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[2025 Six Nations] Ireland vs England - 01/02/25

Well….

Where did Itoje go as captain and player?

Martin had a decent 30 minutes and then disappeared.

Late try notwithstanding yet another anonymous display from Freeman.

Etc.

Bit of gloss on the scoreboard with late tries but really that was poor against a less than peak Ireland.

Where now? TBH I hope Dupont and his mates come and give us a total thumping to force change. Current regime isn't working and won't work.
Freeman went OK and like the rest of his team in the first half was pretty busy. Was poor for one of Irelands scores.

Not sure what you expect from Itoje. Who would have done better as captain in all honesty. The drop of in the last twenty is a coaching issue of some sort. It's well identified yet still a problem.
 
And **** the bed twice
On his first cap under alot of pressure, got the ball let it go over the line and the player's came to him quickly he didn't get it, he needs to learn from this but there were good points.

I'm a fan of Sleightholm fan but he had made def mistakes....im sure Roebuck is perfect and never would make a mistake...did well vs Japan so he's perfect.

Murley did alot well
 
The standard of the Premiership isn't going to any benefit to the national side. You can see it in the champions cup this season where the English sides can compete and beat the weaker Irish and Frech sides but well off the likes Leinster, Toulouse, Bordeaux, La Rochelle etc.
 
Who do you bring in?
Well obviously Daly 😉

Seriously though, If Sleightholme is fit I'd go with him.
Edit, forgot about Roebuck. Him v Sleightholme

Steward caught again in defence...does make me wonder why Carpenter isn't involved
 
I'm also not convinced by Genge these days. In fact I hope the entire from row ..Sela, Fasogabon, Iyogun, Haffar can come through quickly
 
IMG_20250201_190738.jpg


Standard Dawson, the wake up call was a year ago.
 

Keenan-7/10
Hansen - 6/10
Ringrose - 7/10
AkI - 7/10
Lowe - 8/10
Prendergast - 4/10
Gibson-Park - 8/10
Porter - 6/10
Kelleher - 6/10
Bealham - 6/10
Ryan - 6/10
Beirne - 6/10
Baird - 6/10
van de Flier - 7/10
Doris - 6/10
No score for the bench but praise for Conan, Sheehan and Crowley.


Steward - 4/10
Freeman - 6/10
Lawrence - 7/10
Slade - 6/10
Murley - 4/10
M Smith - 6/10
Mitchell - 5/10
Genge - 6/10
Cowan-Dickie - 6/10
Stuart - 6/10
Itoje - 8/10
Martin - 7/10
T Curry - 7/10
B Curry - 7/10
Earl - 6/10
Replacements - 3/10 (Mild praise for F Smith)
 
Not sure where England are going from here tbh.

We are lacking physicality in terms of winning the collisions, we haven't really made a dent in midfield again.

I have a lot of time for Steve Borthwick. Intelligent man, good rugby guy, and generally an excellent, highly detailed coach, but I just don't think he's the ruthless man you need to lead the England national team.

That said- does any coach turn this squad into something more? Or are we player-limited?
 
I thought England played very in places but the subs didn't have any real impact with the drop in tempo coming almost as Earl came off and CCS came on.

The fitness levels are a worry. Yes they were under alot of pressure and they defended well at times but Ireland seemed much fresher overall and once Prendergrasslegs came off really turned turned the screw so no complaints from this Englishman but I will add that Lowe is grade A throbber and don't want him anywhere near a Lions shirt.
 
In my view, the fantastical invention of a penalty for a non existent push was a massive momentum swing. I hope the French teach you a lesson.
 

Keenan-7/10
Hansen - 6/10
Ringrose - 7/10
AkI - 7/10
Lowe - 8/10
Prendergast - 4/10
Gibson-Park - 8/10
Porter - 6/10
Kelleher - 6/10
Bealham - 6/10
Ryan - 6/10
Beirne - 6/10
Baird - 6/10
van de Flier - 7/10
Doris - 6/10
No score for the bench but praise for Conan, Sheehan and Crowley.


Steward - 4/10
Freeman - 6/10
Lawrence - 7/10
Slade - 6/10
Murley - 4/10
M Smith - 6/10
Mitchell - 5/10
Genge - 6/10
Cowan-Dickie - 6/10
Stuart - 6/10
Itoje - 8/10
Martin - 7/10
T Curry - 7/10
B Curry - 7/10
Earl - 6/10
Replacements - 3/10 (Mild praise for F Smith)
Harsh on Steward. He wasn't as bad as Murley. Also the Curry brothers should have been on 8 and Itoje 6 or 7.
 

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