Irish grind out a win in Edinburgh, not pretty but effective, Italy giving Wales a game but I guess Wales will pull away with vastly superior replacements. Though I would like Gatland’s ten changes to the team to backfire on him (it’s excellent practice for World Cup games, but a little risky here).
Another storming start from England. And I notice the big screens at Twickers say what penalties are awarded for, which is handy for people like me who struggle to keep up with the Byzantine rules of rugby. As happened in the Scotland- Ireland game yesterday, some sensationally long advantages being played. France now playing quite well, still able to do the unexpected, and the winger Penaud looks like a very exciting player.
France look dangerous when moving the ball, an entertaining match so far and England need to be careful this will be no pushover...
Great footwork from May for his second try. And now he has a hat trick inside 30 minutes. When England have the ball in an attacking position you feel a score is inevitable. Penaud being asked to cover an enormous space in defence on his own, the French fullback is useless. They pick Bastereaud, who used to be great but is now well past it, essentially to man mark Tuilagi, it means they haven’t got enough going forward. 23-3 Penaud scores, good for him. 23-8. Bonus point try before half time. England nothing like as intense as last week, but they don’t have to be. 30-8.
Penaud sums up France today, he's made several excellent runs, missed the tackle on May's hat-trick and then finishes off a try in style. French defence is almost as poor as QPR's...
Penalty try. Ashton was tackled off the ball, but I’m far from certain he would have scored the try, he still had to collect the ball which was bouncing like a, well, rugby ball. And France have a man binned. A bit harsh. 37-8.
I have just been told by my wife that I am not allowed to open the window so our neighbours, people in the street and people in the bar just down the road can hear our cheering.
England just smash the incredibly heavy French scrum. No letting up at 44-8 on 61 minutes. Excellent.
Highest points at home v France is 55, biggest winning margin 37 points. Let’s see. Quiet last 20 minutes. Good win, poor opposition, French rugby looks like a mess, can’t see how they will turn this round before the World Cup. Now I am worried about England peaking too soon. I had doubts about Jones as we lost our way a bit last season, thought he might be a short term impact coach, but testing out players and tactics might have been part of a master plan for the World Cup build up. Hope so.
Great performance by England. Game plan well thought out by Jones. So often in the past, England kicking just gave possession away. Real weapon in attack today
Big day. I’m going to shake off jet lag by walking the dog now and settle in for the Wales England match. I really can’t fall that one, England have played well over my expectations so far this series, and Wales are winning despite being well below their best. I suspect they have always focussed on this match, and it’s in Cardiff. Could be epic.
Agreed, it's a mouth-watering encounter. If England produce the form, the intelligent kicking and lightening running, that they have in the last two matches, then they'll win. But Cardiff is not an easy place to go to and when the Welsh play there against the English, they always play out of their skin!
Here we go, with my Welsh wife tearing up at the singing of the Welsh anthem, as is traditional. England haven’t scored after 4 minutes, shocking.
This is a good contest. Not the most flowing game but huge intensity, and a very well taken poachers try from Curry.
