The News Review:
- Narraway gets shock England call
- BBC SPORT / WELSH
- Tyrone Howe: O’Sullivan gets his shot at redemption
Narraway gets shock England call
Ireland Online – Jan 29, 2008
Up front, Ashton has kept faith with five of his World Cup final pack, including the entire front row – Andrew Sheridan, Mark Regan and skipper Phil Vickery – with another starter, Simon Shaw, partnering Borthwick at lock. Shaw has recovered from an ankle injury suffered during Wasps’ Heineken Cup defeat to Munster 10 days ago, with Borthwick edging out Leicester’s Ben Kay. Regan, meanwhile, who celebrated his 36th birthday yesterday, retains his place above other squad hookers Lee Mears and George Chuter. Although bench cover for the forwards is considerably experienced, all three reserve backs are uncapped – Vainikolo, Cipriani and Sale Sharks scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth. England boast a 20-year unbeaten Twickenham record against Wales, and they will start as favourites on Saturday despite a feelgood factor sweeping through the Welsh camp generated by new coach Warren Gatland. The spotlight will once again be on England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, who has seen off the twin challenge of Cipriani and Charlie Hodgson, to retain the number 10 shirt.
BBC SPORT / WELSH
BBC News – Jan 29, 2008
I was hugely disappointed to be overlooked, but, in fairness to the coach, before he named his starting XV for England Warren told me man-to-man the reasons and rationale behind him picking Sonny Parker ahead of me at outside centre, which I appreciated. Parker and Gavin Henson have been an effective centre partnership for the Ospreys this season, particularly in the Heineken Cup, and Warren wants to go with the proven and in-form midfield combination against the English. I wouldn’t say my omission was a shock because I’ve never considered my place in any team guaranteed, but I felt my performances for the Blues this season have been pretty good after a slow start. I was pleased with my contribution in Europe, especially in the victory at Bristol where the Blues secured their place in the Heineken Cup quarter-final, but team selection is the coach’s call and I respect that. 606: DEBATE "I can’t believe what Gatland has done, I’ve instantly lost all respect for the guy" dynamic27
I’m not the kind of guy who’d throw his toys out of the pram. I once had the unfortunate nickname of Wales’ super-sub but damn hard-work and desire ensured I became a regular starter that culminated in Grand Slam glory and a Lions call.
Tyrone Howe: O’Sullivan gets his shot at redemption
Belfast Telegraph – Jan 29, 2008
The performances and results in the next six weeks will hang like the Sword of Damocles over Ireland’s coach, like an imminent and ever present peril. He has never wavered in his commitment and loyalty to the same group of players and they owe him big time, but then again, we were saying the same five months ago. As it has been for such a long time now, Munster have been leading by example with tremendously gutsy performances in the Heineken Cup, thereby allowing their international contingent a way to rebuild their confidence. Doubts and demons still seem to still linger in Leinster minds, while Ulster’s "annus horribilis" accounts for the lack of players involved in the 22. Of these, Rory Best, I believe, is the one who is the most crucial in Eddie O’Sullivan’s plans. For me, the outstanding new kid on the block since the World Cup has been Leinster hooker Bernard Jackman and he deservedly takes his place in the squad. However, Best’s performances in a spluttering Ulster team have been consistently of the highest standard.