Loosehead

Cherry and Whites loosehead prop Val Rapava-Ruskin and winger Jonny May remain in camp with England for a third straight week with stars from the Premiership finalists Sale Sharks and Saracens filtering in next week.

He is almost certain to be in Farrell’s final selection as loosehead back-up to Leinster team-mate Andrew Porter and is enjoying the build up to this year’s tournament, with players not “dying” to escape camp.

The loosehead prop got caught out defensively for Leicester’s first try through Rogerson but held his own in the scrum.

A word of praise for loosehead Rodrigo Martinez as well, the Argentina international was impressive and aggressive on his return to the XV.

Gloucester have already confirmed the addition of Welsh international scrum-half Tomos Williams ahead of next season and last week announced loosehead prop Val Rapava Ruskin has signed a contract extension with the club.

It may have been that Baxter travelled on tour had Ellis Genge been fit, but the Bristol loosehead’s calf issue perhaps opens the door for the 22-year-old to push for a first cap.

Japan are caught offside and England have a penalty not far outside the Japan 22. Loosehead prop Okabe is the guilty man.

No debutants for New Zealand - Stephen Perofeta, preferred at full-back to Beauden Barrett, won three caps in 2022 - but England will have two off the bench (should they appear): Harlequins loosehead Fin Baxter and Northampton wing Ollie Sleightholme.

The Sharks kicked penalties to the 22, then went with a quick tap from the final play of the half with loosehead Nche smashing his way over for a 12-6 lead at the break.

Wessels, who has mostly operated at hooker for the Bulls, will start at loosehead prop, while provincial teammate Grobbelaar gets the nod in the No 2 jersey after sterling performances in the United Rugby Championship.

Flanker Conor Oliver and loosehead Jordan Duggan also got debuts as replacements on what was a happy day for Connacht on a beautiful afternoon in Dublin.

He didn’t feature at the Sportsground but back in Bristol, the loosehead has been reunited with a number of its former protagonists.

There were further Ireland debuts off the bench for scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park and loosehead prop Ed Byrne, although the game concluded in frustrating fashion as Ireland conceded a second try to the Italians with the last act.

Both teams kicked well in a frenetic opening stanza and it was Leinster who had the first chance of the game when Glasgow loosehead Jamie Bhatti went off his feet at breakdown time.

England get a mighty shove on Wales in the scrum and the loosehead side collapses in, with players piling in on top of each other as England get the penalty.

Loosehead prop Jiwon Koo was forced off the pitch against the Scots by a rib injury but has recovered sufficiently to take his place in the front row.

Most of the changes are in the pack, with Mzamo Majola coming in for Thomas du Toit at loosehead prop, while Ruben van Heerden is back at lock, with Hyron Andrews moving to the bench.

Played the final 20 at loosehead.

The only sour note for England was the loss of top loosehead prop Mako Vunipola, who was forced off on his return from injury.

There were times in the last 18 months when the Beast appeared to be a fading force, as Steven Kitshoff emerged as a younger alternative at Loosehead.