[2023 Six Nations] England v France 11 March 2023. Kickoff 16:45

[TommiG88]

If they take smith off at half time, I'll switch off

 

[Ceteris]

It's not just the penalties, we are getting battered in the power game. How many missed tackles so far?

 

[General Melchett]

If the daft kicking tactics continue in the second half then this is 100% on Borthwick. He's got to sort this out now.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

In fairness, France have looked incredible. I don't think England are markedly worse than the last few weeks or the end of the Jones era, they're just getting torn apart by a fantastic side.

Sinfield's short, dense defensive line is getting totally shown up.

 

[McTallshort]

France just absolutely ripping apart. This is what a fast, accurate Rugby team looks like. You'll see another one in Dublin too.

This could get ugly- record defeats?

Honestly thought we would put France under some pressure at times but we haven't done any of the basics right and frankly they have absolutely lacerated us physically at the breakdown and in contact.

We've been awful, but they deserve some serious credit - reminded me of the good All Blacks sides to come to Twickers (mind you- I don't remember many bad ones! Haha).

Dante might be the best 12 I've seen in Europe for a while.

Has Itoje made a noteworthy contribution all tournament BTW? Used to be an absolute monster but looks to me like he's punch drunk.

Two turnovers in this game so far but yes he's not at his best

 

[McTallshort]

If they take smith off at half time, I'll switch off

Way ahead of you...

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Records may be rewritten….

Wiki suggesting France's biggest winning margin outside France is 10 points…..and even that was in RSA in 1995. Most they've ever scored at HQ is 35 - in that silly 55-35 match we won in 2015.

 

[Jimbo]

Italy put up a better fight even doing basic things like resourcing the play immediately from the restart would help, France deserve a lot of credit but there is no excuse really to concede a pen from a long restart like that.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I think we really need to question just how good the premiership actually is. Our clubs aren't exactly doing well in Europe and the national side is falling to pieces. one of our clubs has gone to the wall and others are in dire straights. Given how catastrophically poor even the basics are, something that an international coach shouldn't need to do anything about, I think we really need to look at the quality of coaching at club level. Hell the quality of everything at club level.

Also it's clear our gameplan is not to resource rucks to keep players on their feet but, as I've said so many times before, that only helps in attack if you are getting quick, accurate ball! We are playing the worst of all worlds with our tactics. A slow game with vulnerable rucks.

 

[IT157]

Most points England have conceded in a first half of a Six Nations match at Twickenham.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I think we really need to question just how good the premiership actually is. Our clubs aren't exactly doing well in Europe and the national side is falling to pieces. one of our clubs has gone to the wall and others are in dire straights. Given how catastrophically poor even the basics are, something that an international coach shouldn't need to do anything about, I think we really need to look at the quality of coaching at club level. Hell the quality of everything at club level.

Also it's clear our gameplan is not to resource rucks to keep players on their feet but, as I've said so many times before, that only helps in attack if you are getting quick, accurate ball! We are playing the worst of all worlds with our tactics. A slow game with vulnerable rucks.

The prem is poor but very competitive.
Tigers winning the prem last season proves it imo

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Steward playing well at least

 

[AlRums]

That's an odd French error

 

[Scotsmanslanj]

Smith backing himself with ball in hand, which I like to see, but if the defence has all the time in the world to set up a solid wall then what chance does a hobbit have to break through. Painfully slow ball....

 

[Rinkadink]

@Ragey Erasmus I think the quality is there, but it's a case of sticking with old guard and a total lack of development and short sightedness. But the past few years need to be un-f'd and it's going to take some time.

Anyway, I'd have loved to have heard the half time discussion there.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Is it just me or do the French pick all look massive compared to the English players?

 

[ncurd]

England levels of stupidity by France there.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Imo missing someone with speed in the backs.

Smith freed up a good outside arc then but Slade doesn't have the legs for it.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

No way Malins gets this

No control

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Is it just me or do the French pick all look massive compared to the English players?

It's body language. English pack is 5kg heavier overall. English second rows are a bit lighter