ENGLAND vs FRANCE - Match Thread - 13/3/21 16:45pm

by TightHEAD Thu 11 Mar 2021, 11:18 am

First topic message reminder :

Starting XV

15. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 6 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 49 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 37 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 91 caps) (C)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 64 caps)
10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 75 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 107 caps)

1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 65 caps)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 29 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 42 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 46 caps)
5. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 19 caps)
6. Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons, 21 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 31 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 59 caps)

FINISHERS
16. Jamie George (Saracens, 57 caps)
17. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 26 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
19. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps)
20. Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 11 caps)
21. Dan Robson (Wasps, 10 caps)
22. Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, 4 caps)
23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 50 caps

FRANCE XV

Dulin; Thomas, Vakatawa, Fickou, Penaud; Jalibert, Dupont; Baille, Marchand, Haouas; Taofifenua, Willemse; Cretin, Ollivon (capt), Alldritt.

Replacements: Chat, Gros, Aldegheri, Cazeaux, Woki, Jelonch, Serin, Ntamack.

by Geordie Sat 13 Mar 2021, 4:57 pm

The interplay of backs and forwards fry evident early on...

Farrell and Slade very prominent aswell

by doctor_grey Sat 13 Mar 2021, 4:58 pm

I do like the French playing the ball aggressively. But I like better Slade playing a much more important part, so far. Nice try.

by king_carlos Sat 13 Mar 2021, 4:58 pm

When Curry carries lots like this England tend to play well.

I'm not Ewels biggest fan but he's had a busy first 10 minutes as well.

Much better attacking play overall from England.

I'm hoping that Malins can settle into this game as it goes along. He will be nervous and under pressure from a good France kicking game.

by No 7&1/2 Sat 13 Mar 2021, 4:59 pm

Lucky there. Thought that was no arms from LCD before.

by king_carlos Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:00 pm

LCD makes A LOT of those hits for Exeter but tends to clean things up for England.

by whatahitson Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:01 pm

Duty281 wrote:French defence was good for the most part - they undermined it themselves by those silly quick line-outs, when they should have been grateful for the short stoppage.

As expected France are looking mentally weak. Plenty of bad decisions already in both defence and attack.

Not only is this the biggest issue the French need to get over to prove that they're 'back' to being a top team, but given the last fortnight or so it was always likely that this would be the game where they implode. Particularly if England frustrate them physically.

by Geordie Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:02 pm

Mark Wilson couldn't catch their hooker there...

by king_carlos Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:03 pm

Excellent kick and the right option from Malins. Good signs.

by king_carlos Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:06 pm

Since that excellent first try for France, this has been promising for England.

by No 7&1/2 Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:06 pm

king_carlos wrote:Excellent kick and the right option from Malins. Good signs.

Bar thevpass on the wing under pressure he's started brightly.

by Heaf Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:08 pm

France player looked offside from kick-through ... luckily gathered by England anyway

by No 7&1/2 Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:08 pm

Damn it youngs.

by king_carlos Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:08 pm

Offside from Dupont...

by No 7&1/2 Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:09 pm

And damn it Youngs.

by Heaf Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:10 pm

king_carlos wrote:Offside from Dupont...

Yep - crept around the side of the ruck

by whatahitson Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:10 pm

king_carlos wrote:Offside from Dupont...

Agree.

Brace is doing ok so far but it's only a matter of time until more bad decisions start slipping in.

by whatahitson Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:11 pm

That's the 938kg pack in action. Wow.

by Heaf Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:13 pm

But when England pushed them back at the first scrum and France collapsed England were told to use it ...

by whatahitson Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:14 pm

whatahitson wrote:Brace is doing ok so far but it's only a matter of time until more bad decisions start slipping in.

Here they come...Brace refusing to allow England to compete for the ball.

by No 7&1/2 Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:16 pm

LCD with another 2 pens and now a warning. Quick turnaournd from that chance on their line.

by **BigGee** Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:16 pm

England on a warning now

by Duty281 Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:17 pm

France look incredibly dangerous with ball in hand...England's discipline just collapsed after a strong start.

by doctor_grey Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:17 pm

Not sure why France is going for the pen.

by king_carlos Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:18 pm

Excellent last gasp defence from Slade to prevent the try there.

France showing why more sides should go through phases with penalty advantage. That pressure will show and build to pen upon pen. So many sides in that situation go for the chip to nothing or miracle play as soon as the arm comes out.

The French offloading game is superb.

by miltonkeynesengland Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:19 pm

That is a thing of beauty

by **BigGee** Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:20 pm

France made that look very easy!

by BamBam Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:20 pm

They're slicing through so easily

by Duty281 Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:20 pm

What a dreamy set-piece move, the French in full flow. Mesmeric.

by king_carlos Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:21 pm

Wow. The French attacking game is something else.

This is without Vincent and Ntamack has started on the bench as well!

by whatahitson Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:21 pm

Key moment of the game now. Keep France pinned down before half time and get points, any points.

by whatahitson Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:22 pm

Brace's inconsistency at refereeing the breakdown is atrocious. Has to be said.

by doctor_grey Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:22 pm

And that whole fantastic move by France started when England kiced possession away inside their half when England were moving forwards. Again. France is too good to give the ball way when England have something going.
And that was a super, well worked try by France....

by Geordie Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:24 pm

Tom Curry is like a feckin demon on that pitch today

by whatahitson Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:25 pm

Dreadful refereeing. Just dreadful.

by **BigGee** Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:25 pm

No arms there fro LCD

by Geordie Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:26 pm

Where was Ford kicking there.??

by Heaf Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:27 pm

France are almost always offside when they kick but nobody seems bothered ...

by whatahitson Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:27 pm

And then he gives England a penalty where Curry didn't release as the tackle assist and Vunipola is lying on the wrong side. Oh dear Brace.

by king_carlos Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:28 pm

BigGee wrote:No arms there fro LCD

Third time today. Brilliant player but I've no idea how he gets away with them.

by doctor_grey Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:28 pm

king_carlos wrote:
BigGee wrote:No arms there fro LCD
Third time today. Brilliant player but I've no idea how he gets away with them.

Exactly, I saw three as well.

by No 7&1/2 Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:29 pm

France kicking about as much as England just with more quality. Used to be a real strength of Ford but he's been poor these last 3 games.

by doctor_grey Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:30 pm

No 7&1/2 wrote:France kicking about as much as England just with more quality. Used to be a real strength of Ford but he's been poor these last 3 games.

Kicking with more smarts!

by No 7&1/2 Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:30 pm

France kicking about as much as England just with more quality. Used to be a real strength of Ford but he's been poor these last 3 games. Albeit he hasn't been the primaryvkicker (slade and youngs).

by Soul Requiem Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:30 pm

whatahitson wrote:And then he gives England a penalty where Curry didn't release as the tackle assist and Vunipola is lying on the wrong side. Oh dear Brace.

England fan?

by No 7&1/2 Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:31 pm

Have to say I'd get Lawrence and earls on early if not at half time.

by doctor_grey Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:31 pm

No 7&1/2 wrote:France kicking about as much as England just with more quality. Used to be a real strength of Ford but he's been poor these last 3 games. Albeit he hasn't been the primaryvkicker (slade and youngs).

Ford mostly kicks when England need to keep possession.

by lostinwales Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:32 pm

What a difference it makes when the referee isn't a 'lady garden'

by tigertattie Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:32 pm

doctor_grey wrote:
king_carlos wrote:
BigGee wrote:No arms there fro LCD
Third time today. Brilliant player but I've no idea how he gets away with them.
Exactly, I saw three as well.

It’s outrageous. He’s going to snap someone’s leg doing this. I hate it. Just a dangerous dangerous way of tackling.

by whatahitson Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:32 pm

Soul Requiem wrote:
whatahitson wrote:And then he gives England a penalty where Curry didn't release as the tackle assist and Vunipola is lying on the wrong side. Oh dear Brace.

England fan?

Brace? I doubt it. He's Welsh.

by Duty281 Sat 13 Mar 2021, 5:33 pm

In some ways, the best half England have played in a while. Some key players - especially Curry - having a great game, and Malins has been solid enough on debut. But it hasn't been good enough against the best team in the NH, who have looked on a different level with ball-in-hand. The synchronised nature of the French attack is joyous.

Key moment of the half was when England were 13-7 up. They had the ball five metres from the French line, and Dupont was too quick for Youngs. Attack over, England haven't been back there yet, and the French have added ten points since.

Still got that impressive French bench to come, too...

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