Rugby Union (was 2014-15, now an ongoing thread)

[PaulWinch again]

I think three of Ford, Cipriani, Burrell, Eastmond, Joseph and Tuilagi can offer us so many great options in the middle of pitch.

[cheltenhamlion]

Top wIn. 2 good days now. New kid yesterday, England win today. Now, for Villa...

[HUCKERS79]

Top wIn. 2 good days now. New kid yesterday, England win today. Now, for Villa...

Think meatloaf wrote a song about that?

Congratulations by the way

[paul_e]

Got to largely stick with the same team now. That centre partnership showed great promise and Watson is growing into the role. One downside was Billy V, who needs to show more intensity. I thought we held our discipline excellently in the face of dubious officiating.

Yes, very poor referee and I agree about Billy, neither of the brothers look very fit to me

To be fair after a really 1sided first half the ref improved massive after halftime I seriously think the crowd got to him and someone slapped it out of him at halftime.  The decision drag the brown kick back and the decision for their try were genuine shockers.

I thought Mako was good when he came on, Billy I think they just did a job on, they had someone hitting him around the shins every time he got the ball, I thought he was excellent at the breakdown though, he did a lot more dirty work than he he was doing in the autumn.

As for Brown, I like some things about him but I still don't think he has the brains to be truly world class.  I think Watson back one and Nowell in on the wing would be my only change in the backs (I'd also bring Simpson onto the bench ahead of Wigglesworth, mainly as a reward for his superb club form but also pace on the bench really hurts teams and Simpson has plenty).

[taylorsworkrate]

Really excellent second half. The closeness of the score in no way reflects the dominance we showed in the last 40.

I can't recall Wales even being in our half after the break

[PaulWinch again]

We were completely dominant in the second half. I thought Ford's game management was excellent and really good to see.

[PaulWinch again]

I also loved the way we stared them down in the tunnel and refused to go out too early.

[richard moore]

I also loved the way we stared them down in the tunnel and refused to go out too early.

Wasn't that good! Great to see the Welsh players thrown by it in the tunnel. This idea that only they can be passionate about rugby and beating the English and it can't be the same the other way round really irritates me, as does the notion that we we were some bit part player in their overhyped and frankly embarrassing build up to the game. I thought I was watching a One Direction concert. Pathetic. I loved it too when Haskell really let rip at the end of the game with his celebrations. Message to the welsh - yes, we love beating you as much as you do us.

[PaulWinch again]

Watching the game yesterday made me realise how frustrating it is the Gatland coached a successful Lions tour. He has one style of play and it's all about physicality and his Lions success was against a desperately poor Australian side.

[cdbearsfan]

Come on Scotland.

[PaulWinch again]

Scotland look a good side, I fancy them to finish above Wales.

[cdbearsfan]

We're always shit against Wales. And most of the other teams. Scotland are a bit unlucky to be honest, having to play five opponents of whom four are their bogey teams...

[PaulWinch again]

I just hope England keep the faith with the players who have put us back on track. I don't want to see Barritt near the side again.

[paul_e]

We're always shit against Wales. And most of the other teams. Scotland are a bit unlucky to be honest, having to play five opponents of whom four are their bogey teams...

scotland seem to have a good pack or good backs but rarely both.  This side seems the most balanced they've had for years but there's still a lack of depth and it's not quite got the quality in all areas (for example the front row isn't on a par with the other UK sides).

[paul_e]

Not really sure what to think about England here, I think he took the defensive option to replacing Brown, Cips on at 15 would've been the progressive choice.

England then scored 2 good tries (the idiot commentators trying to suggest Billy didn't ground the try must've had their eyes closed) but we've looked disjointed, before his injury Brown was having an absolute stinker (even the injury was his own fault for being caught on his heels hiding behind the pack so he was playing catchup on a chip that he should've been favourite for).

I'll be disappointed if we don't get 35-40 points from here.