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England still favourites for the 6 nations this year imho. They’ve got near certain wins in their next two games, with likely 1 or 2 more bonus points. Can’t see Ireland catching them, even if they beat Wales in the last game. Wales have to therefore win both games; Scotland will be no pushover at Murrayfield, but with momentum and Scottish injuries it may well go Wales way. Wales v Ireland though, what a game that is going to be!
The tackles, to me, forced the kicking game, the impact of the tackles pushed England and they folded and kicked for territory (although they didn't make any really). It was hard to watch and they lacked any creativity in the face of strong defence.
Sinkler needs to learn to rise above, I'm sure there was plenty of quiet words had with him in the Scrum, but he needs to not react so easily and obviously.
Bollocks, bollocks and more bollocks. Sinkler is no angel but Lee has been done for head butting and Healy for all sorts (he is a dirty bastard). Sink is no worse than either, like it or not.
So we’ve established that Sinckler lost his head more than anyone on the pitch, except for Lee (who was probably in a pub in West Wales) and Healy (who will never appear in a Wales v England game). All good then. Just to give you a bit of ammo, Moriarty’s dad was a bit of nutter, and I once saw Wade Dooley lose his cool. 😂
The tackles, to me, forced the kicking game, the impact of the tackles pushed England and they folded and kicked for territory (although they didn’t make any really). It was hard to watch and they lacked any creativity in the face of strong defence.
I think one of the commentators said similar, but it's still playing rugby like a computer program;
If A happens; then do B
If C happens, then do D
and then when D didn't work, there's no intelligence to go back and do B instead and certainly not E.
It's at the heart of my earlier question really; I'm right into sports (I wish sports science had been a thing when I was at school because I'd have done that at University for sure) and I'm interested in the process as well as the game. You can argue the point but there are some of the world's most talented players out there and it seems all they could do was 'Do what Eddie says. Do what Eddie says' Over and over.
Is there a cultural fear to try something different? If they follow instructions and lose then they're protected from him because they did what he said.
I don’t remember Young’s making a single break from 9 this tournament so far. Does he still snipe round the fringe for Leicester or is he just too slow now? For me, the odd dummy & dash keeps the defence honest, not allowing a blind rush. It’s probably one of the reasons Wales got in England’s faces so much in defence.
In the cold light of morning, this is a game England had in control, and should have won. Wales were magnificent in the 2nd half, but we allowed them to be - sitting back and offering nothing. If your only tactic is to kick and pressure chase, you rely on opposition errors. They didn’t make any in that 2nd half.
I didn’t think we would miss Mako & Maro too much, as we had such strength in those positions. With hindsight, they could possibly have made the difference. Then again, with our tactics I’m not sure.
He’s a full on ****, the main difference is that he’s not as good as sinkler or Healy.
Smarts doesnt it losing, still you'll get over it, having a full scale tantrum about 2 other players not involved on the game wont help though I dont think.
How’s the hangover Wrecker?
Lots of Sinckler hate on here.....nice that you've got another English figure to hate now and predict that he'll lose us a game. Heard it all before with Hartley (unbelievably good disciplinary record at international level for a front row) then Farrell....again it all came to nothing. Sinckler is the same, he's a proper wind up merchant, but it's all fake tough guy stuff really isn't it, there's never going to be a punch thrown.....I'm confident he'll not be losing us a game.
As for the rest of the game yesterday, we played 10 man rugby for most of the game. I thought that we really missed Mako's work in the loose.
Lots of Sinckler hate on here
Really, can you point this out? I said he played well gave away a few pens and got hooked.
If they played proper 9/10 man rugby then they would have been pretty comfortable. Wales must have been thanking their lucky stars that the monster pack decided not to try and steamroller them all day. EJ didn’t trust his bench either which is another area England have continued to pile pressure on teams later in the game. Wales played well in the second half but the stars did somewhat align for them
this is a game England had in control, and should have won.
Alternatively, Wales were completely in control for the whole game, allowing England to try their bag of tricks in the first half before running out of fitness in the second. England tend to score points in the first half, Wales in the second. When half-time arrived and we were only seven down I actually said to my daughters that we had won the game.
In the cold light of morning, this is a game England had in control, and should have won.
At halftime I couldn’t see Wales winning, unlike in Paris where whilst I thought we were up against it we still stood a chance.
England, Ireland,..., are clearly still very good teams. Wales were still a good team despite their lacklustre first two games. It’s strange hearing people like Guscott talk as if England have to go back to the drawing board.
Who is meant to change the plan of attack on the field? Is that the 10’s job? Is it the captain’s? Does it require someone special, ie most teams don’t have such a player on the pitch? It’s interesting listening to Warburton after a game, he gives me an idea of all the things I miss during the game.
It’s strange hearing people like Guscott talk as if England have to go back to the drawing board.
He’s a dick. He was very complimentary about England and then they have a poor game and the world is over, back to the drawing board and Wales are suddenly the best thing ever.
If we win we’ll agaisnt Italy and Scotland and Ireland do us a favour he’ll swing back to camp England. He’s a terrible pundit.
It does make for an interesting championship I guess and we’ll be relying on Ireland to do us a favour and beat Wales.
Tom B; dry your eyes petal.As for the claims England lost that game; no chance. Your second half was like the RWC 15. As a side matter, when does the annual request for clarification of the rules come from Twickenham? Can't remember if it is one of two days after England lose.
"I can't say, I'm the referee, I'm not a coach. You will probably find the solution with your coach who is more able to tell you what you have to do than I am."
Do Scots, Adam Hastings, lovely rugby player but is he a 10. I found myself watching him yesterday and being reminded of Hook, talented player, not a 10 kinghorn was fantastic too.
Duckman is there any real need for that dude. My eyes are perfectly dry 'petal'.
The Welsh women are having a good 2nd half against England.
England will win and Wales will no doubt tire but it's good to see women's rugby improving in the home nations; English women's rugby is still a league ahead though at the moment.
Tom B if you are going to bat for us, please try and man up. They are just enjoying themselves, and fair play, I'd be delighted if I was welsh. They won, take it.
Secondly Sinkler doesn't need defending, hes a great player with a great attitude, sometimes his enthusiasm gets the better of him, much like yours is on this thread. Think of me like Nigel Owens, he told Kyle off for baiting and then losing it, and right now you are doing the same thing. I love your passion mate, but don't let it get the better of you.
Haha okay I'll 'man up' 😂
Alternatively, Wales were completely in control for the whole game, allowing England to try their bag of tricks in the first half before running out of fitness in the second. England tend to score points in the first half, Wales in the second. When half-time arrived and we were only seven down I actually said to my daughters that we had won the game.
This in spades.
That second to last try was an epic push.. They kept composure throughout and didn't slip up. They didn't get flustered.
I was on the edge of my seat expecting them to make a mistake at any time I. E. Give away a load of penalties but they didn't and the whole team made sure the ball got over the line.
Really good win for Wales considering how strong England look at the moment, and really mature tactical playing.
I watched it again this morning, Sinckler didn’t really do anything wrong all match, Alun Wyn got him pinged for not a lot, more clever Alun Wyn than Sinkler sinning. There was remarkably little biff.
After that little dust up when Tuilagi had Liam by the throat england seemed to lose heart. May going off seemed to deflate them.
Aa
Hastings is a ten. Very young and inexperienced and in a run of poor form
I ain't commenting on the games. I prefer to sulk
I dont think he is, looks like a 13 to me, bit more meat on his bones and he'll need more space than a 10 gets. Lovely balanced runner.
Come on Italy!
Score? I'm at a wedding fayre and internet is shocking!
16-12 Italy at half time.
Quite encouraging from a Welsh slam perspective...
I’m at a wedding fayre
16-12 HT
Must stuck a quid on Italy to win....
So Ireland will prob pull it back....
Not called a single bet correctly this weekend.
*just
16:19 to Ireland now. 20mins left.
Just got home.....Keith Earls.....most underrated/under the radar player around imo.
Is Sexton not kicking?
Horne is the one who really didnt look great at 10. Horne’s barely up to standard at centre but does a solid enough job with all the injuries I suppose. I haven’t seen a great deal of either in the Pro14 admittedly. When Hastings came on Scotland looked to have a semblance of a kicking game which they really lacked. Must be frustrating for a Scottish fan to see them go back several years trying to run everything out of the 22
DanW I'm not saying Hastings was poor far from it he was very good, I'm just saying that he reminds me of James Hook a natural footballer who played 10 a lot, sometimes he was top class for Wales but he never really nailed any position down between 10, 12, 13 and 15. It just seems like the most gifted footballers end up at 10 despite less able footballers like say Sexton or in Hooks case Stephen Jones being far more effective 10's. Similar argument with Anscombe and Biggar I supose.
Hastings has always played ten and never anywhere else
Hastings has always played ten and never anywhere else
No offence but are you always this dense or are you hungover or something?
This season Adam, the 21-year-old Glasgow Warriors talent,
has mainly
played stand-off when he has seen action with the pro club and his BT Premiership draft club Currie Chieftains.
However,
now he is to wear 15 and play full-back
for Currie in their exciting looking home clash with top flight leaders Melrose tomorrow
Bloody hell just reading about a WRU meeting with the four regions, talk of Ospreys and Blues amalgamating, looks as if the Ospreys are really struggling financially. Well to be honest none of the regions are financially safe. National side going well, the bedrock is struggling.
Are the fans going to games?
Are the fans going to games?
What fans?
Well hats off to Wales for a deserved slaying of the English dragon.
Can this game finally dispel the notion that Farrell is a world class 10? He's not. If you keep on doing the same thing and it isn't working - why would you continue blindly to repeatedly try to make it work? He was playing by the prescribed numbers with absolutely no clue how to vary anything. If he's our captain and playmaker then we're lost.
Once again, Youngs went AWOL in a big game. How many more times can we suffer that? I'm guessing the answer is until he retires.
Jones's refusal to have more than two 9s or 10s in his squad continues to baffle and will leave us with few proven options come the RWC.
Can this game finally dispel the notion that Farrell is a world class 10? He’s not. If you keep on doing the same thing and it isn’t working – why would you continue blindly to repeatedly try to make it work?
I thought Youngs keeping box kicking everything, over and over again was the bigger problem.
I was also quite shocked at how Wales pick and go game made so much ground. England nullified Irelands pick and go which is much stronger than Wales but they obviously set up to defend a wide game and Gatland switched the focus. Maybe picking Anscombe at 10 was a bluff.
Was surprised to see Dan Robson at the end of the match. Would have thought a quick 9 with tiring big lads would have had some opportunities to exploit.
I thought Youngs keeping box kicking everything, over and over again was the bigger problem.
Yes but who was captain and who was standing outside him telling him what to do?
Hahaha I wondered how long it'd be before Farrell was shit again!!!! You really couldn't make it up!
Captain of the most successful club team in Europe, captain of England, started all of the last 3 Lions tests (2/3 at 10) yep defo not world class at 😂😂😂
Ha ha, got to agree with Tom there. Farrell was heralded by many after the Ireland game and one loss and he’s the worst 10 ever.
He had an off day (by his own admission), he’s only human and all players have them. Trouble was it was in a bloody rough game agaisnt an oppo on a roll and at home. We’ve just got to find a way to bounce back.
The Robson thing is really odd; he’s a bloody good scrum half but Eddie doesn’t seem to trust him. I wonder if he’ll actually get any game time agaisnt Italy? The big issue we have is that I guess Italy would have been the game to give a few periphery players a whirl but now Eddie and co need to give this lot the opportunity to prove that Cardiff was a one off this season...
the most successful club team in Europe
Say what now?
Farrell is a limited 10 - makes few errors, good but not that good kicker. But simply cannot do things that a great 10 can do. He robs the backs outside him of time and space and he is incapable of changing the game plan off the cuff and he is still petulent
Oh and a crap tackler as well. 11 tackles missed in one game and only 75% with the boot last season IIRC
AA - you kept banging on about people like hook who were moved around from one position to another. Hastings never has been that player. He is not a centre nor a full back - he is a 10 no matter what you think. I suspect you have not seen him playing at his best as he did early in the season for Glasgow.
He is not Hook or a Townsend or a Patterson. He is not a utility back.
I thought Youngs keeping box kicking everything, over and over again was the bigger problem.
Much praised v Ireland...
Much praised v Ireland…
It was working then!
Lawes is out for four weeks or so with a calf strain.
the most successful club team in Europe
Say what now?
😂
They really are the most successful team in Europe when you ignore any team that’s not English.
They really are the most successful team in Europe when you ignore any team that’s not English.
Ha ha, I think Leinster, Munster, Toulouse and Toulon might debate that as well.
Ha ha, I think Leinster, Munster, Toulouse and Toulon might debate that as well.
Dont forget The Dragons!!!
Good news for Halfpenny playing yesterday. Will he get back in? Can’t see Lizm getting dropped, nor North/Evans.
* Adams
Sorry his name isn’t Welsh enough 😀
Adams not Evans. Too slow!
You arecright though, cant see the team changing.
Sat down and watched Wales V England last night having had to listen to the game on BBC5L while driving through France.
Radio commentary seemed kept going on about how dominant England were in first half so it was surprising to see it, IMO the only place England were on top was the scoreboard at halftime. Ireland will have to improve significantly if they are to challenge Wales in Cardiff 6 days after playing the French. The good thing is if they can approach their November form this could be a cracker,
Sorry got Steff Evans and Josh Adams mixed up 😣
That description of Ireland sounds like Wales after 2 rounds! They need to finish big heading into the RWC, so will be well up for it!
Hahaha I wondered how long it’d be before Farrell was shit again!!!! You really couldn’t make it up!
I didn't say he was shit. I said he's not a world class 10 - which he isn't.
If you were picking a world XV you'd have Barrett, Sexton, Russell, Biggar and probably Mo'unga ahead of him.
He executed the game plan well against Ireland but he wasn't asked to do anything outside the plan or change things if it didn't work.
A decent international player and a very good club one, no doubt, but not good enough to lead England to a RWC win.
OH yeah - he CANNOT tackle. That's a basic rugby shill and would surely be a prerequisite of anyone being deemed "world class"?
Sexton
The same Jonny Sexton that was shite vs England?
Biggar
The same off-form Bigger that was replaced by 2 other Welsh 10's and had only recently come back to form?
Russell
Oh, Mr consistent?
FFS. the whole England critique on here has descended onto a farce. They lost to a better team. Guess what, all teams lose from time to time.
Yes, England lost to a better side, on the day, but the half backs are supposed to be the ones who dictate the game for you and England's failed miserably.
England's pack weren't being dominated like Ireland's were (against England) so Farrell had a lot more to work with than Sexton did.
Sexton is simply a better flyhalf than Farrell. Biggar does all the basics better and Russell can make far more things happen. They can all tackle better than Farrell too.
And before anyone mentions his kicking - 63% in last year's 6N and 71% so far this year. OK but not exactly brilliant.
The same Jonny Sexton that was shite vs England?
He’s been carrying an injury, hasn’t he? It restricts his kicking, so he’s not able to play his normal game.
The same off-form Bigger that was replaced by 2 other Welsh 10’s and had only recently come back to form?
Biggar hasnt been off form, he is just limited, still is.
Faz is better than Biggar, Anscombe and Russell. Russell has been more consistent recently though so thats not a straight forward call
This Farrell stuff goes around in circles. He's definitely limited but in the absence of better options in the NH is probably second best after Sexton and neither are ahead of a number in the SH. I just wonder did he have an off day or did Wales give him a bit more of a going over than we saw on camera (besides AWJ shoveling him unceremoniously over a ruck of course 😀 )
I think the radio commentary suggested England were on top in the first half because they had more zip than Wales, they were getting over the gain line and recycling better than Wales. Having said that,sitting in the pub I said to one of my fellow watchers that I thought Wales would be ok with the score sheet at half time as they had absorbed alot of pressure and were still very much in the game. I was quite surprised to see the possession and territory statistics at half time which Wales had more than shaded.
England were neutralised in the second half as their half backs came under increased pressure and Wales began to dominate the collisions.
Very good game of football between two fine sides, which Wales fully deserved to win, but it wouldn't have taken much for the result to go the other way, but England didn't have it on the day (or Wales didn't let them).
They lost to a better team
I'm not sure they did, they lost to a better coached team. Swap Gatland and Edwards with Jones and whoever and the story would have been different imo. When Gatland leaves Wales we're ****ed!
Farrell does seem quite robotic at times, as in he plays the moves, not what's in front of him.
Given how the England pack have operated he should be much better and have more time but delivery from 9 is an issue and although I really rate Robson I doubt Farrell would do well outside him, ford maybe.
I’m not qualified to know how good Farrell is, I don’t understand the subtleties well enough. However, Gatland chose him for the Lions. Also, I have listened to a lot of rugby podcasts over the last couple of weeks and everybody who mentions Farrell says he is exceptional; not just how he plays, but the effect he has on the rest of the team.
You're right namaste, Biggar and Russell are clearly better than Farrell....must be why they both went on the last 2 Lions tours and Farrell didn't.
Sale have announced another wave of Saffas today, looking like a good squad next season.
they lost to a better coached team.
This
Russell is a much better attacking 10 than Farrell, and Bigger is a better kicker. Farrell makes few mistakes but he is simply not capable of the kick chase that Biggar does or the amazing creation of space Russell does. they are both much better defensively. Biggar is also a limited 10 and Russell makes too many mistakes.
What Farrell has is a very good conventional game and makes few mistakes. Look at last years Calcutta cup for how much better Russell is than Farrell. Russell created tries that Farrell is simply not capable of
Lions tours - Russell would not be suitable to a Gatland game plan nor to playing with players he is unfamiliar with. Farrell was the right choice but that does not make him a better player. He isn't.
Racing do not pay Russell £700 000pa plus bonuses for no reason.
Lions tours – Russell would not be suitable to a Gatland game plan
and yet Anscombe is picked ahead of Biggar. Last Lions tour was too soon for Russell, he's improving still.
Has he been injured then Teej? Looks like Racing are in the bottom half of the Top14. I hope they’re getting their money's worth.
Just think how good France could be with Farrell at 10!!
Racing do not pay Russell £700 000pa plus bonuses for no reason.
Pmsl at the weakest argument ever. From a country know for throwing money at players that means nothing .