Showing posts with label RWC 2011 ENG. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RWC 2011 ENG. Show all posts

Sunday, 9 October 2011

Andrews Heads England RWC Review


RFU operations director Rob Andrew has confirmed he will head up a review into England disappointing exit from the World Cup.

A 19-12 defeat to France at Eden Park meant England would be heading home early - with the focus immediately on manager Martin Johnson's future.

Johnson is out of contract in December and has admitted he would take a few days considering his own options after England failed to achieve their semi-final target.

However Andrew will hold a root and branch review in to what went wrong in New Zealand.

"The key thing from my point of view is that we take the next four to six weeks with Martin and review what has gone on," said Andrew.

"Martin will reflect on what has happened and why we have gone out in the quarter-final of a World Cup.

"It is very disappointing that it has happened. The important thing now is to take stock.

"We said right from the start that we would take this right through to this World Cup with Martin in charge.
Decision

"We have done that and now we will sit down with Martin and look at what has happened.

"It is my job within the RFU to look at the review and take it forward and at some point in the next few weeks reflect and then make a decision.

"We will do that as quickly and as openly possible as we can."

Andrew said the review process would be "robust" but he added there would be no "over-reaction" and no parallels should be drawn with Brian Ashton's departure as head coach in 2008, having guided England to the World Cup final.

"Don't draw any conclusions from anything. We need to look at this review, which we will do, in a very robust manner over the next few weeks, reflect on where we are as a squad, where Martin is in his role, and look to the next few years," Andrew continued.

"Obviously it's very disappointing to go out of a World Cup quarter-final, it's happened before and it will probably happen again to teams.

"We've just got to look at where the squad is, and I think there is a very talented group of young players that have come into the squad over the last 18 months.

"But as we all know you get it wrong in one World Cup knockout game - whether it's Ireland in Wellington who I'm sure will be reflecting the same this morning - you've got it wrong and that's it you go home.

"That's the nature of World Cups, we've all been there before so now we have to take stock, not over-react one way or another, which we won't do."


Wednesday, 5 October 2011

Wilkinson Choice for French Quarter


England's Jonny Wilkinson will start at fly-half in the World Cup quarter-final against France, BBC Sport understands.

Wilkinson has shaken off an arm injury and will be selected ahead of Toby Flood for Saturday's showdown.

"Wilkinson has returned to full fitness and will play against France," said BBC rugby correspondent Ian Robertson.

"It looks certain there will be only one change, with Mark Cueto coming in on the left wing to replace [the suspended] Delon Armitage."

Jonny has history with France. If he steps up with his first kick and gets it over, it would undoubtedly deflate the French. Jonny will be the first to admit he didn't get it right against Scotland and he will be first to do something about it.Richard HillEngland 2003 World Cup winner

Centre Mike Tindall is making good progress from his leg injury and expects to be fit with Flood standing by in case Tindall fails to recover. There are not expected to be any changes in the pack.

Wilkinson has struggled in New Zealand so far, converting only nine of his 20 place-kicks.

With England trailing Scotland 12-9 in their final group match on Saturday, he was replaced by Flood, who set up the winning try for Chris Ashton with a fine pass.

But despite Wilkinson's struggles, manager Martin Johnson has stuck with the man who inspired England to victories over the French in the last two World Cup semi-finals.

In 2003, he kicked all 24 points, while four years later he posted a late penalty and a drop-goal as England came from behind to knock out the hosts in Paris.

"You want to be selected on current form, not because eight years ago you were outstanding - I was playing really well when I was 12," said Flood.

"At the same time, you understand that some people have the ability - and Jonny was phenomenal the day he kicked them out of the World Cup in Paris, which will help his side of the argument."

Flood, 26, has only started one match in his six appearances over the past two World Cups but did start England's 17-9 Six Nations victory over the French in February.

The Leicester man trained in the No.12 shirt on Wednesday, as England rehearsed drills in the possible absence of Tindall.

"If I get 78 minutes or two minutes I just try to do what I can," added Flood.

"You make mental notes for half-time or for when you come on, but I can't suddenly storm onto the pitch and make it 16 players against 15."



Monday, 3 October 2011

Armitage Ban Adds to Johnson Woes



England winger Delon Armitage will miss Saturday's quarter-final with France after receiving a one-match ban for a dangerous high tackle.

The London Irish back was cited for a tackle made on Chris Paterson during England's 16-12 World Cup victory over Scotland on Saturday.

The tribunal halved the 27-year-old's potential ban because he admitted he had been guilty of foul play.

England have 48 hours to appeal against the decision.

Armitage has had disciplinary problems in the past as he missed this year's Six Nations because of an eight-week ban for pushing an official.

He will be available for the semi-finals should Martin Johnson's men beat France in Auckland.

The winger's absence means Mark Cueto, who Armitage had replaced on the left wing for the Scotland tie, could make a return to the starting line-up.

England will be disappointed to lose Armitage, but it could have been worse. He admitted he was guilty of a dangerous tackle which normally carries a minimum ban of two weeks. He received the reduced one-match suspension after other factors were taken into consideration, presumably the main mitigating fact was his guilty plea as his disciplinary record in the recent past has not been very good.

England manager Martin Johnson has also said the versatile Matt Banahan is an option on the wing, although he might be considered as a replacement for Mike Tindall should the centre fail to recover from a dead leg.

"It's a shame to lose Delon as he has played well but these things happen and we have some quality wings in Mark Cueto and Matt Banahan to chose from," said Johnson.

Johnson confirmed England would wait another day to assess Jonny Wilkinson's fitness after the outside-half injured his arm against Scotland.

"Both (Tindall and Wilkinson) are responding to treatment so we will just have to see where they are up to when we get back into weights and light training," added Johnson.

Cueto had played 29 consecutive Tests for England before a back injury ruled him out of England's opening two World Cup victories over Argentina and Georgia.

The Sale winger then scored a hat-trick against Romania and admitted he "spat the dummy" after Johnson opted to start with Armitage on the left wing against Scotland.

"To play the way I did and score the hat-trick, it was disappointing to find out I wasn't playing last week," said Cueto.

"I was 100% fit. The coaches weren't convinced I was 100%. They know me pretty well and they thought I was just lacking a little edge in that game."


Wednesday, 28 September 2011

Tuilagi Plays Down Super 15 Chatter


Manu Tuilagi has played down speculation he could move to Super 15, insisting he never wants to give up playing for England.

The Leicester centre's brother, Freddie, is out at the World Cup and told a local newspaper over the weekend that he was exploring options in New Zealand.

"We're already talking to a few people. In the future he (Manu) wants to explore different options and experience Super 15," he was quoted as saying.

If Tuilagi was to leave England he would be ineligible for international selection under new Rugby Football Union regulations.

And the 20-year-old, who has scored four tries in his first five Tests, insisted he could not consider giving up on England.
Happy

"I am really happy to be at Leicester. I have still got a couple of years there. I am not really thinking about the future. I am just thinking about this World Cup and the game on Saturday," said Tuilagi.

"I am loving playing rugby for England. This is my first World Cup and hopefully it won't be my last.

"When you do something you like, you want to do it all your life.

"I would love to carry on playing for England and win some matches.

"It means everything to get to this level. I feel pretty lucky to be playing for Leicester and England. I am really happy."

Tuilagi's brother suggested Manu had to keep his options open because "maybe 12 months down the line he won't be picked by England".

But Tuilagi is fast making himself a fixture in the England team and he is set to start his fourth consecutive World Cup game in Saturday's decisive Pool B showdown with Scotland.
Freak

Mike Tindall described his centre partner as "a freak, in the nicest possible way" after Tuilagi's destructive performance in England's 67-3 victory over Romania.

"I take that as a compliment," said Tuilagi, who could not have appeared more laid back three days before the biggest game of his short career. "I will just go there and play my normal game, play to my strengths and be tough. I am looking forward to it.

"I like to get nervous before the games but not too much. It keeps you alert and you know you are thinking about the game.

"Scotland are very direct and I think their loss against Argentina will make them even more hard to beat because they need this win - but we need this win as well.

"This is not a Six Nations game - it is a World Cup and it will be a different animal."

England manager Martin Johnson will confirm his side to face Scotland overnight.

Lock Courtney Lawes is available to start after serving a two-match ban and prop Matt Stevens has shaken an ankle injury, while Delon Armitage is reported to have been preferred to Mark Cueto on the wing.



Thursday, 22 September 2011

Tindall Hopes to Move Beyond CCTV


Mike Tindall has failed to address the storm of controversy which swirled around him after going out drinking with a group of England players.

The Gloucester centre has spoken publicly for the first time since he was captured on CCTV in conversation with a woman in Queenstown's Altitude Bar.

Tindall looked sheepish as he sat alongside England manager Martin Johnson and both men side-stepped questions on the issue.

The Rugby Football Union announced at the outset of the press conference that only questions of a rugby nature would be permitted.

Tindall briefly denied the last week had been a challenging time for him and said he hoped his form would hold up "fine" as he prepares to start against Romania on Saturday.

Johnson then intervened to deflect all further questions on the subject, including inquiries as to whether the saga had been a distraction to the squad.

"We have put it to bed. We are looking forward to a big game, we are playing Romania," said Johnson.

Tindall missed last Sunday's 41-10 victory over Georgia which, according to Johnson, was down to squad rotation and not a disciplinary decision.

But the 2003 World Cup-winning centre is back to start in an England team featuring seven changes, including the return of wing Mark Cueto.

Asked whether the last week had been difficult, Tindall mumbled: "Not really, you just get on and train.

"You want to play every game and I was disappointed I didn't get a run out last weekend but you work hard and hope you get picked by the coach every week. It is as simple as that."

Tindall was then asked by a television reporter whether he had anything to add, whether he wanted to show some "contrition" or offer an explanation and Johnson jumped in.

"I said to you last week what happened, the guys went out and had a drink. We had that conversation last week," said Johnson.

"We have moved on. We have played a game and we have another one this week."

A source close to Tindall and his new wife Zara Phillips, the Queen's grand-daughter, has said the woman in the CCTV footage is an old friend of the couple.

Phillips has flown out to New Zealand and is understood to be heading to Dunedin in time for the match.

Johnson has named his strongest available side to face Romania, with Tindall and Manu Tuilagi joined by Jonny Wilkinson in midfield.

Cueto takes over from Delon Armitage on the wing after shaking off a back problem while hooker Steve Thompson, prop Alex Corbisiero, lock Louis Deacon and flanker Tom Croft all come into the starting pack.

James Haskell continues at No 8 in the injury-enforced absence of Nick Easter.

Johnson is also without suspended lock Courtney Lawes, while prop Matt Stevens has been struggling with an ankle injury.

Johnson blasted England for being "sloppy" against Georgia and for a lack of discipline in both defence and attack, which led to a "brutal" honesty session.

When England ruled the world under Johnson's captaincy they prided themselves on a single-figure penalty count - but last Sunday they had conceded 11 by half-time.

When the game eventually opened up in the second period, Johnson was furious that England became loose and wasted attacking opportunities.

His message immediately after the match was that England will be on an early flight home unless there is a marked improvement in standards.

Johnson drew on his bitter memories of England's early exit from the 1999 World Cup, when he had to play for Leicester against Newcastle on the day of the semi-finals.

"If you get it wrong you will be home very quickly watching the latter stages," said Johnson.

"Make sure you have done everything you can to be as good as you can right now. Let's make sure we can be as good as we can be in every training session."

Tindall revealed the squad had reacted positively to that jolt of reality.

"We have had a good week's training. Obviously we weren't happy with the game last Sunday, especially the last 20 minutes and the forced errors," Tindall said.

"This week has been outstanding. All the training days have been really good, really sharp and a big step up from where we have been in the last two or three weeks.

"With a World Cup you have always got to get the mentality right because it is such a short format. You have to switch on for every game, every training session and to have the focus to be switched on.

"That is something we have talked about and hopefully we will get better and better as we go through the World Cup."

England XV: B Foden (Northampton Saints); C Ashton (Northampton Saints), M Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), M Tindall (Gloucester Rugby), M Cueto (Sale Sharks); J Wilkinson (Toulon), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers); A Corbisiero (London Irish), S Thompson (London Wasps), D Cole (Leicester Tigers), L Deacon (Leicester Tigers), T Palmer (Stade Francais), T Croft (Leicester Tigers), L Moody (Bath Rugby, capt), J Haskell (Ricoh Black Rams).

Replacements: L Mears (Bath Rugby), D Wilson (Bath Rugby), S Shaw (Unattached), T Wood (Northampton Saints), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), T Flood (Leicester Tigers), D Armitage (London Irish).


Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Thompson Enjoys the Clearer Air


Hooker Steve Thompson believes England will be stronger for a clear-the-air meeting in the wake of two underwhelming World Cup victories.

Team manager Martin Johnson admitted his side must improve or be eliminated, while back row James Haskell called for those underperforming to be singled out by their team-mates.

"Sometimes you've got to have a little bit of an argument," said Thompson.

"It's like a relationship. Sometimes you get a little bit stale, don't you?"

Although England followed a 13-9 victory over Argentina in their opening Pool B match with a 41-10 win over Georgia, they have lacked both conviction and discipline.

In addition to conceding 25 penalties in the two matches, England have received two yellow cards, with Dylan Hartley and Dan Cole sent to the sin-bin.

Second row Courtney Lawes was banned for two matches after being found guilty of using a knee on Pumas hooker Mario Ledesma.

A bout of soul-searching has followed in a bid to rediscover the form that secured the Six Nations title earlier this year.

"Sometimes everyone needs to give each other a little pat on the back or a little boot up the backside and that's what's happening. It's perfect for us," added Thompson.

"Some reviews are nice and easy, some are harder and some are a bit more brutal. The harder meetings are just because we've got such high standards and we've got to get up to the standards again.

"Honesty is the best policy, as they say, 'stab you in the belly rather than in the back', that's what we need."

England have reached the final at the last two tournaments - winning eight years ago against Australia before losing to South Africa in Paris in 2007 - with both runs coming after unconvincing early showings in the tournament.

"In 2003, we had exactly the same thing after the Samoa game when we came close to losing. We had to move on," said Thompson of England's narrow 35-22 victory in their early stages their only successful campaign.

"Sometimes if you are winning ugly and being harsh on yourself, it's a good place to be."

In the 2007 competition a frank meeting between the players and then-head coach Brian Ashton after a 36-0 defeat by South Africa in the group stages produced a marked improvement.

England play Romania on Saturday in Dunedin before taking on Scotland seven days later in Auckland.


Sunday, 18 September 2011

Haskell Wants Players Singled Out


James Haskell says players who are letting England down at the World Cup must be singled out in team meetings.

Martin Johnson's side again failed to impress in a 41-10 win over minnows Georgia on Sunday.

And Haskell said: "The days of brushing it under the carpet are gone. It has got to that stage, got that serious.

"It starts with identifying individuals. You only get one chance at a World Cup, so faffing around is not the way forward."

A Dimitri Basilaia try close to half-time capped a strong first half from Georgia and meant England were only 17-10 up at the break.

Discussing the prospect of singling out players, Haskell explained: "That will come out from our meetings. We will have some tough video sessions on Monday or Tuesday. That's how it should be.

The 26-year-old, who was a late replacement at number eight after Nick Easter pulled out with a back injury, said England must identify "areas we need to improve, who's not working hard, who's not trusting it (the system)".

He added: "People have got to start pointing some fingers and saying 'This is not acceptable'.

"Johnno is not happy, the coaches are not happy - the players need to look at themselves and realise they are not working as hard as they should be.

"People should be excited about this team, excited about our performances, but we are letting ourselves down. We are stuck in a bit of a mire.

Johnson must feel like the driver of a big truck, desperately waggling the lever in an attempt to find another gear - a gear his side proved they had in this season's Six Nations and in victories over Australia last year.

"Look at the good sides - they have that control. Whatever happens, you feel they are going to win. With England at the moment it is, 'This could go either way'.

"We are not in control and there is uncertainty which makes everyone go: 'Christ what's going on?'."

Haskell was scathing about the team's lack of discipline, saying: "You can't even begin to play your game if every time you do something there's a penalty.

"You are just on the back foot, tackling, get up, penalty. It is like banging your head against the wall. That is not acceptable with the players and talent we have got."

His England team-mate Chris Ashton, who scored two tries against Georgia, insisted that no link could be made between England's lack of discipline on the field and their recent issues off it though.

The winger was one of the England players photographed drinking in Queenstown's Altitude Bar last weekend. Asked whether this had affected England's discipline on the field, he said: "No. Refs are being a lot tighter now on a lot of things. I've never seen so many offsides. We have to be a lot smarter.

"You can't relate it to what happened during the week though - because nothing happened. We had a night out and that was it. We relaxed like every other team."

Ashton took great delight in ending his five-match try drought, scoring his first with a trademark swallow dive and adding a second from close range.

"I don't know if the management are too happy about the dive," said Ashton. "It might not have been at the right time because the game was a bit messy."


Hape and Ashton Score Tries

A second-half blitz was enough to give England a comfortable-looking 41-10 win over Georgia.

However while the scoreline - and bonus point - will have been reason enough for England to be happy, they will have left the Otago Stadium knowing they have much harder challenges ahead.

The match was certainly an improvement on the ugly 13-9 opening win over Argentina - while Simon Shaw, Tom Palmer, James Haskell, Delon Armitage and Shontayne Hape all impressed.

However Martin Johnson's men were almost made to pay for an ill-disciplined first-half display and had Georgia taken their chances early on the pressure would have really been on.

England conceded 11 penalties in the opening 40 minutes alone, with hooker Dylan Hartley yellow carded.

But as it was, Hape (2), Armitage, Manu Tuilagi and Chris Ashton (2) crossed for tries, while Toby Flood added 11 points.

Georgia took advantage of Hartley's 10-minute stint on the sidelines to score a try through Dimitri Basilaia while Merab Kvirikashvili slotted over five points.

However Kvirikashvili was guilty of missing his first three shots at goal and another two after the break - while they tired in the second half as the exertions of playing two games in four days had an impact.

England must have thought they were in for an easy night's work as they opened the scoring after just three minutes. Shaw made the initial hard yards from Basilaia's mistake, with Hape scooting through a gap at the fringes of the breakdown to run through unopposed. Flood converted.

Georgia's response was almost immediate, though, as England coughed up possession from a scrum in their own 22 but Ashton did just enough to deny Irakli Machkhaneli in the corner.
Uncomfortable

Kvirikashvili then missed two shots at goal while Alexander Todua was brought down by Ben Youngs as the eastern Europeans took the game to their more illustrious hosts.

England were doing themselves no favours as they conceded a series of needless penalties at the breakdown.

However having endured an uncomfortable 15-minute spell, England began to settle and put the phases together.

And unlike Georgia, they took their chance when it came along with Hape benefiting after a series of drives forward. Flood converted to put England 14-0 up after 22 minutes.

Kvirikashvili was off target with his third successive kick before the Georgia fly-half finally found his range after 27 minutes.

Flood, though, responded with a penalty of his own to restore England's 14-point lead.

But Georgia finished the half with a flourish and England again shot themselves in the foot as Hartley was sin-binned for hands in a ruck.

And Georgia made them pay as Basilaia broke off the back of the scrum and powered over - although England did not help themselves by the decision to go for a seven-man scrum by taking Tom Wood off for hooking replacement Steve Thompson. Kvirikashvili converted.

England made a bright start to the second half - despite being a man down - with Armitage denied a try by desperate cover defence.

There was no denying the makeshift winger five minutes later, though, as quick hands released him again to dive over.

Kvirikashvili failed to cut the deficit with his fourth and fifth misses of the match - and it was England who moved further out in front, with Tuilagi picking the perfect line to power through. Flood converted.

And as Georgia tired Ashton was next to score, with Tom Wood break through initially before shipping the ball on to his Northampton colleague. Flood was on target with the extras.

Ben Foden then had his late try chalked off for a forward pass but he turned provider with the last play as he popped the ball up for Ashton to dive over in the corner.


Friday, 16 September 2011

Moody Leads Georgian England


Lewis Moody has been passed fit to captain a revamped England against Georgia in the World Cup on Sunday.

The Bath flanker, who missed England's opening win over Argentina with knee ligament damage, is one of nine changes to Martin Johnson's team.

Toby Flood starts at fly-half alongside scrum-half Ben Youngs with centre Shontayne Hape in for Mike Tindall.

Matt Stevens starts at loose-head with Dylan Hartley, Simon Shaw, Tom Palmer and Tom Wood also coming into the side.

Stevens replaces Sale's Sheridan, 31, who has been ruled out of the World Cup after injuring his left shoulder against the Pumas and returned home earlier this week.

James Haskell makes way for the returning Moody at open-side flanker after team doctors passed the 33-year-old fit to play.

Moody has played less than five full matches since first injuring his knee in a Heineken Cup match in January.

That injury ruled him out of the Six Nations and though he returned later in the season, Moody suffered knee ligament damage in England's first warm-up international against Wales last month.

"It is great to have Lewis back," said Johnson. "This is a chance for a lot of guys to play.

"That was always the plan, that people would have to play and be ready, to give them a chance for the second half of the pool."

Northampton flanker Wood makes his World Cup debut on the blind-side as Leicester's Tom Croft drops to the replacements bench.

Hartley takes over from veteran Steve Thompson at hooker with Shaw and Palmer forming a new second-row partnership as they take over from Louis Deacon and the suspended Courtney Lawes.

"Courtney is out for a couple of weeks but we would have played the other two locks anyway," added Johnson.

Number eight Nick Easter and tight-head prop Dan Cole are the only survivors in the pack that faced Argentina on Saturday.

Jonny Wilkinson drops to the bench to make way for Flood, who will resume his Six Nations-winning half-back partnership with Youngs.

The back three of Ben Foden, Chris Ashton and Delon Armitage remain, with Mark Cueto not involved again after a back problem ruled him out of the win over Argentina.

Uncapped Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson could make his Test debut off the bench.

England: Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Manu Tuilagi, Shontayne Hape, Delon Armitage, Toby Flood, Ben Youngs; Matt Stevens, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole, Simon Shaw, Tom Palmer, Tom Wood, Lewis Moody (captain), Nick Easter. Replacements: Steve Thompson, Alex Corbisiero, Tom Croft, James Haskell, Joe Simpson, Jonny Wilkinson, Matt Banahan.



Thursday, 15 September 2011

Tindall Relaxed in Queenstown


England rugby bosses have played down newspaper allegations that Mike Tindall behaved inappropriately on a night out during the World Cup in New Zealand.

The Sun reported on Thursday that Tindall, who recently married Zara Phillips, granddaughter of the Queen, had "kissed and groped" a woman while watching a dwarf-throwing contest.

It further alleged that Tindall had buried his head in her breasts as England enjoyed a night out in a Queenstown bar after a victory over Argentina in their opening World Cup match.

However, a Rugby Football Union statement issued on Thursday insisted there was nothing untoward about the conduct of Tindall, England's captain against the Pumas.

"Mike and several of the players were enjoying an evening out after he had led the team to a hard-earned victory over Argentina," an England spokesman said in the statement.

"Like all the lads he plays for England with a massive amount of passion and he was relaxing after a tough match."

The RFU statement added there would be no further comment.

Before England left for the World Cup, manager Martin Johnson announced that he would not impose drinking bans on his players.

"When I started playing rugby at senior level you were dealing with blokes," Johnson said last month.

"They treated us like adults and there is no reason to change that now they are professionals and things are far more organized in the game.

"They are there to make sensible decisions - if I can't trust them, there is a simple choice for us to make."

Four players, none of whom are in England's World Cup squad, found themselves caught up in a sex scandal during a tour of New Zealand in 2008. Johnson also said last month that he had repeatedly reminded his team about the need to avoid compromising situations.

"You have got to be careful - it is a different world to what it was," he said.

"I remember going there (New Zealand) 18 years ago as a British Lion and the boys had good fun but you have got to be careful."

Tindall, 33 next month, is one of the most experienced players in England's squad, having been a member of the team that won the 2003 World Cup when Johnson was captain.

The Gloucester centre has 73 caps and led the side in their 13-9 win over Argentina in the absence of injured squad captain Lewis Moody.

England continue their Pool B campaign against Georgia in Dunedin on Sunday.


Tuesday, 13 September 2011

World Cup Over for Sheridan


England prop Andrew Sheridan has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup after injuring his shoulder in the opening match against Argentina.

Sheridan has had two operations on his left shoulder and returned from right shoulder surgery for England's final World Cup warm-up against Ireland.

The Sale loose-head, 31, will return home for further treatment.

"It's sad for Sheri, he's been unlucky. We brought five props so have options," said England boss Martin Johnson.

England will decide on a replacement in due course but Sheridan will not be allowed to return to rejoin the squad in New Zealand.

Sheridan, a member of the 2009 British and Irish lions squad, is considered one of the world's most powerful props and won his 40th Test cap in the 13-9 win over Argentina in Dunedin on Saturday.





Saturday, 10 September 2011

Johnson Ages Against Argentina


England manager Martin Johnson said the tense World Cup victory over Argentina had "aged him about 20 years".

Johnson's team only went in front for the first time with 13 minutes remaining as they edged to a 13-9 victory in their Pool B opener.

"That's what World Cups are about," he said. "The ball won't bounce your way and you have to find a way to win.

"We got the win. It wasn't a fantastic performance by any means, but a fantastic win in the circumstances."

England's pack took a long time to get to grips with the grizzled Pumas eight, and it was only in the last quarter of the game that Johnson's men finally got the upper hand.

"We got quicker ball in the second half, we wanted space out wide and when we went wide we got turned over a lot," Johnson told ITV.

"We had to keep going. We always thought if we kept going we'd get there."

Relieved skipper Mike Tindall hailed Ben Youngs after the replacement scrum-half's late try spared England's blushes.

Youngs, a second-half replacement for Richard Wigglesworth, darted over after 67 minutes in his first appearance since knee surgery in the summer.

"Youngsy came on and turned the game for us," Tindall told ITV. "We got our tempo going and we got a try on the back of it.

"The one thing I am going to give the team credit for is the way we stuck to our task. We got a win but there is a lot to work on."

England conceded 11 penalties in all and Tindall acknowledged they will have to work hard on improving their discipline ahead of their remaining Pool B matches.

"We gave away three easy penalties early in the game and from then on it makes it hard work for you," he said.

"You've got to play to what you are getting away with and we were not squeaky clean enough. It is something to go away and look at."

Although Argentina earned a losing bonus point, captain Felipe Contepomi admitted the defeat could prove costly to their hopes of reaching the semi-finals for the second successive World Cup.

If all results go as expected, the team that finishes second in Pool B will face New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

"In terms of the result it can cost us dearly because it is always easier if you win your first game," said Contepomi, who will have an X-ray to discover the extent of the rib injury that forced him off.

"In terms of performance the whole team made a big step forward.

"Hopefully we can improve our game. Having played only one Test in 11 months we knew it would be hard but we have to go on from here."