Thus far, England have steamrollered but the try by Ireland just now was the highlight (so far) of this game. Good, intelligent play. The disallowed Hartley try was a pity but the camera caught the double play so fair enough.
Enjoying different climes eh, Presumably close to a TV for this afternoon's events?
Would be interesting if France continued the improvements and started what we would all like to see the 'old-fashioned' throwing the ball around and running like mad. The under'20's do it, so I don't think it can be too far away - we can only hope.
The Kiwis work on the principle of keeping the ball 'live' as much as possible, so if it works for the best team on the planet, we can look forward to others seeing the benefits.
Anyway take care and enjoy the weekend (few clouds in this area domestically for some unknown reason). I will hide in full view of the box!!
Cheers!
Just got back from town Norman (i'm currently near Albi fr the weekend) and saw some of the headlines. Most, if not all the papers I looked at praised the French teams performancedespite the loss. They seemed more enthousiastic than the the two victories, especially the dire performance versus the Italians. This is a big vote of confidence for Noves and the team. England v France should be a cracker !
Yes, I feel some of the negative vibes over the refs is a bit unjustfied. I don't think Barnes did much wrong yesterday and although there will always be inconsistencies I feel the general level of reffing is ok.
Peter,
I think the rules have mostly been like the French Rules of the Road - 'interesting suggestions' but nothing more!
Let's face it these are predicated on giving the referee 'wide discretion and interpretation' (according to my somewhat dated Book of Rules ) so inevitably there will be argument. I did find it interesting when Referee Barnes reversed his decision against France though - albeit under a different 'infringement'? He was correct to do so as I looked and looked at all the replays and couldn't see anything untoward at all.
Took a bit of courage to do that.
I remember playing in one game where one of my mates went galloping off in the mud only to drop the ball before he got to the line. He turned the air blue with self-vituperation, and promptly got sent off for 'ungentlemanly behaviour'! The rest of us just returned to the more gentlemanly proceedings of trying to knock seven bells out of each other!
Who says it's daft game?
Guirado was MOM for me too, by a mile ! (don't know who the official MOM was ?)
I don't have a problem wth the hooker, or anyone else being skip, the team spirit and confidence overrides anything. A winning team will be ok whoever the skip is IMO. I was impressed with the attitude when attacking. The forwards were ready to try anything which made it exciting and unpredictable for me, more like the 'old France' I was weaned on (J-P Rives etc)
Regarding the rules - I recall our very own Nick Ord tellng me a few years back when he was still playing for one of the local teams. I watched the game which ended up with the usual mudbath & punch-ups and after the final whistle when the bodies had been mopped up from the battlefield I asked the mercurial half-back (his words !)
" Nico, Why did the ref give a penalty and send off the no.10 when he didn't appear to do anything untoward ? "
In his best Teeside/French accent he said
" Pete, aye doen't ave a cloo maete, the forwards heve e compleatley different set of ruels to tha reast of oos"
The replacements seem willy-nilly tho' i'm sure there are actually some rules to adhere to !
Peter, I am with you all the way on the French captain, who from total anonymity in previous matches came into his own, and in my book was Man of the Match. He was everywhere or so it seemed. However I do have my doubts with having a Captain in that position as a general rule. I think someone on the half-back line is better placed to judge the overall game, but I acknowledge as ever there can be exceptions.
England if Brown and Robertson(?) can be pinned down notably are a very beatable side in my view. They are still too ponderous a side for me, but their physical strength cannot be underestimated. Even if too many tire, as ever the bench is full of lookalike clones to replace them.
Incidentally and I am always open to admitting my ignorance on certain things, but when did the laws restricting numbers of replacement players get changed - or indeed was it ever in place? I seem to recall there was a 5-man limit at some point, or is my memory at fault? Now there seems a never-ending stream of replenishments available.
I have to say I really enjoyed the Wales v France game. The French played well, better than in their first two games despite losing to a superbly drilled Welsh defence. For me the French captain was excellent both as hooker and skip. The signs have to be good for the French with some good talent coming through it seems.
All the remaining games will be tough fo England, they could win or lose all three !
Not so sure. I get the feeling Wales are playing a more 'intelligent' game than England this year. That could be enough if they keep their nerve. They deserved yesterday's win but I agree France is not all doom and gloom. They looked as though they were suffering lack of cohesion which could well be the fact they play their club rugby without time off for the 6N period in which to train and bond together. The England France game should be interesting but the Twickers so-called advantage has so often created overconfidence that has been the home side's downfall. So no way it is predictable. England Wales will be the clincher and Wales have it all to play for where the intelligent play and exploiting opposition's errors could give them the edge and the win.
Well, probably a bit early to review this weekend with two games still to go, but here's my take on the Wales V France game.
You might be a bit surprised to hear that I don't see it all doom and gloom for France, although you don't win games with something like 30% possession. Wales were clear victors and deservedly so, but why was ultimately the margin so close? If I was Gatland that would trouble me a bit - so much possession but so little on the board?
When the teams lined up it was pretty obvious that France were in for a hard game. Too underpowered. It was odd to me that the scrum had a 25KG advantage to Wales, but looked more. The French scrum did well, but out in loose play the two second rowers didn't have any authority at all.
Two glaring areas of attention to me was 1) France never took ONE high ball in competitive play - not one! BIG problem. 2) was almost unbelievable to me, each attack was made by a single player with no attached support, and was naturally snuffed out easily. The poor old French No10 had one of 'those days' when everything he touched went bad. It happens.
I thought Wales were very good, notably in defence and the rapidity with which they took out Medane when he must have thought he was in for a good chance was remarkable. It was this factor that I think will trouble England when they meet, but Twickenham home advantage (?) - hmm that's always hard to beat as always.
Overall, I thought Novés left the changes too late, as the heavy guys made their presence felt very quickly when they finally got on the field. However, I still continue to be impressed with the black players getting into the team, as they do seem to have the fire and the skills. Overall the team looked committed, but only to a good Club level at the moment. They need more power in the second row more than anything I think.
The only serious match remaining has to be the England v Wales game. Faster Wales against Heavier 'team oxen' should make it interesting at least, but have to favour England I think.
Scotland must be in a state of shock- Mars bars have been taken off the shelves,Meanwhile I'm just about to run the Welsh dragon over my house to put fear in the locals!
A bit like the team that would win respective World Cups, has the best up and coming tennis players, best flat racehorses or is the biggest and fastest growing world language... Choose other examples, they will find others.
England, home advantage next two games. Which one will be the customary inexcusable debacle with an outpouring of unbelievable excuses?
Yes Norman, I couldn't believe the HEADLINES no less on the tv news (France 2) saturday evening when it announced "La Renaissance" of French rugby !!! I nearly dropped my glass of Gaillac ! My ladyfriend couldn't believe her ears either. I felt the French were poor for the second game. All I know is they will discover the remarkable 'knack' of finding form when they play the English !!
England second half looked ok so encouragement for steady Eddie a co. at least.
Peter, I think that just about sums it up, but I DID enjoy the Wales Scotland match - good competitive spirit shown. I hooted with laughter when French TV came up with 'the Renaissance of French Rugby!' proclamations.
There are some promising black players in particular in the French side so although not Championship winners by a long way, maybe having a 'proper' coach might pay some dividends.
Italy disappointed by collapsing (anyone notice again around about the 56th minute?). I thought they were simply out-muscled by 'Team Oxen' which left open the spaces that shouldn't have existed, but that's the game. At least Hartley behaved himself and started looking like a Captain, and I think you are right that England do look the favourites. That I fear is the problem with Northern Rugby if they are the best.
Far and Away the best match of the weekend was the Under-20's France v Ireland game - including an excellent young referee! Rugby as it should be played - notably keeping the ball 'live' and all times - obviously they have been watching the All-Blacks! Loads of passion, and action all the way! I think we should all take note that these games take place on Friday evenings on Channel 4 at 20.50.
England did ok in the second half, they are playing better and must be seen as favourites.
France scraped through yet again. They are playing badly but winning which is a bad sign for the rest.
Wales just had the edge on the Scots but don't look strong enough to make an impression.
Ireland look to be missing talisman O'Connell and are probably the least impressive of the six.
Scotland played some nice stuff against the Welsh but don't look to have the depth to worry many teams.
Italy are as spirited as ever but still lack the class when it matters.
Wales/France -- big game in two weeks time. Wales has home advantage as do England in their next two matches. Could make the difference.
I am not impressed by any of the games so far. I have a sneaking suspicion France may keep their nerves in check whilst England do a grand belly flop. Wales, they just do not seem to cut it, pity because I'd prefer them out of the three contenders.
Well, that's cleared the air a bit! Barring a very unlikely set of results involving England, France and Wales, Ireland's chances of holding onto the title sank in the Seine. But so far no clear favourite has emerged as all three of the main contenders gave very scrappy performances. England did at least come good in the final quarter and now have a very nice points difference advantage. But they are giving away far too many points in penalties in the loose. Wales showed flashes of brilliance to hold on against a Scottish side that once again looked more than capable of winning without actually doing it. France lacked cohesion and imagination apart from the one flash of genius that brought the winning try. At least they had the courage to go for the try rather than a kick at goal. One England advantage appears to be the strength of their bench. The subs made a huge impact in the final quarter, particularly in the scrum. And as always, you have to expect that France will keep on improving.
Peter, I can't say I follow football any more, but I suppose if I was pressed I would still say I support Spurs, but I couldn't even name a player now. Mind you with all the changes in all the teams each year I don't know how people hold any loyalty to any of them nowadays.
The England side to me still seems totally unbalanced, and the other teams have got Brown worked out, so too much reliance on his breaks is pointless. I accept the mix theory but there must be better, younger players in the Union than some of the older players trotted out yet again? I was disappointed in the team structure expecting something more radical.
Of course the French side went the other way except in the full-back department, and that didn't work either, so what is the answer? To me its the quality and commitment of the players than seems missing, that's why I enjoyed the second half of yesterday's match.
At least we, the long-suffering Spurs fans have something to shout about at last Norman !!!
Quite enjoyed the Ire v Wal game mainly due to it's unpredictability. The draw was a good result for the other teams probably so hopefully England can improve their discipline for the Italy game.
Well, on the basis of cohesive teams, I would still be looking at Italy and even Scotland in that regard, but I saw passion in the game yesterday - at least in the second half and I haven't seen much of that in the previous games. Maybe I am settling for less these days?
I do agree that there doesn't seem to be much result in these specialised individual training schemes although, and until this past weekend I would have argued that at least goal-kicking had gone from haphazard to almost certainty in the past couple of years. This weekend blew that illusion out of the water didn't it?