England boss Steve Borthwick has been handed a welcome boost after welcoming back two major stars to the fold.
According to The Telegraph, Tom Curry and Courtney Lawes will be back in contention when England take on Wales in a fortnights time.
Both are expected to play in the Gallagher Premiership this weekend, however, in a significant boost to Borthwick.
“I’m doing well,” Lawes told Times Radio. “It’s been one of those seasons where I’ve not been able to stay on the field.
When I first did my calf, everyone was thinking it could be a pretty long injury, six to eight weeks, maybe a bit more.
“Luckily, I tore it on the lower end, so it’s [only] a grade two. I should be back, hopefully, for Wales.”
RUCK sources also understands that Borthwick is keen to get George Ford into camp to see where the Sale Sharks fly-half is at.
Graded: Every Six Nations Team After the First Two Weeks
The first two rounds of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations have been wrapped up, with Ireland and Scotland recording two wins from two matches. England and France both secured one win and also suffered one loss, with Wales and Italy yet to find a win. So, here are RUCK’s grades for each side, after the first two weeks of the competition.
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Ireland – A*
World Rugby’s Number One ranked side have certainly been meeting expectations so far in the Six Nations. Ireland began their campaign strongly, with a 10-34 away win in Cardiff. Wales were a beaten side after just 25 minutes, with first half tries from Caelan Doris, James Ryan and James Lowe. 12 additional first half points from the boot of Jonny Sexton established a healthy first half lead, which Ireland built upon in the second 40 minutes.
Hints of a Welsh comeback never fully took off, despite their best attempts. Liam Williams found a break-through scoring Wales’ consolation try, yet Ireland were just far too dominant in the collision. Ireland’s second round fixture against France was seen by many as an early Six Nations decider. Andy Farrell’s men were not fazed by the grand occasion and took the fight directly to France. Les Bleus were still stunned from narrowly avoiding defeat to Italy, and were eventually overrun by the likes of Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan and a dramatic photo-finish try from James Lowe.
Ireland look unbeatable, and are on track to win the Grand Slam, and an upcoming first ever Rugby World Cup.
France – C
The reigning Six Nations Champions entered this years’ competition with high expectations, and as joint favourites along with Ireland. However, France have not had the straight-forward path to back-to-back titles that they were hoping for, as they were taken to the wire by Italy, and beaten by Ireland in a thriller at the Aviva.
There has been sparks of the famed ‘jouer’ flair, with Damian Penaud’s stunning try against Ireland being replayed time and again. Antoine Dupont has been pulling off a reserved version of his usual tricks, as France are not playing with the same confidence and swagger which beat South Africa and New Zealand last Autumn. Italy should have beaten France, and deep down Fabien Galthie and his men know that it was a lucky escape. The match against the ‘Azzurri’ left France in shock, and they will need to bounce back from Irish defeat if they want to salvage this Six Nations.
Humbled by Italy and overrun by Ireland, France need to re-find their top form to finish strong in the coming weeks.