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Scrum-half expects extra attention

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:20:10 GMT

Australia star Will Genia says he will cope with any extra attention afforded to him by opponents at the World Cup. Genia is currently in fine form, having played a key role in the Queensland Reds side that triumphed in Australia this season, before continuing his success with the Wallabies - starring in their successful Tri-Nations campaign.The scrum-half believes this will lead to him being targeted by opponents but the 23-year-old is more than confident he will to be able to..... read more

Jonny issue preparation warning

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:30:10 GMT

Jonny Wilkinson has warned his England team-mates that "every second counts" ahead of their World Cup opener with Argentina. Martin Johnson's side took to the field on Friday for their first full training session since arriving in New Zealand and Wilkinson says spirits are high within the camp following their victory over Ireland last Saturday.However, the Toulon playmaker insists the team cannot rest on their laurels and must prepare properly ahead of the big opener against the Pumas in Dunedin. "We..... read more

Moody confident of recovery

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:40:10 GMT

Lewis Moody remains in a positive frame of mind over his fitness, with England's World Cup opener against Argentina fast approaching. There are a number of players carrying a knock of some sort ahead of the Pool B clash in Dunedin on September 10, not least Moody who has been restricted to just 62 minutes of Test rugby this year.However, the Bath flanker, who missed the entire Six nations campaign earlier this year, is confident he will have shrugged off the..... read more

Dallaglio plays down England chances

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 05:30:10 GMT

Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio says the current side are not good enpugh to repeat the 2003 World Cup triumph. Dallaglio was part of the triumphant England side that famously won the 2003 World Cup in Australia but he does not feel the current crop are about to emulate them in New Zealand.Dallaglio insists England cannot count themselves among the best two sides in the world ahead of the tournament and says reaching the semi-finals would be a decent achievement."Hand on..... read more

Armitage wants to be best

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:20:10 GMT

Delon Armitage is hoping he can play well enough to break into the England side and test himself agaisnt the game's elite. Armitage arrived in New Zealand for the World Cup on Tuesday alongside the rest of Martin Johnson's squad and sees the tournament as a chance to establish himself in the side.The London Irish star is seen by my many as the back-up full-back to Northampton's Ben Foden but believes with strong showings in training, along with good performances when..... read more

Evans looking for influence

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:20:10 GMT

Scotland speedster Max Evans says he will be given a free role in the side in order for him to have a greater influence on matches. The Castres man is seen by boss Andy Robinson as Scotland's equivalent to Shane Williams and feels that he should be able to pop up wherever he wants in order to have positive effect on games.Evans will be one of Scotland's key men as they look to battle through a tough group which also includes..... read more

Johnson happy to sacrifice style

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 01:50:10 GMT

Head coach Martin Johnson will be happy to sacrifice style for the result when England open their World Cup campaign against Argentina. England have been handed a tough-looking start at the showpiece tournament and will take on the Pumas in Dunedin on September 10.Rather than showing the world that they are serious contenders to go all the way, Johnson will take the flak and be happy if his side win by the narrowest of margins.Argentina beat France in the opening game..... read more

Wallace sidelined for six months

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:10 GMT

Flanker David Wallace will definitely miss Ireland's World Cup campaign after being ruled out for six months with a knee injury. The 35-year-old - who was looking to play in his second World Cup - picked up the knee injury while playing in Ireland's 20-9 defeat to England on Saturday.The Munster star picked up the injury when he was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge from Manu Tuilagi, resulting in Wallace being stretched off.The flanker has now undergone surgery..... read more

Murphy - Tuilagi to star

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 04:10:10 GMT

Ireland full-back Geordan Murphy has tipped club-mate Manu Tuilagi to star for England at the upcoming World Cup. The Leicester centre had somewhat of a breakthrough season in the Premiership last year, dominating his opponents in both defence and attack.He seems to have made the step up to the international scene effortlessly, scoring tries in his last two appearances for Martin Johnson's side and Ireland star Murphy is now tipping him to take the World Cup by storm."Manu's going to have..... read more

England fit to be ready

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 02:00:10 GMT

Martin Johnson expects his England squad to all be fit and ready to open their World Cup campaign against Argentina on September 10. Several of England's first choice selections missed their warm-up match against Ireland at Dublin with captain Lewis Moody and scrum-half Ben Youngs both struggling with knee injuries, while forwards Tom Wood and Nick Easter have had problems with their calves.Despite such worries, Johnson believes everyone will be ready come the opening game in just under two weeks' time."We're..... read more