Jekyll and Hyde England on collision course with Ireland
Mission Grand Slam remains on.
Mission history-making third-straight title remains on.
But boy, England were made to work hard for victory at Twickenham on Saturday and Ireland will be licking their lips at the potential of upsetting the champions on home soil come the tournament finale on March 17th.
Depending on how you want to look at it, England’s 12-6 victory over Wales paints very contrasting pictures.
After a hot offensive start, England’s ability to transform breaks and territory into scoring opportunities wilted towards the end of the first half. Their ability to maintain possession wilted in the second half, too.
Admittedly, the conditions were far from favourable for free-flowing attacking play, but the old enemies of English rugby – indiscipline and breakdown vulnerabilities – again came to the fore and threatened to add just the second blemish to Eddie Jones’ stint as England’s head coach.
But then you have the other half of the performance and that was England’s heroic second half defensive stand. In an outpouring of defensive line-speed, trust in one another and sheer determination, England stemmed an extremely resilient Welsh surge.
The intensity of the English defence forced Wales into errors, turnovers and just saved the home side in a game which they had started so well and had looked as if they might put the visitors away in the opening 30 minutes.
How do you view a Test like that if you’re Jones?
Ultimately, you’ve recorded another win, despite being at far from your best, and that must be pleasing.
There were mitigating factors, however.
The TMO’s disallowed try from Gareth Anscombe seemed extremely harsh, with the full-back looking as though he definitely got downward pressure on the ball, and had that been given, it could have changed the complexion of the entire game.
The breakdown was a dogfight throughout and one that England struggled with. They did reasonably well breaking the gain-line and keeping on the front-foot in the first half and in the early forays of the second half, but as soon as Wales managed to inject some intensity into their line-speed, England started to struggle.
The home side gave up multiple penalties at the breakdown, often for flopping over the ball and it was only really Courtney Lawes who seemed to have consistent success clearing out the predatory Welsh forwards when England were kept on or close to the gain-line.
Beyond the breakdown infractions, something else that will have Ireland licking their lips is the carrying heights of England’s forwards.
Referee Jérôme Garcès was generous to England in calling tackle completed and there were several times when it looked as if the Welsh tacklers had help up their man and set up a maul, only for the Frenchman to deny them and give the English attack the opportunity to recycle.
Given the proficiency Ireland have in that area, they will undoubtedly see that as somewhere they can have plenty of joy against England.
The loss of Ben Youngs has also changed the dynamic for England at scrum-half.
Danny Care had a solid first half but began to lose control over the game as the second half wound on and England lacked his usual injection of impetus around the 60-minute mark.
With Sam Simmonds going off at half-time with an injury, England also lacked the carrying from their back-row that they needed to maintain the control they had on the game at that point. If that injury prevents Simmonds from playing a role in two weeks’ time against Scotland, Jones will be banking on Nathan Hughes being fully-fit or Zach Mercer capable of stepping up and making his debut, otherwise England will look out of balance in the back-row again.
Maybe this is a harsh assessment of a game that England did, after all, win, and there were certainly positives to take from the performance, not least so the showing from Owen Farrell.
The inside centre had an almost peerless game, orchestrating everything that was good about England’s attack in the opening quarter and making key defensive plays in the second half, including a try-saving tackle on Aaron Shingler and a key turnover with Wales camped deep inside England’s 22.
Mike Brown and Mako Vunipola were also key contributors, Jonathan Joseph’s blitz-and-drift defence kept Wales quiet in the wider channels and both Maro Itoje and Chris Robshaw impressed with their work rate and stamina over the 80 minutes. Jonny May was also on hand to finish off two well-worked English tries.
The set-piece continued to tick along nicely, with Dylan Hartley having 100% success at the lineout and the much-improved scrum, which had struggled in recent years, coping well with the step up in class that Rob Evans and Samson Lee provided.
Between Warren Gatland’s assertion Wales were the fitter team coming into the game and his side’s strong finish, there would seem to be some weight behind that, but defending is tiring work and England did not fail in their defensive duties late in that game. Farrell, Vunipola and Itoje were all making critical one-on-one tackles and defensive plays in the final 10 minutes and though under pressure, England looked composed and far from flagging at the death.
During Jones’ tenure, England’s attacking play has improved significantly, but there have been performances here and there where Paul Gustard’s defence has taken the fore and led England to priceless wins and this was one of those days.
In fact, it was one of those days that helps create an aura around a team. It’s not an aura of invincibility, but it’s an aura of being bloody hard to beat.
Two difficult challenges on the road now loom for England, with Scotland and France in the next two rounds.
Neither team started the tournament in impressive fashion, but at home, against their most hated enemy, they are bound to provide stern tests of England’s mettle.
If England are serious are about retaining their title, seeing off Ireland on St Patrick’s Day and winning a Grand Slam, they will need to take significant steps forward in those two fixtures, particularly with their work at the breakdown.
Comments on RugbyPass
I totally agree. I also believe that minor injuries unless dangerous must be treared OFF the field of play and the game continue with a temp replacement if necessary.
2 Go to commentsSend the bill to McLennan.
3 Go to comments2 out of 3 were perfect. TMOs love jumping in on anything outside the law. The fact they saw nothing wrong speaks volumes. You want to see what a late blindside hit looks like, watch Kepu take out Carter in the 2015 World Cup final. Completely different to the Tah’s tackle.
11 Go to commentsverkeerde kant van die gereg lol
5 Go to commentsJust like John Plumtree at the Sharks he has had a poor start to this season’s coaching gig, but now it looks like he is starting to pull them back also having won 1 game in the first Eleven games they played. It obviously helps that 11 of his fifteen are Springbok players. But now they are starting to improve. No ways they can make it to the playoffs this year but they probably used this season as a way to figure out their game plan. One query I have and I think quite a few people have is: Are they playing better simply because of their international players are back or is it the team strategy led by Rob Penney that is starting to tick? Well I guess we wait and see. Also if it doesn't work out this season, it might be that Rob Penney is using this season as a way to organize himself for next season. Getting all his combinations sorted, his team strategies sorted and figuring out who is best is which position. Now I don't follow Super Rugby any more having now a full focus in the URC but I was surprised about the current Crusaders stats.
11 Go to commentsIf I’m a little bloke, who’s just had possession of the ball, I should expect to get cleaned up by Samipeni Finau if he’s opposite me and I do nothing to avoid him. FTFY You’ll need to rewrite the rest of your article now Hamish Bidwell. I’m not sorry for having missed reading this one. I find it hilarious it’s only the static aussie 10s, just waiting there, that are getting smashed. Move on your feet guys, haven’t you watched DMac and Mounga play for the last decade ffs. Chin up, at least your smiles should return when BB returns to SR next year and there’s more 10s to the fodder.
11 Go to commentsFinau is not leaving a lot of room for error that’s true, but he committed to 3 out of four tackles when the player had the ball so that’s all legal. (And incredibly entertaining)
11 Go to commentsHow does the size of the ‘bloke being hit’ factor into this? If you’re on the opposing team you are fair game. Is Finau the first person in history to target the first five? It seems like this is a great strategy to interrupt your opponents attack. As far as I’m aware, of the four excellent hits on Aussie first fives this year only one of them was ruled late. So if crying about legal tackles isn’t whingeing, then what is it?
11 Go to commentsThings I want to pay attention to this series. 1) Nothing against the other teams in 6 nations, but apart from Irelands loss to england, I dont feel they got tested, So I think this might be tight. 2) Rassie wants to build depth, and would rather do it before a world cup, but I am sure deep inside, he will be reminded that we have not beaten Ireland in years. 3) Will our new coaches plans be sound abd organised in time for the Ireland series? Remember our warm ups might only see our second or third string players available (When are we going to have one universal calander year?) 4) I see Ireland have moved on from Sexton, but what will Farrels plans be for SA? I am sure he will go for a full strength squad. 5) I think the test for the springboks will be the Durban game, it will be in winter, so not too hot for the Irish,no altitude, and it rains allot, might remind them of home. Loftus, if the springboks play the right game, I feel altitude like with most games before, can cause some challanges. 6) Off topic, but who is both Anxious and excited about what the Abs are coming with? A whole new coaching team and different style of play.
119 Go to commentsMost underrated player in world rugby.
2 Go to commentsHow many fans will travel to Qatar to watch these games ? because if they dont, it will be played in front of a few disinterested unknowledgeable Qataris and then just becomes media ‘content’. Thats what Test rugby will be reduced to.
1 Go to commentsSo as long as the playmaker still has the ball IN his hands, its OK. Otherwise the timing is wrong and he’s a liability. No grey line there. Thats the rule he is advocating ? Got it.
11 Go to commentsWrite them off at your peril
11 Go to commentsJust fantastic that the professional game is finally being taken to the Pacific islands. Not before time. It justifies the mere existence of Moana as a club, hopefully they can start to get some positive results too. Check out the sheer joy of the crowds in Fiji and the buzz that having a home team creates. Tonga always had (has ?) issues with their ground not complying with International rugby standards, which NZ always used as an excuse for many years not bringing the All Blacks over. Hopefully this match is the first of many. Would be great to see some tourism grow on the back of it. I once went to the Cook Islands Sevens in Rarotonga - tiny island nation but man did they turn it on. Tonga and Samoa will too given half a chance.
1 Go to commentsQuite right. Punish the time wasters. Its BS these time delays for non-injuries. The Boks have been using it for years now to slow down opposition and now its a scourge on the game. Put players like DeGroot on the sideline and restart play immediately. Watch how 5-6 min to fix your boots quickly becomes 1-2 minutes. Better still how about some personal professional management and you check the conditions/turf beforehand and get yourself better prepared. It might even help your team.
2 Go to commentsWhat drivel. Rugby as a contact sport should not be further diminished by crying over legal hard tackles. Take on the line? Be ready to take the hit. This is PC nonsense.
11 Go to commentsGregor Paul is going to be proved totally wrong. The Crusaders will get in the top 8 and are capable of winning this comp. The return of magnificent captain and player Scott Barrett on Friday was huge. There are a number of players returning and Ethan Blackadder showed huge progression in only his third game back. Christian Lio-Willie has added a new dimension , these two’s combination with Cullen Grace was fantastic. This builds depth when you have outstanding players like Tom Christie and Dom Gardiner also available. The tight five improved ten fold and this is with Tamaiti Williams and Codie Taylor being back.Others are set to return. Johnny McNicoll on his return home has been a revelation. Paul can dismiss Fridays win by the Crusaders as much as he likes and he will prove very popular in this country in doing so. But he will be proved wrong , Rob Penney and his coaching team will have the last laugh.
11 Go to commentsI haven’t seen or heard to many whinging about Finau quite the opposite. The TMO’s have reviewed each time and taken no action, so if they have now been alerted it’s not from people whinging The player comes flying out of the line and launches himself at the attacker so it is probably ruled as a committed tackle, but at what point does it move to tackling a player without the ball Time will tell
11 Go to commentsThis cracked media record of aligning success or failure on head coaches is remarkable. Using the crusaders past history as an example, a more sensible observation and analysis could be that the recent head coaches had inherited a extremely successful combination of players linked to their traditional historical support of the Canterbury people. That period ended this year when the new coach was introduced to virtually a new team. And in a year where other franchises have grown much stronger than their respective past, it was always an anticipated reality that the coach and his new crusader team were up against it. Therefore, I humbly believe that unlike some commentators present, I laud coach Penny and the team for their efforts to date and I am sure given another term and with Canterbury behind them they will be riding high once more. Strange all this coming from me who lives in Taupo and a one eyed chiefs supporter. Can't wait for all future chiefs and crusader games!
11 Go to commentsGrt bench player..keep him there..
3 Go to comments