Rugby review

So after a period of intense reflection, it is safe to say that England’s game plan was one dimensional and lacking in any sort of innovative pernache that a world beating side needs.

They displayed all the showings of a class team, in the first half against Wales. However, when it came to cementing their performance and consolidating where they left the game at half time – they were nowhere to be seen. Although Wales grew into the game and became stronger, it was only through a lack of English creativity that they were afforded the opportunities to take the game.

Owen Farrell, yet again – although humbly admitting his own performance was not up to scratch – looked out of depth. He was too slow to play at fly-half in a game of this level. He failed to ignite the fuse of Tuilagi and Slade who made easy work of an over-weight French center partnership. With various key play makers on the pitch unable to change the course of the game, was it not the chance for Eddie Jones to make some aggressive tactical substitutions and bring Robson and Ford on? Change the scope and direction of a game plan that obviously was not working how is should.

Now, do not think I am disregarding the difficulty of playing in Cardiff. The atmosphere is intense – I have never played there, I cannot comment what its like – but I have watched an awful lot of rugby. That gives me something marginal to comment, at least.

I didn’t think the forward pack were too bad, to be honest. They fronted up and matched Wales’ physicality and often showed them up at the set-piece. It’s time for England to seriously consider where they are trying to go and who they want to take them there – for me, Farrell is not the one to play at 10. He never was. England always looked far more dynamic and effective with the Ford and Farrell combination – they have been playing like that for years so why did it need to be changed, Eddie?

Moving on –

I found the Scotland v France game to 1) highlight the incredible weakness in depth that Scotland have, and 2) show just how unpredictable France are.

For the second game in a row, Scotland turned off at half time and played themselves out of the game. However, it was down to bad luck for France that their plethora of disallowed tries could not count – they were on for a near record score.  The brief consensus is that French guile and flair has returned… look out world rugby!

Moving on to the Italy match…

What an amazing 60 minutes of Italian passion. They played Ireland like a team possessed. Many will say that the only reason that happened was because Ireland weren’t very good – however, can we not accept the Italian brilliance as the reason Ireland were not good? Italy have developed at an outstanding rate under O’Shea and Catt – long may it continue!