England v Wales: Tuilagi is the joker in the English pack
Can Eddie Jones get one over on Warren Gatland at Twickenham to kick start a rugby renaissance?
England have named an unchanged side to face Wales in the crucial Six Nations rugby clash at Twickenham on Saturday, but they do have a surprise up their sleeve.
Manu Tuilagi is on the bench and is in line for his first England appearance in almost two years.
Both teams go into the match unbeaten, although only England can go on to claim a Grand Slam as Wales drew their opener with Ireland.
The match will be viewed as the acid test of new coach Eddie Jones's regime - despite three straight wins.
Jones has made his mark with England and there are only eight survivors from the XV that lost to Wales in excruciating circumstances in the World Cup.
Yet the side is unchanged from the one that overcame Ireland a fortnight ago and "there is nothing boring or untoward" about that, says Mick Clearly of the Daily Telegraph. "It signals togetherness and belief and decisiveness, all of which England will need if they are to gain a smidgen of atonement for their World Cup woes in beating Wales at Twickenham on Saturday."
That said, it is Tuilagi who has grabbed the headlines. His presence on the bench "is hugely significant because it finally gives England the option they have been seeking for almost three years", says Owen Slot of The Times.
"Now, at last, they can unleash again their ultimate weapon in ball-carrying. The significance of the heavy, athletic ball-carrier will be highlighted this weekend because Wales have the Six Nation’s best exemplar in Jamie Roberts."
Wales, too, have announced an unchanged side, but go into the match under something of a cloud after criticism of their performance against France in the last round.
But such criticism of Warren Gatland and his team in unfair, says Paul Rees of The Guardian. The New Zealand coach has made Wales "relevant" again and turned them into the heavyweights of the northern hemisphere.
"Gatland, and his management team, have enabled Wales to punch above their weight year after year, always well prepared and supremely conditioned. That they do not live up to the country's romantic image is down to an appreciation of the grind European rugby at the highest level has become.
