So a bit of reflection now that everything's calmed down a bit.
Very well done to get the result. Looking at the way everyone else is going 4 wins should now be realistic.
But let's also be honest. France chucked that away through some dire handling and a bench of 9 year olds. 95 times out of 100 they'd have won that. But fair play to us for staying in the fight and finding a way.
But, parking the late drama, I actually thought our first half in Dublin was more persuasive and authoritative.
So onto the cast list…..
1. Genge. I'd still like to see more from him. Our pen count was low but he still managed to give away 2. If there were prizes for running sideways he'd win every time. You don't throw away his level of experience lightly but I'm hoping Baxter can back up his cameo on Saturday.
2. LCD. Darts never perfect but fine, he's aggressive and keeps his place.
3. Stuart. Has nailed down the shirt. Not destined to be an all time great, but going OK. Brain fade to give France possession for their first try.
4. Itoje. Thought he was fine. He was skipper so takes some credit for the result, but was only seconds away from brickbats for another narrow defeat.
5. Martin. Did his stuff OK but want to see more. One line out went straight through his hands, can't recall (m)any others thrown to him.
6. Curry. Outstanding, did exactly what the hype says he can. Lost one own ball line out at the front when the French jumper got in front of him. Looked to be struggling with an injury towards the end.
7. Earl. Better, but still not convinced that he's quite where he'd want to be. Curry (both) better than him at 7, Willis better at 8. Might find himself on the bench where he'd be a great option.
8. Willis. Decent, but not earth shattering as you'd expect for his first proper start. Having a powerful 8 is a good thing though and we should invest in him and CCS.
9. Mitchell. No competition for the shirt. Went fine but defensive stats lousy for the second week in a row.
10. F Smith. Shaky start, not an 80 minute performance but grew into the game and had a calm head when it counted. Suspect players around him may 'get' him more than M Smith.
11. Sleightholme. Nice to have some gas in the team. Narrow like everyone else in defence. Deserves more chances. Bad hairstyle.
12. Slade. Missed one bad pen to touch otherwise I thought OK if unremarkable. Definitely better in more open games.
13. Lawrence I thought went pretty well again. Shirt is his for the foreseeable. He's a strong guy, but just need to keep reminding ourselves that he's not an out and out bosher.
14. Freeman. Much better, well done. We just need to find ways of keeping him involved.
15. M Smith. Jury has to be out, but he's got to be given the rest of the championship. An undercooked Furbank shouldn't be rushed back.
Bench. Impactful, for once. Well done them, and also to SB for not just blindly using them all.
, it would be foolish to throw in someone simply for 'go forward'. I admit he has lost pace but the system under Fin will see him more involved. The missed touch can't be dwelled upon as getting that extra inch down the line is why they give him the ball. He can cover 10 and his goal kicking has been exceptional in moments of high tension. Did France get through him and Lawrence? No. Let it grow
