Established 1961 25 Sports Sunday, March 8, 2020 France ‘on alert’ for Grand Slam complacency in Scotland Galthie’s les Bleus are unbeaten in their opening three games EDINBURGH: France head coach Fabien Galthie says country this weekend due to a breakdown in his rela- his side are “on alert” against complacency as they trav- tionship with Townsend. “We don’t know the French as el to Scotland today with an eye on setting up a Six well as the other teams, we don’t play them on a regular Nations Grand Slam showdown with Ireland. basis in the PRO14, and the French have brought a num- Galthie’s les Bleus are unbeaten in their opening ber of new players into their squad,” Townsend said. three games of the tournament but head to Murrayfield “Conversations with players who are playing in without a win in Edinburgh since 2014. A victory in the France, people who have worked under Fabien Galthie Scottish capital would give Galthie’s side a shot at a first in the past, and also having a former French interna- Grand Slam since 2010 by hosting Ireland on March 14. tional (Pieter de Villiers) on our coaching staff has “We have to keep the standards we have been look- certainly helped. ing for on and off the field,” Galthie said on Friday. “It’s “It was good to have that contact to help us with what’s at stake. We are on alert for this type of experi- our preparation,” he added. Despite the absence of ence, we are on alert for this danger,” he added. the influential Russell, Galthie said Townsend’s men The former scrum-half’s team manager Raphael remain dangerous. “When they get into the action Ibanez also had a word of warning for their inexperi- zone, they are capable of creating choas by moving enced side. Only winger Gael Fickou has more than 50 the ball wide, long passes, and the speed of their play- Test appearances and lock Bernard Le Roux is the sole ers,” he said. member of the squad older than 30. “Individuals like Hamish Watson, who is an excel- “We’re in a positive situation. Obviously there’s per- lent player, and Stuart Hogg too. Their organisation spective of great things to come but with that in mind around the ball is capable of hurting pretty much any nothing is written beforehand,” Ibanez said. “We will team in the world,” he added. remain careful, humble and we will work.” The game takes place under the cloud of the coro- navirus outbreak. Italy’s trip to Ireland this weekend EDINBURGH: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend (2L) and players participate in the Captain’s Run training RUSSELL’S INSIDE INFORMATION has been postponed as has England’s visit to Rome session at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh yesterday, the eve of the Six Nations rugby union match between Galthie’s Scotland counterpart Gregor Townsend has next Saturday. Scotland and France. — AFP enlisted the help of exiled fly-half Finn Russell, who Nine people have died in France from COVID-19 plays his club rugby with Paris’ Racing 92, as well as and Ibanez said it was now time for his side to focus scrum coach Pieter de Villiers who made 69 appear- on the game after doubts it would go ahead earlier in could happen. After the public authorities confirmed “With the next match in Paris, we are well informed, ances for France between 1999-2007. the week. “Obviously we haven’t been able to avoid the game could go ahead we automatically switched the authorities keep us informed. For now we are prepar- Despite his input, Russell will not feature for his the news. We took time to explain to the players what onto the rugby,” he said. ing to play these two matches,” he added. — AFP half for a shoulder to the head of Blues Auckland end fullback Stephen Perofeta. With 13 minutes to go Vaea Fifita their blues, received a yellow card and Jordie Barrett was sin-binned soon after as the ‘Canes Tompkins set for record slipped to three wins from five Melbourne games while the Blues now have four from six. ‘surreal’ Six Rebels tame Lions The Auckland side has unearthed a self-belief after returning victorious from South Africa where they toppled the Nations clash WELLINGTON: The Auckland Blues Northern Bulls and the previously unbeat- snapped a woeful losing record downing a en Western Stormers in recent weeks. 12-man Wellington Hurricanes, while the CARDIFF: Nick Tompkins is preparing himself However, it was hard to see them win- for a “surreal” experience when he takes the Melbourne Rebels coasted past the ning when the Hurricanes produced an Golden Lions in Super Rugby yesterday. field for Wales in a Six Nations international at explosive start with Ngani Laumape Twickenham having once been an England The Blues ended a run of 25 straight crashing through the Blues first line of losses in away games in New Zealand with Under-20 international. defence, Fifita pulled in the remaining Six years ago, the Saracens centre helped a 24-15 win over the Hurricanes in defenders leaving Ben Lam to scamper 30 Wellington. Meanwhile in Melbourne, the England’s juniors win an age-grade World Cup. metres to the line. MELBOURNE: Rebels player Marika Koroibete (R) attempts to tackle Lions player Morne Rebels broke a run of five losses against But he failed to make the step up to the senior It was the sort of start that would have van den Berg (L) as Andries Coetzee (top) leaps over during the Super Rugby match the Lions with a bonus-point 37-17 win side, despite playing alongside several England seen the Blues of old lose heart. Instead, between Australia’s Rebels and South Africa’s Lions in Melbourne yesterday. — AFP internationals at Premiership champions over the South Africans. they produced a huge defensive effort as Auckland’s win was their first derby Saracens. A maternal grandmother from the Hurricanes controlled most of the first Wrexham, however, allowed Tompkins to quali- away win in New Zealand since against half and then took control as the ‘Canes most happy with is we managed to keep opening 30 minutes from tries by the Hurricanes in 2013. The Blues, for so fy for Wales. lost players in the second half. our composure especially in tough times. Andrew Kellaway and Richard Hardwick. Last month’s Six Nations opener against long the under-achievers of New Zealand Captain Patrick Tuipulotu said there is a Certainly in past years we probably But yellow cards to Marika Koroibete rugby, had their cause helped by the Italy in Cardiff saw Tompkins, born in Sidcup, new determination within the side. wouldn’t have.” and Tom English in the final 10 minutes southeast England, given a Wales debut by Hurricanes ill-discipline with prop Tyrel “There’s certainly a difference in mood... The Rebels led 15-10 at half-time of the half allowed the Lions back into Lomax red-carded early in the second coach Wayne Pivac and on Saturday he will win it’s a good feeling,” he said. “What I’m after getting away to 15-0 inside the the contest. — AFP his fourth cap against an England side featuring six of his Saracens team-mates — Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Tompkins’ England Under-20 cap- • Players from Danish Super League guarantees because of the dynamic be held before October. tain, Elliot Daly, George Kruis, Jamie George Sports events hit clubs Brondby and Lyngby are in isola- nature of the epidemic. and Ben Earl. tion after they met and hugged former CRICKET “Dad has to wear the red jersey or else he Denmark international Thomas MOTOGP • The ICC have postponed the men’s can’t come!” joked Tompkins. “It does feel sur- by coronavirus Kahlenberg, who has since tested positive • The opening two rounds of the sea- Cricket World Cup Challenge League A real (playing against England) and I suppose for the virus. son, in Qatar (March 8) and Thailand that was set to begin on March 16 in it’s not going to kick in until I am really there.” epidemic • The Swiss soccer league has been (March 22), will not go ahead as sched- Malaysia. Canada, Denmark, Malaysia, put on hold until at least March 23 after uled. Qatar, Singapore and Vanuatu were set to ‘TAKING CONTROL’ the clubs rejected the possibility of play- take part. Tompkins admitted it was tough watching LONDON: Here is a list of international ing matches without any spectators RUGBY his colleagues at north London club Saracens sports events hit by the outbreak of a attending. • The Irish Rugby Football Union has GOLF pile up the Test caps as he waited for recogni- coronavirus: • Asian Champions League matches postponed the country’s Six Nations fix- • The women’s LPGA golf tour can- tion at senior international level. “I would say involving Chinese clubs Guangzhou ture against Italy due to the virus out- celled the March 5-8 Blue Bay tourna- that was one of the hardest things I had to go OLYMPICS Evergrande, Shanghai Shenhua and break in northern Italy. The game was ment to be held on Hainan. The tour also through,” he explained. “You see all these guys, • Crowds will be smaller and recep- Shanghai SIPG were postponed. scheduled to take place in Dublin on cancelled the Honda LPGA Thailand they make it. The opportunities they’ve had, tions have been scrapped at the Tokyo • China’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers March 7.