posted Feb 5, 2007

Wilkinson was immense however the most dangerous problem here is that JW papers over the cracks in the England team. England still looked pretty clueless in attack, the backs (JW aside) offered hardly any attacking threat and holding up against Scotland is one thing but Wales, Ireland and France are a whole other level to step up to.
England will get their 2 victories against Italy and Scotland but to get anything else they are either going to have to improve quickly or hope they meet France / Ireland / Wales on an off day.

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posted Feb 5, 2007

LOL - bad losers indeed?

I'd rather be a sore loser and try harder again than listen to some of the comments on the BBC this past week. Let me think; the Six Nations - that, based on the coverage I heard last week would be England, England, England, England, England and England.

Hang on, I pay my licence fee, of all the broadcasts I saw in the last week, it was 95% England, and a cursory mention of France and Ireland. Very poor.

As for the game; England were good winners, but not by 22 points; I thought we kept them comfortably for most of the first half and would've taken a ten point margin as a more accurate reflection of the game. Were England as good as people seemed to think? Far from it, and PLEASE stop deifying Wilkinson - he's an excellent player, but come on, this is insulting to his colleagues; England rely on one man and it's pretty obvious how bereft they are when he's not around.

Man of the Match? Ellis - by a long chalk.

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posted Feb 5, 2007

Get the bucket of cold water out. Yes the boys did good and showed the grit and determination to win. JW did what he does very well but it was good to see the players playing in their correct positions for once,what a difference. Now to build steadily, we may lose on the way but there are signs Uncle Brian's magic is working.

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posted Feb 6, 2007

The press never fail to amaze me. Just imagine if the scoreline had been reversed at the weekend. The press would have been calling for Brian Ashton's head on a plate. Calling into doubt Wilkinson's selection (stand up and be counted Brooke and Carling). Scotland lost and lost quite heavily by a brand new England team (all be it with a few old faces back again.)So the headlines have been that Scotish rugby is in termoil and the manager must resign, poor selection, poor management and tactics??? NO just a bit about Paterson maybe changing position. When England lose they are hammered, when Scotland lose, which they do a lot, nothing, or the token comment about them being 'brave'.

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posted Feb 6, 2007

Salient points from the weekend.
France need to stick with Chabal.
Ireland too good for Wales whilst firing on half cylinders.
England have the kernel for something very good.
Italy and Scotland have a lack of quality players.
I think it is a 3 horse race and tip England. (Not keen to, as I am Scottish)

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posted Feb 6, 2007

Could the reason be that in this match the selected players were playing in their normal positions not where the previous incumbant - Robinson - played them

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posted Feb 6, 2007

As someone who was supporting Scotland, it pains me to say it, but England were by far the better team on Saturday. I had hoped that the Scottish pack would (just for once!) be able to stand up to the English as they were actually heavier for a change, but from the second minute it was clear that it was going to be a long afternoon for the Scots, even if England didn't really pull away until 20 mins from the end. The one consolation for me was that Italy played even worse on Sat, so hopefully Scotland will beat them at Murrayfield and avoid the wooden spoon. Otherwise, I don't hold out too much hope for the Scots.

As for England, their gameplan was very effective, but very boring. It took me back to the "bad old days" of the run up to the last world cup when they nearly stifled the life out of the 6 Nations. The style of play employed by the Welsh, Irish, French and of course the All Blacks is for me the best kind of rugby and for this reason, I hope either that England can find ways of being more inventive or they are defeated by Wales, France and Ireland and have to rethink their strategy!

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posted Feb 6, 2007

comment by Ingathewinga
posted 2 Days Ago

Everyone must agree that the English style of play is very boring to watch. Everything looks so slow and premeditated. No speed or flair to challenge defences. It works against Scotland and the like but against the top teams they will get taken to school and severely spanked.

INGA I HAVE TO AGREE !
Many of the English fans do not like to see the back end of the stick.
The Scots are not a measure of our current position. Beating Scotland was a MUST and can only be regarded as a starting point and nothing else !
One would think that we have won the 6 Nations judging by some of the comments.

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posted Feb 7, 2007

Argo123 and Ingathewinga

It would appear that you both have hit the nail bang on it's head. Well said.
I saw most of the Super 14 on the weekend. The standard was so much better than what was at Twickers !
England will get a reality check v's France and Ireland and Wales if they can pick things up.

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posted Feb 7, 2007

Good point there. Also with Jason Robinson and Andy Farrell in the backs England can be clinical with there finishing. Lets hope the good start continues...

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