Tindall to miss England slam bid
Source: Agencies |
March 18, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
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ENGLAND captain Mike Tindall has been ruled out of their Six Nations grand slam decider against Ireland in Dublin tomorrow with an ankle injury sustained against Scotland.
Matt Banahan, who replaced Tindall for the second half in last week's win over Scotland, will start at outside center in an otherwise unchanged side.
"It's a big blow for Mike and for us. We'll miss his leadership, his experience and his general play," manager Martin Johnson said. "But Matt played well when he came on last week and has been in good form so it should be a pretty smooth transition."
David Strettle takes Banahan's place on the bench and No. 8 Nick Easter will captain the team.
Tindall, himself a stand-in for injured skipper Lewis Moody, had led England to four successive wins, the first time it has done that since the 2007 World Cup.
Banahan produced an impressive powerful display after replacing him and England will not be necessarily weakened by his involvement.
The switch is the first change in England's backline and that continuity has been an important part of its progress as it bid for its first title since 2003.
Replacements Jonny Wilkinson and Steve Thompson are now the only survivors from the team which triumphed 42-6 in Ireland eight years ago to complete the grand slam. That was the only time England has won in Dublin this century and it has lost six of its last seven games against the Irish.
Defeat tomorrow would be unlikely to deprive it of the Six Nations title. That would only happen if Wales also won in Paris and the two results overturned England's 42-point differential.
Matt Banahan, who replaced Tindall for the second half in last week's win over Scotland, will start at outside center in an otherwise unchanged side.
"It's a big blow for Mike and for us. We'll miss his leadership, his experience and his general play," manager Martin Johnson said. "But Matt played well when he came on last week and has been in good form so it should be a pretty smooth transition."
David Strettle takes Banahan's place on the bench and No. 8 Nick Easter will captain the team.
Tindall, himself a stand-in for injured skipper Lewis Moody, had led England to four successive wins, the first time it has done that since the 2007 World Cup.
Banahan produced an impressive powerful display after replacing him and England will not be necessarily weakened by his involvement.
The switch is the first change in England's backline and that continuity has been an important part of its progress as it bid for its first title since 2003.
Replacements Jonny Wilkinson and Steve Thompson are now the only survivors from the team which triumphed 42-6 in Ireland eight years ago to complete the grand slam. That was the only time England has won in Dublin this century and it has lost six of its last seven games against the Irish.
Defeat tomorrow would be unlikely to deprive it of the Six Nations title. That would only happen if Wales also won in Paris and the two results overturned England's 42-point differential.
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