What a difference a year makes for England
Just over twelve months ago, a shy and retiring England side embarrassingly crashed out of their own World Cup at the group stages. In the aftermath, Eddie Jones was appointed as the coach to take them forward, and even the most ardent and hopeful of fans couldn’t have imagined the state of their team now.
A 37-21 victory over Australia on Saturday meant they finished the year with a 100% record that has incorporated a Six Nations Grand Slam, a series whitewash over the Wallabies in Australia and the breaking of a hoodoo against South Africa.
The match started in the most worrying of fashions for the hosts. The Wallabies were attacking from everywhere and had them completely under the cosh. An early converted try from Sefanaia Naivalu gave them a deserved lead, which was extended by a Bernard Foley penalty. It could, and should, have been a healthier lead for the visitors, with tries being ruled out and opportunities being missed. They were made to pay. England, clinical as they have become, went ahead through a couple of Owen Farrell penalties and an opportunistic Jonathan Joseph try. Foley deservedly restored the lead with a pair of penalties himself, but it was far less than their efforts warranted to take into half time.
When the match recommenced, it was a completely different story. Whatever their coaches had said at half time had worked wonders. They were finally able to build some phases and spend some time in the opposition half. They used it well. Firstly, Joseph delicately poked through a kick for Marland Yarde to dot down, when it looked like nothing was on. Then, Ben Youngs caught the defence napping when he took a quick tap and sent defenders the wrong way with an exaggerated dummy. A further kick from Farrell gave clear daylight, but Sekope Kepu delighted all rugby fans, the prop cutting a lovely line and galloping over the line. Crucially, it went unconverted and coupled with a Dane Haylett-Petty yellow card, calmed English nerves. Joseph put some gloss on the scoreline with a late interception that left most of the people in Twickenham with a beaming smile on their face.
The Wallabies now finally have a bit of time to rest and recuperate after a long year. They look strong, and if they can convert more of the numerous chances they create, as well as staying focussed defensively for the entirety of the game, they will continue to battle at the top table. I’m sure many people would argue that England’s impressive year has come about because they haven’t played the All Blacks. This England side would relish the challenge of playing them next weekend, and I’d back them to win.
Tigers have edge in East Midlands, Bath see off Saracens, Falcons in bonus point win
Leicester won the East Midlands derby, confirming their place in the top four, and pushing their rivals well down into the bottom half. A typically abrasive encounter ended up 19-11, leaving Saints without a win at Welford Road since 2007. Adam Thompstone scored a try to build the hosts a lead, but was yellow carded soon after, allowing Northampton back into the game when they scored through Mikey Haywood. It was 13-11 at the break, a lead that Tigers deservedly built on afterwards. Both sides go into Europe for some vital games, but only one will be looking on the bright side.
It was a massive defensive performance that guided Bath to a famous 14-11 victory over Saracens, putting themselves more comfortably into the playoff places in the process. It was the biggest test of their title credentials so far, and they displayed the qualities they will need to claim the championship from their visitors grasp with such defensive resilience.
Newcastle Falcons produced one of their finest recent displays, running in six tries against Harlequins to win 38-32. Juan Pablo Socino was the hero, scoring an impressive brace and generally threatening. Importantly, Quins got a double bonus point themselves, leaving both teams on 23 points, 8 off the top four. In recent memory, Falcons have not been so comfortable in mid-table. Perhaps they can press on and aim for a Champions Cup place.
A strong opening to the second half was enough for Gloucester to defeat Bristol at Kingsholm. The visitors took a 6-0 lead into the break, but the Cherry and Whites scored four tries in the opening half hour of the second half to put the game to bed, despite Bristol getting a couple of late ones to make the score 26-18.
Wasps produced a solid, if unspectacular, performance based around stringent defence to beat Worcester 26-12 at Sixways. The visitors won’t be too concerned that they didn’t claim a bonus point, having had so many players injured, but will need a lot more against Connacht in the coming weeks. A strong opening forty for Exeter was enough to beat Sale 21-3. The second half offered nothing for either side, or the spectator.
Keatley wins it for Munster, Five try Ulster
Munster warmed up for their European double header against the Tigers with a cool 16-15 win over Glasgow.the visitors built a healthy 13-3 lead going into half time, but the Warriors scored tries through Ali Price and Mark Bennett to take the lead. Ian Keatley nailed a late drop goal to steal the game back for the men in red. It was Glasgow’s third loss on the bounce; a cause for concern.
Five try Ulster sent a warning to Clermont that they are ready for the crucial games by fairly well dominating the Cardiff Blues. The 35-22 scoreline flattered the hosts, as they were never at the races. Run Pienaar was the key, keeping the tempo high and exploiting the defensive errors. It puts the Northern Irish into fifth, having fallen off the pace with a bad run of results.
Leinster sealed a bonus point win over Dragons 28-15. They won’t have been happy, having scored all their points with barely over half the match gone and letting the visitors back into it. Ospreys also maintained their strong position, beating Edinburgh 31-22. The Scots didn’t help themselves with an indisciplined performance, but Ospreys coach Steve Tandy was still fuming with some of the decisions.
Zebre were the better of the Italian sides this week, coming back strongly to claim a losing bonus point against the Scarlets. The final score was 31-24. Conversely, Treviso were hammered by a rejuvenated Connacht, 47-8.
Castres keep up good form
Castres stayed on course for the playoffs, beating Lyon 23-19 away. The explosive game was decided by tries from Antoine Jelonch and Rory Kockott. The hosts managed to claim a losing bonus point, with Theo Belan getting his first ever try for the club. The win moves them into fifth, and with the way they are currently looking, they will only go up.
Ulster will be looking to their games against Clermont and licking their lips. The French giants, who have paved the way in Europe this season, are now on a run of form that has seen them lose to two teams in the bottom four and only just beat the other two in the last four games. They lost 40-35 to Pau at the weekend, despite a David Strettle hat-trick.
Montpellier and Grenoble played out a massively high scoring game. The south coasters were the winners, coming away with a 51-37 win and putting a lot of pressure on Clermont. A 23-23 draw with champions Racing saw La Rochelle slip to fourth. Toulon climbed up the table with a 37-10 victory over Bordeaux. Stade Francais calmed their early season fears by embarrassing lowly Bayonne 51-5. Toulouse also won, beating Brive 30-12.
Try of the weekend
Israel Folau’s break was an absolute treat. The try that followed was deserving of finishing it off. Quick recycling and a scathing line by Kepu was very pleasant to watch, particularly as he showed a wonderful turn of pace for a prop. Like a gazelle, but bigger.
Hero of the weekend
As an England fan, it has been many years since it has been a happy experience to watch my team. There have been moments of promise, but an overriding feeling of frustration and underachievement has presided. No longer. Eddie Jones, for giving players and fans alike the confidence, you are my hero of the week.
Villain of the weekend
I include this one for debate, more so than for calling it outright villainy. Northampton’s decision to allow George North to play on after possibly being out cold. He went off for HIA and passed the tests, but with a player with history for concussions, perhaps it wasn’t wise to let him continue. Thoughts?
By Joe Large
Hero and try for me was Ben Youngs with that outrageous dummy.
Current lions:
Fullbacks: Liam Williams, Stuart Hogg, Rob Kearney
Wings: Sean Maitland, Jonny May, Anthony Watson, George North
Centres: Jonathan Davies, Robbie Henshaw, Owen Farrell, Jonathan Joseph
Outside halves: George Ford, Jonathan Sexton
Scrum halves: Conor Murray, Rhys Webb, Ben Youngs
Props: Dan Cole, Jack McGrath, Tadgh Furlong, Joe Marler, WP Nel, Mako Vunipola
Hookers: Dylan Hartley, Rory Best, Jamie George
Second rows: Joe Launchbury, Jonny Gray, Alun Wyn Jones, Maro Itoje, George Kruis
Back rows: Peter O’Mahony, Toby Faletau, Billy Vunipola, Chris Robshaw, Sean O’Brien, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton
North in there somewhat on reputation. Brown possibly in.
Starting Team:
Vunipola; Hartley; Furlong; AWJ; Kruis; Itoje; O’Brien; Vunipola; Murray; Sexton; Williams; Farrell; Joseph; Watson; Hogg
McGrath; George; Cole; Robshaw; Faletau; Youngs; Henshaw; North
Tasty midweek team of Marler, Best, Nel, Launchbury, Gray, O’Mahony, Tipuric, Warburton, Webb, Ford, May, Henshaw, Davies, Maitland, Kearney
Nice choices although I’d possibly consider Stander over POM and the young Scots centre whose name I’ve forgotten / Daly / Ringrose ahead of Jonathan Davies
North is a difficult one. He is brilliant when on form and the best winger in the North when he is but he seems to rarely hit those heights at the moment. Would he just be a passenger?
There will be some intense competition from currently injured players over the course of the 6 Nations. Hopefully everyone will be fit so we can get a good look at the options
I’m glad I’m not the only north skeptic, don’t get me wrong he shows flashes of brilliance and his physicality is unquestionable. But does he makes his presence felt, game in game out does he play to good standard ? For me no far from it, he’d be in the squad myb on the bench but not in my first XV.
Some interesting selections there Robbo. I would agree with most, but would tweak slightly in some areas.
Despite Hogg being mightily impressive going forward with ball in hand, I would rather have Kearney starting a test against NZ. I think he is a more all round full back but much better defensively than Hogg and will handle the constant aerial threat.
I’m also not sure Hartley deserves a start. Good captain and leader, but certainly not the best Hooker in that squad. I would probably start with Best and have George on the bench.
Like the look of the back row though. Spoilt for choice at lock so stick Itoje at 6!! If he gets back to the sort of form he was in before injury he could start at scrum half for all I care!!
I think Liam Williams is a good player, but for me his decision making lets him down sometimes. Looking for the miracle pass when it would be best to take the contact and trust his team to back him up. I would have Maitland on the right wing and North on the left. May or Watson on the bench. I just think North is still devastating in attack and should get a start. Unfortunately for him he’s playing in a struggling Welsh and Saints team.
The overall squad looks about right to me though. Will be interesting to see what influence the 6N has on the squad selection.
@ Robbo – that back row is mouth watering!!
On your villain of the weekend, I have to admit it didn’t look good. North says he wasn’t knocked out and so do the Saints medical team, but you would think just as a precaution you would replace him?
Haven’t seen the whole match so don’t know how much influence he had later on but, you would think with his history of concussions it is just not worth the risk!!
Based on the the replay, and the pictures of North immediately after the fall, I think it is pretty clear he was unconscious. I know I’m no professional but he doesn’t move at all, with his face flat to the ground, for a relatively significant period of time.
As you said Dazza, he has a history of concussion and one must wonder how many more blows he can take before he will be forced to retire. This one seemed a bit innocuous as well so not a good sign.
I hope Mallinder and co. put his welfare first and rest him for a week or so. Although based on his post-match interview, Jim didn’t think there was anything wrong with him at all. A bit frightening.
I don’t think North should be in the Lions squad at the moment, there are players out there in far better form. He has been pretty insignificant for both club and country a while now.
No mention of Haskell who was man of the series in Australia and seems like a character to have around a squad under pressure? Granted not the best player, but a Lions tour over there needs character.
Tim visser matches his physicality and consistently plays better in the AP, and Liam Williams always looks lively on his wing.
Agreed, let’s assume that four wingers are taken on tour, can anyone honestly say that North is one of the best four wingers in Britain and Ireland at the moment?
Agree re North, sadly. Is Jonathan Davies also in the same boat of being a great player, but just not quite firing at the moment. Or is that just a factor of being in an out of sorts Welsh side at the moment?