The second weekend of the Six Nations brought us three exciting games of different stripes. Ireland v France, arguably the weekend’s biggest clash, was a tense arm wrestle largely fought between the two 22s. Ireland, and particularly, Jonny Sexton were superb in their precision and patience, keeping their heads to record an impressive 18 – 11 win – although it has to be said that France still look as rudderless in attack as at any time in recent years.
Playing a massive crash ball centre is all very well, but when his carrying becomes the only option then you make the defence’s job very easy. As a result the talents of Fofana, Thomas and Huget are being completely wasted. It came as a surprise to absolutely no one that the first time the French tried to move the ball, going at space rather than green shirts, they scored a fine team try. This brief flash of inspiration was really too little, too late as Ireland had taken hold of the game and looked relatively comfortable. France continue to search for answers as Ireland march on in impressive fashion.
Scotland started extremely well but were eventually downed by the more experienced Welsh 23-26 at Murrayfield. It was a pulsating game for the neutral and one imagines a blood boiler for those with relevant national investment. Scotland are showing real signs of improvement under Vern Cotter and made Wales sweat for their win. An action packed first period gave way to a more tense and testy second half, as Wales regularly went to the corner, turning down three pointers.
Jonathan Davies’ powerful burst left Scotland chasing the game and a late Jim Hamilton try was not enough for the Scots to work themselves back. Scotland showed their naïveté in some dubious clock management, decision-making and execution as they chased the game, but they will learn and build on this performance. The return of Scotland as a real force would be a great thing for this tournament. Wales look a little short of confidence and pace out wide as their power game was just about enough this afternoon. Davies and Roberts look a little heavy-legged compared to their counterparts this week and last. A re-think of some of their attacking patterns feels necessary to help them find their way back to their best.
England and Italy played out an entertaining 9 try affair at Twickenham. Two sides often pilloried for their lack of attacking intent produced an engaging if ultimately one sided contest. A fairly dominant England display was bookended by two excellent periods of Italian play, with deftness of hand and powerful running resulting in a brace of tries for Luca Morisi and one for Sergio Parisse. England capitalised on a lengthy injury stoppage in the first half to click into gear and largely controlled proceedings from then on, with Ben Youngs quick tap penalty try the nail in the Italian coffin.
It is to England’s credit that they continued to rack up the score with some excellent tries from Joseph, Cipriani and Easter as Italy hit back late through Morisi to reclaim some respectability. England will be pleased with the emergence of their young Bath backs and the depth of their forward resources. Italy will hope that this eruption of offensive cohesion can be harnessed on a more regular basis.
Super Rugby throws up early upsets
The southern hemisphere’s premier club competition kicked off this weekend with the usual mixture of excellent running rugby and interesting storylines. The Rebels, the Force and the Cheetahs all overturned more illustrious rivals away from home to kick off the tournament with a string of upset wins.
The Rebels shocked the Crusaders 10 – 20, the Cheetahs mauled the Sharks 29 – 35 and the Force bludgeoned the Waratahs 13 – 25 in Sydney. Elsewhere the Brumbies, Stormers, Chiefs and Hurricanes all hit the ground running, picking up wins over the woeful Reds, Bulls, Blues and Lions respectively.
In other news…
The Aviva Premiership returned with Wasps taking the maximum five points from Quins, Sarries skewered Bath in a top four clash, Exeter hammered the Falcons and an out of sorts Saints beat Irish in a scrappy, low scoring affair. Leicester edged out Gloucester 18-15 at Welford Road on Friday night… and London Welsh got stuffed, again. Plus ça change.
Try of the week: Has to go to Jonathan Joseph for either of his efforts against Italy. They would both be worthy winners, but the second pips it, as England scored from a planned set piece move for the first time in living memory.
Video credit: RBS 6 Nations
Hero of the weekend: Johnny Sexton was very close for such defensive heroics after so long out, but Jonathan Joseph scoops a double this week for allowing long-suffering English fans to hope. To hope that there might be a future for this England side that involves more romantic possibilities, subtle shimmies and gliding goose-steps, beyond the relentless rhetoric of “accuracy” and “control”.
Villain of the week: Glenn Jackson, for his time management skills. As Scotland appeared to have enough time for a last restart, Mr. Jackson felt otherwise, blowing for time, thus denying players, fans and neutrals alike a potentially thrilling and emotionally excruciating final play.
By Patrick Cheshire (@jpcheshire)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
78 replies on “Best of the weekend: England and Ireland continue to set 6 Nations pace”
To be fair to Glenn Jackson, he checked upstairs and was told my the TMO that there was no time so harsh to blame him.
England lack a bit of cohesion but Italy tend to draw that out of opponents. Also couldn’t help but feel England lacked a midfield carrier. They had either a forward option or straight to a winger to do something and became to easy to disrupt. Burrell needed to offer more, and I’d like to see a 12T and Joseph partnership start against Ireland.
Personally didn’t fear an extra restart but the it was borderline give or take a few seconds.
The biggest issues for me was. Scotlands first try, appear to be a forward pass (before they got running) whether or not it was the camera made it appear that way so would of liked it looked at.
Disallowed try for wales, not sure whether It should have been, yes they broke away from maul and hit a player BUT the player was tackling them as well so it’s not like “we’ll take him out when he’s not looking so prevent him” – but again I can see it both ways.
1st Yellow Card – No idea why this wasn’t a read, he had plenty of time to move.
2nd Yellow Card – Based on the 1st being a Yellow, this was no way near as bad simple Penalty would of sufficed, if they treated the first as a Red then a Yellow here would be justified – minimal player contact after intending to go for ball.
Not a pro on the rules so can’t say Yes or No in all the situations im sure theirs finer points, but I would of liked more consistency. But that was a theme throughout the weekend, can’t remember which game is was but a kick to the spine – “It was intentional so yellow” … no “it was intentional so red” or “it wasn’t intentional so yellow”
Think the only difference between the two high ball situations was that Biggar jumped a hell of a lot higher than Beattie, which the ref doesn’t have to take into account. Both challenges were actually very similar, Russel’s just looked worse because Biggar was so much higher. Both were yellows and nothing more.
Disallowed try for Wales is absolutely blocking, the two that broke off clearly blocked a tackler off. Can’t say I was the forward pass you’re talking about for the Scotland first try but I did think they were unlucky with the forward pass call for their non-try late on (Bennett i think finished it with Hidalgo-Clyne apparently knocking on despite it looking backwards).
Whatever the calls – Wales deserved the narrow win. I can’t see us winning away to Ireland so I need Wales to get better and make sure they bear Ireland when they meet in Cardiff!
The disallowed try was as clear a case of blocking as you’re ever likely to see – you could put that one in training vids for refs. Right call. Onus isn’t on defence to get out of the way, onus is on attackers to not hit the defence.
Michael, have to disagree about the two yellows in the Scotland/Wales game.
The first, which was clearly the more dangerous of the two, was an accident. Russell came charging in, realised that there was no way he could win the ball, and found himself in the wrong position.
The second was quite deliberate, although not as ugly looking. Davies swung his arm in an attempt to look as if he was challenging for the ball. Both justified yellows in my humble opinion.
Several other Yellows were deserved also, and it is this, not so much the clock fiasco, which put Jackson in a poor light.
Pape should have got a red, for sure.
Uh? In the 1st he saw he wasn’t going to get there so he turned his back and braced his shoulder into him – so he had time to do something else e.g. duck or move. In the 2nd JDs eyes never look at anything other than the ball – he was going to gather it with one arm and run on.
It’s all subjective but to say the first was an accident and the second deliberate is ridiculous.
Clock fiasco – blame Scotland for that one and previous inconsistency by other refs. Rules say that if ball is dead when clock goes red then game stops. Ball was dead as Scotland were not all lined up for the kick off when it went red. Why? Because a) they wanted handbags and b) their kicker decided to take 30 seconds for a total gimme kick.
Have to point out that perhaps if the general trend of the article hadn’t been so English towards the end … in “other news” only the English league is mentioned, in tries of the week only Joseph’s two attempts were mentioned as worthy winners, etc….
It was a great win for England with some nice tries but let’s be honest – when it’s not Wales/Scotland playing Italy then it’s pretty much a redundant game* (as well as Italy put up a fight they still got tonked, as 100% expected) so it’s not understandable that it’s down as creating two of the best things of the weekend. The French try was a fantastic 15 man piece of play in a match that was still on the line against a top end defence. As a neutral it got me far more excited than something that added to a walloping.
Yes, I know they have also beaten Fra/Ire but they are below those levels now. Only us and Scotland have the real capacity to get done over by them at the mo – or maybe, maybe France if they haven’t beaten anyone else by the time they play them.
Yes Brighty, you’re right on Finn Russell, he turned his back and braced his shoulder, but to defend himself rather than knock Biggar out of the air. Even if that was the result. Do you believe that Russell intended to take Biggars legs away?
As for the second, I have never seen a rugby players leap and catch a contested high ball, using only one hand.
I would say he intended to physically get in Biggar’s way, yes. Second is subjective which was my overall point and hence I can’t see your “deliberate” angle. Seriously – he doesn’t even look at the Scottish player. Does he even know he is there?
If you’re right and he doesn’t even know that Beattie was there then that is even worse. It is being drilled into players now that for any high ball they need to be aware of their surroundings. Russell checked his too late and braced himself, Davies didn’t seem to check his at all.
If anything there’s an argument that that makes Davies more dangerous.
No, that’s unmanageable. What if you’re reaching up for a high pass that someone else has decided is a jump challenge? The key is to compete fairly and legally.
For me both yellow cards fine – it’s the original idea that one is an accident and the other is deliberate that I disagree with.
Passes are completely different area. I was under the impression that any high kick was refereed in this way. Any excuse of “eyes on the ball” are deemed irrelevant as all players are responsible for being aware of their surroundings.
I think we have differeing views on this so I won’t labour the point.
However, it does raise a question generally. Biggar’s running leap for the ball was superb, and clearly would have dominated most players challenging it legitimately.
If someone had been charging in the opposite direction, and executed an equally majestic and physical jump, we would have had a very nasty accident. Possibly.
On almost all of these instances, there is one dominant jumper, and one who gets the timing, or the physicality slightly wrong, and the dominant jumper wins the ball (mostly Welsh in yesterdays game). However, having two completely committed players come together in the air has got to be dangerous?
Is it time to take this danger out of the game?
I used to play FB, and I am glad this technique was not around when I had a smidgeon of athletic ability. It scares me.
It is a messy part of the game and needs resolving – too often the catcher is given the benefit and the person who lost the challenge deemed to have infringed on the catcher. Too often it comes down to who can jump the highest.
My son is a full back – I agree that it’s a worryingly dangerous aspect of the game.
Not sure I have a solution though that wouldn’t neuter the game in some respect. No jumping? 🙂
Irrelevant. Intent does come in to it as we’re often reminded. He could’ve easily dropped to the deck rather than turn his back and continue. All he has to do is avoid contact altogether.
*doesn’t
Just wanted to pop in and wow my post got a discussion going, has to be a first for me lol
My argument was that in yellow #1, the player chose to protect himself but not the jumper, if he had time and made a judgement to protect himself he could of A) moved out the way or B) protected the jumper so there was a safe landing. In yellow #2 he intended to go for the ball (hence being in the air) if he attempts to go to the side, he’s taking out of a player, his only option is to continue with “minimal interference” which I believe was attempted, yes there was contact and given he gave up hopes of a catch that is wrong, but in the first instance there was an opportunity to avoid harm that was ignored, in the second I feel it was minimized, so in my eyes following the rules #1 is a red, #2 is a yellow, I don’t feel both were on the same level yet I believe both were out of line.
My view is if the first is no longer a red and treated as a yellow, then the one I agreed would be a yellow normally, in this case should be a penalty. – Odd I know but im basically downgrading the cards since the ref chose to do that.
I think your view on Russel’s yellow is based on watching too many slow mo’s! He only sees Biggar at the last second and the natural instinct is simply to brace himself to impact. Don’t think he consciously chose not to move if he could have. In real time it’s a split second.
Thought Wales looked low on confidence and gas – the latter largely to do with our refusal to drop Cuthbert. JD was better than in the first game – everything except Cuthbert was better than in the first game. Tight win (or a “comfortable” one by the standards of the previous weekend), game away to France will hopefully be a corker. Two teams who must win and want to show something.
France – wow, how infuriating must that be for the French? For Eng or Wal to beat this Irish team we are going to have to get “smart” at the breakdown. I dislike that euphemism for cheating but it seems to be the way it’s described now.
Cheers to Italy for making that game something to watch.
Also in other news the Pro 12 returned. Dragons got an excellent away win at Leinster — played at the same time as Sco v Wal. Who the hell decides these fixtures?
Lots to discuss about the weekend. England stuttered to a win, looked good in patches, very ordinary for a lot of the match. Italy played well and took their chances well (Scotland should take heed and see how to convert chances) will get a win either against Wales or Scotland. Ireland and France a very sticatto game where neither team played well, IMO. Wales always looked likely to win, Scotland could have won. As for the refereeing what can be said, not much in the possative that’s for sure. Billy V’s no try absolute disgrace on part of the TMO. Definite Red for the Bigger tackle and should have been a yellow for lamont for the push on Jonathan Davies, not yellow for JD. As an ex referee I believe I can express this opinions objectively. As for the way the scrum is being refed ! Debate for another time.
Slightly one-eyed view of the weekend, Dai. Scotland should’ve won the Wales game, they put themselves under pressure through bad kicks rather than Welsh superiority. Wales had a let off this weekend.
Think you have to give England more credit than stuttering. Winning a game by 30 points is pretty impressive, only look ordinary versus their own high standards.
Calling it a definite red for Russell is off the mark too. All the pundits unanimously agreed it was Yellow so I’m interested why you think it’s Red? Watch that at full speed it’s a different story. Lamont might give Davies a nudge, but he doesn’t make him jump up in the air and drag him down with his arm. Again, seem to have your Welsh hat on!
Why would you not give Billy V’s try.. What did you think was so wrong it’s an absolute disgrace?
As an Ulster fan, the precedent was set when Payne was sent off against Saracens last year. That should have been a red by that standard.
Billy V’s try was clearly inconclusive, there was no evidence to suggest he was in control of the ball. Gori came up with the ball. It was a poor decision and a key turning point in a match that Italy were competing well in. However, no doubt England would have won anyway.
If you use Payne as the standard then fine. My understanding at the time is that the red was deemed harsh by the majority of the rugby world? If so, then we shouldn’t be using the Payne red as the standard.
For Vunipola’s try, the forearm is still in contact with the ball when it is grounded. So unless you see him lose the ball before that, it’s a try. Their is no evidence showing the ball being lost and regathered, so as the player in possession at the point of contact the benefit of the doubt will always be with Vunipola. Gori clearly comes up with the ball, but after the grounding so that unfortunately becomes irrelevant.
I would need to clarify what the ref asked the TMO. “any reason I cant award the try?” would mean he should give it. However, it looked inconclusive to me. The commentators at the time (Brian Moore included) suggested it was inconclusive.
It swung the game England’s way.
Thumbs up
“Scotland should’ve won the Wales game, they put themselves under pressure through bad kicks rather than Welsh superiority. Wales had a let off this weekend.”
Now who is being one-eyed? That’s an utter tosh statement. Wales won the aerial battle – as well as defending the Scottish kicks we made our own kicks into some pure gold. Apart from the turnover try near the beginning Scotland were never on top in that game – even that came with Wales on their umpteenth push towards the Scottish try line. Shows your motives though if you want us to believe that Scotland gave the game away to Wales while England were impressive in their drubbing of Italy…
I think most English fans would be frustrated by Italy scoring 3 tries at Twickenham, surely? By Italy being ahead for almost the first quarter?
Brighty, I’m not sure any fans are really likely to be that frustrated by a win with some quality tries and almost 50 points. The defence was disappointing at times, but presumably it’s something they will iron out – particularly after it was so good in Cardiff.
As for the Wales game, I don’t believe that Scotland deserved to win as they shot themselves in the foot too many times when in such promising positions. The flip-side of that, however, is that they could quite easily have won it had they taken another couple of those opportunities.
Don’t see it like that Jamie. Wales had the lion’s share of promising positions and came away with the most points from them. Genuinely never thought Scotland looked like winning. We were all over them and should have scored more – as you say “taken another couple of those opportunities” and the score would have been more in our favour.
Last week England did a number on us apparently and won by five points. This week Scotland were their own worst enemies and could have won, we won by three points. So we were humbled last weekend with a 5pt win but lucky the oppo stuffed up this week to hand us a 3pt win (that was a 10pt margin until the last 40 seconds…)? I don’t agree.
Have to agree with brigthy over the outcome, Wales always looked like winning, Scotland ‘could’ have won
I’m not saying Wales didn’t deserve to win, and they were definitely superior in a number of areas. But Scottish lack of composure cost them the game, not Wales’ dominance.
If both sides take the clear cut chances they have, Scotland win that game. that’s what I mean by the comment.
In particular, Wales absolutely dominated the aerial game and gained some great territory. That particular aspect gave Wales a good foothold in a game and they got their rewards for the periods of pressure that followed. But the stats by the end of the match are fairly even on possession and territory. So that aerial battle didn’t define the game.
Scotland in comparison kicked poorly, with Welsh receivers rarely under much pressure. They also missed missed touch twice, just as the tide was starting to turn. It allowed Wales to come straight back at them and keep them pinned back.
“Wales in comparison kicked poorly, with English receivers rarely under much pressure. They also missed missed touch a few times, lost crucial lineouts, just as the tide was starting to turn. The duff box kick at start of 2nd half allowed England to come straight back at them and keep them pinned back.”
You know what – I like your ideas now I’ve applied them to the Wales v England match. England were handed that match on a plate by us…..
Didn’t say it was handed to them on a plate, think they deserved the win.
You’re interpretation of what I’ve said is very literal. Where it doesn’t translate to the England Wales game is that Wales didn’t create their own chances and fluff them vs. England – like Scotland did this weekend.
Wales kicked poorly and created nothing. Scotland kicked poorly, but still manged to create chances and miss them.
But how did we get on to England stuffing Wales!? Completely different games!
I personally felt Scotland has the worst of the kicking game – a handful of times they failed to find touch, that cost them.
Welsh defense did well for sustained periods multiple times, a few times the welsh pack were punishing through the drive and blowing holes in scotlands defense.
If they had decided to go for the posts with Halfpenny instead of the lineout they could of hand another 9pts or so, although personally I’m glad they went for the lineout regardless of whether or not it panned out.
This game was always going to be close but I felt some major errors kept it alot closer than it would have been, replace the ref and this came could have went 10+ points either way, so personally im happy with just a win.
Just means Wales need to be Ireland, and Ireland need to beat England – then Wales need to dominate Italy by ALOT to claim the title, roundabout scenario but was always going to be that way after losing the opening game to England.
Having watch the incident a number of times there was only one showing from the rear where it clearly shows billy v’s touching the side line. This was not reviewed by the TMO, clearly not in control of the ball and I could not see the ball grounded at any point through the numerous front on tv coverage. So many games in the era before TMO would have questionable decisions made by the ref which would have a huge influence on the outcome of the match. I am not suggesting that this would have alter the outcome but the introduction of the TMO was to eliminate these questionable decssions and that is the cause for my destain over the TMO’s decsion on this occasion. As to your point, yes I do support Wales but I do like to think I watch ‘Rugby’ with a critical balanced view. Looking forward to round three????
Red for Russell simply for, as a lot of the observations made here state that he saw Bigger and turned his back clearly showing that he had enough time to take action to totally avoid contact of any kind. For me watching at normal pace makes it even clearer that Russell was fully aware of his action.
Yes Wales are on an upward trajectory – as usual! But I was disappointed and unimpressed with Ireland – a little more cohesion and France would have won that game with something to spare. I thought Scotland asked more questions of the French defence than Ireland were able to; but indiscipline lost the game for France. Can’t argue with six penalties.
I’m curious Taliesin – how does this win for Wales stack up Warren “the cunning” Gatland’s master-plan? Or did the players revolt and not bother to lose?
DDD
This was even more genius though DDD. Plan found on back of Gats Burger King Whopper wrapper:
a) get match safe
b) let in some scores towards end
c) crucially, do b) at a time that makes it looks like Wales are on the ropes but Scotland just run out of time. So now everyone can blame the ref and say Wales were lucky not to lose.
d) for bonus points start a fight towards the end so we look proper lost
e) ultimate bonus points – fight with any player on your own team to really get across the point that we’re a hapless and dysfunctional unit.
End result. We still look crap and can hence move into the WC with everyone expecting us to lose and not expecting our masterstroke of playing like NZ on speed with 11 Barry John’s on the pitch.
You wait until you see how we are going to sneak the win against Ireland in a manner that will make us look like the worst team in the 6Ns…
This is frighteningly cunning! Only a genius or a madman could have come up with it!…..
DDD
Haha lol very good DDD, very impressed with the level of wit here, it feels like stumbling into a cosy gents’ club 😉
But Seriously, I am intrigued with the level of barely restrained bile aimed at Gatland, where Lancaster, Schmidt etc. get either respect or balanced criticism. After all, the bloke has presided over 2 grand slams plus a 6n championship, a WC semi and a Lions’ series victory. That’s not bad, and it’s what leads us to know he has plenty up his sleeves!
But Talie…..
He dared to think that G(B)OD wasn’t the best centre in the Lions squad. OR worse than that, he didn’t respect the mans career enough to turn a crucial Lions test into a jolly testimonial for one of Ireland’s favourite sons – take your pick.
When managing that Lions winning side he had too many Welsh in it. Biased. The result is irrelevant and the fact it was a 6Ns winning Welsh side is even more irrelevant. They’d have probably won by more with less Welsh.
He plays a rigid gameplan that is way too formal for the amazing Welsh players he has. Before he arrived Wales had 1 decent 6/5Ns campaign in nearly 30 years so why give Gats any credit?
He has led to mediocrity a side that was dumped out of the WC by Fiji. Since that WC all he has done is achieved a few titles and one flukey WC semi final – the furthest Wales have ever got in the professional era. How does that even compare with taking the best resourced side in the world from dwarf tossing ignominy to the dizzy heights of regular 2nd places?
He didn’t bow and curtsy to Sonja McLoughlan once.
He plays “mind games” too often. Winding up Dylan Hartley. Calling SL a big girls blouse for wanting the roof open. Having a pop at the lovable Irish team who just want to go out and have some craic on the rugby pitch with their “Celtic cousins” (they don’t want to grind their Welsh opponents into the dust at all, they’re the lovable old Irish Celts). This just isn’t on you know old chap.
He’s given jobs to the old boys – not like SL (Catt and Farrel) or Cotter (Humphreys) who have given their jobs to world class proven coaches.
How can you not see all of this?
Took you that long to come up with that! – no wonder you are impressed with the level of wit here. I couldn’t be arsed to go into the whole debate about Gatland with a “johnny come lately” to this site. Go back over the forums for the last few years if you wan’t to know why I hold Gatland in such low esteem.
DDD
I thought Brighty was the old timer and I was the jonny come lately.
You want some real criticism of Gatland from someone who doen’t usually criticise him?
Under him Wales have got to a WC semi-final, won numerous 6N titles including more than 1 Grand Slam. So:
1) Why are a team that has experience, clear quality and consistent selection (similar to NZ) so inconsistent?
2) Why are Wales 6th in the world rankings – since 2008 Wales have won 2GS and 1 title (3 out of 7), yet averaged 7/6 in world rankings (England 4/5; Ireland 6).
3) Why have Wales only beaten a SH once in the last how many?
4) Why does there seem to be so little strength in depth? You can argue player pool, but there are players out there who are good, but are not being developed and brought into the training camps.
5) As with SL why does Gatland insist on ignoring players form? It may work for Ma Nonu, but does not seem to apply to many others in world rugby.
So really, the criticism of Gatland is that he is not doing enough given the quality at his disposal. Wales should be better and most importantly more consistent. Which does not explain the vitriol.
Vitriol tends to come out when it is the same complaint every time. Lack of variety/tactical flexability for Gats. Barritt or Goode for SL.
Why are Wales so inconsistent?
One answer – The Lions. We normally suffer a “hangover” from it anyway. We’re too enamoured with the early 70s Welsh dominated tours that beat SA/NZ – the Welsh see the Lions as the pinnacle, not playing for Wales. In the years after tours we tend to do abysmally. Last time around add in that the Lions coach was our coach, who was away from Wales for a year, and I think you have one reason for our lack of form. It was a key and crucial reason why we slipped into the group of death.
Other answer – lack of depth. I’m not so sure the players are out there. There are some (the two Williams’s) but we don’t have 2nd options for North, AWJ, Roberts, Webb. Dips in form from any of those and we have issues.
Yes Gats is far, far, far from perfect but the original post was right – it’s hilarious looking at the vitriol he attracts compared to the easy rides his competitors get. People don’t like him. As an ex-hooker he probably laughs at it.
Agree re hilarity. But do think SL get a fair bit of vitriol, eespecially when he was playing Barritt and Goode.
To give Glenn Jackson villain of the week is way off for me for that clock issue… Jim Hamilton should be smarter than getting involved with no time left, didn’t show his experience. But he’s always been known for giving cheap penalties and loving a bit of agro! And why Russell didn’t just nudge over a drop goal I don’t know!
I’d definitely go for Finn Russell for his complete naivety. Dumb yellow card, missed kicks to touch on more than one occasion, taking ages for the conversion… he might be better than Scotland’s previous 10s when it comes to getting the back-line going, but he needs to sort those issues out
Agree with the villain comment here… I was screaming at the TV when Hamilton was kicking off, why do that when the clock is so obviously still ticking and against you? Moronic stuff, and as you say, not the first time.
Villain of the week (month?) is clearly Pape. To suggest that a rule interpretation (by the letter of the law Jackson was correct – ball was dead when clock turned, previous inconsistencies do not make his interpretation wrong) is more villainous than a delib knee in the back is clearly wrong.
Good shout Brighty. That knee is bad news and hope he gets punished harshly
Some serious bias in the main article mind – JJ is hero of the weekend for cheering up English rugby fans? That’s the standard now – what makes English rugby fans happy? Try of the weekend was clearly France’s effort, such a fantastically constructed team score.
Non-English fans hero of the weekend – that lad who sang God Save, Morgan Parra for his ineffable coolness, Huget for not walking off the park, Easter for being the oldest try scorer ever, Halfpenny for half a dozen crucial tackles that controlled the outcome of the game. None of them picked because they give future hope to just one set of fans.
Think that is a bit harsh – even if the wording of the hero of the weekend section does beg for a post like this one.
JJ was brilliant on Saturday and looks genuinely top class despite still being inexperienced at this level both of his tries were brilliant (even if I agree that the French one was better). Considering you mention Halfpenny when he continues to offer absolutely nothing going forward I can’t see how it could be viewed as that unreasonable.
I keep watching Wales hoping for Halfpenny to offer more. Biggar would have made any of those kicks this weekend (and possibly the gimme that was missed). Brilliant defensively I would say, but better there than Liam Williams? No chance.
The tone was key for me. “JJ Hero of the week for lighting up a game…” would be a subjective POV and all such tokens are. But a hero for a litany of reasons that only English fans care about on a blog that isn’t dedicated to English rugby? For me Halfpenny was awesome in defence and is there and making the tackles that others wouldn’t have had the sense and control to make. I play left back in football. I have the “defence wins matches” mantra from Wasps in my head on a loop. I really, really rate defence. It’s subjective again but it’s where I come from. What I don’t do is assume he’s a hero to all rugby fans just cos he made watching Wales bearable.
Ah, I’ve put my further comments as a reply to the wrong post above. Bugger.
Agree that the wording of that section brought the question on, more than the general concept of JJ being hero of the weekend. For me he was unbelievably good (and out of position) and deserving of the mention.
Defense is absolutely vital so I agree with you on that – but I still think top class players (which Halfpenny looked to be in at one point) offer over and above that. He doesn’t seem to.
JJ does look great. I personally reserve total judgement until he’s played against Ire and Fra. Neither Wales or Italy have provided much in the way of a stern defence for him this year, nor a test of his own defence. I understand he plays well for Bath but I’ve not seen much of that.
On the other hand … will SL stick with the same team?
He clearly has bigger tests to come. Ireland I don’t think will threaten him too much, their game is all based on territory – not strong centre play (if anything it is where they seem weakest).
Do think Joseph will continue at 13 though, the decision is whether it is with 12T or Burrell. Personally I’d go Twelvetrees. No other changes unless Brown is out, at which point Nowell comes in and Watson shifts to 15.
Word is that Goode will come into the squad if Brown isn’t available for the next game.
Also heard Goode to come in. Wouldn’t rule out Nowell getting a start but more likely for May on the wing than through Watson moving to 15. I know Goode gets a lot of stick but he was fantastic in orchestrating Sarries win at the weekend, plus players like Watson and Joseph would really benefit from his play-making, as they did when 12T came on…
Oh really? In that case play Burrell and not 12T.
I’ve never thought Goode cut it at international level but he has looked very good for Saracens recently.
I don’t mind if Goode is bought into the wider squad, so long as he is then sent back to his club and not allowed any where near the first fifteen or the bench
Would far rather Pennell was being bought in though
Hi brigthy. Have watched a lot of Bath this year and have to say that JJ is special.
I guess by Brighty listing 5 alternate heros he demonstrates the difficulty of the task. You have to pick one! But as he says, there could have been many. By picking JJ, it doesn’t mean that everybody else is discounted, even if it is for ‘cheering up English fans’.
He scored the best individual try of the weekend, as well as picking a great line and finished well on a good team set play. Regardless of who it cheers up, there’s an obvious justification for him being hero of the weekend after biases removed.
If Brighty picks a hero based on defense though, you pick Chris Robshaw right? 19 tackles, one missed, more than anybody else this weekend. Throw in a couple of crucial turnovers as well …But as he’s Welsh, he goes for Halfpenny! However LH only has 7 tackles, and the nature of a full-backs positioning means his tackles are likely to be crucial… doesn’t make him a hero, except of course in the eyes of a passionate Welsh fan!?
Rodgers, I listed 5 hero’s, the last one of which was Welsh. 2 English, 2 French, 1 Welsh. That’s a hell of an achievement from you to claim it as Welsh bias on my part…..
I may be wrong but I believe the singling out of your Halfpenny suggestion was somewhat of a joke made at your earlier one-eyed statement for the JJ selection… Whilst you were able to list 5, as Rodgers rightly mentions the author here could only pick one.
Perhaps without bias (replacing Robshaw’s defense with LH’s) it should’ve been 3 English, 2 french then?! haha
Highlight of the weekend for me was the Dingdong between Alun Wyn Jones and Jamie Roberts!
Nice to se a bit of passion.
DDD
I think the hero of the weekend should have been that kid singing his little lungs off!!
Also think Scotland only have themselves to blame for what happened at the end, and certainly not Glen Jackson’s fault!! The kicker took an absolute age to kick something my mum probably could have slotted over……..well maybe not, but you get the point.
The timing issue at the end was mostly down to Scotland, agreed.
It does however raise an interesting point regarding this timing. The match is over when 80 mins arrives, and the ball is “dead”.
IF Scotland had not caused the little kerfuffle after scoring, and if Russell had just dropped the ball over. Then there would have been around a minute to go.
I wonder at what point the ball stops being “dead”. With a minute to go, then Wales could in theory take a minute to get ready for the KO?
I don’t see anything in the laws to support a ref who would stop the clock whilst Wales (or any team in that position) take their time to KO again.
There was still around 10 seconds to go when Jackson signalled a successful conversion. If a re-start happened with a scrum, lineout, free kick or penalty, then this would still have to be completed. But because it re-starts with a kick-off, it doesn’t. Seems like a bit of an oversight in the laws there!
Scotland are in that phase of having found some decent players and a style of play, but are perhaps trying to force things a bit too much. It’ll come for them with time.
They could yet have a say in their England/Ireland fixtures. Dismiss them at your peril.
Think I’ve stumbled into an alternate reality where alex Goode is talked about on the rugby blog with something approaching positivity…I need to lie down…:)
I actually agree tho, thought he was very good for Sarries this weekend and if we can’t have Abendanon then he isn’t the worst to come in.
To be fair to Goode, and I’m not really a fan, his last regular Eng appearances were playing alongside Ashton and Brown (out of position). Might be tempted to replace May with Nowell to assist in the defensive capabilities.
Someone who doesn’t really get spoken about but has been in great form is Banahan. Against a good kicking game like Ireland’s he wouldn’t be the worst winger to have, he is definitely something different to those we have currently
Goode is good. Banahan is better?
What sort of evil and twisted alternate reality have I found myself in? Banahan wears one of those “BEEP!. Warning, this truck is reversing. BEEP!” speakers because he has the turning speed of an iceberg. Goode is a tidy club player, nothing more.
Totally agree with Brighty here.
Regardless of how well he plays for his club, Banahan forfeited any chance of deserving an England call up ever again after he failed to score a try when one on one with Shane Williams 3 metres from the line.
Goode almost always looks good for Sarries. Has never looked good for England
I wouldn’t say Goode “has never looked good for England”. He had a very tidy match the last time we were in Dublin, dealing with Irelands kicking game very well. However his cameos in last year’s 6n were terrible.
But, IF he was to start he would provide a second play making option, without having to disrupt the current midfield and allow a true impact sub or back 3 player on the bench; Nowell, Wade or even Eastmond.
Plus with the likes of Ford, Joseph and Watson in the back line, England have a far more attacking threat than when Goode last played which might mitigate his rather limited counter attacking abilities.
Agree with Benjit here. Worth remembering who Goode played with last time he looked pretty poor. I still think he doesn’t have the gas to be truly world class at this level, but he is a safe pair of hands, his defensive positioning is brilliant which could be important to combat Ireland’s kicking game.
If Brown isn’t fit I wouldn’t mind seeing him in.
I don’t mind Goode with ball in hand. My worry is his tackling.
He completely missed a straightforward one on one against Rokoduguni on Saturday. I know Roko is a good finisher, but so are Zebo and Bowe!
I do worry about Goode with ball in hand. Every time he tries to run we get that slow little shimmy that fools no-one and results in him getting tackled and often turned over.
His tackling is poor as well and that’s the last thing you need your full back to be deficient in
I’d far rather see Chris Pennell called up – solid under the high ball, good in defense and good with the ball in hand.
But even then, I’d like Pennell called up but not starting. I’d move Watson to full back and bring in Nowell on the wing