Well I missed the game due to being on a series of trains back from that dump Reading, where I witnessed a shocker between Irish and Quins...
Anyway I've now watched the entire game on tape and I can say the following:
1. It is a measure of how good Wales are that they can not play very well, come up against an England side really handing out fire, and still win. They could easily have lost that game, but at the same time they were always in the lead and this is another stepping stone to what, unfortunately, is looking like becoming a great Welsh team.
2. Much better effort from England. I said we needed to get the physical edge back into our game and we did.
3. Sheridan had a much better game ball carrying, and the scrums seemed to be even, which seemed about fair.
4. Much more impressed with Borthwick today as well, not least for his tackling.
5. Obviously Worsley had a cracker. I was one of many people who was disappointed by his selection, but I could also see why it was made, because of his doggish nature. Really good game, he is still not a long-term option at 7 for us and he's going to be ancient come 2011 so I question whether it's worth having him around at 6 or 8.
6. I was impressed with Haskell. He was all over the field, and based on yesterday and last week, seems to be getting close to his form of last season. Most importantly, he conceeded 0 penalties.
7. Easter wasn't particularly bad, but he was overshadowed by the efforts of of the England flankers, and I'd have a think about putting Narraway in at 8 next week.
8. Ellis had another great game. f*** all the haters, watch how aware he was in defence; covering kicks and tackling in midfield like an extra flanker. Put in a few good kicks too.
9. Goode and even Flood looked good. Problem is, neither can kick. Also, I can't trust Goode to string 2 quality performances together given he never has at any level. Cipriani to be included in next match squad.
10. Flutey had his best game for England. If he plays like that every time, then he's got my vote for the 12 shirt. Tindall did nothing all game and I repeat: Matthew Tait.
11. Very happy with the back 3. Armitage had a cracker. I personally see him as at least equal to Kearney. Cueto and Sackey both tried things and Sackey took his try very well and nearly scored a second.
12. I thought we can have a lot of complaints about referreeing consistency. We can't complain about the penalties because we were indisciplined, and gave them away under pressure. But if Kaplan was going to be hard on us and send players to the bin, then he has to do the same to Wales. Lee Byrne, for the second time in 2 weeks, escaped a binning for foul play (taking Armitage in the air). It looked very similar to Geraghty's last week. And Martyn Williams was called up at least twice, and should have got a binning as well on the principle of even-handedness. It is not an excuse for us, just a hindrance.
13. We found out a lot more about some of the Welsh players who've bee on the receiving end of major praise recently. Jenkins and Jones are both clasping possible Lions starting places at prop, they both played very well. Rees was much better as well yesterday, particularly in the loose. Alun Wyn-Jones and Ryan Jones were excellent. Byrne showed some very nice touches too as usual, and Halfpenny didn't put a foot wrong.
14. Andy Powell needs a big game next time out because it's looking more and more like his outstanding Autumn form was simply form. Don't forget we haven't seen him sustain anything for a few years, so I'm not counting chickens for him. Worsley did a Betsen on Jamie Roberts, and it wasn't really JR's fault he couldn't impact more on the game. But you'd expect Shanklin to take up the mantle.
15. Even though they could easily have lost, I can see this Wales side getting more battle hardened; they're confident and now they're getting experience of simply winning. Looking ominous for the near future.
16. Hopefully England can use this as a confidence platform to go on and become a competitive team again. What has angered us most recently is that we've been 'flat' in everything we do. Yesterday brought back some fire, and even though Wales look like dominating the NH for the next few years, we've now shown that we can mix it with the best sides. If we move on from this, we can be in the World's top 5 teams.
