[2025 Six Nations] England vs France - 08/02/25

[Scotty]

BP win vs France I really can't complain, loads of could have beens for France in that first quarter but if we had made a couple of bad reads vs ireland then we would have won last week

What happened happened and we came put on top.

Enjoyed that but my heart was going!

 

[BrokenWing]

But I agree, his pace and change of direction is killer for a fullback at international level.

People may disagree but in my opinion, if you have to change direction at fullback, it's probably too late anyway.

The real issue is not putting yourself in a position to be stepped.

Against Gibson-Park last week he came hurtling across and overcommitted giving the chance to be stepped. He would have been better off coming off the gas and just giving him the outside

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Bod and Wilko don't seem to age. Fecking vampires I reckon.

They both took a deal to only be the second best Irish player / European 10 of the pro era to look young forever.

 

[Reiser99]

Well done England. Fantastic effort not to give up at the end. Sometimes when your on a losing streak you need a win like this. I feel that if France had taken their early chances they would have run away with the game. Instead England kept themselves in it and the attack in the last 20 was a huge improvement over previous games.

Definitely still some areas to work on, but if England can build on this then there may be some light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

That was such an entertaining game.

Well done England, overdue that one.

Fear watching an England team with Fin at 10 for the next 10 years or so.

 

[Jimbo]

I mean let's be real France left 3 easy tries on the pitch

No doubt what's the point here though, if your seriously suggesting having Steward and his turning circle of an artic lorry suddenly prevents these opportunities I am calling BS TBF.

 

[Grizwald]

Bench overall had the desired impact. Particular mention for Jamie George, IMO right thing to do to take the captaincy off him but he still has a lot to offer whether as a starter or off the bench.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

No doubt what's the point here though, if your seriously suggesting having Steward and his turning circle of an artic lorry suddenly prevents these opportunities I am calling BS TBF.

No my point is that before people starting jerking maybe they just need to see if we are actually hard first


I don't know why I picked that analogy

 

[Booboobang]

Nah, he's not in great form right now. Came on and immediately gave away a penalty by losing the contest. I'm sure he'll come good again but he's not the second best loose head in the premiership for a while.

Would let him find some form and give experience to another in the interim.

Is this japes?

That was a 50/50 call and he then went on to win 2 pens and score a try...

Might be stuttering in the prem but past 2 games he has been solid to good.

 

[Rinkadink]

What game are you watching

The one we just did and all premiership matches this season.

You crack on, enjoy the win.

 

[Saintjay]

Bench overall had the desired impact. Particular mention for Jamie George, IMO right thing to do to take the captaincy off him but he still has a lot to offer whether as a starter or off the bench.

George is like Luke Littler great darts.

 

[Which Tyler]

No my point is that before people starting jerking maybe they just need to see if we are actually hard first


I don't know why I picked that analogy

2/3 of men.
2/3

 

[General Melchett]

Enthralling game. Congrats England. Fin Smith take a bow. Shout out to Baxter who was outstanding off the bench.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Borthwick says he is delighted but if you walked in with the sound off and didn't know tne result you could have thought he had lost.

 

[Booboobang]

No my point is that before people starting jerking maybe they just need to see if we are actually hard first


I don't know why I picked that analogy

Agreed, steve borthwick has a track record of edging, false dawns, premature climaxes that leave us all disapointed and unfulfilled in the end.

This could easily be ireland last year, a great win, where the opponent left a lot on the park, but no real reflection of things to come.

 

[LIONSxv]

Is this japes?

That was a 50/50 call and he then went on to win 2 pens and score a try...

Might be stuttering in the prem but past 2 games he has been solid to good.

The ref got that one wrong Antonio clearly collapsed first. Baxter elbow was down...but on top of Antonio's arm which was already on the floor

 

[Jimbo]

No my point is that before people starting jerking maybe they just need to see if we are actually hard first


I don't know why I picked that analogy

For the record I think Steward is a great lad with a positive attitude and to be fair to him hugely improved his game, unfortunately though I just don't think he's quick or agile enough at international level for a FB. It's probably too late now but if he started playing as a 12 I think his skill set would be far more suited (high ball aside) could be wrong but I believe Henshaw had a similar conundrum in his early years and to my mind has been one of the best centres in the 6 nations for quite a while.

I see this as little more than edging a tight game we have consistantly come the wrong side of but we have to start somewhere so let's try to hold onto this for the moment.

 

[higgik]

Positive
we won a tight match
Showed intensity in defence
Both Smiths looked comfortable

Negative
Still lacking attacking ideas, kicking from hands too much
Still need more speed.

 

[Saintjay]

Borthwick couldn't smile if he had a billion pounds, and a pen!s so large he looked like a half opened pen-knife.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

They both took a deal to only be the second best Irish player / European 10 of the pro era to look young forever.

ROG being the best you mean.