England - Italy Match thread

[nathan]

First topic message reminder :

Looking forward to the game, had no idea they had that much snow. Pitch doesn't look too good!

EDIT: Got to comment on Guscutt's scarf, it's soooo bad!!

[Biltong]

You're welcome Knackeredknees See you on the France/Ireland one...although I may be more one-eyed on there

Yeah and we all know where that eye will be focused

You know me too well.

Apparently it's even colder and wetter in Paris

hopefully there will be gas heaters near the bench. all you need to do is contact them and request the camera men keep filming the bench.

[PJHolybloke]

Would like to thanks Cari and all the other nations even eyed posters you have made this a quality thread....if only the rugby was as good eh

Where's gnollthingy gone??

It has been a decent thread today hasnt it

Well I did keep woodstock busy on another thread, so you guys could have decent conversation.

Your Care in the Community work will not go unrewarded Biltong.

[eirebilly]

Happy now PJ?

[Biltong]

Would like to thanks Cari and all the other nations even eyed posters you have made this a quality thread....if only the rugby was as good eh

Where's gnollthingy gone??

It has been a decent thread today hasnt it

Well I did keep woodstock busy on another thread, so you guys could have decent conversation.

thank you kind gent!

It was tedious though, it reminded me of how a turd sticks to a blanket, just doesn't want to let go.

[Notch]

If I may lower the tone with an acronym, I might suggest that England are a Spirited, Hard-working International Team. So fair play to them on their win today

[ChequeredJersey]

Do you think after that game but a win our GS odds will have gone higher or lower?

[Biltong]

Anyway, congrats to England, another one in the bag.

[Cari]

Noooooo Billy!!! The match thread will be a bit boring wouldn't it? We'd have to watch John Inversnail, Jiffy and Keef Wood yakking in a studio for two hours!

Hopefully, the French have set fire to the pitch or something and it'll stay on. they don't care about 'elf and safety over there either, so there's nothing to worry about there.

[Morgannwg]

[quote="nathan"]

Lawrence has been poor this afternoon. England have taken out an Italian a few times now and it's not been their fault once. Tom Croft's was so blatant.

Italy made the wrong decision back there. Had they even got the 3 points, 5 minutes was not long enough for them to make their way back towards the English 22 and attempt to win the game.

stop being silly, croft wasn't even looking!![/quote

Do you and Dallaglio go to the same optician? Croft started running sideways, it was so unbeievably blatent. It made a previous knock flare up then apparently Serg was 'milking it.' Poor commentary.

[Gibson]

Every game is an entity unto itself in this gig. England have won 2 from 2 and learned a lot as a team. Egro... they will only get better. Its how it works.

Might put a few shillins on them to win it.

Money to burn Gibbo...?

Nah, I just think they are growing in the Tournament. Not expected to do well, but have. If Wales even get a sniff of over-confidence, England will ave em.

[Biltong]

Would like to thanks Cari and all the other nations even eyed posters you have made this a quality thread....if only the rugby was as good eh

Where's gnollthingy gone??

It has been a decent thread today hasnt it

Well I did keep woodstock busy on another thread, so you guys could have decent conversation.

Your Care in the Community work will not go unrewarded Biltong.

[PJHolybloke]

Happy now PJ?

Well Bath won, so yes. I did have a gut feeling this morning that Italy-England or France-Ireland would produce an upset, so let's just hope the game goes ahead eh?

It's not like they're made of sugar is it?

[gowales]

It looked like Croft lost his footing to me

[bsando]

Commentator is a joke.. "England win, they're gathering momentum!" "Another gutsy performance!!"

Pretty sure Italy missed two penalties, gifted a try to hodgson (who did very well to get another charge) and then completely kooked almost every other passage of play.

I think the only positives England can take are the subs they made. If I were an English fan I would be veryyyy concerned.

Why exactly?

There a new team
They have a new coach
There playing away from home
They have there main 10 out injured

I don't think any England fan seriously thought we'd come out and play brilliant rugby after 2 games...

haha I can think of one who probably did Nah you're quite right, I just think England will now have 3 very tough games to play. And the commentator coming out with a statement like "England are gathering momentum!" sounded a bit daft and over ambitious.

[Cari]

It was tedious though, it reminded me of how a turd sticks to a blanket, just doesn't want to let go.

[PJHolybloke]

If I may lower the tone with an acronym, I might suggest that England are a Spirited, Hard-working International Team. So fair play to them on their win today

Winning is winning Notch, ya rascal ye.

[Gibson]

If I may lower the tone with an acronym, I might suggest that England are a Spirited, Hard-working International Team. So fair play to them on their win today

If I may give some balance. at least they are progressing and not-regressing. Unlike Ireland - who will be 0 from 2 after tonight.

[Breadvan]

England are such a lucky team, gotta be said. Your real test will be in 2 weeks time.

Yep, especially if yous steamroll the Scots tomorrow. Still. two tough away games done and two wins. Regroup for a home game and with the previously injured players back in the starting 15, I hope for a improved game from Eng..

[eirebilly]

Noooooo Billy!!! The match thread will be a bit boring wouldn't it? We'd have to watch John Inversnail, Jiffy and Keef Wood yakking in a studio for two hours!

Hopefully, the French have set fire to the pitch or something and it'll stay on. they don't care about 'elf and safety over there either, so there's nothing to worry about there.

I just feel it Cari... I hope that i am wrong

[Cari]

If I may lower the tone with an acronym, I might suggest that England are a Spirited, Hard-working International Team. So fair play to them on their win today

Winning is winning Notch, ya rascal ye.

I thought that was very good!

[eirebilly]

Happy now PJ?

Well Bath won, so yes. I did have a gut feeling this morning that Italy-England or France-Ireland would produce an upset, so let's just hope the game goes ahead eh?

It's not like they're made of sugar is it?

All in all a good day for you then my friend

[Full Credit]

Biltong, what are your turds doing anywhere near blankets?

[Gibson]

Watching this Liverpool v United after-game sheet. Soccer is in the sewer.

Thank God for Rugby.

[Biltong]

Biltong, what are your turds doing anywhere near blankets?

Not allowed to say, if I tell ya, I have to kill ya.

[Cari]

Watching this Liverpool v United after-game sheet. Soccer is in the sewer.

Thank God for Rugby.

Agree. And there wasn't ONE good looking player amongst them

[TycroesOsprey]

Well England have won their first two matches and deserve credit for it. Their ball retention was much better and after Castrogiovanni went off they had a clear advantage at scrumtime. Whilst they went through the phases well there is still a real lack of penetration in midfield, Tuilagi iff he is fit will have to come in and I assume move Farrell to 12. Despite the chargedown charlie really isnt an internatinal 10 although Burton made him look like Barry John in comparison. Flood is another who would guve Englands backs a better attacking dimension. Englands biggest problem stems in the pack. They simply dont posess the firepower to bully teams up front anymoe. Morgan has to come into the backrow against Wales as at least he brought a hard direct edge.

All that said whilst the Sais have made progress, I cant see the Irish French or Welsh being that worried about their attack. England will need to up their game from today, although the weather cant have helped.

If only the last two sides had posessec an outside half with a bit of wit and invention, I suspect England would have come a cropper in both games.

[Cari]

Biltong, what are your turds doing anywhere near blankets?

He sh*ts the bed all the time; have you seen what time he posts on some days?!

[Biltong]

Barrit also looked quite a bit more effective than last weekend.

[Morgannwg]

England are such a lucky team, gotta be said. Your real test will be in 2 weeks time.

Yep, especially if yous steamroll the Scots tomorrow. Still. two tough away games done and two wins. Regroup for a home game and with the previously injured players back in the starting 15, I hope for a improved game from Eng..

I suppose you can take possitives from blooding a few guys on the back of two away wins. With all due respect, these were the weakest opposition in the tournament and some of your players returning to the team is quite timely. I don't think we'll steamroll the Scots, their team looks pretty good. We'll steamroll England if they keep playing like this, where would your tries come from?

[Notch]

If I may lower the tone with an acronym, I might suggest that England are a Spirited, Hard-working International Team. So fair play to them on their win today

Winning is winning Notch, ya rascal ye.

On a serious note, it sure is. In a tournament like this with no BPs the manner of victory isn't important. At home next up; anything can happen. Honestly. So don't let the knockers get you down.

[Biltong]

Biltong, what are your turds doing anywhere near blankets?

He sh*ts the bed all the time; have you seen what time he posts on some days?!

It reminds me of this joke.

Three old men are sitting in the dining room at the old age home. The first one looks very disgruntled, so his mate asks him what is wrong, he says well I have to get up every 2 hours to go to the toilet. His mate says he's lucky he has to get up every hour to go.

The last old man remians quiet, so eventually they ask him how often he has to get up. so he responds that he doesn't have to get up at all during the night, as nature only calls at 6 am. Astonished and a little jealous they reply you are lucky mate.


He then reveals, the problem is he only wakes up at 10 am.

[Full Credit]

Biltong, what are your turds doing anywhere near blankets?

He sh*ts the bed all the time; have you seen what time he posts on some days?!

Can't blame him though, super rugby is still a few weeks off yet.

[eirebilly]

I fail to see how some people see that England have won 2 games purely based on luck from Hodgson charge downs. There is quite an element of skill involved in getting a charge down. You have to read the play, be very quick and have the skill to control the ball when scoring. Not much luck involved in that i think.

[Knackeredknees]

If I may lower the tone with an acronym, I might suggest that England are a Spirited, Hard-working International Team. So fair play to them on their win today

Was going to reply but could not think of anything for T?

[Cari]

I like that Billtong!

Right, food time then back for the

[eirebilly]

Biltong, what are your turds doing anywhere near blankets?

He sh*ts the bed all the time; have you seen what time he posts on some days?!

It reminds me of this joke.

Three old men are sitting in the dining room at the old age home. The first one looks very disgruntled, so his mate asks him what is wrong, he says well I have to get up every 2 hours to go to the toilet. His mate says he's lucky he has to get up every hour to go.

The last old man remians quiet, so eventually they ask him how often he has to get up. so he responds that he doesn't have to get up at all during the night, as nature only calls at 6 am. Astonished and a little jealous they reply you are lucky mate.


He then reveals, the problem is he only wakes up at 10 am.

[Knackeredknees]

England are such a lucky team, gotta be said. Your real test will be in 2 weeks time.

Yep, especially if yous steamroll the Scots tomorrow. Still. two tough away games done and two wins. Regroup for a home game and with the previously injured players back in the starting 15, I hope for a improved game from Eng..

I suppose you can take possitives from blooding a few guys on the back of two away wins. With all due respect, these were the weakest opposition in the tournament and some of your players returning to the team is quite timely. I don't think we'll steamroll the Scots, their team looks pretty good. We'll steamroll England if they keep playing like this, where would your tries come from?

Priestland getting charged down durrrr........ lol

to be honest i have no idea

[Gibson]

Do you think after that game but a win our GS odds will have gone higher or lower?

2 from 2 suggests higher non? Lot to work on but, every game is its own entity. Looking foward to the rest of em. There could be tears...

[ChequeredJersey]

Well, whatever the result from here, this young England side have made a lot of progress today. Proud of the lads.

Really? still created nothing going forward. Ashton / Foden / strettle have hardly had a pass

A tad unfair, there was some good attacking in the middle of the first half and the start of the second. I was really impressed by Strettle's work in general too

[Cowshot]

Definitely underdogs going into the next three games. But clear progress and two wins. A few changes for the Welsh game and we ought to compete, at least. Flood, Tuilagi, Morgan, Dixon Parling I'd like to see.

Very interested to see what Lancaster will do.

[eirebilly]

Definitely underdogs going into the next three games. But clear progress and two wins. A few changes for the Welsh game and we ought to compete, at least. Flood, Tuilagi, Morgan, Dixon Parling I'd like to see.

Very interested to see what Lancaster will do.

To be fair, i would make England evens with those 5 starting, especially at home.

[nobbled]

Well, appears Notch knows everything really.

[ChequeredJersey]

Let's see how Flood and Tuilagi do for Leicester first, might be better to use as subs as they could both game break. If Wood is back I'd bring him in too

[eirebilly]

Well, whatever the result from here, this young England side have made a lot of progress today. Proud of the lads.

Really? still created nothing going forward. Ashton / Foden / strettle have hardly had a pass

A tad unfair, there was some good attacking in the middle of the first half and the start of the second. I was really impressed by Strettle's work in general too

In all honesty, i was not so impressed with Strettle today. I was really impressed with Barrit and Farrell though. Farrell's kicking was outstanding.

[Knackeredknees]

Any news from Paris???

[eirebilly]

Let's see how Flood and Tuilagi do for Leicester first, might be better to use as subs as they could both game break. If Wood is back I'd bring him in too

It would be hard on Hodgson if he was dropped to be honest as he has played very well the first 2 games.

[gowales]

I wonder if Hodgson will be out for the next game, he took a heavy hit to the head.

[ChequeredJersey]

Do you think after that game but a win our GS odds will have gone higher or lower?

2 from 2 suggests higher non? Lot to work on but, every game is its own entity. Looking foward to the rest of em. There could be tears...

I'm hoping it's like RWC 2007 where we were awful until it mattered (then plucky but outclassed in the final, Cueto's try excepted)! It's a bit annoying though, when we are chasing the game we start to play a little rugby then as soon as we are safe-ish again we stop, or so it seems to me

[Cowshot]

Well, whatever the result from here, this young England side have made a lot of progress today. Proud of the lads.

Really? still created nothing going forward. Ashton / Foden / strettle have hardly had a pass

A tad unfair, there was some good attacking in the middle of the first half and the start of the second. I was really impressed by Strettle's work in general too

Exactly. An advance on where we were from the Scotland game. Certainly not perfection, or even very good. I didn't think we'd win this, certainly not on the Scotland performance. But we did put some phases together in absolutely freezing conditions and thye pack got a real edge after Castro went off and you could see the self belief beginning.

Now there certainly will be slip ups along the way, but this bunch of newbies have done well. Two from two and few expectations - very rare for an England side !

[funnyExiledScot]

Good team spirit from England there. Under the cosh in tough away conditions and they came through. Poor errors from Foden and Ben Youngs was pretty poor. Dickson and Morgan made a big difference, and I think Morgan should certainly start against Wales.

Certainly not a vintage performance, but as with the Scotland game where England were under pressure for much of the game, England found a way to win with a young and inexperienced side.

Wales will be a step up, but England have the potential to improve, as they showed in the second half. Lancaster will be pretty pleased I'm sure.

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