I don't have the heritage in this game that you have Nuts, though I would hope it would never take professional association football as a role model. I do remember from when my son played that there was plenty of disrespect at club level in England, even at colts level, I saw some horrible behaviour from both fans and coaches, which actually shocked me. Schools rugby was a different matter, and the standard of rugby in a certain group of schools, including the one my lad went to, was much higher too. If it upsets people and detracts from the distinctive ethos of rugby union, the RFU should have a word with Jones.
Jones's comments this week have left me feeling a little uncomfortable. I hope his over confrontational style isn't the price England need to pay to be successful. Be aggressive for sure and we certainly need a shake up following the previous coach's obvious failings. But don't go too far with it. Also, Ireland do not need winding up when coming over to do battle on English soil. All he's done is poke the bear and made me even more sure that Ireland will give England a bloody nose later.
Jones is clearly employing a more confrontational game which isn't the 'traditional' English way and in 6 Nations will stoke the opposition up even more. I think the quality of England's replacements will prove decisive today, Ireland's injury list must effect them and with home advantage I expect a 6-10 point England win...
Taking the game playing out of it, I am quite surprised that Sexton is still playing. He suffered four concussions in quick succession in 2014 and was told not to play for 3 months, and he has had a few since. Likewise George North, who had four in a row, and couldn't speak clearly for a time. The impact of concussions is cumulative, as the very sad evidence of American football is showing. The rules may have changed, or may only apply to kids, but after my lad suffered a concussion (briefly unconscious, terrifying) as a 12 year old we were very clearly told that 3 concussions and that's it, no more rugby. A lot of concussions come from poor technique, probably allied to tiredness in later stages of games. It's scary seeing someone going in to the tackle with their head in the wrong place.
Jones may feel Sextons injuries are similar to whiplash and that his parents should feel concerned. Is Jones a qualified doctor to make such an assessment? I doubt it. As Nuts says, totally unnecessary. Jones should leave it to the Irish medical staff to decide on Sextons fitness. Glad to see you all agree.
Scotland 10 points up but Italy most likely to get a try. Parisi is a magnificent player. Yellow for Scotland and it's the fly half. Excellent. Italian try within 30 seconds of the binning. Forza Italia!
Here we go. Nice if Scotland were still above Ireland after this game. The tournament needs an epic encounter, it's been a bit sloppy so far. And there we go, England giving away penalties. ****ing discipline!!!
Good pressure from England but far too many errors, sloppy passes, poor discipline. Several England players have made more yards as individuals than the entire Irish team. Have to turn the possession and territory into big points, but continual handling errors foiling us.
Will these blokes never learn? About 36 minutes of dominance for a 3 point lead first half and now Ireland have their tails up. Lots for Eddie to work on. Perhaps relative bench strength will be the decider here.
At ****ing last. Though Watson had the chance to make the kick easier for Farrell, just fell over the line. And he misses the kick. I thought Wilkinson was meant to be working with them?
