England will be greeted by improved safety measures on their return to Murrayfield on Saturday as Eddie Jones’s side make their first appearance at Scotland’s stadium since a disputed incident involving a beer bottle in 2020, the Guardian understands.
Jones was left furious when one of his senior backroom staff members, Neil Craig, was struck on the head by a beer bottle as England made their way from the team bus to the stadium before their 13-6 win two years ago. Jones appeared to suggest that the bottle had been thrown in England’s direction by a supporter and the Scottish Rugby Union issued a swift apology before Six Nations organisers confirmed they were launching an investigation.
A subsequent video emerged, however, appearing to show the bottle blowing off the concourse, with Storm Ciara in its early stages, and in the direction of the England party rather than being thrown. Jones and England opted against making an official complaint, the SRU pointed to what the video seemed to show and that appeared to be the end of the matter. High winds are again forecast for Saturday’s match, however, and it is understood that netting will be put up to offer both sets of players and the match officials protection when they arrive.
England’s arrival at Murrayfield has long since been a sideshow of Calcutta Cup matches in Edinburgh with slow-marching bagpipers traditionally part of the spectacle. More than half of England’s starting XV on Saturday have never played a Six Nations match at Murrayfield but Kyle Sinckler, who was part of the side two years ago, recently recalled his experience of arriving at the ground. “I remember coming off the bus once or twice and the fans are giving it to you straight away and chucking certain things,” he said.
“Emotions from the fans overboil sometimes but for me it just shows how much it means to people and the power of sport. It was just Scottish fans I guess, just boozed up. It was quite funny actually with all the abuse, it was good fun.”
The SRU has stressed that the netting is a safety measure, in line with protocols amid the expected poor conditions, rather than a beefing up of security. Jones revealed last week he was already bracing himself for abuse on Saturday. In 2018, the day after Scotland’s 25-13 triumph, Jones was subjected to torrid abuse from drunken Scotland fans at a Manchester train station as he made his way home via a planned trip to Old Trafford. Two years ago, as well as venting his anger at the beer bottle incident, Jones criticised Scotland supporters for booing Owen Farrell while he was kicking at goal. “I’m not very popular,” Jones said last week. “So I’m sure I’m going to get plenty of abuse and I’m happy to take that.”
Fabien Galthié has tested positive for Covid-19 and the France head coach will not attend Sunday's Six Nations games against Italy in Paris. Les Bleus' general manager, the former captain Raphaël Ibañez, will head up the coaching team at Stade de France, with Galthié working remotely.
"This morning I tested positive for Covid-19. I am fine with mild symptoms," Galthié tweeted. "As a result, I am self-isolating and will act remotely this week. Raphaël and all of my staff, in whom I have full confidence, will be my relay on the pitch."
The French Rugby Federation said tests carried out on the entire playing squad, coaching and management team on Friday produced no further positive results.
"Fabien Galthié, who has only mild symptoms, continues to assume all of his prerogatives from a distance during this period," the Federation said. "In accordance with Six Nations protocol, additional tests are scheduled for Saturday on the eve of the match.
"These will be the last tests before the first match of the Six Nations tournament scheduled for Sunday February 6 at 4pm at the Stade de France."
Antoine Dupont, the world player of the year, was among a number of France squad members to test positive for coronavirus last month. He will captain the side. The Toulouse scrum-half replaces an injured Charles Ollivon as skipper, while there is a start in the second row for Bordeaux-Bègles' Cameron Woki alongside Paul Willemse. PA Media
Sam Simmonds, who is among the England players who have not played at Murrayfield, revealed the hostility they are expecting to face has been a hot topic of conversation this week. “We’ve just talked about the hostile environment and how we can use that and come together as a 15 and a 23, and also the boys who aren’t playing as well,” Simmonds said. “We’ve talked about results in the past and maybe we haven’t played to our full potential. This week we’ve trained well, mentally and physically we’re in a very good place.”
Meanwhile, Scotland’s fly-half Finn Russell is equally occupying England minds. The defence coach, Anthony Seibold, who gets his first taste of the Six Nations, acknowledged the need to blunt the threat posed by the mercurial No 10. “He’s a super-talented player,” Seibold said.
“You just have to watch his club form over there in Paris and he has been outstanding and he brings that to the Scotland team. How do you take away his weapons? Finn Russell wants time and space so he can ball play and use his really effective kicking game, both short and long. So you need to take away time and space from Finn. That’s easier said than done, of course.
“I think it is a case of making sure we go after Finn Russell. Not outside our defensive system but making sure we put some pressure on him. You need to win the collisions, the ruck and the ruck speed to do that.”
