealander, who won the Six Nations grand slam with Wales last year, takes charge of the combined side for the first time for the three-test tour and has been impressed by England in their last three matches.
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