[2017 RBS Six Nations] Round 3: England vs Italy (26/02/2017)

[Every Time Ref]

EJ will be absolutely spitting feathers at senior players in private no question. I would even go so far to say they today could well have spelt the end for Hartley as captain

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

On the issue of the tactics, world rugby will issue new laws as its not in keeping with the way they want the game to be played and more importantly spectated. The bringing in of bonus points in the 6n is a clear indication that attacking rugby is what is favoured. This tactic turns the game into a sludge fest. But for now it's how teams will adapt to it. And England finally got there about 55 mins in. Any other team playing Italy now will know it's on the table and have a plan set out accordingly. Good tactic, but I'd be surprised if it's a legal one by next 6n!

they were already doing a law trial in new zealand that created offsides lines when the offensive player stepped over the ball... this tactic was likely on the way out before this game ever happened

 

[martinspoonboy1]

they were already doing a law trial in new zealand that created offsides lines when the offensive player stepped over the ball... this tactic was likely on the way out before this game ever happened

That's really interesting to know. Good knowledge sir!

 

[ncurd]

I'll remember that one whenever everyone blames us for law change when it happens.

As to EJ's comments, yep pure deflection and you only have to see this thread to see how much people have bought it hook line and sinker. Seriously watch the match you could see EJ was fuming at the players not for coping with it. Still if people want to make a big deal put on it it'll stop the media and other.countries questioning the team enough and just pull out the tired old arrogant English diatribem

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I'll remember that one whenever everyone blames us for law change when it happens.

As to EJ's comments, yep pure deflection and you only have to see this thread to see how much people have bought it hook line and sinker. Seriously watch the match you could see EJ was fuming at the players not for coping with it. Still if people want to make a big deal put on it it'll stop the media and other.countries questioning the team enough and just pull out the tired old arrogant English diatribem

 

[jackass11]

17 wins in a row, worked out some new tactics by italy and still won, irish fans seam to be worried about us in dublin - scotland defo the bigger test

 

[BPM]

To be fair to Eddie, he gave credit to O'Shea and Italy for coming with a different and well executed tactical ploy, but also criticised it for being a bit 'anti-rugby' and not conducive to a good game.

Is that really an unfair assessment? It's certainly how I felt. Fair play to Italy but I can't see anyone really wanting to see more teams employ what is essentially a spoiling tactic.

As others have said, he will be seething with his senior players. Few came out with real credit, but we got what we needed and probably learned more from a painful afternoon than we would have from a walkover.

I am concerned at how we seem to be sleepwalking through games and we'll need to be a lot better against Scotland, but as it is, we got the bonus point and we're unbeaten, which at this point in time is better than anyone else.

 

[martinspoonboy1]

To be fair to Eddie, he gave credit to O'Shea and Italy for coming with a different and well executed tactical ploy, but also criticised it for being a bit 'anti-rugby' and not conducive to a good game.

Is that really an unfair assessment? It's certainly how I felt. Fair play to Italy but I can't see anyone really wanting to see more teams employ what is essentially a spoiling tactic.

As others have said, he will be seething with his senior players. Few came out with real credit, but we got what we needed and probably learned more from a painful afternoon than we would have from a walkover.

I am concerned at how we seem to be sleepwalking through games and we'll need to be a lot better against Scotland, but as it is, we got the bonus point and we're unbeaten, which at this point in time is better than anyone else.

Bam! Summed up my thoughts exactly!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

17 wins in a row, worked out some new tactics by italy and still won, irish fans seam to be worried about us in dublin - scotland defo the bigger test

Really? I think we might lose in Cardiff but a team coming to Dublin that isn't NZ or France won't scare us.

 

[mosfeldt]

17 wins in a row, worked out some new tactics by italy and still won, irish fans seam to be worried about us in dublin - scotland defo the bigger test

Hmm. I'm a lot more worried about Wales in Cardiff than I am about England at home (ie, not all that much). Funny that.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Really? I think we might lose in Cardiff but a team coming to Dublin that isn't NZ or France won't scare us.

Hmm. I'm more worried about Wales in Cardiff than I am about England at home. Funny that.

That actually is pretty funny, to be fair.

 

[The Jones Boy]

How the **** are we getting a bonus point victory out of that?

Because Italy are that poor.
It's sad to say it but they really do not deserve to be in this competition, it is out of their league.
They completely bamboozled England for the first 40 minutes, they made England look foolish, naive and at times childlike, but they couldn't put points on the board during that time.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Ireland will be like that guy who ****** himself before the first fight in Gladiator when it comes to the England game.

Whereas Maximus represents England.

 

[JJFlash]

Hartly as captain, should have been wise enough to counter those Italian tactics but clearly had no idea what to do, and neither did Farrell, the supposed vice captain.
Is there another England player who could step up to the role of captain? Launchbury, perhaps?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I can't picture Launch as a captain, tbh.
Haskell is the only other captaincy option, apart from Farrell, I can see, but he had the same issues as Hartley today.

 

[Jockstap]

Ireland will be like that guy who ****** himself before the first fight in Gladiator when it comes to the England game.

Whereas Maximus represents England.

Nah, this seems more realistic

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I suppose you're not in a bad place when you have a stinker and still rack up six tries. If you were going to have a shocker today was probably the day.

Telegraph ratings are great. 4 for Marler with 3s for Hartley and Cole, something needs to change in that line up. Hughes also got a 3 as did Faz, at least we know he'll bounce back.

We're a team of 2 halves. We haven't led at half time in any of the games yet. Guess that's a tribute to our bench, fitness and mental strength. But we're starting games like we've just crawled out of bed after a big night out.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Nah, this seems more realistic

Ireland biggest success.

 

[Jockstap]

Ireland biggest success.

And England's was that nifty Nike ad.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

And England's was that nifty Nike ad.

Well and winning the rugby World Cup.

Has Ireland actually got past the quarters?
I mean
England
Wales
Scotland
France
New Zealand
SA
Aus
Argentina
Have all got into the semi finals of the World Cup but has Ireland? Surely that can't be right? A great Ruby nation like Ireland not in the semi's doesn't make sense not like they are Italy or something.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

mental strength

Think is being looked over.
Yes we **** the bed, yes we've not looked great so far this tournament, but we've still pulled out the results that we wanted. I'm not sure (m)any other side(s) in this tournament has the guts/grit to do that.