Castro to face Wallabies

Martin Castrogiovanni has retained his place in Italy's starting lineup for their test against the Wallabies in Florence this Saturday.  Italy fronted up well to the All Blacks last week before being blown away in the final 30 minutes, they will be hoping to face the Australia that capitulated in Paris rather than the heros of Twickenham.

Italy: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Giovambattista Venditti, 13 Tommaso Benvenuti, 12 Alberto Sgarbi, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Robert Barbieri, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Francesco Minto, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Andrea Lo Cicero.
Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Michele Rizzo, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Antonio Pavanello, 20 Simone Favaro, 21 Manoa Vosawai, 22 Tobias Botes, 23Luke McLean.

The real reason why Thomas Waldrom was dropped

Photos fresh from RFU headquarters have leaked out that show the real reason why Thomas Waldrom was dropped by Stuart Lancaster

No wonder he has slippy fingers

An excess of KFC grease on his fingers caused the crucial fumble that ruined England's chances of defeating the Wallabies at Twickenham.  England Nutritionist Phil Face had this to say "Obviously in a perfect world we would limit the players to a bargain bucket pre-game, but we have to be realists.  If Tom doesn't have his Variety Bucket, plus Gravy and BBQ Beans, he turns grey and starts wretching everywhere.  We've tried Maryland Fried Chicken, which has less grease, but he can taste the difference and wouldn't touch the stuff with yours".

Stuart Lancaster is said to be furious and blames the Variety Bucket's extra chicken thigh pieces excess grease, a source close to Lancaster said "If he'd stuck to the breast pieces he'd have been fine, but Tom just loves his chicken thighs because you get better skin on them, and frankly that's the whole point of KFC innit?"

10 out of 10 for Peerless Parling

Geoff Parling is in line to make his tenth start for England as they take on Australia this Saturday at Twickenham.  Parling made his debut away to Scotland in last years Six Nations and hasn't missed a test since.  His calming lineout presence was a great boon to Tom Youngs last week and his physical ruck work is exemplary, though often underrated due to his wiry frame.  

All 6 Tigers retain their places from last week, Manu Tuilagi winning his 15th cap, and Ben Youngs again has to make do with a place on the bench.

England (v Australia, Twickenham Stadium, Saturday 2.30pm)
15 Alex Goode (Saracens, 3 caps)
14 Chris Ashton (Saracens, 26 caps)
13 Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps)
12 Brad Barritt (Saracens, 8 caps)
11 Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby, 3 caps)
10 Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers, 51 caps)
9 Danny Care (Harlequins, 34 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 4 caps)
2 Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 32 caps)
4 Tom Palmer (London Wasps, 41 caps)
5 Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)
6 Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs, 4 caps)
7 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, 9 caps) (c)
8 Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers, 3 caps)

Replacements
16 David Paice (London Irish, 3 caps)
17 David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 20 caps)
18 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 1 cap)
19 Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 1 cap)
20 Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
21 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 25 caps)
22 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 9 caps)
23 Mike Brown (Harlequins, 8 caps)