A superb Scott Williams try was the difference at Twickenham. What a game. Give us your reaction.
Post Match Reaction: England 12 Wales 19
– February 25, 2012
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Have to say I think it was a fantastic game , there were some beautiful phases of play from both sides. Encouraging performance from England for the future and I do think Wales will get the grand slam. Can’t see them losing to France now.
I do however think Walsh had a horrendous game, there were some very poor decisions… Not entirely sure what Priestland was sent off for, but Wales did well to keep possession for the 10 minutes. Should’ve been a yellow card from that lineout, I think it was Lawes caught him then dropped him? And then England should’ve had a 15m penalty towards the end when North knocked the ball out of play, also he should’ve bought it back for the penalty at the end rather than call time. Not brilliant refereeing have to say, but he was questionable for both teams.
Priestland was sent off because he tackled a player from an offside position. It’s a professional foul and was deserving of a yellow.. much similar to the Lamont tackle that got him in the bin for the scots the other week. Dunno about Warburton being taken out.. I’d have given a yellow, but I’m not sure exactly how the law stands on that. Also why should there have been a penalty against North? He knocked it backwards over the touchline.. I may be missing something in the laws but I’m sure that’s perfectly legit?
Ah right that makes more sense then for Priestland. I think I would have given a yellow for taking Warburton out but then I’m not a referee, even if it wasn’t intentional it was dangerous play. And you aren’t allowed to knock it into touch intentionally, it’s law 10.2.
Ahh.. well I doubt a penalty would have made any difference at all.. would have resulted in england kicking for touch for a 5 metre lineout, which was the result of it coming off a welsh player anyway, so no harm done.
I think England and Wales should both be congratulated for the intensity and spirit they both showed. It proved Jamie Roberts is not crucial to us. Like Tuilagi he is one dimensional at times (some dimensions admittedly). I always think Scott Williams brings something extra to our midfield.
No use complaining about Walsh. I always groan when I hear it’s him, or Barnes reffing. They are both self obsessed posers.
Is anyone else annoyed at the way scrum halves are allowed to stand about getting people where they want them before passing? It is time wasting and tedious.
Helps slow thinking scrum halves like Phillips and gives forwards time to set up pods for lumbering “round the corner” interminably.
Dickson did it even more and much of his strength is speed of service so it worked against England. (I hate having to agree with ANYTHING Brian Moore says)!
Jonathan Davies was saying that the ball should be considered “in play” as soon as the scrum half touches it with his foot. They would just stand there without using their feet to move it then. I’d like to see referees saying “use it” as soon as it’s clearly available. then a free kick if they don’t.
I have to say that I agree about Williams, I thought Wales were better when he was on rather than Roberts – never thought I’d say that!
Roberts picked up a medial ligament injury on his first carry – which explains a lot of why he looked out of sorts
Excellent test match, neither side being able to dominate the other for any length of time. Good to see England playing with some pace and enterprise to go with an emerging sound defence. I feel sure the Welsh team were very relieved at the end to have the win, somehow I sense they were not expecting to be pushed so hard. This has the making of a good English side after some time of uncertainty and up and down performance. Keep it up guys.
I though we had it, but what a game. I am dissapointed England lost, but this game highlighted some serious weakness on the bench, everything seemed to get worse after the 60 minute mark, especially M Stevens who doesnt seem to add anything to the team.
I thought Farrel was excellent as was Barrit. Dickson injected pace, although i dont approve with the amount of time he spent at the back of the rucks.
One thing that annoyed me was Adam Jones at the scrum, he bound on the arm and not on the shirt every time, and i dont know how that was missed.
A little worried about the back three. I reckon Brown should start next match, even though he perhaps could have done more to have secured the try at the end. I’m not really sure what is happening with Ashton at the moment. A year ago he would go looking for the ball, would chase every kick and would be all over the pitch, now however he seems to have lost that work ethic.
However all in all a very good match and I really enjoyed it. Come on England!!
Very disappointed with some of the nationally abusive comments, they’re at the low mental level of many football supporters. Sorry that England lost but encouraging for the future. More importantly, it was a great game, a marvellous entertaining and compelling spectacle. A great advert for the game in general. For England, Youngs is a good prospect but he hasn’t reached his pre-injury level and should be dropped from the squad to regain his form at Leicester. Stevens is not good enough and is an infringing liability. Sharples should come in for Ashton. I’ve never been convinced by Flood, I don’t think he’s international quality. We were lucky that Hodgson was injured. Despite his trys, he kicked away too much possession and with mostly poor results. Such kicking has been the worst feature of this 6N, by most teams.
Once again the ref was appalling – England constantly of side at the scrum, hands in the ruck, England captain taken welsh captain out whilst he was in the air (68th minute) So come – on English fans, we can moan all day about the ref. England contained the Welsh three quarters, but a poor Welsh performance on the whole. Loved Jerry G comment on TV today – England can beat France in Paris hahahahaha have not lauged so much in months – thanks Mr G
Amathus, have to say that with comments like that your going to achieve the impossible and start making the neutrals want to cheer on England!!
Staggy ignore him, he’s just fishing don’t take the bait!
Makes a change from sheeping! Must have forgotten his wellies.
Most of what I have seen written by us Welsh posters on forums have been far more complimentary. I’d ignore the loon element if I were you.
Interestingly enough, I hear Adam Jones is in school today being taught the difference between a jersey and an arm….
In all objectivity (look it up) Wales were as good as England let them be.
Enjoy the win while you can, we’re on our way back.
I agree. Hodgson’s injury was a bleesing in disguise. I think it would have been tough to drop him after his two decisive tries. I also agree with your view on Flood. I’m a Tigers supporter. He’s decent at club level but I never thought he had the game at international level. Farrell on the other hand just looks born to it. I hope over time though he can expand his game a little. Wilko was a great player, but I always thought he held us back a bit because we always played to his strengths which were around game management. With Tuillagi, maybe Joseph, Jonny May etc we need to find ways to create space for these quick, tallented guys. I’m also a bit worried about the back three. Foden seems to have lost a little confidence, Strettle is prone to poor decisions and Ashton (like Ben Youngs) looks a shadow of the player he’s been.
I’ve been saying for the last three games that I’d prefer a plucky defeat to another turgid win… I stand by it, but the loss still stings
English midfield were excellent, as was Dixon. Decent performances I thought from Parling, Corbisiero, Robshaw and Croft. Dylan Hartley was very poor, Ashton did alright when he saw the ball but was mostly pretty anonymous – is it because he’s playing on his less favoured side? Mouritz Botha played hard, but he’s a bit lumbering. Also fantastic to see Farrell playing so well at 10 – is this finally the end of Flood’s run?
Best that England have played under SL. You felt the players out there were actually playing for the jersey ( Dickson, Farrell, Barritt and Manu)
I think everyone universally agrees that Stevens and Youngs shouldn’t have come off the bench at all.
From a Welsh perspective, it’s important that they are winning these games- that’s a hallmark of good sides.
The French game is now very important. Again the result won’t matter that much (though a win would be great) but we have to back up this performance for it to mean anything.
Agree with all above, Stevens has to go, when was the last time he played without giving away a penalty? Youngs and Ashton could do with a break as well to go and “find themselves”. Think it’s clear that the starting XV is nearly spot on (Lawes & Wood aside) SL just needs to sort the bench out.
Agree with most of the above. Stevens has got worse, and the penalty count against him personally was shocking. I hope Hodgson is fit for France, because I would much rather see him come off the bench than Flood. Youngs, Flood, Stevens need to be replaced (or a severe talking to and more training), as does Ashton and Foden. Both look like they’ve lost a lot of confidence. Brown and Sharples should be given a shot against France, and maybe Simpson should replace Youngs on the bench. Or Lee Dickson?
On the plus side, the new combinations worked well. Moragn, Dickson and Farrell worked excellently, as did Barritt and Tuilagi. All bringing a good balance to the midfield. Strettle worked hard, coming inside looking for the ball. With the inconsistent performers out this would be my 22 for France game.
1. Corbisiero
2.Webber
3. Cole
4. Botha
5. Parling
6. Croft
7. Robshaw
8. Morgan
9. Dickson
10. Farrell
11. Strettle
12. Barritt
13. Tuilagi
14. Sharples
15. Brown
16. Hartley
17. Marler
18. Lawes
19. Dowson
20. L. Dickson? Simpson? Spencer?
21. Hodgson if fit. If not, Freddie Burns?
22. Ashton
I appreciate this selection is a bit out there. But we have nothing to lose. Drop the players off form, and throw some more fresh blood in. The new blodd have proved themselves, maybe throw some more names in the mix.
I think if you want a different SH option from the bench, i.e. a running SH then Simpson is a better option than Youngs. He needs to go back to Leicester and regain his confidence.
Understand where you’re going although I wouldn’t be quite so ruthless. I also think that your bench is a problem if Brown gets injured. No FB cover. If Brown is in you need Foden on the bench.
How good a scrummager is Webber? I would have the best scrummaging 2 on the pitch, even if it is Hartley as the French looked brutal against Scotland.
They say Hodgson is fit, so I’d go him and Simpson – look at what Blair was able to do round the fringes!
Agree with the comments re Youngs, Flood & especially Stevens. But did anyone else see Morgan being physically ill on the pitch – just before the start of the second half? I thought Morgan had a very good physical game in the first half – but was a shadow during the second half.
Is he fit enough yet for a full 80 min of international rugby?
As an Englishman living in Scotland – I was at the Scotland v France game on Sunday, another fantastic match – with probably the better side losing. No doubt the pressure will be on Andy Robinson to resign – appreciate the statistics re win/loss ratios not good – but surely its only a matter of time before the rugby the Scots are currently playing will be turned into victories. Certainly on Sunday’s performance even the French supporters were doubtful about a 2012 Grand Slam!