Thankfully missed the game today. Would have went bananas if I was watching live.
How do we always f#ck everything up in the last few minutes..... Heard Wales deserved it though so in a way it's good we lost because for too many years we've won games we haven't deserved and it's papered over the the cracks. Kidneys tactics have been criticised - apparently we stood off Wales far too much.
Yeah England's back 3 is excellent. As you say they just needs help from those around them.Originally Posted by Speedy
Not sure about Twelvetrees myself. He's a good passer of the ball but I don't think he's international quality at all. Farrell could be moved to out half when Tuilagi comes back. What do you make of Stuart Lancaster ? Do you think he's a realistic candidate for the job full time ?
Irelands game against France called off 2 minutes before kick off with the band on the pitch preparing for the anthems and the stadium full. What kind of morons are these guys.
I think Twelvetree's defence is what lets him down but we need a play making 12, don't watch a huge amount of domestic rugby so not really the best judge but have liked the look of him when I've seen him.
Think Farrell will play 10 at the next world cup unless George Ford at Leicester starts playing some games, not sure about him playing there this campaign though it's big ask of a 20 year old. I like my flyhalfs to commit the defenders and probe for holes so not sure he's my kind of player but he seems calm and level headed with a strong kicking game so has got the important tools.
Was impressed by England today, other than a horror show 5 minutes before half time they looked very solid and should have won the game more comfortably. Italy have come on a lot but still lack the cutting edge to hurt most teams.
Awards:
England: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manusamoa Tuilagi, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 David Strettle; 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Lee Dickson. 1 Alex Corbisiero, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Mouritz Botha, 5 Geoff Parling, 6 Tom Croft, 7 Chris Robshaw, 8 Ben Morgan
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Toby Faletau.
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Start of Ireland - Italy was boring, sloppy game. Ended well. Parisse is one of my fave players in the world.
Been very flat and sloppy, 2nd half has been a bit better. Suppose it's to be expected with Ireland not having played for 3 weeks. In my opinion Parisse is the best 8 in the world at the moment.
England have been excellent. Our defence for the first 20 minutes was outstanding and Farrell has been brilliant for a first international start at 10. Tuilagi showing what a good player he is as well. Still think Wales will win but very promising first half for England.
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Dixon has done well - quick ball from the ruck makes a difference. Thought Farrell started shakily, his kicking from hand mainly. The last 20 of the half he was much better.
Very encouraging first half for England.
What score is it?
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Wales have just scored a converted try to make it 19-12 to Wales.
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So annoyed. England were brilliant for 70 minutes, really should have seen the game out. Was still a good performance, valuable experience for Farrell.
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I played with Scott (Williams) for 2-3 years in junior rugby, he used to do that sort of thing then. We were always told not to ball watch but sometimes you couldn't help it when he had the ball. Tremendous talent.
Wasn't confident of a win all week unlike many people. I was surprised how many were saying we'd win, given it was at Twickenham.
Missed the Ireland game. Aparently finished the game with Bowe in the centre, which is the way it should be imo. Earls isn't a centre.
Saw the 2nd half of England and Wales. England were unlucky but really should have taken their chances better - Corbiseiro cocked up 5 metres out and with men over and then at the end they really should have scored after creating the overlap.
That said credit to Wales for hanging in there. Still not sure about Priestland but apart from him it's a very strong team. George North is incredible.
Owen Farrell's performance is a big plus for England. His temperment is fantastic considering his age.
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Priestland is a very good player, he's in poor form right now though and doesn't look as confident as he did at the WC or in the games i've seen him in for the Scarlets, had a mare for the first 60 today, did much better when he came back on from being sin binned I thought.
Farrell showed a lot more than I expected. My dad is English so I like to see them do well as long as it's not against Wales. Thought their were a lot of positives for England today and I expected it which is why I wasn't as confident as many. They need to keep Tuilagi fit though. Heading in the right direction.
Ireland unchanged for the game against France. Not sure how O'Callaghan continues to get selected but anyway. It should be an exciting game and I hope we take the game to the French. I feel they might have too much power in midfield though..... I mentioned Fofana in the Heineken Cup thread and he seems to have continued his fine form into the 6 nations. He will be a big threat. Malzieau also. Been France's best winger for a few years yet he's only getting picked now.
Very good performance. France aren't great. Slam is Wales' to lose.
Awards:
England: Ben Foden; Chris Ashton, Manu Tuilagi, Brad Barritt, David Strettle; Owen Farrell, Lee Dickson; Alex Corbisiero, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole; Mouritz Botha, Geoff Parling; Tom Croft, Chris Robshaw (captain), Ben Morgan.
Replacements: Rob Webber, Matt Stevens, Tom Palmer, Phil Dowson, Ben Youngs, Charlie Hodgson, Mike Brown.
France: Clement Poitrenaud; Vincent Clerc, Aurelien Rougerie, Wesley Fofana, Julien Malzieu; Lionel Beauxis, Julien Dupuy; Jean-Baptiste Poux, Dimitri Szarzewski, Nicolas Mas, Pascal Pape, Yoann Maestri, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Julien Bonnaire, Imanol Harinordoquy.
Replacements:William Servat, Vincent Debaty, Lionel Nallet, Louis Picamoles, Francois Trinh-Duc, Morgan Parra, Maxime Mermoz.
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This is going to be a very interesting game, both teams under new regimes. Not been impressed by France. England impressed me before the Wales game, I fancy England to win, made no changes, consistency is good. France have changed their half backs and their #8, might work for them, might not. As always with France, you never know. Hoping for an England win.
As for Wales, good to see us able to field our Lions front row for the first time in 3 years or so. Also good to see Charteris back on the bench, was a key part of the World Cup team, won more line outs and he makes a lot of tackles. Will be interesting to see how Tipuric does in Warburton's absence, one of my favourite players at the Ospreys. Unlucky to have Warburton in his way.
England beating France will help Lancasters chances of getting the job and also Wales' of winning the grand slam. The French have nothing to play for now. Didn't see the game but it sounded very exciting.
England-Ireland next week on paddys day, not working either so really looking forward to it. Hard to know what to predict, just hope hope it's an open running game.
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Poor Sarkozy
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Brian Moore was funny on comms today, laughed at his Sarkozy comment, also said it didn't matter that Alain Rolland could speak both English and French, he's still wrong. And he was right about that. There were a few other things too.
I was right in my prediction. It was a great game, delighted England won. Hope we batter the frogs next week now, time for revenge.
As for Wales-Italy, expected that sort of game, glad Tipuric had a great game. My only worry going into the France game is Priestland, got the talent, just doesn't look the player of the World Cup at the moment.
Well done to Wales. 3 slams in 8 years is some going.
Well done to England on demolishing us yesterday also. Ireland's scrum was shocking.
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What a weekend. Hangovers galore yesterday. So many players deserve special mentions, the 2 i'd like to mention most though are Dan Lydiate and Ryan Jones, 2 players who probably won't get the praise they deserve (despite getting MOTM I still don't think Lydiate got enough praise). Lydiate was menacing, incredible work for 80 minutes. Ryan Jones is probably playing his best rugby in years right now, I don't think many sides could bring someone of his calibre off the bench right now, desperately unlucky to not be starting but Lydiate's probably up there with the best #6's in the world, AWJ and Ian Evans in the 2nd row have been brilliant and we had Charteris on the bench too, Faletau has been outstanding too. He's a great player to have on the bench though as he can play 3 positions. Ian Evans is another who's been underrated, he's also surprised me, had great potential early on in his career never seemed to develop it and has lacked a bit of discipline on the field, seems to have matured and looks to have finally become the player I thought he would be. Played every single minute of the tournament alongside 3 other class second rows.
Great strength in depth developing now which is really exciting, going to get stronger too as there are some really class talents coming through, the U20s results don't show that but most of the best youngsters weren't playing for them as they were playing regional rugby.
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