Not going so well but also backed both teams to get ten points in each half and it would be rude to not let them have one try.
I thought Underhill had gone off. I don’t understand why Care kicked the ball away with 4 minutes to go
The result of years of mismanagement by the WRU - its failure to fund and support the Regions properly/sufficiently and their development pathways.
It does give you some pleasure. It’s ok to admit it. The football team has called up Morgan Fox so these are dark days for Welsh sport.
Cracking game but we threw that away. Chessum has the brain of a flea ffs, so many dumb pens given away , it is still the one constant in the England gane that keeps hurting us. Mitchell had a shocker, constantly fumbling the ball and relentlessly kicking box kicks that none of our players could get to. On the other hand , Smith was superb after coming on, and now is the time going forward to start him every game no matter what position it is. Best of all though is Earl, Jesus this guy's a superstar and would probably be in every sides starting 15. He just keeps getting better and better every game. Next time we see England a few of that squad would've departed and I wouldn't mind seeing a few others leave never to be seen again. There are positives in our performances but we've got to stamp out the dumb penalty concessions and improve in the forward area to challenge for the 6 Nations crown. Ireland worthy champions overall again !
Great game. England are improving steadily and playing good, often attacking rugby. It was just individual arrors and decisions that cost England the win. As I have said before, I really don't think Mitchell is good enough and he was poor again. However, why the **** did Care kick the ball away with 4 minutes remaining? Surely that was the time for the forwards to stick it up their jumpers? We're so good at ball carrying now across the gain line and Earle is world class. I thought the England replacements were too early and definitely weakened us. Maybe they were necessary, but they seemed too many too soon. The future is bright and fair play to Borthwick, who is slowly getting it right.
England are getting there. The shoots were there and have come to the surface in the last few weeks. England always had the players, just the system wasn’t working. Give SB time. The summer and autumn internationals will give him more time working with the players. I can’t reiterate enough how hard it is to win an away game in the 6N’s. Very proud countries. This year has been a big step in the right direction for England, Italy and Wales. You’ve got to feel for Wales. I do. I love what Gatland is doing. That takes balls. He’s cleaned it out and is playing the kids. This will serve them well in the next 2-3 years. The shape is there, just not the size and power…yet. They will be back for sure, but the rubbish spouted above about removing them is laughable, disrespectful and shows a clear lack of understanding of their situation. Easy to look at them getting the wooden spoon and thinking it’s been disastrous but the clean out had to happen. Their supporters were super yesterday, shouting the kids on. They know the story. Was super impressed by that.
The ominous lesson for all of us, is that Italy are tired of being the whipping boys. I hope their huge improvement is permanent, but it will lead to musical chairs for several nations each year to avoid being the one that ends up holding the wooden spoon!
Cheers QPRNUTS! To be honest, the WRU’s negativity towards the Regions, their niggardly approach and their inability/unwillingness to change contributed, in part, to my decision to step away from personal involvement. If only Wales had a model/system similar to Ireland where you are all aligned and ‘on the same page’.
I agree. France were the whipping boys for years when they first joined the 5 Nations - they’ve not done too badly
