logo
logo
Sign in

Sam Skinner set for timely return to action as Six Nations looms

avatar
Eticketing UK
Sam Skinner set for timely return to action as Six Nations looms

Six Nations - Sam Skinner, sidelined for more than three months with a knee injury and missing the entire first half of the Edinburgh season, is set to return to Edinburgh when they take on Gloucester in the Challenge Cup on Saturday.

Rugby fans worldwide are called to book Six Nations 2024 tickets from our online platform ticketing. co. Rugby fans can book Scotland Vs England Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

Six Nations Tickets | Guinness Six Nations Tickets Six Nations Tickets | Guinness Six Nations Tickets

The 28-year-old forward's return to the game couldn't have come at a better time. He last played against Romania in the Rugby World Cup at the end of September, and with Gregor Townsend due to announce Scotland's Six Nations squad in the coming days, the game at the Beehive provides the perfect chance for Skinner to prove he is the perfect fit and is more than ready to add to the 30 caps he has to date.

In fact, that track record should be enough to ensure Skinner is selected as national coach, even if he has an uneventful outing at Hive Stadium this weekend. However, after being out for so long, he is understandably keen to get back into action - especially as he was so close to returning two weeks ago but had to wait a little longer.

Skinner's Road to Recovery: A Testament to Resilience

I started training a couple of weeks ago and was theoretically ready to qualify for the second of two games in Glasgow, he explained. But I didn’t run like a professional athlete - from a mechanics point of view, not a fitness point of view. But this week I'm running feeling like I can really push myself, which is a great feeling because it's been a tough time.

To be honest, I'm back to my normal self. We've had the body serviced properly and we're ready to go again, which is amazing. It's nice to train with the guys and be able to give 100 percent. The last time I played was the match against Romania. I was supposed to play in the Dragons match (Edinburgh's first game of the URC season) but I stopped for the warm-up and it was a really weird period. But such things happen.

Six Nations Tickets | Guinness Six Nations Tickets Six Nations Tickets | Guinness Six Nations Tickets

“It was my knee. I carried him through the World Championships for a bit, then came back feeling good, but in training he just exploded. I won’t bore you with the details because it was quite difficult, but we got there in the end.”

During his absence, Skinner signed a new two-year contract with Edinburgh, the team he joined from Exeter Chiefs in 2022. As an established international with 30 caps to his name, he could have easily looked elsewhere for work, but did not. It took too long to decide that he wanted to extend his stay in the capital.

“I enjoyed my time here, he explained. It was great and I was desperate to put myself in the group, so it was a no-brainer for me.”

Reliving Exeter Glory: Fond Memories Against Gloucester

The game against Gloucester will bring back fond memories of his time as an Exeter player, especially one against Europe. “I had some great games against Gloucester, he recalled.

“We came up against them in Europe straight after losing to them at home and we needed five points to save our campaign - and we got them. This was back when you had double-headers in the group stage and I honestly preferred that setup – I liked that setup. It was a good match."

There is nothing so cutthroat about Saturday's match. With two rounds left in hand, Gloucester are three points clear of Edinburgh and the other three teams, but with four of the six teams qualifying for the last 16, there is still some margin for error for everyone.

However, given that this is their first match of the year and the second half of the season, Skinner and his teammates will well motivated to get a result. This is a massive game, he said. I heard it’s a sellout, which is amazing.

“It gives us a real lift as a group of players when we feel like we connect with the fans and give the performance they deserve and we deserve. We've laid a really good foundation for our season and this win may not be a must, but we're starting the second half of the season and it's huge. This is a big game for us."

Six Nations Tickets | Guinness Six Nations Tickets Six Nations Tickets | Guinness Six Nations Tickets

This is a really important game for the whole Edinburgh squad, but it is certainly especially important for Skinner as he looks to cement that place in Townsend's Six Nations squad. Exactly, he added. That's exactly it. Stewart was rugby correspondent for The Scotsman and The Herald and was chief sports writer for The Scotsman for 14 years from 2000.

The potentially game-changing Six Nations initiative that can ‘bring fans closer’ to the players

Six Nations organizers expected to put the names on the back of the mandatory shirts for the upcoming men's tournament. Previously, individual countries left to their own devices as to whether they use the initiative, but it is expected to become mandatory from now on. You can also read England Vs Ireland – Mack Hansen and Jimmy O’Brien set to miss Six Nations campaign.

England and Scotland were the first two teams to trial the idea in a series of games at the end of 2022, and then followed it up with Italy in the 2023 Six Nations. Three other countries - Ireland, France and Wales - now expected to follow suit and it will be ratified at a pre-competition board meeting.

We think player names on shirts can bring fans closer to the international stars of our game and we look forward to seeing the response to this initiative, Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney said in October 2022.

Breaking Tradition: Names on Shirts in Six Nations

“We hope this will help us consider names on the shirts to further promote our world-class England players competing in other international tournaments for both men and women.”

While traditionalists may disappointed, the Six Nations are keen to capitalize on the potential boom of the new Netflix documentary. It is also moving towards the current trend of young people becoming fans of players rather than clubs.

This is especially evident in football, with players such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe having significant followings. Rugby players are obviously less marketable and the sport is struggling to bring its best players into the mainstream, but this could be a game changer in that regard, especially if the documentary takes off.

Six Nations Tickets | Guinness Six Nations Tickets Six Nations Tickets | Guinness Six Nations Tickets

George Ford's Six Nations Opener in Jeopardy After Knee Injections

Anticipation and excitement surrounding the upcoming Six Nations Championship has taken an unexpected turn for England fans as key player George Ford faces uncertainty ahead of the tournament's opening match. The experienced midfielder has been battling knee problems, raising concerns about his availability for the highly anticipated Six Nations opener.

George Ford's Importance to England:

George Ford, an integral part of England's rugby squad, has been a linchpin in the team's strategic plays and attacking prowess. His precision in kicking, deft ball distribution, and on-field leadership make him a crucial asset for England, making any potential absence keenly felt by fans and the team alike.

The Knee Issue:

Recent developments have seen Ford undergo knee injections, raising questions about the extent of his injury and the potential impact on his participation in the early stages of the Six Nations. The details surrounding the nature of the knee problem remain undisclosed, leaving supporters on edge as the clock ticks down to the tournament's kick-off.

Repercussions for England's Campaign:

If George Ford is indeed ruled out for the Six Nations opener, it could present a significant challenge for England. His absence would necessitate a reshuffling of the backline, requiring Head Coach Eddie Jones to explore alternative combinations and tactical adjustments. The dynamic interplay between the backs, often orchestrated by Ford, could undergo modifications, adding an element of unpredictability to England's approach.

Six Nations Tickets | Guinness Six Nations Tickets Six Nations Tickets | Guinness Six Nations Tickets

Contingency Plans:

In the face of Ford's potential absence, Eddie Jones must weigh his options for a suitable replacement. The selection of a new playmaker will be critical, as it will influence the team's attacking strategies and overall game plan. The Six Nations demands adaptability, and Jones may need to tap into the depth of the squad to maintain England's competitive edge.

Ford's Resilience:

George Ford's history of resilience in overcoming setbacks will be a source of hope for both the player and fans. Having faced challenges before and bounced back, Ford's determination to reclaim his spot on the field could become a motivating factor for the entire squad.

As the countdown to the Six Nations opener continues, the uncertainty surrounding George Ford's availability adds an intriguing layer of suspense to England's campaign. The team's ability to adapt and overcome this hurdle will closely watched, and fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on Ford's condition as England prepares to embark on their Six Nations journey.

Rugby enthusiasts all across the world urged to purchase tickets for the Six Nations 2024 tournament via our website, Eticketing. co. Rugby enthusiasts can reserve Six Nations Tickets at special discounted pricing on our website.

collect
0
avatar
Eticketing UK
guide
Zupyak is the world’s largest content marketing community, with over 400 000 members and 3 million articles. Explore and get your content discovered.
Read more