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Former Saints wing's warning for England as they face rising star of Italian rugby

By PA
Michele Lamaro /Getty Images

Zebre’s Jamie Elliott has warned England not to underestimate an “unpredictable” Italy side ahead of Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations match at Twickenham. The versatile back has called Parma home for two-and-a-half years after he made the surprise move across Europe in October 2018.

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Bedford-born Elliott started his career at Northampton and helped them win the Gallagher Premiership during his eight seasons at Franklin’s Gardens.

Now playing in the Guinness PRO14, the Englishman saw 11 of his club-mates take part in the 2021 Six Nations curtain-raiser against France, which ended in a 50-10 loss for Franco Smith’s side.

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Sexton addresses the French media reports about his concussions:

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Sexton addresses the French media reports about his concussions:

“After the Autumn internationals, they feel like they have come on more as a team and have gelled more so we’ll see what the Six Nations holds,” Elliott, 28, told the PA news agency.

“England have faced them plenty of times, but this Italy side can be unpredictable and they will again have nothing to lose. They will definitely come out firing.”

While Saturday’s thrashing to France made it 28 consecutive Six Nations defeats for the Azzurri, they did push both Scotland and Wales close in the Autumn Nations Cup last year.

The chances of them ending their wait for a win this weekend may be slim, but Smith will hope they can continue to learn ahead of the 2023 World Cup in France.

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Zebre centre Elliott added: “As with all teams it’s that four-year plan. That is what they are gearing towards.”

In their last meeting with England at the Stadio Olimpico, Eddie Jones’ side won 34-5 to earn another Six Nations title.

This time they will face a much-changed Italy and one of the country’s big hopes in Michele Lamaro.

Young Wasps hooker Zac Nearchou has shared a dressing room with the Benetton forward this season while on loan at the Treviso-based outfit.

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Nearchou told the PA news agency: “Miche is definitely a stand-out. He has played already for Italy and as he develops he will be even more of a threat.

“He is a really good guy and will be one of those to look out for from the Benetton team in terms of the younger lads.”

Aged 22, Lamaro made his third international appearance against France and caught the eye with his ball-carrying.

Usually a flanker, he lined up as a number eight on Saturday and if England head coach Jones was to make changes he could come up against one of Nearchou’s Wasps team-mates.

Jack Willis earned a late call-up to the Red Roses 28-man group following Sam Underhill’s injury last month, but missed out on the squad for the Calcutta Cup clash despite a fine introduction to international rugby in the autumn.

Nearchou, 20, got the chance to train with the flanker last summer while two players who he featured alongside in the academy at Wasps are part of England’s shadow squad – fly-half pair Jacob Umaga and Charlie Atkinson.

“I haven’t really had very long interactions with Jack, but the one thing I can say about all of them is they work so hard,” the Benetton loanee added.

“Jack, whenever everyone is finished with training, he is always there doing more jackaling or something extra and the same with Jacob, he is always kicking.

“It’s great to see people in my position rising up and Charlie is in the shadow squad too and I played extensively with him so I am really happy for him.”

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AM 42 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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