French did everything but score points, and their stand off was a disaster first half and with the boot. All the analysis will be on England and Jones has already said that some of today’s team won’t play again. But the attention should be on Ireland, they have beaten everyone in the last year or so, Schmidt has them incredibly well disciplined and playing to their strengths. A very strong unit, with decent depth and huge spirit. Depending on the draw should be on for the semis at least in Japan.
sb, I’d love to tell you what I really think but some on here would accuse me of being ungracious. Some of Jones comments have been nothing short of scandalous and the fact that the RFU have conveniently ignored them, tells me all I need to know about them too. There’s not 5pts between Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. There really isn’t. But I’m willing to bet now England won’t be serious contenders if they continue on the current path under Jones. He needs to concentrate on training his players rather than insulting other home nations.
Jones and to a slightly lesser extent Gatland are the signs of the ‘footballisation’ of rugby union, this crap talking by managers a la Mourinho as a part of the ‘entertainment’. It’s a tragedy. I don’t know enough about rugby to know how good a coach Jones is, he seemed to do a great job with Japan, but I don’t like the way he is the centre of attention. I suspect he has already lost the trust and confidence of a few of the England squad, and the England team always struggles against the weight of expectation, particularly when, as now our best ‘leaders’ - Hartley and Robshaw - are far from our best players (though Robshaw is one of the few to emerge from this tournament in credit in my view). All the rest just seem to try and look after their own games, pretty personality free. Best scene for me today was Bastereaud with a smile and a chat for every member of the Welsh team after he had given his all on the pitch for a loss which he didn’t deserve. Enjoy the rest of Paddy’s day, I see the Chicago River is green again today.
I think the Irish have progressed brilliantly and are probably content for England and Jones to hog the limelight and end up making fools of themselves. Since the last World Cup the Irish have improved season by season and their wins over the All Blacks have been no flukes but the result of a side that selects from only the four provinces which produces a continuity and players can fit seamlessly into the National side. England, on the other hand, seem to have lost the plot. So many talented players but they just don't seem to have gelled and as this tournament progressed they have been found out, particularly their old weakness of giving away cheap penalties. There doesn't need to be 5 points between the home countries, it's just the winning mentality that Ireland seem to have that edges the close matches as the France match proved...
