England v France Saturday Feb 8th 16h45

[jngf]

I think Chessum has played himself into starting at 5. Longer term England do need to unearth a lock with the size and ballast of Martin and the carrying dynamism of Chessum. The way French use the 5 role to really tie in defenders is something for us to work on.

[francoisfou]

That was so sweet! My neighbour invited me and was clearly feeling a bit smug before kick off!
His French tail is well and truly between his legs now!!

[Mikey Brown]

Want to apologise to George, as I was dubious about what his value off the bench would be, but I thought he was absolutely superb. Was the absolute glue in that last 15-20 minute surge. Would start him and have Dan on the bench for Scotland.

Daly is now forgiven for everything as well.

Puja

He’s the perfect emergency blanket.

Again though, Chessum’s handling in the air made such a difference. The French had clearly gotten a feel for dislodging the ball in the air and Chessum helped halt that.

[Banquo]

great win...build on too

[Which Tyler]

A note on Fmith - I felt he started off very nervous, and relying on Marcus as 2nd receiver every time. Wouldn't have been anywhere close to MOTM at HT - but something happened at half-time, and he started trusting himself to run the game, and moved up through the gears, moving England around the pitch and flourishing.

[Puja]

Want to apologise to George, as I was dubious about what his value off the bench would be, but I thought he was absolutely superb. Was the absolute glue in that last 15-20 minute surge. Would start him and have Dan on the bench for Scotland.

Daly is now forgiven for everything as well.

Puja

He’s the perfect emergency blanket.

Again though, Chessum’s handling in the air made such a difference. The French had clearly gotten a feel for dislodging the ball in the air and Chessum helped halt that.

Agreed - where France were jostling the ball out of Itoje's hands, Chessum was imperious and rode the competition. I'm a big Martin fan, but I think Chessum needs to take his shirt right now.

Yet more evidence why we shouldn't be playing our third decent lock at 6 - if one of the locks falls out of form, we have a replacement and competition, rather than blocking a back row trying to get all three onto the pitch.

Puja

[Puja]

A note on Fith - I felt he started off very nervous, and relying on Marcus as 2nd receiver every time. Wouldn't have been anywhere close to MOTM at HT - but something happened at half-time, and he started trusting himself to run the game, and moved up through the gears, moving England around the pitch and flourishing.

Must've been one of those appalling team talks that we decided the tall Eddie Jones must be giving. Must've been so offended by the obvious ineptitude of his England coaches that he summoned the spirit of Sam Vesty to guide him.

Puja

[Captainhaircut]

Absolutely delighted for Borthwick. For any faults he has, he’s clearly a very genuine person and in no way a “tall Eddie Jones”.

I know we have some massive Leicester fans on here who will love Murphy but he’s been made to a look a right dick today and it’s great.

[Puja]

Absolutely delighted for Borthwick. For any faults he has, he’s clearly a very genuine person and in no way a “tall Eddie Jones”.

I know we have some massive Leicester fans on here who will love Murphy but he’s been made to a look a right dick today and it’s great.

I think you'll find the Leicester fans are probably the ones least fond of Murphy nowadays!

Puja

[Mellsblue]

A note on Fith - I felt he started off very nervous, and relying on Marcus as 2nd receiver every time. Wouldn't have been anywhere close to MOTM at HT - but something happened at half-time, and he started trusting himself to run the game, and moved up through the gears, moving England around the pitch and flourishing.

The pack got on top and the 10 looked good. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. He was nothing more than a solid in last 30 mins, imo, but it was his first start so what more can you ask. If Farrell had been given motm for that performance we’d have all been pissed off. Should’ve gone to T Cuzza, imo.
If Penaud and DuPont(!) hadn’t forgotten how to catch for 40mins they’d have been out of sight at halftime.
All that said, let’s hope it breeds some confidence into the entire setup and they move on from here. Soppy Bastard looked liked he might cry when Daly went over.

[Mellsblue]

A note on Fith - I felt he started off very nervous, and relying on Marcus as 2nd receiver every time. Wouldn't have been anywhere close to MOTM at HT - but something happened at half-time, and he started trusting himself to run the game, and moved up through the gears, moving England around the pitch and flourishing.

Must've been one of those appalling team talks that we decided the tall Eddie Jones must be giving. Must've been so offended by the obvious ineptitude of his England coaches that he summoned the spirit of Sam Vesty to guide him.

Puja

Have the chickens hatched?

[Mr Mwenda]

That was so sweet! My neighbour invited me and was clearly feeling a bit smug before kick off!
His French tail is well and truly between his legs now!!

Do let us know the French media reaction. Are they tearing into their lads? That'd be harsh in my view. Everybody has games where it just doesn't click.

[Oakboy]

Selection-wise, there's no point in jumping to hasty conclusions, but I'm wondering if Genge justifies his place.

[Danno]

Tom Willis just can't be tackled first time, can he? It's just not possible.

Puja

16 tackles (highest in the team), 0 missed, 6 carries, 5 defenders beaten, 22 metres made. Tidy work for only an hour.

[Mellsblue]

That was so sweet! My neighbour invited me and was clearly feeling a bit smug before kick off!
His French tail is well and truly between his legs now!!

Do let us know the French media reaction. Are they tearing into their lads? That'd be harsh in my view. Everybody has games where it just doesn't click.

It clicked but failed to put away 3(?) gilt edged chances to score. They ran us ragged at times

[Mikey Brown]

A note on Fith - I felt he started off very nervous, and relying on Marcus as 2nd receiver every time. Wouldn't have been anywhere close to MOTM at HT - but something happened at half-time, and he started trusting himself to run the game, and moved up through the gears, moving England around the pitch and flourishing.

The pack got on top and the 10 looked good. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. He was nothing more than a solid in last 30 mins, imo, but it was his first start so what more can you ask. If Farrell had been given motm for that performance we’d have all been pissed off. Should’ve gone to T Cuzza, imo.
If Penaud and DuPont(!) hadn’t forgotten how to catch for 40mins they’d have been out of sight at halftime.
All that said, let’s hope it breeds some confidence into the entire setup and they move on from here. Soppy Bastard looked liked he might cry when Daly went over.

I hadn’t considered anybody but Curry would be getting it if England won, but it was great to see how Smith settled in to it.

Freeman with a few defensive errors but generally had a fantastic second half.

[Oakboy]

That was so sweet! My neighbour invited me and was clearly feeling a bit smug before kick off!
His French tail is well and truly between his legs now!!

Do let us know the French media reaction. Are they tearing into their lads? That'd be harsh in my view. Everybody has games where it just doesn't click.

It clicked but failed to put away 3(?) gilt edged chances to score. They ran us ragged at times

Agreed but why were they rattled? It was close to desperation. Maybe it was just the occasion???

[Mikey Brown]

Do let us know the French media reaction. Are they tearing into their lads? That'd be harsh in my view. Everybody has games where it just doesn't click.

It clicked but failed to put away 3(?) gilt edged chances to score. They ran us ragged at times

Agreed but why were they rattled? It was close to desperation. Maybe it was just the occasion???

The wind and rain in London today was grim. Not much of an excuse but their handling was just so far off.

[FKAS]

Want to apologise to George, as I was dubious about what his value off the bench would be, but I thought he was absolutely superb. Was the absolute glue in that last 15-20 minute surge. Would start him and have Dan on the bench for Scotland.

Daly is now forgiven for everything as well.

Puja

He’s the perfect emergency blanket.

Again though, Chessum’s handling in the air made such a difference. The French had clearly gotten a feel for dislodging the ball in the air and Chessum helped halt that.

Agreed - where France were jostling the ball out of Itoje's hands, Chessum was imperious and rode the competition. I'm a big Martin fan, but I think Chessum needs to take his shirt right now.

Yet more evidence why we shouldn't be playing our third decent lock at 6 - if one of the locks falls out of form, we have a replacement and competition, rather than blocking a back row trying to get all three onto the pitch.

Puja

Chessum adds a lot more at lineout time but 26 tackles for Martin and 29m carried all of which were hard yards into the jaws of the French defence. Boring and won't make the highlights reel but that's the kind of shift your teammates love you for.

[Oakboy]

He’s the perfect emergency blanket.

Again though, Chessum’s handling in the air made such a difference. The French had clearly gotten a feel for dislodging the ball in the air and Chessum helped halt that.

Agreed - where France were jostling the ball out of Itoje's hands, Chessum was imperious and rode the competition. I'm a big Martin fan, but I think Chessum needs to take his shirt right now.

Yet more evidence why we shouldn't be playing our third decent lock at 6 - if one of the locks falls out of form, we have a replacement and competition, rather than blocking a back row trying to get all three onto the pitch.

Puja

Chessum adds a lot more at lineout time but 26 tackles for Martin and 29m carried all of which were hard yards into the jaws of the French defence. Boring and won't make the highlights reel but that's the kind of shift your teammates love you for.

Accepted but would Chessum be that far behind in carrying/tackling? It's a good dilemma for SB to have.

[Oakboy]

It clicked but failed to put away 3(?) gilt edged chances to score. They ran us ragged at times

Agreed but why were they rattled? It was close to desperation. Maybe it was just the occasion???

The wind and rain in London today was grim. Not much of an excuse but their handling was just so far off.

Good point. Is it fair to suggest that might account for the failure to catch the ball but not the innacurate passes?

[Mikey Brown]

Agreed but why were they rattled? It was close to desperation. Maybe it was just the occasion???

The wind and rain in London today was grim. Not much of an excuse but their handling was just so far off.

Good point. Is it fair to suggest that might account for the failure to catch the ball but not the innacurate passes?

I’m not sure why one but not the other, but it’s all guesswork.

I do think the team should be pleased with the win, but it’s strange that the opposition created about 15 try scoring chances.

[FKAS]

Agreed - where France were jostling the ball out of Itoje's hands, Chessum was imperious and rode the competition. I'm a big Martin fan, but I think Chessum needs to take his shirt right now.

Yet more evidence why we shouldn't be playing our third decent lock at 6 - if one of the locks falls out of form, we have a replacement and competition, rather than blocking a back row trying to get all three onto the pitch.

Puja

Chessum adds a lot more at lineout time but 26 tackles for Martin and 29m carried all of which were hard yards into the jaws of the French defence. Boring and won't make the highlights reel but that's the kind of shift your teammates love you for.

Accepted but would Chessum be that far behind in carrying/tackling? It's a good dilemma for SB to have.

Yeah it's a nice problem to have. Itoje had 19m carried and 25 tackles for more time on the pitch. Chessum 31m but 6 tackles.

Chessum is the more mobile and explosive of the two so perhaps suits that substitute role. I don't have the analysis but would be interesting to know if Martin taking on the unfashionable hard graft frees up Itoje to get more involved as well. Would be interesting to know how many rucks he hits etc. does that mean Genge for instance is then more available to carry?

All stats from the official 6N fantasy rugby game for reference.

[p/d]

Now that was fun. I’m f*cled if I know what to take from it. All I know is T Curry is back to his best and Jones headwear is comical.

Oh. And we have found our 8. Quelle surprise

[Scrumhead]

That was so sweet! My neighbour invited me and was clearly feeling a bit smug before kick off!
His French tail is well and truly between his legs now!!

Do let us know the French media reaction. Are they tearing into their lads? That'd be harsh in my view. Everybody has games where it just doesn't click.

It clicked but failed to put away 3(?) gilt edged chances to score. They ran us ragged at times

True, but you could say the same about France in more or less any match against any opposition.