6 Nations

(04-02-2012 18:58 )rickhardo Wrote:  As for England they showed a few flashes of promise in the second half but there's a lot of work still to do. It's a young side though so let's give them some time.

Yes, I agree with that. This side does show a lot of promise, and can hopefully grow into a World Cup challenging side.

How long do we have before we face France

(04-02-2012 19:14 )Kellys Heroes Wrote:  How long do we have before we face France

Sunday, March 11th in Paris

Typical Scotland, we play England off the park but still get beat. I suppose another glorious fucking defeat. Watching that game was sheer frustration from start to finish

It was an embarrassing win...
England were totally played off the park.
I can't remember one move that involved the England backrow.

Scotland still struggling to score tries, they have to be more clinical and stop shooting themselves in the foot. Even as an Englishman I have to say that was more a game that the Scots lost than one that England won. I think tomorrows game is a key one in determining who will be the early challengers with France to win the tournament. I don't honestly think any of the teams are good enough to win the grand slam so I think it may come down to an identical win-loss record with points difference deciding it. Because I think France may score more tries than anyone else I tip France to win the tournament

What a cracking second half that was today. The IRB really does have to look at the tip tackle law again though - it's ruining too many games.

Phew. Not a great performance by England but again there were very encouraging signs. Owen Farrell looks born to play international rugby, Dickson and Morgan made a huge impact when they came on, the front row were terrific against a very tough opposing scrum and when they got decent, quick ball there was good passing and running from the backs. Best of all though was the way an inexperienced side kept their cool after an awful and to the first half. They never panicked, played it exactly the right way and gradually took control of the match.

The RBS Six Nations match between France and Ireland will now take place on Sunday, March 4..

Unusual finish in yesterday's England v Wales match ... At the end of the match England were awarded a penalty but the referee played advantage. England went over but the try line but the grounding was inconclusive and then the referee blew for fulltime.

But surely as he was playing an advantage he should have gone back to the orginal penalty.

It's Steve Walsh, what do you expect? The man's a cretin.
Anyway another really promising performance from England. Owen Farrell looks like he could be at stand off for the next decade. Solid defence, excellent place kicking, his kicking from hand needs a bit of work but his passing is superb and allows the men outside him to have some momentum as they carry the ball, something England have been lacking for years.
The other big change has been the discipline. Wales had long spells of possession yesterday and England were able to defend without giving away penalties, a problem which cost them many matches under Johnson.
Sadly Stuart Lancaster did what all coaches seem to do now and made unnecessary substitutions at the hour mark. Why he took Lee Dickson off I've no idea, Youngs is horribly out of form and all of England's momentum went with the replacement of the two half backs. And Lawes needs shooting for getting the ball stripped like that.
Still, I'm very encouraged from what I've seen and I'd be very happy for Lancaster to get the job full time.
Oh, and why did Sam Warburton have to choose to play for Wales? He's exactly what England are missing in the back row - a genuine, world class number 7.