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

[BrokenWing]

Really Steve?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

England's Intensity for the first 60 was class. Their breakdown work was brilliant. Contestable kicking excellent. I think they executed their gameplan very well, it just wasn't a gameplan to beat a top international side away from home. Don't think Borthwick is that guy, he doesn't understand it yet.

Can't work out whether you're taking the p*ss or not, but either way that's priceless.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Can't work out whether you're taking the p*ss or not, but either way that's priceless.

Which part?

 

[Abraxaz]

View attachment 22789

Really Steve?

man is the poster child of jobs for the boys and for too many hits to the head.

But don't worry we're still progressing every so slowly down the drain..

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Which part?

The you executed the wrong game plan very well.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Where have you been for years? It's premiership rugby that is second rate, the URC and Top14 are tougher competitions.



The premiership season is utterly f***ed. There are multiple month gaps between fixtures and the salary cap is making talent flood out to other leagues around the world plus failing to bring in enough world class players from elsewhere.

There needs to be less emphasis international rugby and a minimum of a 14 team premiership ASAP. Which club do you support?

I've previously said that the Prem isn't the greatest preparation for the international stage. And been flamed for it.

So one simple question. Why is it that so many of those who look stellar at club level make so much less impact in a white shirt?

 

[Saintjay]

Honestly, I think I'm done with this place. All people seem to want to do is focus on the negative.

I think we put in a pretty decent performance overall. Losing to a good team doesn't make you 'shite'.

No it doesn't.

Most England fans want the team to do well, and that means winning. For every pro there's at least a negative and many of the faults are persistent and on going. It's the continued promise of jam tomorrow.

We are 5/13 since the RWC with one win against teams above us. Then it's Italy, Wales and Japan. Realistically it's going to be 5/14 next week. That's a terrible win ratio for England. It's difficult to see the positives for fans.

Personally I think we are an average side who are in an era of a better French and Irish side and a good Scotland team.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

The you executed the wrong game plan very well.

Ah fair, I didn't mean wrong gameplan more that it was too limited.

Like England came to attack the breakdown, did that well. Gain territory and opportunities threw contestables, did that well. Counter attack when Ireland didn't kick deep, did that well until Ireland stopped giving the opportunities. But it kind of stopped there, inside Ireland's 10m it was hard running and low diagonal kicks and little else. Don't know what that was trying to achieve. They had the foundations to build the house and the workers but it looked like the foreman left them to their own devices to figure out how to put it together.

Compare that to Ireland who kind of had had two very different gameplans. First 60, we played through 10, very territorial and very heads up attacking the edges when we could. The accuracy wasn't there through a lot of errors, forced and unforced by near equal measure, but in other games that results in a lot more points. Then when the bench came on, it was a bit more off 9, more strike plays and a lot more rehearsed to attack England in areas they weren't expecting because they hadn't had to defend them up to that point.

I think the 2nd half up until Sheehan's try showed the disparity between the coaching more than anything else. Ireland were fluid, playing how and where they wanted to for the most part and created and finished scoring opportunities. England were still getting turnovers and winning the aerial battle but didn't seem to know how to attack.

 

[IT157]

View attachment 22789

Really Steve?

Actually I agree with him. I thought the attack looked a lot more dangerous and promising when we were in the opposing 22.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

In the Autumn against the big 3 we conceded 12 tries - 4 per game. We conceded another 4 in this match. Whether systemic or individual failings this simply has to improve if we're to stand a chance of beating decent opposition.

 

[big ginger 8]

Think people are massively underrating Slendergast's contribution. Conan and Sheehan worked perfectly as tactical subs.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Think people are massively underrating Slendergast's contribution. Conan and Sheehan worked perfectly as tactical subs.

thought Pendergast played poorly, like a replacement level champions cup flyhalf would have put Ireland in a better spot by just making constant safe passes.

 

[IT157]

England were better when Saracens were cheating and getting away with it.

 

[Geordie]

I've previously said that the Prem isn't the greatest preparation for the international stage. And been flamed for it.

So one simple question. Why is it that so many of those who look stellar at club level make so much less impact in a white shirt?

I think this is the critical point.

You watch the prem at the moment and it's like a 7s game with optional defence.

I keep going back to Rob Baxter stating we've forgotten how to scrummage last season, etc etc. but it's true. We've built Props more like flankers.
Murley is a good winger, there's no doubt in my opinion, but he was not prepared for what was coming. Rabbit in the headlights. That shouldn't be happening.

When you get to this level all those things matter.

 

[ncurd]

Actually I agree with him. I thought the attack looked a lot more dangerous and promising when we were in the opposing 22.

I agree too, it's the last 20/30. We're playing 75% of the game well but so shite in that other 25% we lose any parity we've gained.

I know we were dropping off before the bench but its simply not good enough currently. And that is what is costing us games against better ranked sides.

England aren't improving in the areas they need to quickly enough and I'm tired of signs of improvement.

Realistically we have no chance next week. But England's goal should be being competitive enough to win championships. We're a 4th place side currently and don't even look to be causing an upset.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

In the Autumn against the big 3 we conceded 12 tries - 4 per game. We conceded another 4 in this match. Whether systemic or individual failings this simply has to improve if we're to stand a chance of beating decent opposition.

Henry Slade confident England have fixed defence after sloppy autumn

Steve Borthwick’s players ‘know what we’re doing’ by taking more hands-on approach after a disappointing November campaign

www.theguardian.com

 

[TommiG88]

I always laugh at the complaints about the referee when the two worst referees in international rugby are English so England never have to suffer them.

We also have the best refs too….

 

[TSPopinjay]

Marcus Smith once against demonstrating how overrated he is.

 

[j-dawg]

Is this the longest spell of mediocrity an England team has gone through in the professional era? I can't remember an extended run quite like this with no hope in sight. It doesn't look like it's going to get better any time soon and quite frankly I can't see a way out.

 

[General Melchett]

We also have the best refs too….

I think many England fans are at a crossroads. Do they continue supporting England or do they become game law geeks and start supporting Luke Pearce and Karl Dickson.