Rugby News: England axe most-capped player as Borthwick shakes up team, Irish get huge boost

Ben Youngs faces an uncertain Test future after he was dropped for England’s Six Nations clash with Italy.

England’s most-capped men’s player made a disappointing contribution off the bench in the 29-23 defeat by Scotland that launched Steve Borthwick’s reign last weekend and will play no part against the Azzurri on Sunday.

It is the first time he has been dropped for a Six Nations match since 2014 and it places a question mark over the 33-year-old halfback’s involvement in the World Cup later this year.

Alex Mitchell has been included in a reduced 29-man squad that will step up preparations for resurgent Italy’s visit to Twickenham in round two, providing support to first-choice halfback Jack van Poortvliet.

Defence coach Kevin Sinfield insists that Youngs remains in England’s plans even if he will not be winning a 123rd cap this weekend, as do Ben Curry and Anthony Watson, who have also been jettisoned.

“Just because a player has left camp to go home doesn’t mean they’re been discarded,” Sinfield said.

“They’re a massive part of what we’re trying to do and they’ve been outstanding in training.

“It’s just a side that we’ve picked based on the opposition and one that we think will give us the best chance of winning.

“The change from last week has not been performance-related, it’s to do with the threat Italy pose and the way we want to play.”

Watson’s departure from England camp paves the way for Henry Arundell to make his comeback after missing the autumn because of an ankle injury, either off the bench or as part of a reshaped back three.

The London Irish try-scoring sensation won all three of his caps on the July tour to Australia, announcing his arrival on the international stage with a stunning touchdown in the first Test in Perth.

Jack Willis is the likely beneficiary of Curry being axed from the reduced training squad after missing the Calcutta Cup loss because of club commitments with French club Toulouse.

“I’ve only had three sessions with Henry and four with Jack, so my knowledge is going purely off what I have seen in training, but they are both outstanding individuals,” Sinfield said.

“Henry is super talented and very, very gifted as a rugby player. Jack has really impressed me. He’s really determined in how he goes about his business. He’s very professional.

“His commitment has been outstanding in jumping on a plane and getting backwards and forwards from France. Both great additions to the squad.”

Sexton fit for seismic Euro duel with France

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is eagerly anticipating a confrontation with France for the first time in three years after declaring himself fit for the “huge” Six Nations showdown.

The masterly five-eighth has undergone a head injury assessment (HIA) and overcome a dead leg suffered in the round-one win over Wales and hopes to avoid further late fitness “hiccups” ahead of Saturday’s potential championship title decider in Dublin.

Reigning grand slam champions and world No.2 outfit France are the only major nation yet to suffer defeat against Andy Farrell’s Ireland, the world’s top-ranked side, with Sexton a late withdrawal ahead of the previous two meetings due to injury issues.

The 37-year-old’s most recent outing against Les Bleus was a frustrating 35-27 defeat in Paris at the end of the prolonged 2020 tournament when he hit the headlines for his angry reaction to being substituted.

“I was saying this morning, the last two Wednesdays before France over the last two fixtures I’ve ended up pulling out, so to get through today is great,” said Sexton.

“I can look forward to the game, hopefully no more hiccups.

“Obviously the confusion around the HIA and stuff like that, there’s nothing I can control about that, but I’ll be ready to go for 80 this week if needed.

“It feels like a huge game. There’s no point in saying anything otherwise.

“You can’t just come in here and say ‘it’s just another game’ because it’s not. It’s one we’ve waited a long time for and I’ve read that they want this test – to come to the Aviva (Stadium) and try and overturn us. It’s a huge game.”

Ireland had to settle for the consolation of a triple crown last year following a 30-24 Stade de France defeat, which Sexton watched from the stands due to a hamstring problem.

In 2021, the veteran failed to satisfy return-to-play protocols ahead of a narrow 15-13 Dublin loss to Les Bleus, having been angered in the build-up by “highly inappropriate” comments from a French doctor about his concussion record. The former Racing 92 player is braced for further disruptive headlines to emerge in the French media during the next few days.

“They are always big weeks, often for me something comes out of the woodwork in French week and I’m expecting something later in the week,” he said.

While Ireland, who top the world rankings, cantered to a 34-10 victory in Cardiff on match-day one, France were less convincing in a stuttering 29-24 success over Italy which stretched their impressive winning streak to 14 games.