Six Nations Round Three Teams: Tuilagi, Watson late withdrawals as France push for Grand Slam

Fri, Feb 25, 2022, 11:19 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Manu Tuilagi is a late withdrawal for England for their clash against Wales. Photo: Getty Images
Manu Tuilagi is a late withdrawal for England for their clash against Wales. Photo: Getty Images

England have received a major blow with centre Manu Tuilagi ruled out of their clash against Wales.

Meanwhile, France and Scotland have opted for relatively settled line-ups as Fabien Galthié's side hunt for the Grand Slam.

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Check out below for all the team news as it drops.

NOTE: ALL TEAMS WILL BE CONFIRMED 48 HOURS BEFORE THE RESPECTIVE GAMES.

Sunday 27 February 1:15 am AEDT – Scotland v France at Murrayfield, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

UPDATE: Hamish Watson has tested positive for COVID. Edinburgh back row Nick Haining moves into the starting XV and will play on the blindside, with Rory Darge shifting to the openside flanker position.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend had made three personnel changes to the side defeated by Wales a fortnight ago, headlined by the inclusion of Rory Darge in the starting side.

Darge has been elevated into the back-row alongside Hamish Watson and Magnus Bradbury, who replaces the injured Matt Fagerson at number eight.

Zander Fagerson has also earned a start at tight-head prop for WP Nel, who reverts back to the bench.

Meanwhile, Sam Skinner shifts from blindside flanker to lock following an injury to Jonny Gray.

As for the French, they have made just one change to their starting line-up as Jonathan Danty returns from injury.

Danty slots back into the centres after missing the thrilling win over Ireland, with Yoram Moefana moving out to the wing to replace Gabin Villiere.

France remains the only unbeaten side left in the Six Nations, looking for their first title and Grand Slam since 2010.

SCOTLAND (15-1): Stuart Hogg (c); Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Ali Price; Magnus Bradbury, Rory Darge, Nick Haining; Grant Gilchrist, Sam Skinner; Zander Fagerson, Stuart McInally, Pierre Schoeman

RESERVES: George Turner, Oli Kebble, WP Nel, Jamie Hodgson, Andy Christie, Ben White, Blair Kinghorn, Mark Bennett

FRANCE (15-1): Melvyn Jaminet; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Yoram Moefana; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (c); Anthony Jelonch, Gregory Alldritt, Francois Cros; Paul Willemse, Cameron Woki; Uini Atonio, Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille

RESERVES: Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Demba Bamba, Romain Taofifenua, Thibaud Flament, Dylan Cretin, Maxime Lucu, Thomas Ramos

Sunday 27 February 3:45 am AEDT – England v Wales at Twickenham, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

England have suffered a major blow with centre Manu Tuilagi ruled out of their clash against Wales.

Tuilagi was originally named in the side, however, England officials confirmed he has been forced to pull out due to a hamstring injury.

Eddie Jones will name his replacement over the next 24 hours, with Joe Marchant on standby.

Jones has also named Courtney Lawes as England captain, who returns after missing the first two weeks with a concussion.

As for Wales, they have recalled powerful number eight Taulupe Faletau for the crucial clash.

Faletau returns from an ankle injury, joined in the backrow by Ross Moriarty and Taine Basham.

Wayne Pivac has also opted to omit winger Louis Rees-Zammit from the matchday 23, with the returning Josh Adams taking his spot.

ENGLAND (15-1): Freddie Steward; Max Malins, Henry Slade, TBC, Jack Nowell; Marcus Smith, Harry Randall; Alex Dombrandt, Tom Curry, Courtney Lawes (c); Maro Itoje, Charlie Ewels; Kyle Sinckler, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge

RESERVES: Jamie George, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Nick Isiekwe, Sam Simmonds, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Elliot Daly

WALES (15-1): Liam Williams; Alex Cuthbert, Owen Watkin, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar (c), Tomos Williams; Taulupe Faletau, Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty; Adam Beard, Will Rowlands; Tomas Francis, Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones

RESERVES: Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Leon Brown, Seb Davies, Jac Morgan, Kieran Hardy, Gareth Anscombe, Jonathan Davies

Monday 28 February 2:00 am AEDT – Ireland v Italy at Aviva Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

Head coach Andy Farrell has made several changes to the starting line-up which lost in Paris.

Joey Carbery retains the starting position as Johnny Sexton returns to the bench.

Veteran flanker Peter O'Mahony steps up as captain with James Ryan ruled out with an adductor complaint.

Meanwhile, Italy have opted for three changes as they hunt for their first win.

Winger Pierre Bruno gets a second cap in place of Bordeaux's Federico Mori while centre Leonardo Marin will start for the Azzurri for the first time.

Giovanni Pettinelli comes in at blindside flanker in place of his Benneton teammate Braam Steyn

IRELAND (15-1):  Michael Lowry; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Joey Carbery, Jamison Gibson Park; Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Peter O'Mahony (c); Ryan Baird, Tadhg Beirne; Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter

RESERVES: Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Johnny Sexton, James Hume

ITALY (15-1): Edoardo Padovani; Pierre Bruno, Juan Ignacio Brex, Leonardo Marin, Montanna Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Toa Halafihi, Michele Lamaro (c), Giovanni Pettinelli; Federico Ruzza, Niccolo Cannone; Pietro Ceccarelli, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Danilo Fischetti

RESERVES: Epalahame Faiva, Ivan Nemer, Tiziano Pasquali, David Sisi, Manuel Zuliani, Braam Steyn, Alessandro Fusco, Marco Zanon

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