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

[TightHEAD]

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.

[formerly known as Sam]

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!

Not really kicking it's the kick chase. England's is ragged. France's hasn't been great due to the pace of the game either but they normally have someone there. England have had some kicks with nobody bothering to chase. The one with the Teddy Thomas break late in the second half. It's nearly over his head and he's back tracking onto it but no one chases. We'll gloss over the fact he looked to have a foot in touch and jump to the 50 odd easy metres because no one is putting any pressure on him.

[doctor_grey]

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.

Agree. As much as I prefer him on the pitch instead of George, he can't stay on.

On the other hand, if he breaks someone's leg, it's good for my business.

[whatahitson]

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.

It's good to kick from turnover ball. The wingers won't have pushed back to field the kick.

Unfortunately the French are lethal on the counter attack and Brace is a highly emotional referee who cannot be trusted to allow England to compete when it comes to isolated players who run from deep.

Three kicks have very nearly resulted in England tries. Watson's chip ahead and two kicks in to the try zone which with a different bounce would be scores.

England need to keep chipping away with points. Don't turn down drop goal opportunities. Just stay in touch with France and France will give them try scoring opportunities as the game drags on.

[whatahitson]

Youngs is playing well, isn't he.

Who would have thought, it's a lot easier to play well when your pack isn't constantly giving away penalties and being consistently marched backwards...

[tigertattie]

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.

Even though he’s Irish

[tatterd]

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.

You really know your rugby mate well done

[jimbopip]

As a neutral, it's a cracking game. France seem to be taking insane risks: running from their own line, dummying to kick and jinking past three men in their own half. I get the sense that France are being so blasé about taking risks because they just know they are better than England and will win. For all England have played some good rugby they have not rattled the French or made them question their right to feel so confident.
Also, Luke Cowan Dickie...did I see two no arms tackles? I think he's rather fortunate to be sans carte jaune.

[whatahitson]

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.

Even though he’s Irish

No he's Welsh.

He played international rugby for Belgium and referees for the IRFU but he's still Welsh.

Steve Walsh didn't become Australian when he no longer represented New Zealand as a ref.

[whatahitson]

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.

You really know your rugby mate well done

Thanks pal.

[doctor_grey]

As a neutral, it's a cracking game. France seem to be taking insane risks: running from their own line, dummying to kick and jinking past three men in their own half. I get the sense that France are being so blasé about taking risks because they just know they are better than England and will win. For all England have played some good rugby they have not rattled the French or made them question their right to feel so confident.
Also, Luke Cowan Dickie...did I see two no arms tackles? I think he's rather fortunate to be sans carte jaune.

Since I am beat-dead-tired after morning Rugby practice, I am home alone with a beer, except connected with this lot and my old man connected by Zoom.
In essence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E9ydw_aDMg

[tatterd]

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.

You really know your rugby mate well done

Thanks pal.

Brace...Gauzere. Common denominator? English indiscipline.

[whatahitson]

That's an absolute joke. Teddy Thomas is flopped on that ball like a salmon. Never supporting his body weight.

[Heaf]

Where was the clear release there?

[miltonkeynesengland]

Need Lawrence to add a direct straight running threat

[whatahitson]

Vakatawa, sorry, not Thomas. Straight down on to his hands, all his body weight tipped forward, never in his legs. Dreadful.

[doctor_grey]

Need Lawrence to add a direct straight running threat

Agree. That move failed because England were drifting and need the direct line.

[Geordie]

I still think its Farrell or Slade with a big carrier...

Ironically both Slade and Darrell have had good games.

Slade has had one of his best for England..

[Heaf]

Defo pen to England though ... and if given a prime position for a catch & drive ...

[whatahitson]

England are reluctant to move the ball wide because you can see they're still using the same attacking patterns they've been using since 2016. That's why they look good when they keep it tight but are getting read out in the midfield and out wide.

Kicking isn't a bad option. It just needs to be executed well. Get over the gainline and then put it good tactical kicks behind the French line.

[No 7&1/2]

Wilson has started the 2nd half much better. Finally getting to rucks.

[doctor_grey]

England are reluctant to move the ball wide because you can see they're still using the same attacking patterns they've been using since 2016.

CORRECTION. 1916, not 2016.

[BamBam]

Jalibert is a terrific fly half

[Geordie]

Jalibert is a terrific fly half

So is Marcus Smith...oh

[whatahitson]

England are reluctant to move the ball wide because you can see they're still using the same attacking patterns they've been using since 2016.

CORRECTION.  1916, not 2016.

LOL tbf the attacking patterns are nice when they run those flat and fast lines. It's very hard to defend against when the defence doesn't know what's coming. Look at how Wales couldn't manage to stop it. The problem is they're forcing the play. They managed to get that attacking pattern going in the first 5 minutes and it led to the try, eventually. The problem is England are attacking with 3-4 wide players instead of 7-8 options which makes it much easier to read in defence. Particularly when the dummy runner is just there as a token and not in with a reasonable chance of receiving the pass.

If England were able to get on a roll and go through the phases then moving the ball wide would be a good option. But French are good defensively, strong in the tackle, and more importantly they're being allowed to go beyond the ball to compete at the rucks because Brace has decided to allow it.

[doctor_grey]

Plus the last player receiving the offload has no ruck coverage. Too frantic.

[doctor_grey]

I would have kicked to the corner and mauled it over.

[No 7&1/2]

I'm hoping for better use of the bench than we've seen recently.

[whatahitson]

Yes frantic is the right word.

The balance between big power runners and keeping options spread across the line, and protecting the ball with ruck support and clearing forwards isn't quite right at the moment.

At the moment it's a risk worth taking. If England slow the ball down I can't see them grinding through the French, they're too big and powerful and the Top14 is all about that kind of arm wrestle.

I do think they need to use the drop goal as an option though. Another French counter attack try and England are nearly out of the game.

[whatahitson]

Another very questionable penalty at the ruck goes to France.

[king_carlos]

Why take that out the maul there. So unnecessary. Just keep rumbling forwards.

Ewels has had a good game IMO. Doing a reasonable George Kruis impression which is what England needed.

[No 7&1/2]

Really need George Genge earl Lawrence on ASAP.

[No 7&1/2]

And Robson.

[whatahitson]

Right idea by Youngs, bad execution.

Those kicks will eventually produce tries for England.

[Duty281]

Lots of French errors in the past few minutes. England not taking complete advantage, for now anyway.

[No 7&1/2]

Really need those subs now.

[whatahitson]

The refereeing of collpases at the scrum has been similarly inconsistent.

The worst thing a referee can be is inconsistent.

[king_carlos]

Unforced errors culling the momentum. Really frustrating.

[Heaf]

Another very questionable penalty at the ruck goes to France.

He's been poor in that area for the whole game ...

[No 7&1/2]

Good subs bar daly.

[whatahitson]

One thing to note is how little France have offered in this second half.

Yes, they remain a threat and can create something from nothing, but England's use of the ball has completely nullified their attacking threat since their try just after the restart.

[tatterd]

Another very questionable penalty at the ruck goes to France.

Not once have you credited France with a single piece of good play. Instead you spend every comment moaning about the referee's perceived bad calls against your team.....

[king_carlos]

Brilliant kick from May. A good tackle from Farrell to win the ball back too. Hopefully that just settles England down.

[doctor_grey]

Good subs bar daly.

Agree. Why Daly?

[No 7&1/2]

Good subs bar daly.

Agree.  Why Daly?

I mean I'd love it if he sets up the winner. Bit of a head scratcher on form though.

[king_carlos]

Daly did really well under a lot of pressure to clean that up.

[whatahitson]

Another very questionable penalty at the ruck goes to France.

Not once have you credited France with a single piece of good play. Instead you spend every comment moaning about the referee's perceived bad calls against your team.....

The great play speaks for itself. The bad decisions by the referee however can go ignored in the intensity of the game.

What have you contributed to this thread? Two comments trying to police the comment section?

[whatahitson]

This could be the decisive blow.

England should have kept chipping away with drop goals and 3 pointers when they had the chance.

[doctor_grey]

Wow. England are giving away a lot of breakdown pens. Fundamentals....

[whatahitson]

Daly already showing his class. Malins was decent but also looked rocked a few times by the intensity of test rugby.

Great call by those who think Daly's . As per.

[doctor_grey]

Lawrence anyone?

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