Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

McConnochie warned he faces 'high pressure' debut

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Thursday, 15 August 2019 14:14

Wales centre Jamie Roberts says Bath team-mate Ruaridh McConnochie "could not ask for a higher pressure environment" for his England debut than a sold out Principality Stadium.

The wing, 27, will start in Saturday's World Cup warm-up against Wales.

McConnochie converted from sevens last summer and is now part of Eddie Jones' squad for the World Cup in Japan.

"He'll make his Test debut in the cauldron that is the Principality stadium in Cardiff," said Roberts.

"He played in an Olympic final [at Rio 2016] as a sevens player so he's experienced that testing atmosphere in big rugby games.

"He's adapted to XVs so quickly, he now has to adapt to Test match rugby far quicker over the next month."

McConnochie came away from that Olympic final with silver and was part of the England side who came second in last year's Rugby World Cup Sevens.

Also a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, he played for Kent side Cranbrook in the sixth tier of English club rugby as a teenager, but made an impact on Roberts at Premiership side Bath last season.

"The biggest thing that impressed me about Ruaridh is his work ethic and his desire to learn," added the 32-year-old on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport's Matt Dawson's Rugby Show.

"You don't see that too much in young players. He's quick, very deceptively quick, and strong. In games for us last season, he was punching well above his weight.

"He's fantastic in the air. Being able to win the ball back in the air is a massive part of Test rugby now. He runs 100% into contact. He's relentless."

'You need a scrum-half who can pull out basics in big games'

Scrum-half Willi Heinz earned his first England cap in the side's victory against Wales at Twickenham last weekend, but the Principality crowd will be a new experience for the 32-year-old too.

Despite only one international appearance, Heinz is part of the World Cup squad along with starting scrum-half Ben Youngs and former England number nine Matt Dawson thinks this could be down to his ability to remain calm under pressure.

"Eddie Jones wants a certain type of nine in his squad," said Dawson.

"I think Willi Heinz is probably the only player who can challenge to start the game ahead of Ben Youngs. I think that will bring more out of Ben.

"The World Cup is not won in the pool stages, it's probably not won in the quarter-finals. You have to have players who in the biggest games of their lives can pull out the basics."

After Saturday's match, England will play warm-up games against Ireland and Italy before their first World Cup match against Tonga on 22 September.

Read 432 times

Soccer

Klopp: Liverpool can focus on PL after Europe exit

Klopp: Liverpool can focus on PL after Europe exit

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool's elimination from the Europa League quarterfinals can he...

Sources: Arsenal step up search for new striker

Sources: Arsenal step up search for new striker

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsArsenal are stepping up their search for at least one new forward f...

How Coventry City came back from the brink to stand one game away from FA Cup final

How Coventry City came back from the brink to stand one game away from FA Cup final

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe FA Cup has an uncanny ability of creating lifelong memories, li...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Kawhi still battling inflammation, G1 status iffy

Kawhi still battling inflammation, G1 status iffy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- LA Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard still has inflamm...

Kerr: 'Lot of value' in keeping Dubs' core together

Kerr: 'Lot of value' in keeping Dubs' core together

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- For the past several years, the Golden State Warri...

Baseball

D-backs RHP Nelson exits after line drive to arm

D-backs RHP Nelson exits after line drive to arm

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson exit...

Ohtani joins long list of scammed athletes and celebrities

Ohtani joins long list of scammed athletes and celebrities

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIppei Mizuhara's alleged theft of at least $16 million from his for...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated