Stade de France is no place to pussy-foot around and he was obviously looking to get some momentum at the start of what is going to be a hectic eight weeks of international rugby.
Win your first game in a series and you set the right tone. I’m sure that came into his thinking. He also needed to get some game time into some of his senior players ahead of the clash against Scotland this weekend. That is the biggest game of the Autumn Test window given it rounds off the Six Nations.
There will be points and pounds at stake at Parc Y Scarlets, so the idea of trying to create both momentum and continuity was sound. The one slight deviation was the selection of Louis Rees-Zammit on the replacements bench. I think there would have been a public outcry if the player recently voted Young Player of the Year in the Gallagher Premiership hadn’t been given his chance to shine on the international stage.
I can’t wait to see him unleashed from the start at that level. It could be the beginning of something very special, but let’s not put too much pressure on the young man just yet.
When you think about the impact made by one of the last teenage wings Wales brought through, George North, if he can reach similar heights wouldn’t that be something. It’s great to see George available for these games following his recent red card and he still has so much to offer.
This story is from the October 25, 2020 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 25, 2020 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
