/ 12 September 2007

Big Os still a worry for England

South Africa great Os du Randt may be 35 but that doesn’t lessen England’s respect for the powerhouse prop.

Reigning world champions England will look to end a three-match losing streak against the Springboks when they meet in Friday’s potentially decisive Pool A clash in Paris.

They head into the game on the back of a disappointing 28-10 win against minnows United States in their opening match, where the Eagles matched them physically up front.

”When you see a performance like that you pretty fervently hope you’ll never see anything like it again,” said concerned coach Brian Ashton.

England know that at the very least they must gain a share of the spoils in the scrum otherwise Du Randt, a World Cup-winner on home soil in 1995, together with the 75-times capped front-row’s fellow forwards, could set up the platform for another convincing victory following a 59-7 win against Samoa on Sunday.

Former England prop Graham Rowntree, now a member of Ashton’s backroom staff, is well aware of the challenge facing the side at the Stade de France.

”In terms of a front-row battle, it doesn’t get much harder,” said Rowntree. ”Here’s a nation who pride themselves on their scrummage and have one of the finest props that’s graced this planet in Os du Randt.

”I think his sheer presence on the pitch and in the South Africa squad is a massive bonus for them.”

Injuries kept Du Randt out of all rugby for two years and meant he spent four years on the international sidelines before being recalled by current Springbok coach Jake White in 2004.

”He [Du Randt] is maybe not as agile as he used to be and I know the feeling when you get to that age in life,” said the 36-year-old Rowntree, capped 54 times by England.

”But I think he’s very important to their game and I’ve got a lot of respect for him and the South Africa scrummage.

”Our game will not be based around the scrummage, but if we don’t scrummage we’ll lose. Full stop.”

England weren’t helped by the uncertainty surrounding captain and tighthead prop Phil Vickery, suspended for two matches at a disciplinary hearing in Paris on Tuesday after being found guilty of tripping US centre Paul Emerick.

After Vickery’s case was heard, an England spokesperson said ”in the circumstances as they presently stand” South Africa-born prop Matt Stevens would take the captain’s place in the starting side with Perry Freshwater moving on to the bench.

However, he added no decision had yet been made on who would captain England on Friday if Vickery was unavailable — he has 48 hours in which to appeal. — Sapa-AFP