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Good result from a team that is very much "work in progress".
What's Scotland's excuse? 8)
They're doing with Farrell what they did with Wilkinson.
England haven't been attacking well, but their defense and composure have been pretty solid.
Italy didn't show any signs of scoring a try, like Scotland last week, and they got lucky twice - but then so have England (Hodgson).
I don't expect a lot, but it will be interesting to see how this England team stand up in the next three games, where their defense will be truly tested.
Some good substitutions today gave England some momentum.
They're getting better.
So tell me muddy dwarf what are england trying to do? Their front row apart the back three are a strength and they rarely get a pass. Farrel can kick and him and baritt can tackle, what else can they do?
As England fans we have to accept that teams like Ireland, Wales and France are currently light years ahead of where England want to be. Yes, there is a new ethos in the England camp and some promising new players but we need to be realistic. The long term prospects are brighter than they were 6 months ago but it will take a huge shift in culture - a shift that is only just beginning.
Still, at least we're not Scotland!
As AA - said - Foden Ashton and Strettle are a big threat but are not seeing the ball, Both games so far - must be frustrating for them.
England again did not look like scoring a try. a couple of breaks this time tho. Looked much better in the second half tho.
Yes all true apart from them being light years apart, they are not far off but seem to have no pattern.
glitchybump
I'm wondering the same, A_A, but I can see potential in those two.
For an inexperienced team that was a surprisingly mature performance. So England made the most of their luck vs Scotland and Italy did the same (deservedly) with theirs on the tries and the awful English line out in1H.
But given that both weeks, people were predicting that Eng would be mullered up front - they weren't , ditto the break down despite Denton's amazing efforts. Defensive looked good and occassionally even looked good going forward - but too seldom sadly.
But what is it with the box kicking from both sides - BH, leave that to the Welsh who have know how to do that since Terry Holmes was the past master. But for both E and I it was merely an exercise in handing over the ball to the oppo.
But can't complain with two scrappy away wins from two - now for the proper matches!!
The good thing is that now the Italy matches are matches, not ritualised slaughter and that can only be good for the game. Imagine if they had taken Fr and Eng scalps in consecutive seasons. Bravo Italia!!
Agreed, the rise of Italian rugby has been brilliant.
Are we still on for the 8pm game?
Agreed, the rise of Italian rugby has been brilliant.
Yes. And now for Argentina in the Tri (Quad?) Nations.
Italy are getting there, so are the England team.
Dixon did well, and if they add Morgan, Lawes, and Manu into that team they might find the missing link, get a bit of shape, and take advantage of the back 3 they have. They still could surprise someone in this 6nations.
game in paris still on.. farell to 10 soon, manu n barritt centres?, lawes back. the back row still isn't a unit tho.. woods to come back where does he play? Croft was better this week. Morgan again good off the bench. Front row looks settled, not dynamic enough tho. Eng will need to improve on quick ball to compete in the next 3 games.
Drewfus, didn't you think that Corbisiero was more dynamic than usual in the loose? Even Hartley restrained himself at times....if only he could throw in!!!
i agree they were better, but in order for eng to improve then the front row needs to dominate more like they did in the past. Hartley was restrained and eventually sorted his throws. Back row balance still isnt right.
The england front row did dominate especially after castro went off they are a very good unit, locks are poor so far as is back row Morgan helped. Half backs were crap and centres lacked anything in attack. Strettle Foden and ashton need ball in hand. I have spent years watching wales be shit st least sometimes you could see what they were trying to do. Currently with england i cannot see what they are trying to do and that hasnt changed since the world cup. Lawes, morgan and tuilagi will help and new halfbacks may transform them. If they had been playing a good side they would have been out of it by half time.
Odd looking backrow for france after the sucess tupuric had against them last week i'd pick bonnaire at 7 (or six if i was a froggy). Sob is no 7.
Good thing about the England front row is that they are all still young so plenty of opportunity to develop especially as front rows usually are best at a more mature age.
A few small changes and they could really come on. Like you say a change at half backcould bring the backs into the game more
Anyone know where I can watch Ire v Fra live online?
Didn't see much of the game but Englands attack looked non existent. Still without catflaps tries they would have lost both games so can't complain too much about his many other failings.
Funny to see commentary team freezing their buns off. -10c apparently!
Arse
Game is off Sputnik 🙁
Bloody heck!
Oooh that crowd ain't happy! Still, it's about safety.
gutted I was looking forward to the game tonight, I cant believe the pitch does not have under soil heating!!! Madness
Worked earlier and missed most of earlier game so could watch this one. B*****r. Still at least not in the crowd, they will be really pissed at the very last minute cancellation!
Ah well, any indication when rematch will be?
Cheers RichPenny.
So, do they play at a later date or share points?
England would have played on that pitch.
bunch of wussies.
talking about re-match in 3 weeks
brakes - MemberEngland would have played on that pitch.
bunch of wussies.
Referees decision
England cant play on a normal pitch so why should they be able to on a frozen pitch?
Cannot see what england are trying to do.
Win games - this seems to be working.
England cant play on a normal pitch so why should they be able to on a frozen pitch?
Nope, but we seem to do well enough on soggy ones in Edinburgh and snowy ones in Rome...
Nope, but we seem to do well enough on soggy ones in Edinburgh and snowy ones in Rome...
Oh well, if your display in the last two weeks against the two weakest teams in the 6n is what you would term as satisfactory,then that is a refreshing dose of realism for an Englishman. You will never get a job in the commentary team.
Yes zokes we can all appreciate an inexperienced team winning away from home. But whats the gameplan? Rely on chargedowns all season. The very fact that many on here suggest that Farrel should have been mom over the outstanding Parisse says a lot imo.
So, another England win. Looking forward to the press lauding the new generation etc.
Truth? Two scraped, luck driven wins against the two weakest teams in the tournament. Hardly a bright new dawn.
shame about last night, too. Needs to be played soon, as the result could have a bearing on other games.
TandemJeremy - MemberWhy are the back three not seeing any ball?
When I was playing, half the back three's job was to follow the ball carrier and create, attract opposing players, provide offload opportunity, provide support and inventiveness - off the ball. England aren't doing that with any effect.
For the last 8 or so years England breaks have been solo unsupported players, there's been no inventive looping, pop passing (with the exception of the forwards in the loose) etc. Watch the Kiwi's and you'll see that as soon as one back makes a break there's at least two others either side in support.
Last night, we moved the ball from side to side, predictable, and eventually ran out of space.
Its a dire state for English Rugby IMO, and next weeks match V Wales will be as one side as the All Blacks vs Romania IMO.
Dixon & Morgan should start. JTH is a real prospect and should have been given more time to see if he can settle at international level before Wales. Whats the point of having a 13 making the most tackles n the pitch, we need line breaks and intelligence...
/rant
May be England haven't got very good players at the moment. As AA said we suffered through Wales being shit for so long. Its englands turn now because in that 15 there are only 2 world class players.
scraped, luck driven win
Sounds very much like the Wales Ireland game to me.
Sounds very much like the Wales Ireland game to me.
Sounds pretty much like every rugby game ever played to me, every football match, Olympic competition, cycling race... Can you see where I'm going?
Actually, no.
Wales were lucky to get the win the end but I thought they deserved it as they played better throughout. England still worry me, I think they can still step it up in this tournament but so far I don't think they've struck fear into any of the other teams 3/4th spot, not too bad from a 90% new team.
As for today, I don't think it's going to be as one-sided as people are thinking, Scotland mostly play well down in Cardiff and always give us a good game, I think Scotland might finally score a try or two today, Wales to win by 7 though.
Main question is do I start drinking soon, hmm.
Actually, no.
You could try thinking about how much "luck" plays in any game or sport, then think about how the word can be applied in support of a particular point of view.
Back to rugby, Wales were just so unlucky not to have won the world cup, they were clearly the best team.
The difference between wales and England? Wales created chances.
How often did England actually look like scoring a try in the two games?