England step up their preparations for the tournament at Twickenham. Follow the latest on our minute-by-minute report
Thus far the run of matches for the home team has featured Steve Borthwick as the impresario of a terrible Keystone Kops tribute act – but with less falling over, more confusion and worse uniforms resulting in an unprecedented level of audience and media hostility. Today is the swansong performance before the show moves on to the big venues, and the final chance for Borthwick’s Band to present something resembling a coherent eighty minutes.
Another week of disciplinary hearings, with both the distraction and subsequent loss of captain Owen Farrell and sole No 8, Billy Vunipola, has not exactly assisted with the ambition of a more coherent showing. Something else that will not benefit England’s plans are today’s opponents. Fiji lost to France last week, but looked powerful and creative throughout and are heading to this year’s World Cup with their best ever pool of players, and the draw presenting their greatest chance to go deep into the tournament. A victory today would be quite the marker to put down.
But, history tells us that regardless of form, England have a knack of winning games against such opposition. They are the consummate flat-track bullies, so expect the heavy roller treatment from them today.
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