News from Wales, France and England's oval ball
French defeat, Shane Williams' coronation, changes in English team... As usual, the international rugby world in fifteen was quite agitated last week.
The Welsh mini winger had been proclaimed as best player of the year
Shane Williams, 1m70, received the prize from the hands of Bryan Habana, best player last year. Often critized for his small size, the Red Devil's player finally managed to prove that modern rugby is not only a world for giants. The Perpignanese will have an occasion to see this phenomenon next 16th of January when he will come with Ospreys' team.
Shane Williams, best player of the year 2008.
Martin Jonhson's big surprise
The English selector has annouced three changes on his team to face the All Blacks, first of the Three Nation Tournament. In the pack, Lipman and Kennedy replace respectively Ree and Palmer. Johnson decides to put in the starting line-up Toby Flood as second from left instead of Danny Cipriani. Moreover, Nick Wood will take the place of Sheridan, hurt in the neck since the match against Australia the 15th of November.
Reserved streak for the French autumn tour
After two victory against Argentina (12-6) and Pacific Islands (47-12) « les Bleus » have one more time failed against Australia last Saturday. It is the third defeat of the French team against the Wallabies since this summer. However the supervision staff estimate that the group is in the good way to face the VI nations tournament starting at the end of the year. Good luck froggies!
Jean-Baptiste Bouché
Vincent Loyce.