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InternationalEnglandSaracens

Itoje fitness boost ahead of Six Nations

Maro Itoje was a hit at Saracens as soon as he walked in the door from school (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

With Eddie Jones set to name his England squad ahead of the Guinness Six Nations next Thursday, he was given a major boost with the return of Maro Itoje.

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The 24-year-old picked up a knee injury whilst on international duty with England in November, chipping his patella.

The second row missed five matches, including Sarries’ European double header with Cardiff Blues.

He returns from injury to start for Saracens against Lyon in the Heineken Champions Cup on Sunday.

Saracens are top of Pool 3 with four wins from four and a bonus point victory would almost certainly guarantee a place in the knockout stage.

Continue reading below…
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Itoje’s international and club teammate Jamie George is reinstated at hooker after being rested last weekend and Jackson Wray is the third and final change in the pack, coming into the back row at six.

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Saracens have made just one alteration to their backline, which sees Scotland international Sean Maitland replace David Strettle on the wing.

Saracens team to face Lyon in the Heineken Champions Cup on Sunday 13th January:
15. Alex Goode
14. Sean Maitland
13. Nick Tompkins
12. Alex Lozowski
11. Liam Williams
10. Owen Farrell (c)
9. Richard Wigglesworth
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Jamie George
3. Vincent Koch
4. Maro Itoje
5. George Kruis
6. Jackson Wray
7. Schalk Burger
8. Billy Vunipola

Replacements:
16. Christopher Tolofua
17. Richard Barrington
18. Christian Judge
19. Will Skelton
20. Ben Earl
21. Ben Spencer
22. Marcelo Bosch
23. David Strettle

Watch: Rugby World Cup Japan city guide – Oita

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Comments on RugbyPass

G
GP 13 minutes ago
The drums are starting to beat louder for Du’Plessis Kirifi

I would like to see Kirifi given a chance. It is how good some one is not how big they are. Tom Christie for the Crusaders is so good. Like Du Plessis. Matt Todd was a huge part of successful Crusaders and Canterbury teams, statistics consistently up there. Matt played when South African teams were in the comp. Good enough equals big enough. As Hamish also says Ethan Blackadder will be in the mix. He has been in great form for the Crusaders this year. Two weeks ago against the Reds, he was awesome. His team mate Cullen Grace is playing so well in all facets . Great line out jumper at the back too.

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K-Bob 26 minutes ago
Peato Mauvaka cops ban for headbutt on Scotland star

Bullsh*t.


Here are the relevant parts of the paragraph:

He didn’t directly criticise a referee(FACT), but the effect of his comments was a huge attack on officials at the Dublin match (UNSUBSTANTIATED OPINION) and citing commissioners cynically (UNSUBSTANTIATED OPINION) phrased to avoid Galthie landing in hot water (UNSUBSTANTIATED OPINION). He attacked individual players himself (MIGHT BE A FACT) (they are not protected) and the FFR head attacked the officials (MIGHT BE A FACT). The ref has a choice (OPINION) of doing the right thing and red carding the player and risking his own safety (OPINION) and that of his family (STUPID UNSUBSTANTIATED OPINION). Or fudging it (UNSUBSTANTIATED OPINION) and kicking it out to the TMO (UNSUBSTANTIATED OPINION). The TMO, like the ref, pretends (UNSUBSTANTIATED OPINION) its just a poor tackle and leaves it (UNSUBSTANTIATED OPINION) to the citing commission.

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RedWarriors 33 minutes ago
Peato Mauvaka cops ban for headbutt on Scotland star

Again, the paragraph under that line you quoted is the substantiation. Read it and get back. Otherwise you are trolling and will be blocked.

You are the Saffer who came onto a comments section about the France-Ireland match to abuse Irish supporters. Not interested. Talk rugby or Fu** OFF.


Edit: Blocked

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C
CL 43 minutes ago
'France may leave top players at home but will still be serious contenders in New Zealand'

🤣🤣🤣 Roigard better than Dupont…classic chirp. You are a funny man!!!

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C
CL 47 minutes ago
'France may leave top players at home but will still be serious contenders in New Zealand'

I have read all the comments and I must say they are great reading. You guys seem way better than the comments I see on the “other” rugby websites. My take on the French touring New Zealand or for that matter, any country that is a Tier One, is simple. Any Tier One team touring to another Tier One Country MUST take their strongest team and that should be the end of it. Fans pay a bucket load of money for test matches. This whole Club verse Country debate should never even be discussed. I personally don’t understand (or want to) why playing for your country does not take precedence over every other game, no matter if it is a URC , Super Rugby or Heineken Cup Final. I know that Clubs pay the salaries for most of the year and all the arguments based around that but playing for your country is the pinnacle of every players career. That is my view, period!

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frandinand 1 hour ago
Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

How perceptive of you.

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f
frandinand 1 hour ago
Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

Methinks you protest too much. You're so transparent.

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GP 1 hour ago
Super Rugby Pacific's rebirth can finally restore the missing All Blacks edge

You make interesting comments. But I have to say baffling selections over the last couple of years do not help. Beauden Barrett’s first option is to give the ball away by kicking straight back to the opposition. Will Jordan showed for the AB’s last year and this year back with the Crusaders that fullback is his best position. The try he scored against the Western Force was special. Beauden is at his best off the bench. Midfield selection of Reiko on going , is going nowhere. Braydon Ennor showed in his come back match for the Crusaders a week ago, there is a better way.

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Ed Pye 2 hours ago
Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

The alarming truth for the Wallabies is that Tupou has never lived up to his potential and has actually been poorly performed over at least the last 2 years. Nick’s clips here almost identify a player who doesn’t seem to want to be on the field.

80 Go to comments
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Ed Pye 2 hours ago
Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

Wilson is all-action - gaps and contact, but I think OJohn is right in that he gets fatigued and makes mistakes later in games. He needs to be subbed around 55.

Gleeson would be a good sub if he had any hands

80 Go to comments
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RedWarriors 2 hours ago
Peato Mauvaka cops ban for headbutt on Scotland star

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/discipline


The Press Release and Written Decision for the Mauvaka hearing have now been published. It looks like World Rugby are self sabotaging here, or have completely capitulated to France.

To decide the entry level ban the following criteria are assessed and ticked:

*Head Contact

*Reckless

*Intentional

*Player Injured

*Vulnerable Player


For the Press Release for Mauvaka only ‘Head Contact’ and ‘Intentional’ were ticked! Giving him a low level entry ban.

Here are quotes from the Written Decision directly contradicting the Press Release wrt to ‘Reckless'? and ‘Vulnerable Player’. It shows that four out of five criteria were met and Mauvaka’s entry level ban should be in mid to high range, not low.


*Reckless?

“The Committee found that the player had intentionally propelled himself towards S9. The committee did not find that the player had intentionally struck S9 with his head but rather that the player was reckless in that respect.”


*Vulnerable position?

“Vulnerability of victim – clause 2.5.89 (i) The player was on the ground and was in a vulnerable position.”


Have a read.

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K
K-Bob 2 hours ago
Peato Mauvaka cops ban for headbutt on Scotland star

evidence: The means by which an allegation may be proven, such as oral testimony, documents, or physical objects.


“The Officials were clearly intimidated by Galthie’s public threats and intimidation“ is an allegation. You make allegations but you do not substantiate them.


And then you take offense when asked to provide evidence of the truth of your allegations.


The depth of your obliviousness never ceases to amaze.

32 Go to comments
R
RedWarriors 3 hours ago
Peato Mauvaka cops ban for headbutt on Scotland star

Do you understand the meaning of the word evidence?

You see the paragraph under the lien you quoted? Thats the substantiation for the line. If you disagree with it get back to us. If you’re here to troll just jog on please.

32 Go to comments
R
RedWarriors 3 hours ago
RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett headline Leinster side to take on Bulls

This could be a good one. Bulls destroyed Leinster 62-7 in the corresponding fixture 2 years ago, but this Leinster team is a lot stronger bolstered also by Snyman, Barrett and Slimani. Final six matches in the league so time for teams to make a move. Bulls will be determined not to lose this.

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T
Timmyboy 3 hours ago
Fin Smith: Northampton Saints face battle to keep England star

He wasn’t poached his parents lived in England and he came through English schools and clubs. He’s a product of England rugby.

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I
Irishskibum 3 hours ago
Fin Smith: Northampton Saints face battle to keep England star

Just to let everyone know he is one of England’s better poaches I reckon.

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Carmen Beechum 3 hours ago
Dan Sheehan stars as Ireland sign off with slim success over Italy

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S
Soliloquin 3 hours ago
The 'biggest gift' France have and the blueprint to combat it

In the Galthié era, France didn’t come with a strong lock enforcer in both games against South Africa.

In 2022, it was Woki & Flament (and 2 quick concussions for Danty and Flament).

In the 2023 QF, same light lock duo with Woki and Flament.

It will be interesting to finally see France challenge the most complete, fierce and legendary second row in the world that is SA with Meafou, Flament, Guillard and maybe Tuilagi during the Autumn Series.

1 Go to comments
K
K-Bob 3 hours ago
Peato Mauvaka cops ban for headbutt on Scotland star

“The Officials were clearly intimidated by Galthie’s public threats and intimidation“


Got evidence?

32 Go to comments
N
NK 4 hours ago
Super Rugby Pacific has turned the ship around in the right direction

what exactly is ridiculous about the Top 14?

12 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Scotland's senior players 'have gone to a different level' in quest for top-three finish Scotland's senior players 'have gone to a different level' in quest for top-three finish
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