ENGLAND COACH STUART LANCASTER has practically laid his cards flat on the table ahead of his side’s Six Nations clash with Ireland.
Lancaster has released 18 players from his Six Nations squad for Premiership duty this weekend. He has, however, retained 15 players that look very much like the team that will start against Joe Schmidt’s men at Twickenham on 22 February.
The released players include Chris Ashton, Freddie Burns, George Ford and the Youngs brothers, Ben and Tom, who featured on the Lions Tour to Australia last summer.
The starting XV from last weekend’s 20-0 victory over Scotland will remain at St George’s Park for training on Wednesday and Thursday morning. Lancaster said, “We have reviewed the Scotland game with the whole squad and, while pleasing in many aspects, we have identified the areas we need to work on.
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“There are some inevitable knocks from the weekend but nothing that we anticipate will keep players out of contention for the Ireland game. The replacements will return to their Premiership clubs and be available to play this weekend which will give them valuable game time.”
Depending on injuries, the whole squad will return to Pennyhill Park on Sunday evening to prepare for their clash with Ireland.
Ashton among 18 England players released for Premiership tune-up
ENGLAND COACH STUART LANCASTER has practically laid his cards flat on the table ahead of his side’s Six Nations clash with Ireland.
Lancaster has released 18 players from his Six Nations squad for Premiership duty this weekend. He has, however, retained 15 players that look very much like the team that will start against Joe Schmidt’s men at Twickenham on 22 February.
The released players include Chris Ashton, Freddie Burns, George Ford and the Youngs brothers, Ben and Tom, who featured on the Lions Tour to Australia last summer.
The starting XV from last weekend’s 20-0 victory over Scotland will remain at St George’s Park for training on Wednesday and Thursday morning. Lancaster said, “We have reviewed the Scotland game with the whole squad and, while pleasing in many aspects, we have identified the areas we need to work on.
“There are some inevitable knocks from the weekend but nothing that we anticipate will keep players out of contention for the Ireland game. The replacements will return to their Premiership clubs and be available to play this weekend which will give them valuable game time.”
Depending on injuries, the whole squad will return to Pennyhill Park on Sunday evening to prepare for their clash with Ireland.
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6 Nations ash splash Ben Youngs Six Nations Ireland Stuart Lancaster England Tom Youngs Twickenham