[2023 Six Nations] England vs Italy - 12 February 2023

[Reiser99]

If Smith doesn't come on in the next few mins that's lame AF

But for who? This is where Borthwick has boxed himself in. If he takes off Farrell then who captains?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Very nice scrum half play, Italian forwards won't like watching that back.

 

[Which Tyler]

I think it shouldn’t be allowed at all

Tackle competed, then I agree, but it's the laws, rather than what I'd like, that I'm uncertain of.

#3, where the tackle isn't actually completed, it seems fair to allow play-on

 

[AlRums]

TBH I'm not that fussed, just making a point to the 2 posters who have been whinging all game about how every decision has been going England's way when it clearly hasn't. I think the ref has been relatively even handed. There have been poor decisions both ways but no bias.

No you're just being a twat like last week

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Smith on for Slade ffs

 

[BPM]

If Smith doesn't come on in the next few mins that's lame AF

But as we all knew … not for Farrell

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I always get a bit confused here.

I thought that, if tackled and held, you can't let go and go again (but the tackler might get pinged for not releasing... technically)
If tackled and not held, you can let go and go again.
If tackled let's go before completing, you don't even need to let go.

This case was definitely #1, but I'm never sure I'm right about what is or isn't allowed.

Similar here, it looked fine to me bar the knock on. Not entirely sure what else Varney can do when no ruck has been formed.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

No you're just being a twat like last week

Pot, kettle. Last week I spent most of my time slagging off England, you have spent this week doing nothing but claiming the ref is England's 16th man.

 

[BrokenWing]

If he takes off Farrell then who captains?

The vice captain?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

But for who? This is where Borthwick has boxed himself in. If he takes off Farrell then who captains?

Could've easily just given it to Itoje for 10 mins but alas, Smith/Faz 10/12 it is

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The vice captain?

Genge went off ages ago

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

The vice captain?

Genge went off 20 mins ago.

 

[Jimbo]

Yes but available this season

I’d rather let him rediscover his form and bring him in which is what’s happened.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Walker gets 6mins!
A victory for English 3rd+ choice hookers tbf

 

[Which Tyler]

Similar here, it looked fine to me bar the knock on. Not entirely sure what else Varney can do when no ruck has been formed.

Barring the knock on...
If I've got it right, he needs to wait for the tackler to let go of him, or accept that his lack support has ****** him over and the ball gets turned over (or he hangs on, or does what he does, and hopes the ref lets him get away with it)

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Ludlam's hair there was incredible

 

[AlRums]

Pot, kettle. Last week I spent most of my time slagging off England, you have spent this week doing nothing but claiming the ref is England's 16th man.

The only thing I said was England were getting away with a lot of offside and missed a blatant not straight lineout

 

[BrokenWing]

Genge went off ages ago

Well then it’s terrible management he hasn’t nominated a vice vice captain.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Similar here, it looked fine to me bar the knock on. Not entirely sure what else Varney can do when no ruck has been formed.

I guess if you take it to it's logical conclusion, imagine 2 players in isolation:
Player A tackles player B and there is no support for either. Player A then places the ball and lets go of it. To pick it up again they would need to get back to their feet and not obstruct the other player getting to the ball in the process before they regain possession, otherwise it's playing the ball on the ground or obstruction. The Italian player did neither and Earl was still holding him at the point he regathered the ball. I don't see how that can be deemed legal.

 

[Which Tyler]

Hate that advantage - blatantly goes backwards off the arm, but gets called forwards anyway, just because.
I know it's consistent, but I hate it anyway