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.

[doctor_grey]

Gotta like Genge's hair.

[No 7&1/2]

Lawrence anyone?

About 20 mins ago please.

[Geordie]

Finally some controlled aggression by Genge supporting Sinkler...

[whatahitson]

Another very questionable penalty at the ruck goes to France.

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

France are surviving the England clearout as they're consistently not supporting their body weight, which means they're top loaded on their shoulders and upper back instead of on their haunches, so the clearing England man just bounces off.

If England were willing to clear out rucks like the Irish i.e. constantly sealing off Brace would probably just ping them. It's a consequence of England trying to be clean after getting hammered by refs in the first 3 games and France getting the benefit from a highly inconsistent referee.

[whatahitson]

Have to think about drop goal here.

[Heaf]

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

True - but meanwhile France are allowed to not release the tackled player and put their hands on the ground beyond the ball ...

[No 7&1/2]

Youngs. Ffs. Get it away.

[Geordie]

Then Genge gets smashed out of a ruck.

[doctor_grey]

Then Genge gets smashed out of a ruck.

And another breakdown pen

[No 7&1/2]

Argh. There goes our line out as Woki comes on.

[Geordie]

9 mins for Lawrence...what's the point

[whatahitson]

Finally some controlled aggression by Genge supporting Sinkler...

Spoke too soon.

That phase of play was like the whole match in microcosm.

Great play by England, power runners getting over the gainline, and then when they go wide France can easily read the attacking move.

Farrell nearly messed it up but Daly's footwork (world class player unlike what some would like to pretend) saved the move by taking out 3 French defenders. And then it's just naivety at the breakdown to protect England ball.

Should have gone for the drop goal. Just slow it down when they're in the 22, get it in the middle, and with 9 minutes to go, make it a 1 point game. Naivety from England and Farrell's leadership again coming under question here.

[doctor_grey]

Argh. There goes our line out as Woki comes on.

screw him. He is very good, but not that good.

[whatahitson]

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

True - but meanwhile France are allowed to not release the tackled player and put their hands on the ground beyond the ball ...

Steady. You'll get attacked by some people for pointing that out...

[whatahitson]

World class from Daly again.

His critics should keep criticising him. What a track record!

[Geordie]

Aaaaarrrgggggggghhhhhhhhh

[whatahitson]

The moment for the drop goal has gone now.

It's all about attack v defence for the game. England score a try, they win. France hold them out, they win.

Tense.

[whatahitson]

Kick for the corner. There's not enough time.

[whatahitson]

Come on. Big maul to win the game.

[whatahitson]

Well there's the big maul...

[No 7&1/2]

Think that's down initially then held up.

[whatahitson]

Deserved try. It was coming but they took their time.

Now it's attack v defence but the other way.

[Geordie]

Wow

[Collapse2005]

Not sure Joy Neville really did saw the ball touch down there but England probably deserve it.

[king_carlos]

A huge conversion to come.

[doctor_grey]

Wow

wow

[No 7&1/2]

Lol well done to the serial down marker!

[doctor_grey]

Did it look like Eddie had to pee?

[Geordie]

Barely heard itojes name

[whatahitson]

Well at least Brace was consistent. Earl is so off his feet he may as well be a snake.

[whatahitson]

OH WHAT A SHOCKER REFEREE YOU ARE HAVING A NIGHTMARE

[king_carlos]

Excellent kick. Farrell has had a very good game thus far.

[No 7&1/2]

Hes turned his decision over from the vid. Frak off.

[BigGee]

That turnover was fortunate for Earls

[whatahitson]

Not sure Joy Neville really did saw the ball touch down there but England probably deserve it.

The ball grazed along the ground and was then held up. Would have been harsh to disallow it but I thouhgt the question/original decision might rule it out.

[tigertattie]

Oh dear antone

[king_carlos]

I've never seen a turnover penalty changed after seeing the big screen like that. But Earl was off his feet. Attacking beyond the ball then driven back onto it.

[BigGee]

Well done England, they managed to dig that one out

Though old victory and well deserved

[Scottrf]

That turnover was fortunate for Earls

Right decision in the end but why can’t refs spot anything real time? Too many crutches to rely on.

[No 7&1/2]

I've never seen a turnover penalty changed after seeing the big screen like that. But Earl was off his feet. Attacking beyond the ball then driven back onto it.

Its a bit dodgy that though given whoever the director is can choose what to show.

[doctor_grey]

Holy merde

[Duty281]

What a time for Dupont to make an error! Stunning win for England, the French were listless in the second half.

[BamBam]

What a game. Curry my pick for man of the match

[whatahitson]

Deserved win for England.

France were poor in the second half as they were v Ireland in their last game.

England made hard work of it and probably could have done with a drop goal or two.

Brace didn't help them. Another bizarre performance from him at the breakdown.

[king_carlos]

The best performance from England thus far against a very good France side.

Not perfect by any means. Still some silly pens and unforced errors but much much better.

[king_carlos]

I've never seen a turnover penalty changed after seeing the big screen like that. But Earl was off his feet. Attacking beyond the ball then driven back onto it.

Its a bit dodgy that though given whoever the director is can choose what to show.

Yep, not something I'd be a fan of seeing more often.

[Collapse2005]

Good win for England, still think France are a better side at the moment and will likely win the six nations.

[whatahitson]

I've never seen a turnover penalty changed after seeing the big screen like that. But Earl was off his feet. Attacking beyond the ball then driven back onto it.

The fact that Earl did what the French were doing all game makes it even worse. Beyond the ball, not supporting body weight, then latching on to the ball. So poor from Brace. He's out of his depth as a top ref.

[Geordie]

So is this England playing them in to match fItness?

Daly outstanding In his cameo

Mark Wilson probably played his second last game for England

Genge frustrates me

And what to do with a problem of 12 and 13

[doctor_grey]

Interesting as the game went on Farrell, who started the match pretty well, became more anonymous.

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