S
stormmaster1
Guest
finally got some time in the middle of night shifts to do important things like talk about rugby...........
Some thoughts on the game:
1. Really intense game from the off. France were giving it everything in attack, but England's defensive display was the best i've seen for a long time. They won the game in defense and especially the contact area. France were hitting the ball at pace and many times got good quick ball but by winning the collisions we stopped their attacks getting more dangerous as the phases rolled up resulting in them running sideways into touch. special mention to Lipman for 21 tackles!!!!!!! The intesity and the defensive focus finally gave the team a common goal (other than trying to win) and probably helped the team gel and create spirit and cohesion. It was sheer brute force and bloody-mindedness that has been the hallmarks of all the best English sides, so it's nice to get some back in the team.
2. noon's try. It hit his hand. But it was still a great example of England's tough defence.
3. Balshaw. His best game yet in a way. France having the ball and rarely kicking it meant his mistakes were fewer and cost us less than previous matches. Had we had more attacking possesion or had france kicked more. he needs to go, especially with the previously out-of-form Lewsey doing well at Wasps.
4. we started to use the volcano. Everytime he took the ball up he caused the french tacklers problems. 1 charge and quick ball set up the drop goal. More of this please Mr Ashton.
5. the scrum. We got several penalties (some converted by Wilko) and ruined some french ball. This could have been the difference in such a tight game.
6. Regan. Love him or loathe him he did his job. If you are relying on your defence it helps if the opposition make errors and get riled. Regan simply helps this. He's not the best hooker in the world, but on a day like saturday he was just what we needed.
7. France. played with adventure and no little skill. I don't think they were poor by any stretch of the imagination, but they lacked some muscle up front and probably needed a couple of big impact runners in the pack to straighten things up when it slows down before it gets lateral and they run into touch. They always looked only an offload away from breaking the English defence but they never quite made it. I don't think France will look back and think they need to change their approach totally. Lievremont is more likely to see where they go wrong with this and what they need to do when things aren't quite working and what else he can add to make the running game more effective. France were penalised at their own scrum when they had the whole field to work with. Imagine what damage their backs could do from a strong scrum which wheels the opposition back row away from the action. I still think they will win the tournament by winning in Cardiff, but they may need to rack up the points v Italy in case Wales win in Dublin.
Ok. rant over.
Some thoughts on the game:
1. Really intense game from the off. France were giving it everything in attack, but England's defensive display was the best i've seen for a long time. They won the game in defense and especially the contact area. France were hitting the ball at pace and many times got good quick ball but by winning the collisions we stopped their attacks getting more dangerous as the phases rolled up resulting in them running sideways into touch. special mention to Lipman for 21 tackles!!!!!!! The intesity and the defensive focus finally gave the team a common goal (other than trying to win) and probably helped the team gel and create spirit and cohesion. It was sheer brute force and bloody-mindedness that has been the hallmarks of all the best English sides, so it's nice to get some back in the team.
2. noon's try. It hit his hand. But it was still a great example of England's tough defence.
3. Balshaw. His best game yet in a way. France having the ball and rarely kicking it meant his mistakes were fewer and cost us less than previous matches. Had we had more attacking possesion or had france kicked more. he needs to go, especially with the previously out-of-form Lewsey doing well at Wasps.
4. we started to use the volcano. Everytime he took the ball up he caused the french tacklers problems. 1 charge and quick ball set up the drop goal. More of this please Mr Ashton.
5. the scrum. We got several penalties (some converted by Wilko) and ruined some french ball. This could have been the difference in such a tight game.
6. Regan. Love him or loathe him he did his job. If you are relying on your defence it helps if the opposition make errors and get riled. Regan simply helps this. He's not the best hooker in the world, but on a day like saturday he was just what we needed.
7. France. played with adventure and no little skill. I don't think they were poor by any stretch of the imagination, but they lacked some muscle up front and probably needed a couple of big impact runners in the pack to straighten things up when it slows down before it gets lateral and they run into touch. They always looked only an offload away from breaking the English defence but they never quite made it. I don't think France will look back and think they need to change their approach totally. Lievremont is more likely to see where they go wrong with this and what they need to do when things aren't quite working and what else he can add to make the running game more effective. France were penalised at their own scrum when they had the whole field to work with. Imagine what damage their backs could do from a strong scrum which wheels the opposition back row away from the action. I still think they will win the tournament by winning in Cardiff, but they may need to rack up the points v Italy in case Wales win in Dublin.
Ok. rant over.
