There is a desire to see a Pacific Islands nation progress deep into the World Cup given they produce some of the game’s finest players.
Billy Vunipola insists England are comfortable being cast as the pantomime villains of Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final against Fiji in Marseille.
“I would not say Fiji is their second favourite, I would say England is their first least-favourite team,” the Saracens number eight said.“We are seeing a lot of teams being talked up. Apparently there’s a top four in international rugby. I didn’t know that there was a table. We are quietly going about our work and confidently going about our work.
England are wary of the breakdown threat posed by Simon Raiwalui’s team and are seeking clarification from Sunday’s referee Mathieu Raynal over how the contest on the floor will be officiated. “The best thing about him is his technique. He’s got a very low centre of gravity. As a former 12 who has been repositioned to seven, he’s very fast around making the decision whether to go for the ball or not,” Vunipola said.
The two were paired together against Samoa on Saturday, but they faded as a creative axis amid a poor team performance and the experiment of reviving their partnership could be over.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jonny Bairstow wary of ground for England’s World Cup clash with Bangladeshitemprop=description content=Worries are mounting over the suitability of the picturesque HPCA Stadium.
Read more »
Jonny Bairstow wary of ground for England’s World Cup clash with Bangladeshitemprop=description content=Worries are mounting over the suitability of the picturesque HPCA Stadium.
Read more »
Cricket World Cup: England captain Jos Buttler says 'poor' Dharamshala outfield could compromise 'integrity of game'England captain Jos Buttler feels the 'poor' state of the Dharamshala outfield could compromise 'the integrity of the game' when his side face Bangladesh.
Read more »
Talking points ahead of England’s World Cup clash with Bangladeshitemprop=description content=Jonny Bairstow is set to win his 100th ODI cap.
Read more »
Talking points ahead of England’s World Cup clash with Bangladeshitemprop=description content=Jonny Bairstow is set to win his 100th ODI cap.
Read more »
England would be naive to play Jofra Archer during the World Cup – Eoin Morganitemprop=description content=Injury-hit Archer has played just seven ODIs since helping England win the World Cup in 2019.
Read more »