I'm excited to see him go this weekend.” There are friendlier fixtures in which to make one’s first Test start. England have almost consciously sought to avoid mention of the 53-10 thrashing ...

Duckett’s 65 helped England off to another fine start and Root anchored the middle overs with a typically busy 69, with all of the tourists’ top six getting to at least 26 after they won the toss.

Out of the Irish frying pan; into the French fire. For a flawed, flailing England, this Six Nations start really could not have been any more unkind. Two of the top four sides in the world back to ...