I think the bonus points system sucks balls personally
I completely agree, its going to be very difficult for anyone to catch England now, you'd expect the bonus point against Italy & probably against Scotland too, so even if Wales beat England they already don't have enough bonus points from their first 2 games
I think Sunday's game could be closer than some people are expecting. One excellent performance doesn't make England into world-beaters overnight and reading articles saying they're now potential World Cup winners strikes me as a little over the top. Like the football team, the media tends to feed a narrative of extremes - the Red Rose is either in crisis or about to knock the All Blacks off their perch - with room for anything in-between.
Can you please post again on 22nd February, playing down England's chances of beating Wales the following day please, @kinveachyaddick ?
Ha ha! Got that one horribly wrong - hands up! On the showing of the first two rounds this England side looks very good. By hook or crook, Jones seems to have found a winning balance. Wales will give them a decent test and should be a cracking test match but expect England to be 3 from 3 as they head home from Cardiff.
I think Sunday's game could be closer than some people are expecting. One excellent performance doesn't make England into world-beaters overnight and reading articles saying they're now potential World Cup winners strikes me as a little over the top. Like the football team, the media tends to feed a narrative of extremes - the Red Rose is either in crisis or about to knock the All Blacks off their perch - with room for anything in-between.
Can you please post again on 22nd February, playing down England's chances of beating Wales the following day please, @kinveachyaddick ?
Ha ha! Got that one horribly wrong - hands up! On the showing of the first two rounds this England side looks very good. By hook or crook, Jones seems to have found a winning balance. Wales will give them a decent test and should be a cracking test match but expect England to be 3 from 3 as they head home from Cardiff.
If England win the tournament now they will have done remarkably well.
Away to one of the world cup favourites, home to France and whilst they looked crap last weekend they have it in them to beat anyone, away to Wales for the first 3 games is a really hard set of opening games
Expect a right tear up in Cardiff on Saturday. England have 2 enforced changes .. Mako Vunipola is out for the rest of the tournament and his bulldozing runs and tackling will be missed. Moon is an adequate replacement at loose head, but Mako is world class nowadays and will be missed. Another Exeter Chief, Jack Nowell comes back on the wing for the injured Chris Ashton .. always a close call between these two .. Nowell's extra defensive nous may well be useful in the first half .. I'd love to see another ex south sea islander, the huge and VERY fast Joe Cokanasiga (came to UK aged 3 with his Fijian soldier dad) given a run out in the second half after England get a good lead. The Welsh will be all hwyl and passion but they are just the lesser side of two good sides and passion will not get them through 80 minutes. They have picked the erratic Anscombe at fly half, he'll be a weakness, but watch out for full back Liam Williams and George North on the wing .. look out for a tight and crackling game in the Welsh Stadium of Hate ((:>)
I can never call games at that ground between the 2 sides. The way we stifled Ireland at their own game and outright took the puss out of France has given me a lot of confidence which is hope, which is what kills us all
North and Williams are 2 genuine world class players and if Dan Biggar plays they have options to stretch the game.
If we ride out the initial storm we will win and win by breaking their spirit. Really excited for this game
Expect a right tear up in Cardiff on Saturday. England have 2 enforced changes .. Mako Vunipola is out for the rest of the tournament and his bulldozing runs and tackling will be missed. Moon is an adequate replacement at loose head, but Mako is world class nowadays and will be missed. Another Exeter Chief, Jack Nowell comes back on the wing for the injured Chris Ashton .. always a close call between these two .. Nowell's extra defensive nous may well be useful in the first half .. I'd love to see another ex south sea islander, the huge and VERY fast Joe Cokanasiga (came to UK aged 3 with his Fijian soldier dad) given a run out in the second half after England get a good lead. The Welsh will be all hwyl and passion but they are just the lesser side of two good sides and passion will not get them through 80 minutes. They have picked the erratic Anscombe at fly half, he'll be a weakness, but watch out for full back Liam Williams and George North on the wing .. look out for a tight and crackling game in the Welsh Stadium of Hate ((:>)
It's reported in today's 'Times' that Manu Tualagi has signed a pre contract agreement for €1 Million a year to play for the Paris based Racing 92 from next season .. Manu in Paree ? .. the mind boggles .. his love of a good drink and party is well documented. But, this is another example of why French International Rugby is in a mess. Like our Premier football league, their domestic RU league is awash with foreigners with little scope to develop home grown talent
Anyway, let's hope that Eddie J can keep Tuilagi fit and motivated enough to see him through the rest of this year's 6N and for the autumn's World Cup
Looking forward to this. Got the girls at their grandparents, and might have a sneaky beer (out tonight, few bevvies and the boxing... Need to pace myself these days)
Farrell’s pre kick routine is a farce. Surely there is a time limit on it. Worse than JB Holmes putting.
Clock is stopped isn't it? Doesn't really matter.
Nope. Just googled it. Kick needs to be taken within 60 seconds of the indication from the team that they want to take it even if the ball rolls over in the meantime. Clock keeps running. Farrell. must be in the limit. Even if he isn’t he’s really annoying!
Comments
I think the bonus points system sucks balls personally
Away to one of the world cup favourites, home to France and whilst they looked crap last weekend they have it in them to beat anyone, away to Wales for the first 3 games is a really hard set of opening games
Another Exeter Chief, Jack Nowell comes back on the wing for the injured Chris Ashton .. always a close call between these two .. Nowell's extra defensive nous may well be useful in the first half .. I'd love to see another ex south sea islander, the huge and VERY fast Joe Cokanasiga (came to UK aged 3 with his Fijian soldier dad) given a run out in the second half after England get a good lead.
The Welsh will be all hwyl and passion but they are just the lesser side of two good sides and passion will not get them through 80 minutes. They have picked the erratic Anscombe at fly half, he'll be a weakness, but watch out for full back Liam Williams and George North on the wing .. look out for a tight and crackling game in the Welsh Stadium of Hate ((:>)
Wales 15 v England 24
North and Williams are 2 genuine world class players and if Dan Biggar plays they have options to stretch the game.
If we ride out the initial storm we will win and win by breaking their spirit. Really excited for this game
Anyway, let's hope that Eddie J can keep Tuilagi fit and motivated enough to see him through the rest of this year's 6N and for the autumn's World Cup
UPDATE .. Leicester, Manu's club deny this report is true .. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47330384
Ill discipline began our undoing in the 2nd half IMO.
Come on now Ireland!! ☘️