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Post by bluetornados on Oct 6, 2023 23:02:53 GMT
France 2023: Rugby World Cup Fixtures
Saturday 7th October 2023
POOL B
IRELAND v SCOTLAND - 8pm
POOL C
WALES v Georgia - 2pm
POOL D
ENGLAND v Samoa - 4.45pm
Sunday 8th October 2023
POOL B
Tonga v Romania - 4.45pm
POOL C
Fiji v Portugal - 8pm
POOL D
Japan v Argentina - 12pm
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Post by lostinspace on Oct 7, 2023 18:42:52 GMT
Nephew made his way from Sydney this Teusday headed toward Marseilles....not sure if he seen the Samoan game today ,but with Fiji most likely the opposition next week England need to up their game BIG TIME to make his trip worthwhile
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 7, 2023 20:09:16 GMT
France 2023: Rugby World Cup Result
Saturday 7th October 2023
POOL C
WALES 49 Georgia 19
Rugby World Cup: Louis Rees-Zammit hat-trick helps Wales top Pool C..By Ceri Coleman-Phillips, BBC Sport Wales at Stade de la Beaujoire.
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Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit revelled in the spaces out wide to claim a hat-trick of triesWales completed a clean sweep of World Cup pool matches with a bonus-point victory over Georgia. Louis Rees-Zammit scored a hat-trick as Warren Gatland's side topped Pool C to set up a likely quarter-final meeting with Argentina or Japan. Tomas Francis, Liam Williams and George North also crossed for Wales. Georgia threatened a second-half comeback after tries from Merab Sharikadze, Vano Karkadze and Davit Niniashvili. Wales will learn their last-eight fate on Sunday, when Argentina take on Japan in a virtual quarter-final play-off, also at Nantes' Stade de Beaujoire. Samoa also have a slim chance of progression should they beat Pool D winners England and other results go their way. Wales have every right to celebrate long into the night in Nantes, but the win came at a cost after head coach Warren Gatland confirmed Taulupe Faletau suffered a broken arm in the second half, which rules the number eight out of the rest of the tournament. They will also be sweating on the fitness of fly-half Gareth Anscombe who strained his groin before kick-off, while full-back Liam Williams ended the match on crutches after taking a blow to the knee. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/11931/production/_131358917_hi088495953.jpgA broken arm suffered by number eight Taulupe Faletau took the gloss off Wales' win in Nantes
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Warren Gatland has won three Grand Slams with Wales
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 7, 2023 20:13:28 GMT
France 2023: Rugby World Cup Fixtures
Saturday 7th October 2023
POOL D
ENGLAND 18 Samoa 17
England sneak narrow win in final Rugby World Cup pool game..By Mike Henson, BBC Sport.
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Care's try proved decisive as England maintained their 100% record from the pool stageA sluggish England outlasted a bruising, brilliant Samoa performance to head to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a full house of Pool D wins. Danny Care's 73rd-minute dart from the base of a scrum was the decisive score in an 18-17 victory. However, his team's credentials as possible contenders for the title will have been badly dented as they were pushed all the way by a team whose only previous tournament win came against Chile. The underdogs led 17-8 early in the second half and could have been further clear, having seen a third try ruled out for the faintest of knock-ons. Samoa could yet have snatched a sucker-punch victory as they swept upfield only to spill forward five metres short in the penultimate play of the game. England finished the game with a 100% record from their first four games, while their captain Owen Farrell surpassed Jonny Wilkinson as the leading Test points scorer for his country. But there was more concern than confidence to take from the game with more Pacific Island opposition, in the shape of Fiji, looming in next weekend's quarter-finals. England fast need to find an antidote to a game of off-loads, invention and commitment that very nearly caused the biggest upset of France 2023 so far. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/126F2/production/_131360557_-b47767d3-e962-43bc-a141-d3d9809a308e.pngEngland head coach Steve Borthwick: "My first thoughts are what a performance for Samoa, I thought they were absolutely incredible. They put us under enormous pressure, that is a huge credit to them. "For us it was scrappy, we made a lot of errors and there were periods where we didn't play within our system. That put us under an awful lot of pressure. There are some huge learnings and it was a tough test for next week." England captain Owen Farrell: "It was scrappy. It didn't feel like the best from us but all credit has to go to Samoa, the way they came out and fired shots at us was tough to deal with at times. "We didn't deal with it discipline wise, we didn't deal with it with mistakes at times. I'm glad we found a way back in. I'm glad when we weren't at our best we found a way to win." On being timed out for a penalty kick: "I was unaware of the clock. I obviously got lost a little but that's not good enough. I'm glad for the team that it didn't cost us. Hopefully it won't happen again." Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua: "That was a tough one. If I'm being honest, my heart breaks for these boys. I thought they deserved a lot more. We did enough to earn victory. Such is the cruel nature of sport, it wasn't to be." "If we nailed one of those two disallowed tries, I think that would have been massive in terms of momentum… and losing a player to the bin didn't help our cause. When you're defending for that long in your own 22, something's got to give." Samoa fly-half Lima Sopoaga: "It has been a disappointing couple of weeks, we felt we just didn't give the jersey the justice it deserved. Tonight I'm proud, we didn't come away with the chocolates but we left it all out there and that's all that anyone can ask.
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 7, 2023 20:30:53 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 7, 2023 21:23:46 GMT
France 2023: Rugby World Cup - Quarter-Finals
Saturday 14th October 2023
WALES v Argentina - 4pm
IRELAND v New Zealand - 8pm
Sunday 15th October 2023
ENGLAND v Fiji - 4pm
France v South Africa - 8pm
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 8, 2023 17:50:47 GMT
Japan 27-39 Argentina: Pumas set up Wales quarter-final with thrilling win..By Emma Smith, BBC Sport.
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Mateo Carreras scored the ninth hat-trick of the 2023 World CupA hat-trick from Mateo Carreras carried Argentina into a World Cup quarter-final with Wales as they beat Japan in their winner-takes-all Pool D match. Argentina, who will play Wales in Marseille on Saturday, finished second in the group behind England after a pulsating encounter in Nantes. Newcastle Falcons wing Carreras scored two brilliantly taken tries but Japan fought back to stay in touch. However, another superb finish from Carreras sealed victory for the Pumas. ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/AF88/production/_131363944_gettyimages-1724027703.jpgArgentina, who lost to England in their opening match of the World Cup, have now won three games in a row heading into the knockout stages. "We like to be a fighting team and we fight for everything, but the resilience of this team is what makes the difference here," Argentina captain Julian Montoya said. Beaten captain Kazuki Himeno said he was "really proud of the boys" and the effort they put in. "We are disappointed about the result," the Japan number eight added. "The fans' support is appreciated as it has been huge for us. "We have tried to climb up the Mount Everest summit. However, the legacy and the culture of Japanese rugby will continue." ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/FF38/production/_131363356_gettyimages-1723970691-1.jpgArgentina fans were in good voice in the final match of Pool D in Nantesichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/FDA8/production/_131363946_cf535ce5-6f73-4ae2-90b4-9b86393afc47.png
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 8, 2023 18:03:07 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 8, 2023 18:07:08 GMT
Fiji v Portugal: Pacific Islanders ready for 'special day' in Rugby World Cup.. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/6A13/production/_131355172_gettyimages-1657437789.jpgFiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu has played every minute of the Rugby World Cup so far Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu says Sunday's game against Portugal will be a "special day" with his side needing one point to reach the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals. Fiji narrowly lost to Wales before beating both Australia and Georgia to put them on the verge of qualification. Even a losing bonus point would be enough for Fiji to finish above the Wallabies in Pool C. "It's a special day for us, it's our final this weekend," Nayacalevu said. "We're representing the people at home. The struggle they go through to watch us, for that I ask the players to go out and play their hearts out." Line-ups
Fiji: Maqala; Ravutaumada, Nayacalevu (capt), Tuisova, Habosi; Botitu, Lomani; Mawi, Matavesi, Tagi, Nasilasila, Mayanavanua, Derenalagi, Mata. Replacements: Tevita, Ravai, Doge, Cirikidaveta, Tuisue, Matawalu, Teti. Portugal: Pinto; Storti, Bettencourt, Lima (capt), Marta; Portela, Marques; Fernandes, Tadjer, Ferreira, Madeira, Cerqueira, Wallis, Martins, Simoes. Replacements: Costa, Diniz, Alves, Torgal, Granate, Belo, Appleton, Pinto Referee: Luke Pearce (England) |
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 9, 2023 0:16:10 GMT
Fiji 23-24 Portugal: England to face Fiji in Rugby World Cup quarter-final..By Phil Cartwright, BBC Sport.
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Rodrigo Marta's late try, converted by Samuel Marques, completed a shock win for Portugal over FijiPortugal pulled off a Rugby World Cup shock in Toulouse - but a losing bonus point was enough to send Fiji into a quarter-final against England. The result also confirmed Australia's exit from the World Cup, making it the first time the Wallabies have ever gone out before the knockout stage. Fiji required only one point from the match to go through to the last eight. They were 23-17 up late on, but Rodrigo Marta's converted try gave Portugal a first World Cup victory. The Fijians had trailed by seven points on two occasions in the second half, but tries from Levani Botia and Mesake Doge twice brought them level and two Frank Lomani penalties inched them into a winning position - only for Portugal to produce a stunning late twist. Despite their second loss of the group phase, Fiji are through to meet Pool D winners England in Marseille on Sunday 15th October (4pm kick-off). They have recent fond memories of facing Steve Borthwick's side, having beaten them at Twickenham in August, but both teams will enter the last-eight tie having stuttered late in the pool phase. As for Portugal, they exit the competition having finally been rewarded for the enterprising brand of rugby that has gained them many admirers. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/1191E/production/_131366917_portugal2_reu.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/BAFA/production/_131366874_portugal3_reu.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/1673E/production/_131366919_portugal1_reu.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/45CA/production/_131366871_poolctable.jpg
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 9, 2023 0:17:48 GMT
France 2023: Rugby World Cup - Quarter-Finals
Saturday 14th October 2023
WALES v Argentina - 4pm
IRELAND v New Zealand - 8pm
Sunday 15th October 2023
ENGLAND v Fiji - 4pm
France v South Africa - 8pm
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 9, 2023 7:58:56 GMT
Australia out of Rugby World Cup - what went wrong for the Wallabies ?
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Australia had reached at least the knockout stage of all nine Rugby World Cups prior to their early exit in FranceAustralia have been knocked out of a Rugby World Cup before the knockout stage for the first time. Michael Lynagh played in the first three Rugby World Cups for Australia, winning the tournament in 1991. He spoke with Matt Dawson on a recent episode of the BBC's Rugby Union Daily podcast to discuss whether the problems lie deeper than just a poor showing in France. ML: "Australia have not managed to fire a shot at this World Cup and that is really disappointing. I feel for the players as they are not bad players and they have worked really hard, but when it comes to getting out on the field it does not seem to click for them. "I feel the way this has gone at the World Cup, there are going to be a few which might struggle to get over this experience. I hope not, but my overriding feeling is one of sadness. "For the Australian supporters - not just the ones back at home, but those who have financially and emotionally supported the team in France - to be knocked out so early is terribly disappointing. "You have to give credit to the opposition. It is not a fluke that Fiji are a good team, they beat England at Twickenham before the tournament, and Wales have surprised a lot of people with how they've played. "The opposition has been good, but Australia have been disappointing." ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/11B4C/production/_131342527_lynagh_getty.jpgMichael Lynagh (left) was part of the victorious Australia team that lifted the Rugby World Cup in 1991
ML: "It is the culmination of a downward trend in the past 10 or 15 years and rugby's been heading this way. "This was a real wake-up call that something has to be done about rugby in Australia and the decline of rugby, in terms of people attending games in Australia and the youngsters coming through are choosing different sports which are better funded than rugby. There is a real issue behind all this as well. "We all hope that a successful Australian rugby team can carry us through and plaster over these problems, but I am afraid this time it has not. "There is talent there at schoolboy level and, going back, the traditional pathway for an Australian rugby player was that talent was identified at school and because there were not that many schools playing you could identify that talent. "It was nurtured very well from that 15-year-old age group, right the way through to under-18 schoolboys and under-21s, which is now under-20s. "It was looked after and then you go to a club, your state and then Australian rugby. "We seem to have lost that ability to connect juniors with clubs and states. Juniors seem to disappear and go to league or lose interest in union and go and do other things. Some do Aussie rules and football now. "There seems to be a disconnect and until we reconnect that and try to get that pathway reconnected, I think we will still struggle to have people coming through. "Aussie rules and rugby league can afford to go into all the traditional rugby union schools and actually find the best talent and take it, because kids look at their rugby league stars, and they can give contracts to these kids straight out of school." ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/63B4/production/_131342552_jones_reu.jpgEddie Jones has a contract as Australia head coach until 2027
ML: "It is very important for Australia that they are competitive, not only from a global point of view, but from an Australian point of view. "If you are not filling out stadiums for a Lions tour and there's not commercial interest from television and all that sort of thing, there is real trouble for Australian rugby. "We want to be competitive and have the local support behind us and the whole country behind us, as opposed to AFL and rugby league supporters laughing at us and putting us down, which is what is happening at the moment. "It is at a low point at the moment and a lot of people, myself in particular, have seen it coming for a while and been worried about it. "Having five teams [based in Australia playing in the Super Rugby competition] has really dissipated that playing togetherness. We just do not have the playing population to fill these teams, so maybe some tough decisions are going to have to come up as to how we structure the whole situation. "The results at this World Cup show that the current system is not working and has not been working for a while and it will take some time for any changes to come to fruition. Something has to happen, we cannot continue this downward spiral. "It's a big problem, there are hopefully smarter people than me involved in making decisions going forward, but they're not going to be popular. "Unless we do them, there is a real possibility of Australian rugby disappearing down a big sinkhole."
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 9, 2023 8:03:14 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 11, 2023 7:55:42 GMT
Ireland v New Zealand: Mack Hansen and James Ryan miss training before quarter-final..
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Andy Farrell's team announcement for the All Blacks quarter-final was brought forward to Wednesday from ThursdayDoubts over James Ryan and Mack Hansen's fitness have grown after the Ireland pair missed Tuesday's training session before Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand. While second row Ryan was absent, wing Hansen watched the session from the stands. James Lowe, Keith Earls and Robbie Henshaw all took part in training after recent injury troubles. Ireland head coach Andy Farrell names his team on Wednesday. Ryan saw a specialist after injuring his hand in last Saturday's Pool B win over Scotland at Stade de France, while Hansen hurt his calf having earlier gone off for a head injury assessment. Wing Lowe, who went off at half-time after sustaining an eye injury in the Scotland match, trained at Stade des Fauvettes but wore a white bib to indicate he was not ready for full-contact training. Earls and Henshaw were involved in the session after they both missed the pool-stage victory with hamstring issues.
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 11, 2023 8:01:38 GMT
Rugby World Cup 2023: How Ireland broke down the All Blacks' fear factor..By Andy Gray, BBC Sport NI.
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Paul O'Connell never managed a victory over New Zealand during his Ireland but Johnny Sexton has been part of five Irish triumphs over the All Blacks since 2016There was a time when New Zealand were the most feared team anywhere in sport, never mind rugby. Before 2016, Ireland's record against the all-conquering All Blacks was dismal. It read 27 defeats and one draw since their first encounter way back in 1905. But little by little, Ireland have chipped away at the All Blacks' armoury and go into Saturday's quarter-final with not just hope, but with a realistic chance of toppling New Zealand on the sport's biggest stage. BBC Sport takes a look at the landmark wins that moved Ireland from huge underdogs to equals at the top table.
2016 - Home run in Chicago - Ireland 40-29 New Zealand
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Robbie Henshaw's late try secured a historic win for Ireland in Chicago
2018 - Home comforts in Dublin - Ireland 16-9 New Zealand
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Jacob Stockdale's try helped Ireland to a famous win over New Zealand in Dublin
2022 - Mentality monsters - New Zealand 22-32 Ireland
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Johnny Sexton kicked 13 points for Ireland on a famous night in Wellington
2023 - The next chapter? - World Cup quarter-finals
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The incredible support has fuelled Ireland's World Cup beliefNow Ireland have only one hurdle left if they are to banish the All Black's aura - and it's a big one. Farrell's men will be looking to create more history with a first win over the All Blacks at the World Cup. Saturday's World Cup quarter-final is a chance to prove that Ireland have banished the All Blacks' fear factor as they go in pursuit of their ultimate dream. It comes four years after the All Blacks annihilated Ireland in the last eight in Japan, but now Andy Farrell's side are in a far better position to deal with New Zealand's threat. However, you can never write the Kiwis off and there's a lot at stake as the two rugby heavyweights battle in out for a place in the semi-finals - a place Ireland have never ventured before. There have been plenty of new landmarks in recent years, will Saturday's chapter provide another? It all comes down to this.
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 11, 2023 8:08:15 GMT
Rugby World Cup: Billy Vunipola says England 'happy' to be 'public enemy number one' v Fiji..
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Billy Vunipola came off the bench in England's narrow 18-17 win over Samoa on SaturdayEngland are "happy" to play the role of "public enemy number one" in Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against Fiji, says number eight Billy Vunipola. "I would not say Fiji is their second favourite, I would say England is their first least-favourite team," he said. Having won all of their pool games in France, England are expected to have a large following in Marseille. But Fiji are likely to be backed by many neutrals after reaching the last eight for the first time since 2007. Saracens forward Vunipola added: "In terms of being public enemy number one, we are happy to take that mantle." ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/16F9E/production/_127501149_vunipola_getty.jpgFiji caused an upset win over Eddie Jones' Australia on their way to booking a spot in the quarter-finals, despite narrow defeats by Wales and Portugal. Vunipola, 30, sat out England's opening Pool D victory over Argentina because of suspension, but returned from the bench against Japan before making his first start in the 71-0 thrashing of Chile. His Sarries team-mate Ben Earl is likely to start against Fiji at number eight, having been selected there against the Pumas and Samoa. "If I'm being honest, I would liked to have played some more games," said Vunipola after dropping back to the bench against Samoa. "But saying that, the team I'm playing for are in the quarter-finals so I'm happy to be involved." He added that there was "definitely an edge in training" with no margin for error in the knock-out stages.
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 12, 2023 7:58:11 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 12, 2023 7:59:53 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 12, 2023 11:41:49 GMT
Rugby World Cup 2023: Wales v Argentina - Liam Williams and Dan Biggar fit for quarter-final..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/419F/production/_131399761_gettyimages-1384337758.jpgWales full-back Liam Williams and fly-half Dan Biggar have been passed fit for the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina in Marseille on Saturday. Aaron Wainwright switches from flanker to replace Taulupe Faletau at number eight with Tommy Reffell called in at open-side flanker. Captain Jac Morgan reverts from open-side to blind-side while co-captain Dewi Lake is named as a replacement. However fly-half Gareth Anscombe misses out with a groin issue. Centre George North will become the first Welshman to appear in a fourth World Cup quarter-final. Wales have selected 14 of the starting side that defeated Australia and Fiji in the pool stage, with the exception of the injured Faletau who has been ruled out of the tournament with a broken arm. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/170B/production/_131399850_cdf_040223_be_wales_v_ireland71.jpgTommy Reffell and Jac Morgan
Wales team to face Argentina: L Williams; Rees-Zammit, North, Tompkins, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; G Thomas, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, Morgan (capt), Reffell, Wainwright. Replacements: Lake, Domachowski, D Lewis, D Jenkins, Tshiunza, T Williams, Costelow, Dyer. ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/D673/production/_131399845_bbc-sport-index-imagery-2-split-images-gradient-f24442b5-7dbf-49c8-a20a-889d116db345.png
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 12, 2023 19:19:31 GMT
Rugby World Cup 2023: Marcus Smith should start quarter-final at full-back - Chris Ashton..
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Marcus Smith came on at full-back and Owen Farrell moved to 10 during England's pool-stage win against SamoaMarcus Smith should start England's World Cup quarter-final against Fiji at full-back with captain Owen Farrell at fly-half, says former international wing Chris Ashton. Farrell is set to take George Ford's place at 10 in Marseille, while Smith is expected to replace Freddie Steward. Smith started at full-back in England's 71-0 pool-stage victory against Chile. "I've seen enough of him at 15 to start a World Cup quarter-final against Fiji," Ashton told Rugby Union Daily. England head coach Steve Borthwick will name his team for the quarter-final on Friday. Smith would be expected to bring a pacey attack - helped by speed work done with Olympic great Daley Thompson. The 24-year-old, who is usually a fly-half, does not have the defensive or aerial abilities of Steward, but these skills may be worth less against a Fiji side not known for their kicking game. Ashton believes playing Farrell at 10 calls for the inclusion of Smith at 15, saying: "If we're going to go with Owen at 10 because that's the way Steve [Borthwick] and Wiggy [England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth] feel the game is controlled best and he is the captain so he needs to be in that position to get the best out of him and therefore the team, that leaves us pretty thin with attacking varieties. "What we have seen is every time Marcus has been on the pitch at 15, he has transformed our attack. Right now there is no next week, we've got to give it a go." ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/240/cpsprodpb/4B78/production/_131402391_gettyimages-1702124144.jpg
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