If May is looking to take on too much himself, then what do we say about Nowell, who touched the ball 14 more times and pass it three less times? The event in which he ignored Nowell to try and run around the whole Welsh defence is sticking in people's minds. One mistake - and, frankly, giving it to Nowell when Nowell was semi-marked by a faster man was not the correct move. It's probably better to take contact yourself with support waiting, then shift it one pass further away from support with the risk of getting taken out, if that pass is not going to fashion anything in particular. The better move was the kick; Cuthbert was up flat.
And, lets be honest, May took the ball in with three supporting players. Its not his fault a penalty occurred. Its the fault of the three players to varying degrees.
As for Hartley... the main thing winning the ref over was 8 man shoves and Jenkins' stupidity. Yup, did well in defence, was nought but a water carrier in attack though; necessary work, but nothing to sing too much about, and not that visible at it. Fair dos for the lineout throwing. So... good game... except with four penalties (and two turnovers according to ESPN) which is a really significant issue. I cannot disagree more about his penalties being harsh. Not only was I pretty certain that ball had come off the England catcher in real time, every player knows what happens if they touch the ball and it's off their own player in that position. Penalty. Don't go to catch the ball in that position unless you're certain it came off the opposition player.
I don't care if he's arrogant. I don't care if he's a dick. I do care that his record for doing stupid stuff on the pitch seems perpetual and I do care that outside the set-piece, his influence is pretty much military-medium for a player of the standard. The thirteen tackles were a little noteworthy, but they don't counteract conceding 4 penalties.
He's probably playing as well as he's ever done in his England career, and he's still bench fodder the moment Youngs remembers how to throw, so, yeah, fairly comfy with the second choice...
And, lets be honest, May took the ball in with three supporting players. Its not his fault a penalty occurred. Its the fault of the three players to varying degrees.
As for Hartley... the main thing winning the ref over was 8 man shoves and Jenkins' stupidity. Yup, did well in defence, was nought but a water carrier in attack though; necessary work, but nothing to sing too much about, and not that visible at it. Fair dos for the lineout throwing. So... good game... except with four penalties (and two turnovers according to ESPN) which is a really significant issue. I cannot disagree more about his penalties being harsh. Not only was I pretty certain that ball had come off the England catcher in real time, every player knows what happens if they touch the ball and it's off their own player in that position. Penalty. Don't go to catch the ball in that position unless you're certain it came off the opposition player.
I don't care if he's arrogant. I don't care if he's a dick. I do care that his record for doing stupid stuff on the pitch seems perpetual and I do care that outside the set-piece, his influence is pretty much military-medium for a player of the standard. The thirteen tackles were a little noteworthy, but they don't counteract conceding 4 penalties.
He's probably playing as well as he's ever done in his England career, and he's still bench fodder the moment Youngs remembers how to throw, so, yeah, fairly comfy with the second choice...
