Ireland insist Jack Conan’s latest foot injury is “nothing like” the issue which ruined his last Rugby World Cup and are optimistic he will be fit to feature in France.

Andy Farrell’s squad are in Portugal for a week-long training camp but back-rower Conan stayed in Dublin to rehabilitate the problem he sustained in the first half of Saturday’s 33-17 warm-up victory over Italy.

The 31-year-old was pictured with his right foot in a protective boot after departing the Aviva Stadium pitch, sparking concerns he will endure further World Cup heartache, having prematurely left the 2019 tournament in Japan due to a stress fracture.

Ireland boss Farrell will not discover the full extent of the problem until next week but defence coach Simon Easterby says early signs are “positive”.

Asked if Leinster player Conan is in danger of missing the World Cup, Easterby, speaking from the Algarve, said: “No, genuinely not.

“Jack has in the past had troubles with his foot.

“But it’s nothing like it was back in 2019. He was pretty bullish around the injury.

“From everything that we’re hearing – we haven’t had full feedback yet – it’s a positive injury as a opposed to a really negative one.

“He’s stayed behind just to rehab and we hope to get more information on his injury next week.

“We’re still waiting on assessment and we decided that it would probably be best for him to stay back in Dublin.”

British and Irish Lion Conan spoke last week of having unfinished business at the World Cup due to his disappointment four years ago.

He came off the bench in Ireland’s opening win over Scotland in Yokohama but was then injured in training ahead of the shock defeat by hosts Japan, a match he had been due to start.

Farrell will his cut his current 42-man squad down to a final 33 on August 28 following further warm-up matches against England (August 19) and Samoa (August 26).

Ireland begin their World Cup campaign on September 9 against Romania in Bordeaux.

Ireland back-rower Jack Conan remains an injury concern ahead of the Rugby World Cup after missing his country’s week-long training camp in Portugal.

Andy Farrell’s squad flew to the Algarve on Monday but Conan remained in Dublin to rehabilitate the foot problem he sustained in the first half of Saturday’s 33-17 victory over Italy.

Head coach Farrell talked down the severity of the issue in the immediate aftermath of the match but will not discover the full extent of it until next week.

Ireland host England at the Aviva Stadium a week on Saturday, with Farrell scheduled to announce his final 33-man squad for France on Monday, August 28 following a final warm-up fixture against Samoa.

Defence coach Simon Easterby said: “You would have seen after the game that there were a couple of players carrying bumps.

“The only person that hasn’t travelled with us from the squad is Jack Conan. He’s stayed behind just to rehab and we hope to get more information on his injury next week.

“We’re still waiting on assessment and we decided that it would probably be best for him to stay back in Dublin.”

Leinster player Conan was pictured with his right foot in a protective boot after departing the field just before half-time against the Azzurri.

The 31-year-old last week spoke of having unfinished business at the World Cup after his trip to Japan in 2019 was ruined by a stress fracture in his foot.

Full-back Jimmy O’Brien and scrum-half Craig Casey also sustained injuries at the weekend but have travelled with the rest of the squad.

Ireland are preparing to play an unofficial training match against Portugal on Wednesday, which should be beneficial for suspended captain Johnny Sexton.

The 38-year-old fly-half, who has not played since sustaining a groin injury at the end of the Six Nations, cannot return to competitive action until his country’s World Cup opener against Romania on September 9 due to a three-match ban.

Easterby insists the session “isn’t a full-blown game”.

“It wouldn’t be the first time it happened,” said Easterby. “Often teams collaborate with other teams and get the opportunity to do some set-piece against each other and to run some backline against backline.

“It certainly isn’t a full-blown game. It’s a condition training session which has been a collaboration between the Portuguese coaches and ourselves around trying to create a training session which is slightly different from the norm.

“When you know each other so well and get the opportunity to train against each other for four or five weeks, you often cancel each other out in terms of what you try and do in attack and defence.

“I guess it’s one of those opportunities we had to connect up with the Portuguese to train against them and to challenge ourselves in way you wouldn’t normally do in a normal training week.

“He (Sexton) will be playing a part in the training session, for sure – as will every other player that’s here.”

Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence could be paired together in a potent centre combination as England assess their midfield permutations for the World Cup.

Head coach Steve Borthwick believes that despite broad similarities in playing style – both players are physical carriers who run through rather than around opponents – they can forge an effective partnership.

It raises the prospect of England entering the crucial opener against Argentina on September 9 with Tuilagi and Lawrence operating outside fly-half Owen Farrell.

Lawrence entered the World Cup training camp on the back of his breakthrough Six Nations, filling the hard-running role usually performed by Tuilagi.

“I think they can play together – Manu at 12 and Ollie at 13,” Borthwick said.

“That was Ollie’s first proper Six Nations, as in being involved every week. He did really well before unfortunately having to go off in the France game with a hamstring injury.

“Ollie brings carry but he’s also a very good defender. He rates exceptionally high as a defender on all the systems we use to analyse performances across the Premiership.

“We know Manu’s strengths and experience and I think they can play together in a specific way.”

Other centre options in the 33-man World Cup squad named by Borthwick on Monday are Joe Marchant and Elliot Daily, both of whom are comfortable in the number 13 jersey.

Farrell can play at inside centre with George Ford and Marcus Smith present as additional fly-halves.

Borthwick on Thursday picks his team to face Wales at Twickenham in the second instalment of the double-header between the old rivals.

Having crashed to a tame defeat in Cardiff last Saturday, England are already in must-win territory with the Summer Nations Series reaching the midway stage this weekend.

Wing Jonny May, centre Guy Porter and lock Jonny Hill – each of whom was omitted from the World Cup squad – have been retained as injury cover ahead of the team announcement.

Wales boss Warren Gatland looks set to hand Scarlets centre Joe Roberts a Test debut among wholesale changes for Saturday’s second Rugby World Cup warm-up game against England.

Wales head to Twickenham on the back of an impressive 20-9 victory in Cardiff that saw then score 14 unanswered second-half points through converted tries from Gareth Davies and George North.

And Gatland is ready to cast an eye over several World Cup candidates who were not involved at the Principality Stadium.

Roberts apart, other potential starters include wing Josh Adams, fly-half Owen Williams, hooker Dewi Lake and lock Rhys Davies.

Back-row forward Taine Plumtree, meanwhile, could line up at number eight following an impressive debut off the replacements’ bench last weekend.

Swansea-born Plumtree, whose rugby education came in the southern hemisphere’s Super Rugby competition, only linked up with Wales ahead of their mid-July training camp in Switzerland.

But he has made an immediate impression and is already viewed as a player with an outstanding chance of making Gatland’s final 33-strong World Cup squad.

“He has been very good, he is a talent and an athlete,” Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins said.

“He understands the game, and he played pretty well when he went on on Saturday.

“We will see if he gets another opportunity in the coming weeks, but he is a good asset to the squad as a player and a person.

“I think he said to most of the guys that he was pretty nervous before coming in out in Switzerland and not knowing anyone. He has certainly found his feet and he gets on with the guys.”

Aaron Wainwright wore the number eight shirt in Wales’ warm-up opener, with Plumtree now seemingly destined to fill that role as star back-row forward Taulupe Faletau continues his recovery from a calf muscle injury.

“He (Faletau) is making good strides and we just need to keep an eye on him,” Jenkins added.

“He is a class act, and the last thing we want to do is push him too early, but he is certainly making progress and he is in a pretty good place.

“He is a world-class player, so we will see what happens in the coming days and weeks.”

Wales look set to face a much-changed England team as they continue their warm-up schedule in a first Test since head coach Steve Borthwick announced his World Cup squad.

“Twickenham is a tough place to go and they have got a very good record against us up there,” Jenkins said. “But it’s another challenge and another good opportunity for the boys.

“I think when you can come out on the right side (of the result) it does give you confidence, there is no doubting that.

“We are in a different place to where we were in the Six Nations, and that is a good thing.

“To win a Test match against England is no mean feat, but we are grounded.

“We’ve got to go again, and we can’t be the same this Saturday. We have to be better. It’s plain and simple.

“Keeping a Test team to nine points and not conceding any tries is a massive plus and bonus. Can we raise the bar this Saturday? That is the challenge for us.”

Billy Vunipola could make his comeback against Wales on Saturday as England prepare the only specialist number eight selected in their World Cup squad for a heavy workload.

Vunipola, 30, has been sidelined since April because of two knee operations but head coach Steve Borthwick insists the bulldozing Saracen is in the shape of his life and could be in action at Twickenham in the second of four warm-up Tests.

Ball-carrying power, especially at close quarters, gives Vunipola a point of difference that is seen as essential for the tournament in France, even if the last of his 68 caps was won in November.

A cloud on the horizon at number eight is that there is no front-line alternative present in the 33-man squad picked by Borthwick, although Lewis Ludlam, Ben Earl and Tom Curry are options in the position.

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It was felt by Borthwick’s predecessor Eddie Jones that Vunipola benefits from playing as frequently as possible and there will be no deviation from that approach in order to get the best out of an influential forward.

“Billy is a guy who wants to play rugby and wants to play a lot of minutes,” said Borthwick, who revealed that Ollie Chessum’s return from a serious foot injury is also imminent.

“We want him to play as much as he possibly can and he’s desperate to play as much as he possibly can.

“Billy brings a certain skill set that’s different to the skill sets of other players and that’s why I picked him.

“I’m very clear about how we need to play in this tournament and that’s ultimately why I made the decision to go with Billy.

“He looks in great shape and is the fittest I’ve ever seen him. His experience will add to this squad.

“He’s a very mature player now. He’s taken a very mature approach to his recovery, and has been very determined to be fit for this World Cup.”

Borthwick will reveal at Thursday’s team announcement if the second instalment of the double header against Wales is the right moment for Vunipola and Chessum to be restored to the pack but Curry will definitely not be involved.

The Sale openside has been struggling with a twisted ankle incurred in training last week and will not be available until the appointment with Ireland on August 19 at the earliest.

Earl could secure a spot in the back row fielded at Twickenham, however, as he celebrates his success in securing World Cup selection despite ferocious competition at flanker.

It will be a moment to savour for the 2022 Gallagher Premiership player of the season, who was marginalised by Jones and only made two appearances under Borthwick in the Six Nations.

“Ben brings a point of difference in his attacking game, his athleticism and ability to work on edges in attack,” Borthwick said.

“He featured in the Six Nations and was in the training squad regularly. I asked him to go away and work on a couple of things.

“Richard Hill (team manager) and I checked in every week as part of a debrief process and Ben was so diligent in applying those things to his game.”

While England are blessed with options in the back row, at hooker they have been exposed by Luke Cowan-Dickie’s shoulder problem that means Jamie George is being supported by rookies Jack Walker and Theo Dan.

“I’ll be very clear, we’d want more depth and experience in that position, but that’s the situation we have found ourselves in,” Borthwick said.

Attack coach Alex King has warned Wales that England will be “hurting” ahead of their Twickenham rematch.

England were underwhelming in Saturday’s 20-9 defeat to Wales in Cardiff and received strong media criticism for that poor display ahead of head coach Steve Borthwick naming his 33-man World Cup squad on Monday.

The World Cup countdown continues in Twickenham this weekend as the two sides meet again, with Wales clearly expecting a backlash from Borthwick’s men.

“We know they’ll be hurting after the weekend,” said former England outside-half King.

“I’ve read a bit of the English press and they’ve not been too kind to them.

“We know they’ve got players to come back. Everyone is at slightly different points of their development.

“This is all preparation for something that is going to kick off in a month’s time in France. They’ve got some players to come back in and we’ll concentrate on ourselves and try and improve on some areas.”

Welsh rugby had spent 2023 largely in the doldrums before Saturday’s victory over their biggest rivals.

Shook by scandal off the field and struggling for victories on it, there has been little optimism inside or outside Wales that Warren Gatland’s side can make a major impact at the World Cup next month.

But, having withstood concerted England pressure in the first half, tries from Gareth Davies and George North suggested that Gatland’s pre-match words that his side will do “something special” at the World Cup may have some substance.

King said: “Even through the Six Nations (when Wales won only once) towards the end we were starting to get an identity of what we were trying to do.

“It was a tough time for Welsh rugby and there was a lot going on off the field, but the boys stuck together.

“This group has been working for 11 weeks and it was great to see some of the stuff we’ve been working on come through.

“It was certainly a good start both sides of the ball. We were resilient and stayed in the fight first half when we were under the cosh.

“Then when we got the chance second half we were pretty accurate and probably left two or three out there as well.”

Louis Rees-Zammit was denied a spectacular third try when he was adjudged to have knocked on, harshly in the view of some observers.

The Gloucester wing certainly possesses the X-factor to trouble defences and excite crowds and King believes the Welsh back division is full of flair.

He said: “When Rio (Dyer), Louis and ‘Pens’ (Leigh Halfpenny) get the ball there’s an excitement and that’s how we want to play, with a tactical brain as well.

“There’s a balance there underpinned by good defence and a good set-piece, and if we want to be successful over the next two months all parts of our game must be functioning.

“There were moments in that second half that were testament to Welsh rugby which, to me, is about ball movement, speedy backs and getting the crowd excited.

“I’ve seen the quality and level of work we’ve done over the last 11 weeks. I was pleased with the attitude and mindset to really go and play.”

Wales held an open training session in front of nearly 10,000 fans at the Principality Stadium on Monday.

Hooker Ryan Elias and second row Dafydd Jenkins were missing after picking up injuries against England, although neither are understood to be serious enough to put their World Cup ambitions at risk.

Injured backs Gareth Anscombe and Johnny Williams were also missing from the session, while number eight Taulupe Faletau played a limited role.

Owen Farrell says England will “use it to our advantage” whether they go into the World Cup viewed as favourites or a team under the radar.

Current results suggest the latter, with England having finished fourth in last season’s Guinness Six Nations and standing sixth on the official World Rugby rankings list.

Farrell will head to his third World Cup – and second as captain – and lead a squad that includes 16 players with no previous experience of the sport’s biggest tournament.

“If we go in as favourites or go in under the radar, we will use it to our advantage either way. We are working away quietly,” Farrell said.

“Tournament rugby is a lot about pressure. It’s bigger than anything you usually play in, and there is a lot of outside noise.

“We might not have as much of that, but the big thing is controlling what is happening in camp and not worry about the external factors which don’t really matter. We will look forward to getting the best out of ourselves either way.

“You go into World Cups and people talk about favourites and say, ‘it’s theirs to lose’ – but it doesn’t work like that. Just look at the football World Cup when Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia.

“The whole thing for the team is to get the most out of ourselves, and we are looking forward to it. The opportunity for us is brilliant, and now that the squad is selected we can really rip in.”

While there was jubilation for England head coach Steve Borthwick’s final 33-strong World Cup group, surprise omissions included the likes of 57 times-capped Exeter centre Henry Slade and Harlequins number eight Alex Dombrandt.

Farrell added: “I have not spoken to him (Slade) yet. I shared a room with Henry for the past four weeks, so I will definitely be getting in touch with him.

“People will need to be used over the course of this next 12 weeks. It is not going to stay the same.

“People need to stay ready, people need to make sure they are ready if anything happens. Those boys who have just missed out have a big part of this preparation.

“When it comes to any squad, there is a lot of competition, especially England. There were always going to be good players that missed out.”

Saracens flanker Ben Earl was among those who made the cut, with a first World Cup now awaiting him after being in and out of England squads since making his Test debut almost three years ago.

Borthwick relayed selection news – or otherwise – to his players in Cardiff on Sunday following the 20-9 World Cup warm-up defeat against Wales.

“It was early, about nine o’clock,” Earl said. “I had just got up. I had a bit of a sleepless night.

“The back row is so competitive – the boys who have missed out, what great players and what great blokes.

“You do have to pinch yourself that you are going to a World Cup. It did seem at times over the last 18 months a long way off.

“Over the last two years, I’ve had a bit of an up and down journey in terms of being in and out of the squad.

“But I have enjoyed some successes at the club and I am probably more of a rounded individual now than I was a couple of years ago.”

Steve Borthwick has defended his decision to pick only one specialist number eight in England’s World Cup squad by stating Billy Vunipola is in the shape of his life.

Henry Slade’s absence from the 33 players who will depart for France next month provided the biggest selection shock, but close behind was the omission of Alex Dombrandt.

England’s first-choice number eight throughout the Six Nations failed to make the required impression in Saturday’s final trial match against Wales, which ended in a tame 20-9 defeat.

Vunipola is the only option with expertise in the position but the 30-year-old Saracen has been sidelined since mid-April after undergoing two knee surgeries and has yet to play under Borthwick.

Borthwick has witnessed enough, however, to believe he can make an impression on his third World Cup.

“Billy has been fantastic in this training camp. I’ve seen just how hard he’s worked to come back from his injury,” England’s head coach said.

“He looks in great shape and is the fittest I’ve ever seen him. His experience will add to this squad.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with him for a long period of time now and the opportunity to understand what the team needs.”

Taking a second specialist number eight to the tournament is seen by Borthwick as a luxury England cannot afford.

Instead, he has stocked his back-row contingent with players who can cover multiple positions with Lewis Ludlam, Ben Earl and Tom Curry alternatives if Vunipola becomes unavailable.

“Alex has done really well and has trained well. He’s a very, very good player,” Borthwick said.

“There’s a lot of competition in the back row and there’s also flexibility around those positions.

“Lewis Ludlam has the ability to play six, seven and eight. Ben Earl has the ability to play seven and eight. Curry seven, eight and six.

“There’s a lot of flexibility there and for me it’s about making the decision on the right combination and ultimately that’s what it’s come down to.”

Slade has lost out to Joe Marchant, who alongside Ludlam was one of only two players to emerge from the wreckage at the Principality Stadium on Saturday with his reputation enhanced.

Borthwick indicated that the decision to take three front line fly-halves in Owen Farrell, George Ford and Marcus Smith to ensure there is adequate cover in the event of injury or suspension ultimately cost the Exeter centre.

“Henry has been excellent throughout the training camps,” said Borthwick, who repeatedly declined to say if he believed England can win the World Cup.

“I decided we’d have three players in key positions – front row, scrum-half, fly-half – for the obvious reasons. That means in the other areas of the team you need to have positional flexibility.

“Henry was clearly disappointed but the message to all the players who haven’t been selected is to be ready to come into the squad.

“We know there will be changes. Past World Cups show there are always bumps and bruises and there will be changes.”

Other big names to miss out are wings Jonny May and Joe Cokanasiga, both of whom played in the World Cup four years ago.

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Rookie Leicester duo Ollie Chessum and George Martin are present, while inexperienced hookers Theo Dan and Jack Walker supply cover for veteran Jamie George.

Henry Arundell offers X-factor in the threequarters with his selection coming at the expense of Cokanasiga.

Courtney Lawes, Dan Cole and Ben Youngs will be appearing at their fourth World Cups in a squad that contains more than 1,400 caps and is comprised of 19 forwards and 14 backs.

Farrell was confirmed as captain last month with Lawes and Ellis Genge acting as his vice skippers.

England head coach Steve Borthwick’s World Cup squad announcement has delivered its share of surprises.

Here, the PA news agency looks at selection successes and some big names who have missed out.

HITSJoe Marchant (Stade Francais)

Marchant is among 16 players in the squad with no World Cup experience, but his ability to threaten opposition defences as either a centre or wing cannot be questioned. He was one of the few successes during England’s tame warm-up defeat against Wales on Saturday, and he will relish stepping on to the sport’s biggest stage in France.

Theo Dan (Saracens)

Saracens hooker Dan has enjoyed a rapid rise in terms of England recognition. London-born to Romanian parents, he only made his full Premiership debut 10 months ago and gained a first England cap against Wales on Saturday. He has excelled in the Premiership, and is one of three hookers named in Borthwick’s group alongside Dan’s club colleague Jamie George and Harlequins forward Jack Walker.

David Ribbans (Toulon)

South Africa-born lock Ribbans, who qualifies for England via an English grandmother, established himself among the Premiership’s most consistent performers during his time at Northampton. His international breakthrough came during the Autumn Nations series last year, and he now makes Borthwick’s cut ahead of a player like Sale Sharks’ experienced Test second-forward Jonny Hill.

MISSESHenry Slade (Exeter)

Exeter centre Slade’s absence is undoubtedly the major surprise sprung by Borthwick. He offers vast experience, with 57 caps, and was widely expected to be among England’s midfield options alongside players like Ollie Lawrence and Manu Tuilagi. Selected pair Marchant and Elliot Daly, though, potentially offer more positional versatility, which might have gone against the 30-year-old.

Jonny May (Gloucester)

Only Rory Underwood has scored more tries for England than Gloucester wing May. His 35 touchdowns in 72 Tests underline a finisher of the highest quality, but he had lost ground in the race for a back-three place. Reputation alone might have swayed some coaches in terms of selection, but not Borthwick. At 33, it remains to be seen if May plays Test rugby again.

Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)

After Harlequins number eight Dombrandt played a prominent role during his club’s Premiership title-winning campaign of 2020-21, it appeared that sustained England recognition would follow. But despite having a number of opportunities at Test level, he has never delivered consistency, and Borthwick has gone with just one specialist number eight – Saracens’ Billy Vunipola – for the World Cup.

Henry Slade has been left out of England’s World Cup squad in an unexpected selection twist from head coach Steve Borthwick.

Slade has been an automatic pick in the midfield for much of the last six years, appearing in 30 of the last 37 Tests since the 2019 tournament, but has been overlooked for the 33-man group.

Instead the versatile Exeter centre has lost out to Joe Marchant, who covers wing as well as 13 and played his way into the squad after emerging from the wreckage of Saturday’s defeat by Wales with his reputation enhanced.

The exclusion of Alex Dombrandt means that Billy Vunipola is the only specialist number eight bound for France next month.

Dombrandt started every match in the Six Nations but was unable to stamp his authority on the jersey and compounded his humdrum form with an unimpressive display in Cardiff.

Vunipola is chosen despite not having played since April because of two knee surgeries and missing the entire Championship after being frozen out by Borthwick on form grounds.

Lewis Ludlam, Ben Earl and Tom Curry cover number eight and are present among a large contingent of versatile back five forwards that includes rookie Leicester duo Ollie Chessum and George Martin.

Other big names to miss out are wings Jonny May and Joe Cokanasiga, both of whom played in the World Cup four years ago.

The British and Irish Lions suffered heartbreak on this day in 2021 as South Africa won a third Test decider 19-16 in Cape Town.

History cruelly repeated itself as far as the Lions were concerned as 37-year-old Springboks replacement Morne Steyn sealed victory with a late penalty.

Steyn had landed the kick that decided the 2009 series in South Africa’s favour and the veteran fly-half broke Lions hearts again two minutes from time.

The Lions led 10-6 at half-time through hooker Ken Owens’ try and some composed kicking from Finn Russell, who had replaced the injured Dan Biggar in the 11th minute.

Cheslin Kolbe’s converted try put the Springboks ahead before Russell levelled matters with a long-range effort.

Steyn and Russell then exchanged penalties before the South African had the final word in dramatic fashion.

Lions boss Warren Gatland, whose side had won the opening game of a three-match series played in empty stadiums because of Covid-19, said: “The boys gave it 100 per cent and from a coaching point of view, you can’t ask for more than that.

“It was never going to be easy travelling away from home to play the world champions and they were really tight contests.

“We’re disappointed but it could have gone any way.”

Kyle Sinckler insists missing out on Lions selection was like being dumped by a girlfriend in an experience that has left him uncertain of his place in England’s World Cup squad.

Sinckler is set to be picked in Steve Borthwick’s 33-man group that is announced on Monday morning with little doubt over his inclusion given he is first choice tighthead prop.

But the 30-year-old refuses to assume he will take part in his second World Cup after he was excluded from Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions squad in 2021 despite being considered a certainty to tour South Africa.

Andrew Porter was picked by Gatland, only for the Ireland front row to be ruled out by a toe injury, offering Sinckler a reprieve.

“The Lions experience taught me never to… I can’t really find another word for ‘granted’ because I don’t want to say I took it for granted… but I was like, ‘I’ve got a pretty good shot here’. And I ended up missing out on the squad,” Sinckler said.

“I was absolutely devastated and I was like, ‘I’m never going to have that little voice in my head ever saying ‘You’ll be all right’.

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“That experience in itself was just crazy. Because obviously I initially didn’t make the squad and then you come to terms with that, you wish the boys the best of luck and you are focused on what you need to do.

“Then unfortunately for Andrew, he picked up an injury and that means I’m in – just as I was getting over it.

“It was like an ex dumping you and just as you’re getting over it all of a sudden she wants you back. You’re messing with my head! So it was a strange one.

“It’s about having that humility and respect for the game because rugby can humble you very quickly.”

Stand-in Scotland captain Finn Russell expects France to restore their big-hitters for next weekend’s rematch in Saint-Etienne.

A second-string Les Bleus side were ripped apart by the rampant hosts in the second half of Saturday’s World Cup warm-up match at Murrayfield.

French head coach Fabian Galthie started debutant trio Paul Boudehent, Emilien Gailleton and Louis Bielle-Biarrey in Edinburgh, while Antoine Dupont, Gael Fickou and Romain Ntamack were among a raft of established players given the day off.

The experimental nature of the team did not hinder the visitors in the first half as they raced into a 21-3 lead at the interval.

But Scotland, despite having prop Zander Fagerson sent off in the 50th minute, roared back to win the second half 22-0 and claim a morale-boosting 25-21 victory five weeks ahead of their World Cup opener.

“It was not their strongest team, a lot of their players will come back next week,” said Russell. “It will be a different team we face.

“It was tough to prepare as a lot of the (French) boys have not played before, especially against us in the Six Nations, so we focused mainly on ourselves this week.

“Next week against them we can look at their players that come back and look back to the game from the Six Nations (in February) and analyse how they play and we will go from there. Next week will be a very different French team we face.”

Despite the fact it was not against France’s strongest side, Russell feels Scotland’s relentless second-half performance – in which Darcy Graham, Pierre Schoeman and replacement Dave Cherry got the game-changing tries – will stand them in good stead ahead of the World Cup.

The Scots will spend this week at their tournament training base near Nice before travelling to Saint-Etienne on Thursday for their next warm-up match against the hosts.

“The first half we did some good things but gave away some soft penalties and turnovers and the skills weren’t there,” said Russell. “In the second half we got a try early on that got us back into the game and got the momentum for us.

“It was great to have had that second half and play the way we wanted to. It showed the rugby we can play.

“From last week it was a step forward and we go to France next week. It will be a very different French team we face but it will be a very good challenge for us heading towards the World Cup.”

Russell was captain in the absence of injured skipper Jamie Ritchie, who hopes to return in Saint-Etienne following a calf issue. The 30-year-old stand-off enjoyed leading his country for the first time.

“It was good fun,” he said. “As a 10 on the pitch you tend to talk a lot and chat with other leaders.

“In terms of speaking on the pitch and having leadership, it was similar to previous occasions.

“It was more the relationship with the referee and having those key decisions at certain times such as ‘do we go for the posts, or the corner?’ That was the main difference.

“At half time it was maybe not the most enjoyable but the second half it was good.”

Warren Gatland will send out a team “desperate to perform” at Twickenham next weekend as competition for World Cup places intensifies.

Wales boss Gatland is relishing the battle to make a 33-strong World Cup squad that will be announced later this month.

The final phase of preparation for the tournament could hardly have started in more promising fashion, with Wales’ 20-9 victory over England being underpinned by a dominant second-half display.

It was Wales’ third-biggest win of the professional era against their fierce rivals, and Gatland will now run the rule over other World Cup selection candidates in south-west London.

“There is a lot of competition in the squad,” Gatland said.

“In 2019 when we won the (Six Nations) Grand Slam, we had a settled side and we knew what a large number of our World Cup squad was going to be.

“I can tell you now there is a lot of competition in this team. It’s a good start, and the pleasing thing is there’s a group of players who will get an opportunity next week who are desperate to perform.

“I think the boys showed the work we’ve done over the past eight weeks or so that we are in a pretty good place, physically.”

Wales kept an England side that conceded 22 turnovers scoreless in the second period, turning around a 9-6 interval deficit to triumph through tries from scrum-half Gareth Davies and centre George North.

Full-back Leigh Halfpenny converted both scores and kicked two penalties on his 100th Wales appearance, leaving him just five points short of 800 in Test rugby.

Wales paraded five new caps, with the second-half introductions of former England prop Henry Thomas and back-row forward Taine Plumtree proving key to Gatland’s men posting a first home victory since November last year.

Gatland, meanwhile, said that hooker Ryan Elias and lock Dafydd Jenkins will undergo scans on Monday after being forced off with hamstring and knee injuries, respectively.

Among several eye-catching performances was that of fly-half Sam Costelow, who took his chance to shine in front of a 65,000 Principality Stadium crowd.

“I will take a lot of learnings from it. It showed me where I want to be and where I can get,” Costelow said.

“I have been doing a lot of work with (Wales assistant coach) Neil Jenkins in the training week, helping me with kicking and the game-management side of things. It is about keeping improving.

“You have just got to work hard every day. That is the biggest mindset, really, turning up every day and trying to improve.

“In the second-half we managed to find a way and we started putting some phases together, and I thought we had some decent outcomes.

“We played in the right areas, getting opportunities higher up the field and creating chances, which we probably didn’t do in the first-half.”

Lewis Ludlam admits it is “hard to not think about it” as the selection waiting game for England’s World Cup hopefuls nears its conclusion.

England head coach Steve Borthwick will name his 33-strong World Cup squad on Monday morning.

It follows an opening tournament warm-up performance against Wales that badly misfired, with some World Cup prospects undoubtedly falling by the wayside as Warren Gatland’s team triumphed 20-9 in Cardiff.

Northampton captain Ludlam’s performance was among the few highlights, delivering a trademark display that bristled with intent and purpose, while an ability to cover all three back-row positions makes him a priceless asset for Borthwick.

“I tried my hardest and that is all you can ask for,” said Ludlam, who made England’s final World Cup cut for Japan four years ago.

“It has been brilliant, the amount of competition we’ve had in the back-row over the past six weeks.

“We have learnt a lot from each other and there has been some healthy competition as well.

“It’s a tough decision to make. Like I say, the competition is so good and that has been a real positive this campaign.

“It has really pushed us all on and you can’t be too comfortable in this environment with so many good back-rowers coming through.

“It (World Cup selection) might be at the back of a lot of people’s minds, it is hard to not think about it.”

The squad will be unveiled with three World Cup warm-up Tests left as England host Wales next week, then travel to Ireland before entertaining Fiji.

Borthwick’s decision to go early at least guarantees an end to selection speculation that would have accompanied his players throughout the August schedule.

“I guess knowing early is good with the security and then you know what you are doing,” Ludlam added.

“But then again, on the other hand, pressure is a good thing and brings the best out of some people as well. So I expect it will be different for different people.

“Pulling on the jersey any time, whatever the occasion, is special. Not many people have the honour of playing for their country.

“The World Cup is just that extra bit special. It would be a dream for a lot of lads. Those who do go will be looking forward to it and relishing that challenge.”