French rugby clubs agree to release English players
French clubs are agreeing to release three English players, who were busy playing club rugby in France, for the upcoming tour of England to New Zealand.
Earlier there was news that French clubs will not release the players to represent their national team and players will have to continue with the clubs. But recent confirmation from the clubs has confirmed that all three players Jonny Wilkinson, Tom Palmer
and James Haskell will be in action in the upcoming series against the All Blacks.
It is a big relief for English Captain and English coach as they want to tour New Zealand with their full strength. Now the all three players will be in camp with other English players for the preparations of New Zealand tour. Camp will be starting at the
end of this week.
Martin Johnson manager of English rugby team spoke to media in Paris has also confirmed the news. Johnson said they want to play with their full strength so people could see very thrilling and interesting matches against All Blacks.
England will play against Australia in Sydney in the coming months. England would like to win that match so they could gain some confidence before the start of series against All Blacks, which is the most important series for England.
The All Blacks are on top of the rankings at the moment and if England wants to win than they have to perform at their best.
Johnson refused to confirm when he was asked about injured Moody, who damaged his right eye during a league match 3 weeks back. Will Moody be the part of English team touring New Zealand?
There is news that Moody has recovered earlier than he was expecting to be fit and he will be playing in the league game against Leicester this coming week. And his fitness will be judged in that game and his inclusion in the team will depend on his fitness
during that match.
Johnson was asked about the players playing leagues in other countries and about when they will be released for the World Cup in New Zealand. But Rob Andrew, the Rugby Football Union’s director, explained that the England manager would have a 50-strong squad
at his disposal from the last match of the domestic season in May through to the end of the World Cup in October.
It will be good for players as they will get some rest before the start of the World Cup and Johnson is also happy as he will have a huge number of players, from whom the English team will be selected, which will definitely help English team in World Cup.
Johnson believes that the English squad is in good physical condition and in good spirits. Further he said our team is the best combination of experience and new blood.
“I think the team is absolutely going in the right direction. There have been tough times, but that’s part of the road you travel. We saw the transition last year and we’ve now got the balance right with a core of experience and the young guys. You saw the
way they came through. That strength of spirit is there. But, yes, we do need to be more consistent”.
England has won only nine out of 21 matches they played since Johnson came into his office just over two years ago. This performance of the England team is not up to the mark under his guidance. Although, England won its last game under Johnson’s guidance,
which was against Australia, but over all this performance is not up to the standard in any way.
Johnson himself admits that performance is not up to the mark and they should perform better than they are performing.
Although, Johnson’s performance is not up to the mark but still he will be with England’s squad until the coming year’s World Cup in New Zealand. Now Johnson has a complete team of players and people’s expectations from him are high.
And this is a big chance for him to perform extraordinary against All Blacks and get people’s confidence back in him. Performance is the only way which can keep him on the post otherwise, its position will be in danger.
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