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

[Vieux Talonneur]

Tom Curry has been immense the past couple of games but I feel like a lot of people had forgotten how good he is.

He has. The straightforward reason is because we haven't seen him influencing matches like that in a long time. Like Itoje he built up a massive reputation and then for an extended period didn't really live up those heights. Great to see him back at those levels.

B Curry previously looked a little out of his depth at this level. No longer.

I also definitely think we tend to look better when Chessum's on the pitch.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I know but come on if a pass or 2 had gone to hand SB's head would be called for.

We played very well is the second half but vs your lot we held out well and we're physical in defence but today just seemed to be caught out wide by a more attacking team.

We seemed to be less intense with the blitz leading to more energy late on and having the chance to win.




But I worry Scotland will go all out coast to coast and catch us put early. Putting us chasing the game.


God you'd think I'm negative after today...im really not I loved that game and great effort to come back I'm just under no illusion.


Last thing I'll say I the reason I've been so annoyed with the losses from this team is because I actually like the team, squad and even the way we play so it gets frustrating to lose, almost unfortunate that Ireland, France and SA are so good at once with NZ and Scotland having good form and Argentina/Italy no longer being a joke.

So so many narrow losses are not embarrassing just annoying.

Ah I'm only joking!

Defence is a growing process, Neinaber said it takes 14 games to implement when taking charge of Leinster and we didn'ttop the URC league last year off the back of that but now have the meanest defence in Europe (arguably including international sides imo). Ireland made a lot of metres out wide last week too but it's easier to scramble v Lowe and Hansen than LBB and Penaud. I'm not exactly sure what England's plan in defence is against wide attacks but Scotland will put even more pressure on the esges with a better 10 and midfield than France had today and they'll attack with more structure so it'll become clearer.

I'm not convinced by Steve and co off the back of this either really. It was very similar to our game last year where England hung on, fed off the crowd and punished us for not taking opportunities to put it away but those sort of wins against better opposition are needed inntimes of growth. A win v Scotland obviously keeps him his job but if I was a fan I'd want to see a win with a cushion or at least a little but of comfortability late on as a sign of progress. One score games leave things out of a team's control and results aren't sustainable with them as England know well.

 

[West Country Wail]

Shout out to Sleightholme today. The addition of raw pace got us out of a few sticky situations today. Good job Lombroso's theory of crime was disproven for his sake.

I saw a huge step up in physicality this game by England. We'll be vulnerable out wide against "Scottish" flyers/big boys but we'll be going straight through them with Fin leading the way.

All the best tomorrow, mind.

 

[TopTen2003]

So pleased with todays win, but I was so impressed with France.

There's no doubt they are going to be contenders at the next WC, surely?

Ntamack let them down not being available today, think he just oils the machine so well for them when he plays 10.

Heck of a physical and skilful side, some test match that was.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Heheheh

 

[Geordie]

I'm a massive fan of Sleightholme but I still think his defence is a "work in progress " with positioning efc. Hopefully they'll continue to work on it at Saints and he'll become really top class.

 

[OllyM97]

Galthié joins the chopping block?

I'll be interested to see how France react to this game when they play Italy. I have to say there's a bit of me that thinks that they could completely implode in very typically French fashion. They would have expected to go to Dublin 3/3 and that's not going to happen. Granted it's unlikely that the Italians would turn them over but weird things have happened to France in the 6 Nations when they've been on the road for a few weeks in a row and momentum has started to go against them. I don't think the French team spirit is always great when things start going wrong.

As for Galthie, if they lose to Ireland in Dublin and finish maybe 3rd, then really I think his job should be under threat. One ***le in 6 years with this group of players should be classed as nowhere near good enough. I have to say, for a team with such awesome individuals, France often look lost in attack and almost rely on Dupont to get it going again. In terms of structure and shape, Ireland are a far better team and a lot of that is due to very good coaching. I don't think Galthie is a great coach at this level, there are experienced international coaches that would get far more out of this group. France have underachieved in recent years given the talent they have got.

 

[Toulousain ex French fan]

I'll be interested to see how France react to this game when they play Italy. I have to say there's a bit of me that thinks that they could completely implode in very typically French fashion. They would have expected to go to Dublin 3/3 and that's not going to happen. Granted it's unlikely that the Italians would turn them over but weird things have happened to France in the 6 Nations when they've been on the road for a few weeks in a row and momentum has started to go against them. I don't think the French team spirit is always great when things start going wrong.

As for Galthie, if they lose to Ireland in Dublin and finish maybe 3rd, then really I think his job should be under threat. One ***le in 6 years with this group of players should be classed as nowhere near good enough. I have to say, for a team with such awesome individuals, France often look lost in attack and almost rely on Dupont to get it going again. In terms of structure and shape, Ireland are a far better team and a lot of that is due to very good coaching. I don't think Galthie is a great coach at this level, there are experienced international coaches that would get far more out of this group. France have underachieved in recent years given the talent they have got.

Hey have you been reading my posts, you're stealing all my lines.

After tonight's display I'm cool with anything that hastens Galthié's and Edwards departure.

Edwards is apparently on his way out. He said he wants to join the Lions tour. Can you take him back? He was useful up until the 2022 GS, not any more. Let him go (gracefully).
Under Galthié and his staff les Bleus have gone in full reverse. They are a shadow of the team that scored +50 pts two years ago at the same venue. There's very little interaction between the players even among the Toulouse players. Their communication and body language said enough. No need to blame the greasy ball…
Lets see how much more of that shite Dupont and Co are prepared to take. They're used to winning at Toulouse, back to back ***les. They are not going to settle for another 2nd place or worse and have to listen to Galthié prattle on in the media until March. It's torture... The dressing room will eventually turn. The sooner, the better. A generational talent like Dupont needs a cockroach like Galthié like i need an infected scrotum.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Galthie is definitely coasting off superior talent. French tries usually come out of nowhere and they are usually broken play at some point. Maybe galthie is really good with the vibes but he doesn't seem to do much coaching.

Ramos looked real confused after he got turned over and it seemed he authentically didn't know why the clear outs weren't getting there.

There just doesn't seem to be any structure, just line up somewhere and hope to get the ball.

And yes: I did say galthie should have gone last year, certified genius

 

[Rinkadink]

And will SB be moaning tonight that our players aren't fit enough?

Don't forget the recent comment that the premiership means his players cannot close out or find a way to win in a close match?

 

[IT157]

Hey have you been reading my posts, you're stealing all my lines.

After tonight's display I'm cool with anything that hastens Galthié's and Edwards departure.

Edwards is apparently on his way out. He said he wants to join the Lions tour. Can you take him back? He was useful up until the 2022 GS, not any more. Let him go (gracefully).
Under Galthié and his staff les Bleus have gone in full reverse. They are a shadow of the team that scored +50 pts two years ago at the same venue. There's very little interaction between the players even among the Toulouse players. Their communication and body language said enough. No need to blame the greasy ball…
Lets see how much more of that shite Dupont and Co are prepared to take. They're used to winning at Toulouse, back to back ***les. They are not going to settle for another 2nd place or worse and have to listen to Galthié prattle on in the media until March. It's torture... The dressing room will eventually turn. The sooner, the better. A generational talent like Dupont needs a cockroach like Galthié like i need an infected scrotum.

You could how rudderless they were without Dupont and Ntamack last year against Ireland.

They should have lost to Italy as well.