Today’s rugby news as Gatland to make announcement and pundit ‘can’t believe’ England star’s ban

“I think it is safe to say there will be changes. We’ve got complete and utter faith in our whole squad.

“I think what you will have seen from the Six Nations and then going into the three warm-up games, there have been opportunities for players. There were snapshots in those warm-up games where a number of players did particularly well. It gives you the ability to make changes and freshen things up. It is a six-day turnaround, so it makes sense to make a few changes with the nature of the game we’ve just played.”

Alphonsi ‘can’t believe’ Curry ban

England legend and ITV pundit Maggie Alphonsi says she “can’t believe” the ban handed out to England star Tom Curry.

On Tuesday, Curry was given a three-match ban – which will be reduced to two if he attends World Rugby’s tackle school – for the red card he received just 120 seconds into England’s opening Rugby World Cup clash against Argentina on Saturday.

The Sale flanker will now miss England’s pool games against Japan and Chile but will be available for selection against Samoa if he attends World Rugby’s coaching intervention programme.

But Alphonsi, who was capped 74 times by England, says she can’t fathom the decision.

She wrote on Twitter: “I can’t believe he has been handed a three-match ban, reduced to two if he goes to tackle school. Really feel for Curry. What else was he supposed to do in that situation? There are so many inconsistencies at the moment and I fear this will only cloud the water further and disengage fans.”

Pick your Wales team to face Portugal:

Hogg says Ford over Farrell

Stuart Hogg says Owen Farrell can’t come straight back into the England team after his ban is over due to the performance of George Ford against Argentina.

Ford was handed the keys to No. 10 against Los Pumas in the opening Rugby World Cup match at the weekend and he expertly marshalled England to a 27-10 win, despite playing 78 minutes with only 14 men.

Ford was superb with the boot, knocking over three drop-goals from ludicrous distances, and former Scotland star Hogg says Farrell will have to be accommodated in midfield instead.

“Not after that performance [from Ford],” Hogg said when asked if Farrell comes back in at fly-half when his ban is over. “I think Farrell will play somewhere, the fact they haven’t brought Henry Slade out to a World Cup to me shows that they are going to put Farrell at 12.

“It’s a weird one, Farrell has to play, he has to. For me he is an absolute outstanding rugby player, a great leader and he will have a massive impact. Does he come come in at 12 and shove Tuilagi out [to 13]? They have an embarrassment of riches.”

Fellow pundit Ugo Monye added: “I don’t think Ford’s performance changed a huge amount in terms of selection. I think he is a wonderful player, perhaps one that has been underappreciated a little bit so it was actually really nice for Ford to have that moment, to show his quality.”

Casey: It’s good craic

By Ed Elliot, PA, Tours

Diminutive scrum-half Craig Casey is content to be the butt of the jokes after confirming his Ireland team-mates regularly “take the p***” regarding his height.

Casey is comfortably the smallest member of Andy Farrell’s 33-man World Cup squad at just 5ft 5in.

The 24-year-old was immediately teased after arriving in France when captain Johnny Sexton acted as though he was the team mascot during Ireland’s open training session in front of 12,000 spectators in their base city of Tours.

Munster player Casey, who emerged from the tunnel holding Sexton’s hand and then posed with him for a photograph, feels there is little point in rallying against the good-natured mockery, particularly with squad “sheriffs” imposing penalties.

“They like to take the p*** out of my height, as you can tell, but you just have to roll with it,” he said.

“I think if you don’t roll with it, you’ll probably be fined.

“There are a few sheriffs in the camp that keep everyone on their toes. I’d say if I fought against it, I would probably be in big trouble so I just get on with. It’s good craic.”

Casey, who is competing for action with Jamison Gibson-Park and Conor Murray, is still awaiting his World Cup bow after acting as water carrier during Saturday’s thumping 82-8 win over Romania in sweltering Bordeaux.

He hopes to be named in the matchday 23 for this weekend’s Pool B clash with Tonga in Nantes and believes it would be “unbelievable” to make his tournament debut.

“It’s exactly where you want to be as an Irish rugby player, at a World Cup being involved in this group,” he said.

“I think we’ve all talked about what the buzz has been for the last two or three years and it’s definitely increased since we got over here, the excitement levels within the group are brilliant.

“The first two weeks here were definitely hard work but we’re mixing it with the craic as well so it’s a very enjoyable place to be.

“It would be unbelievable to make my World Cup debut, if it happens. You have to be ready and when an opportunity does come, you’ve got to take it with both hands and try and cement your place.”