Comments on: Best of the Weekend: Experimental England Fails To Excite

By: Don P

Don P — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 17:09:13 +0000

‘Questions will be asked about whether Jones has wasted an opportunity this Autumn in not playing with combinations and giving more players more of a chance ‘. Haven’t they already been asked. Good to get x3 for every posi, but surely this policy of EJ’s focuses too much on individuals rather than getting a cohesive, innovative & effective style of play to WIN the WC. As Wales found last Sat, some guile is required as well. EJ has talked about an ‘English style’, but what is this exactly? Playing for territory, i.e., kicking the ball AWAY for a perceived advantage. Hoping to steal line-outs, or get turnovers in the oppo’s 22, then maul ’em to death? Believe that penalties or yellows will automatically follow? Well, maybe. After all he’s won 20 of 21 & got the ‘coach of the yr’ gong & they’re not to be sniffed at. However, are these enough to win the big 1? This article (& gauging a few other pundits’ views), implies not. Didn’t see much of the Samoa game myself I have to admit, but I deemed that the Oz v Scotland match would be more of a contest (might have been if the ref hadn’t wrecked it with the, by now, regulation card-a real concern for distorted footy these days!?), but from what I did see in replay, it seemed that England did enough to win comfortably.. on the score board at least. The ? I suppose is;’ will this Autumn have been enough to win the 6N’?

By: Niall

Niall — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 09:10:05 +0000

yes they played 42 minutes against 14 men, but quite a few of those scores were from poor defending. Take Jonny Gray’s canter through a massive gap at the side of a ruck. Or John Barclay breaking out of a three-man tackle.

You could argue Maitland’s try was nothing to do with the sending off as he identified (from deep) where the forwards were hanging out, and he’d have burned Kepu too.

Huw Jones’ try again was down to laziness of Australia and not the man advantage.

Scotland would’ve still won that game, maybe not by 30 points, but they’d have won.

By: Leon

Leon — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 09:08:05 +0000

Spoty is just a BBC self congratulatory thing largely based around sports they have the TV rights to show. Not worth the time of day

By: Weebs

Weebs — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 06:10:01 +0000

Actually Kepu was sent off just before half time.
What was nice to see was once they had the game in the bag, we never have it in the bag really, rather than close it down with the man advantage they continued to attack.

Until we grind teams up and spit them out, when the opportunity is there, won’t get the respect.

Same with grinding out wins when needed oh and the ever elusive consistency.

By: Weebs

Weebs — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 06:04:19 +0000

Taylor was missing through injury, we do however have a abundance of riches at centre. Maitland can cover for Hoggy. The big worry is Finn we don’t have an able deputy as yet.

To be honest I am quite content for the Welsh to be out of the picture for a while. Might teach some of their supporters humility. Getting as bad as Bok fans. Loud boorish and jerseys off and oot the pub when they loose.

/rant on
If I can wear that 90 Jersey and gracefully put up with the, mostly, good natured ribbing / condolences for twenty odd years then so can they.
\rant off

By: Henno

Henno — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 21:05:16 +0000

*nominations

By: Henno

Henno — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 21:01:27 +0000

Just saw BBC Sport Personality of the year announced, quite surprised at the lack of rugby players. Would’ve thought at least one of Warburton, Itoje and Farrell might be nominated in a successful year for home nations

By: Rambo

Rambo — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 17:58:49 +0000

Majority? Kepu was sent off after HT, 43rd minute if I remember correctly. Would also argue that Scotland were missing far more players of note than Australia : Hogg, Talyor, Dunbar, Scott, Bennett, Laidlaw, Ashe, Hardie, R Gray, Nel, Dickinson and Ford.

All the above being said, will Scotland win the 6N – unlikely. Will be in with a shout – absolutely. Scotland fans know their teams failings all too well so will approach with caution – but this team is showing a clear ability to score tries and will win more games than they lose this year.

With Dave Rennie’s approach at Glasgow and Townsend’s game plan, Scotland’s fitness will be more than a match for anyone.

Roll on Cardiff.

By: jake

jake — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 17:42:30 +0000

The Scotland attack is fun to watch, Russell gives the defenders a headache because he has the ability to break the line. A big fan of Huw Jones too, who would’ve been pushing for Lions if he hadn’t gotten injured.
Why doesn’t Taylor get more of a look in at centre? I would say he offers more than Dunbar but I only get to see him in the Prem.
6N will be a 3 horse race, with England marginal favourites. We just need the French and Welsh to step it up again.

By: Blub

Blub — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 16:59:24 +0000

Andy,
“Unlucky” in the sense that it happens far too often, and is not punished – as in your example during the Saracens-Exeter game (although I didn’t see it, so i’ll take your word for it).

By: Weebs

Weebs — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 16:57:18 +0000

Yeah our defence still worries me.
The plus is we are now scoring tries from anywhere which a few years ago just wasn’t happening. I really liked the sneaky tap and go Finn did for Jones try.
I would say Dunbar was a loss defensively on Saturday but given he played Samoa I’m undecided.

I have seen, and suffered through, far too many false dawns at my olde age. Let’s get the Welsh monkey off our back and then worry about the Auld Enemy.

I would say better Bench than fitness to be honest but at least fitness is easier to equalise. Still played three lost one blooded some new caps, all in all a good Autumn International with a nice end.

Well unless you’re Welsh and got the Boks outside of the International Window.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 16:52:27 +0000

I only saw it once, in real time, but I thought Yeandle´s leap onto Schalk Brits when he was in no position to defend himself might have merited something similar, and possibly swung the game Exeter´s way. Kepu certainly wasn´t “unlucky”. Refs should be on top of these cheap blind side hits.