England host Wales at Twickenham on Saturday
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Follow live coverage as England host Wales in a crunch Six Nations match at Twickenham on Saturday evening.
Defeat to Scotland in the opener at Murrayfield leaves little margin for error for today’s hosts and coach Eddie Jones knows nothing less than a win will do with tournament favourites Ireland and France still to come. They will have to do it without Manu Tuilagi, however, with the Sale centre recalled only to later be ruled out by injury. Back row Courtney Lawes is back though and will captain the side while Ben Youngs must surpass Jason Leonard’s record as England’s most capped player as a replacement with Harry Randall continuing as starting scrum-half.
For Wales, Louis Rees-Zammit is the surprise omission with fit-again Josh Adams and Alex Cuthbert preferred on the wings. Number eight Taulupe Faletau will makes his first international appearance for 11 months, having successfully proved his fitness following a long-term ankle injury.
Follow all the latest updates and analysis after the conclusion of Scotland vs France:
Scotland 10-26 France, 57 minutes
Again France find breakdown joy. Cameron Woki this time, spying a lone carrier turtled after Jonathan Danty’s strong tackle and jackaling perfectly.
Jean-Baptiste Gros replaces Cyriol Baille, while Ali Price has passed his head injury assessment and rejoins affairs.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 February 2022 15:41
Missed Penalty! Scotland 10-26 France, 56 minutes
Plenty of punch to Jaminet’s strike, but dragged to the left.
Scotland make some changes: George Turner replaces Stuart McInally and WP Nel arrives in place of Zander Fagerson.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 February 2022 15:39
Missed Penalty! Scotland 10-26 France, 56 minutes
Plenty of punch to Jaminet’s strike, but dragged to the left.
Scotland make some changes: George Turner replaces Stuart McInally and WP Nel arrives in place of Zander Fagerson.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 February 2022 15:39
Scotland 10-26 France, 55 minutes
Gael Fickou requires some extra strapping on a head wound, but strides back into position as new hooker Mauvaka hits his jumper at the lineout. Scotland come in at the side.
Interesting – it’s a toughie, but Melvyn Jaminet is going to have a go at goal. 40 metres out, seven metres infield…
Harry Latham-Coyle26 February 2022 15:38
Scotland 10-26 France, 54 minutes
Here come the French cavalry – Romain Taofifenua is on in the second-row, Peato Mauvaka relieves Marchand and Thibaud Flament replaces Anthony Jelonch, which I think will mean Cameron Woki shifting back to his former back-row home and Flament and Taofifenua forming a new lock partnership.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 February 2022 15:36
Scotland 10-26 France, 53 minutes
But changes goes as Scotland lose the ball after the lineout. A real shame for Scotland, who are running out of time to force themselves back into this contest.
They attack again, but Julien Marchand, a fine jackaler, forces the carrier to hold on at the ruck.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 February 2022 15:35
Scotland 10-26 France, 51 minutes
France nearly gift a try to Scotland! A kick in behind is well directed and Yoram Moefana has to hurry across to cover on the angle. He is being dropped over the touchline but chooses to hurl a desperate offload, and but for some very, very swift recovering from Melvyn Jaminet a clutch of Scottish bodies would have had time to conduct a round of voting to decide who would be allowed to touch down.
As it is, Jaminet still nearly fumbles, but does force against the floor. Moefana’s studs had brushed the line – it will be a Scotland lineout.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 February 2022 15:34
Scotland 10-26 France, 50 minutes
Every time France have the ball they look capable of cutting Scotland to ribbons. Cyril Baille explores the blindside after Julien Marchand’s burst away from the maul, passing on to Yoram Moefana. Moefana puts his foot down but can’t quite get away.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 February 2022 15:32
Scotland 10-26 France, 49 minutes
The maul never gets going and Scotland are wise to replacement scrum-half Ben White’s excursion, too. In fact, Scotland never look like getting anything going, and when Zander Fagerson tries to drive around the corner the latching player alongside him, in this case Andy Christie, is pinged for going straight off his feet.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 February 2022 15:31
Scotland 10-26 France, 48 minutes
A good scrum from Scotland and Ali Price bursts away, sending Romain Ntamack down the wrong avenue with a step and rushing into the French 22. Mark Bennett carries onwards and France are penalised at a ruck.
Price has taken a bang in that movement. It appears his head hit the floor rather nastily after Antoine Dupont had dragged him down from behind. He wanders off for an HIA as Scotland kick to the corner.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 February 2022 15:30