Defeat to France would place England in the midst of a crisis. The title was conceded in Cardiff with two rounds to spare and concern that negligible progress has been made since the World Cup has been replaced by mounting evidence they have entered reverse. Success in the Autumn Nations Cup and seizing the 2020 Championship masked the decline of a stale side. It is a precarious position – lose to France and they face the prospect of their worst ever Six Nations performance with a tricky fixture in Dublin to come.
Challenging the ‘untouchables’
Elliot Daly’s shaky form has seen him replaced by Max Malins, David Davies/PA
Wales captain Jones warns against taking Italy lightly
Issued on: 2 min
Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP)
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones said on Friday there is no danger his Grand Slam-chasing side will take perennial Six Nations strugglers Italy lightly in Rome this weekend.
Many pundits regard Saturday s match in Rome as a foregone conclusion given Italy are on a run of 30 successive defeats in the competition dating back to 2015.
Jones men have won their past 15 games against the Azzurri and another victory would leave them just 80 minutes away from a potential Grand Slam ahead of their trip to France next weekend.
It is funny how the wheel turns. Once upon a time it was France who were les grandes énigmes; now it is red rose supporters who are shrugging with palms upturned and wondering which England team will turn up. It is a long time since Les Bleus arrived at Twickenham with a better balanced lineup or, more ominously still, one with such clear potential for further improvement. Maybe their hosts will be roused into action and extend France’s dismal.
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