6 Nations Round 4 - England V Ireland

[Raggs]

Loved everything about that, superb game and a great win. Maybe some humble pie from some of Borthwick’s critics?

Nah, England did exactly what everyone had been begging for and threw the game plan England have used for 18 matches under Borthwick away. Full credit to him for coaching them to play like this, but it doesn't change what's come before.

Fingers crossed the result persuades them this is the way to go at home and away, too. Loads to love about it.

What? Scotland have would have looked the same has we not been dropping the ball repeatedly. Our attacking ambition was clearly improved from the start of the six nations, it just clicked better today.

The idea that this was some sort of binning and something new, rather than just development of what we've seen, is crazy. I doubt they expected the attack to run that smoothly, but it's not really new.

[JM2K6]

Are we pretending Ford didn't have a big hand in how well our attacking game went?

Agree on the others, even though Slade also had his best attacking game in ages

We need to be ruthless and move on. If Marcus Smith is available he should be starting. MSmith is 25 so will be in his prime over the next 3 years.

Think this is a bit mad to be honest. England were a much better team when Ford was on. Really all Smith did was drop a goal that anyone would have done, under little pressure as he had the penalty. All seems a bit emotional which is fair enough

He made a great break, made space for Manny down the right for the final attacking position, put Dombrandt on an outside arc that led to a Freeman 1-on-1, and generally did a great job moving England's attack around.

Oh, and landed the winning drop goal.

Pretty good for the 20 minutes he was on the pitch tbf

[JM2K6]

Loved everything about that, superb game and a great win. Maybe some humble pie from some of Borthwick’s critics?

Nah, England did exactly what everyone had been begging for and threw the game plan England have used for 18 matches under Borthwick away. Full credit to him for coaching them to play like this, but it doesn't change what's come before.

Fingers crossed the result persuades them this is the way to go at home and away, too. Loads to love about it.

What? Scotland have would have looked the same has we not been dropping the ball repeatedly. Our attacking ambition was clearly improved from the start of the six nations, it just clicked better today.

The idea that this was some sort of binning and something new, rather than just development of what we've seen, is crazy. I doubt they expected the attack to run that smoothly, but it's not really new.

We were shambolic against Scotland. Yes, there was more intent, but nothing like today, even without the mistakes. We did not play at the same pace at all.

[Yeeb]

Lolz @ the best team in the world (according to the internet)

[Paddington Bear]

Loved everything about that, superb game and a great win. Maybe some humble pie from some of Borthwick’s critics?

1 ray of sunshine does not a summer make.

Beating the world number 1 team (and outplaying them) ought to cause some self-reflection given the absolute panning this side and their systems have got, even during this game on here.

Anyway, time for bed here, going to log off and just enjoy this one, first real ‘fuck yeah’ game in years for England.

[el capitan]

Brilliant win.

Game was a bit mad - England on the whole the more dominant, can't really put enough together though ultimately and Ireland stretch out into a lead, England then come back but then with a man advantage can't capitalise further, wilt a bit as the subs are made and Ireland get their noses back in front, but there is one last effort and twist in the tale.

I have given Borthwick a lot of stick, justified in my opinion, but hopefully that is the turning of a page today. Fuckload still to improve on - being clinical, cutting down the daft errors and silly discipline stuff, the defence looks horrendous still.... - but that today has to be the base standard for ambition, intensity/commitment, and tempo to the play.

Selection also don't half help - one or two more who can truck it up and are carrier options, one or two more with some pace who can run the ball, and all of a sudden it looks a bit easier to play rugby.

Get in.

[Plim]

Really excellent game. Ambition and skill from both sides.

I’ve always thought England’s backs were better than the dreary kicking shit we fell into allowed them to show - thanks for the box kick regression Danny.

Ireland will win the championship at a canter next week, and thoroughly deserve to.

[Uncle fester]

Ex Leinster players need to be locked out of the media in the week leading up to matches.

All in favour, say aye.

[C69]

Brothers out thinking Farrell.
What a win, what a choke
Again

[JM2K6]

Ex Leinster players need to be locked out of the media in the week leading up to matches.

All in favour, say aye.

And ban Off The Ball?

[Ymx]

Has Borthwick been knighted yet ?

[Ymx]

Loved everything about that, superb game and a great win. Maybe some humble pie from some of Borthwick’s critics?

1 ray of sunshine does not a summer make.

Beating the world number 1 team (and outplaying them) ought to cause some self-reflection given the absolute panning this side and their systems have got, even during this game on here.

Anyway, time for bed here, going to log off and just enjoy this one, first real ‘fuck yeah’ game in years for England.

And there it is.

A timely reminder

[inactionman]

This reinforces many england fans view that there's a good team in there somewhere - just need to see it more regularly, cut out errors and fucking ban grubber kicks.

Ben Earl must be on something, the amount of running and hard work he got through made me feel exhausted.
I also thought Freeman showed up very well, wasn't convinced in him as a winger but he ran some good lines and pipped up on some good inside ball

[Uncle fester]

Ex Leinster players need to be locked out of the media in the week leading up to matches.

All in favour, say aye.

And ban Off The Ball?

Naturally

[Uncle fester]

1 ray of sunshine does not a summer make.

Beating the world number 1 team (and outplaying them) ought to cause some self-reflection given the absolute panning this side and their systems have got, even during this game on here.

Anyway, time for bed here, going to log off and just enjoy this one, first real ‘fuck yeah’ game in years for England.

And there it is.

A timely reminder

Thought SA were still no 1?

They've done nothing since that final though so total losers.

[JM2K6]

Seems very likely that the officials missed Freeman being in touch and a potential clear out that clipped Furlong high. Very unfortunate for Ireland.

[JM2K6]

Beating the world number 1 team (and outplaying them) ought to cause some self-reflection given the absolute panning this side and their systems have got, even during this game on here.

Anyway, time for bed here, going to log off and just enjoy this one, first real ‘fuck yeah’ game in years for England.

And there it is.

A timely reminder

Thought SA were still no 1?

They've done nothing since that final though so total losers.

What are we being reminded of apart from PB and Raggs being bigger fans of Borthwick than most

[Ymx]

Beating the world number 1 team (and outplaying them) ought to cause some self-reflection given the absolute panning this side and their systems have got, even during this game on here.

Anyway, time for bed here, going to log off and just enjoy this one, first real ‘fuck yeah’ game in years for England.

And there it is.

A timely reminder

Thought SA were still no 1?

They've done nothing since that final though so total losers.

He’s on the England supporters tonic

[Uncle fester]

Wales to do France tomorrow. It’s upset weekend.

Nah, France winning in Cardiff on current form would be an upset.

[PornDog]

Congrats England, thoroughly deserved. Dominated the game for large portions and really shut down our fast trucking game. Even when we did string a few quick phases together your pressure D inevitably resulted in us knocking it on.

No complaints, better team won.

[Tichtheid]

Seems very likely that the officials missed Freeman being in touch and a potential clear out that clipped Furlong high. Very unfortunate for Ireland.

It doesn't show up in the highlights but I thought during the game that Slade was tackled and then placed the ball, he then regathered it and popped it up to a team mate in support - this led up to Earl's try but was too many phases before the actual score to check.

These games are very tight and when you get the rub of the green it can make a big difference.

[iarmhí]

Still feeling salty as fuck.

Hugely frustrated with the result but no arguments who the better team were and who deserved to win. England by a comfortable margin.

Very annoyed with our discipline or lack of.

England need a winning bonus next week and Ireland to not get losing bonus.

[JM2K6]

Seems very likely that the officials missed Freeman being in touch and a potential clear out that clipped Furlong high. Very unfortunate for Ireland.

It doesn't show up in the highlights but I thought during the game that Slade was tackled and then placed the ball, he then regathered it and popped it up to a team mate in support - this led up to Earl's try but was too many phases before the actual score to check.

These games are very tight and when you get the rub of the green it can make a big difference.

Yeah, that one was a bit odd

[Slick]

We need to be ruthless and move on. If Marcus Smith is available he should be starting. MSmith is 25 so will be in his prime over the next 3 years.

Think this is a bit mad to be honest. England were a much better team when Ford was on. Really all Smith did was drop a goal that anyone would have done, under little pressure as he had the penalty. All seems a bit emotional which is fair enough

You just don't like his hair

I’d never be that shallow. It’s also his face, his voice, his demeanour. And his hair again

[Slick]

Ex Leinster players need to be locked out of the media in the week leading up to matches.

All in favour, say aye.

And ban Off The Ball?

England should have just played with 13 or 14 players and saved some for next week

[Blackmac]

This reinforces many england fans view that there's a good team in there somewhere - just need to see it more regularly, cut out errors and fucking ban grubber kicks.

Ben Earl must be on something, the amount of running and hard work he got through made me feel exhausted.
I also thought Freeman showed up very well, wasn't convinced in him as a winger but he ran some good lines and pipped up on some good inside ball

It's been pretty evident for a while . Some seriously decent players constrained by a very limited game plan.

[Blackmac]

Seems very likely that the officials missed Freeman being in touch and a potential clear out that clipped Furlong high. Very unfortunate for Ireland.

It doesn't show up in the highlights but I thought during the game that Slade was tackled and then placed the ball, he then regathered it and popped it up to a team mate in support - this led up to Earl's try but was too many phases before the actual score to check.

These games are very tight and when you get the rub of the green it can make a big difference.

Yeah, that one was a bit odd

It was so obvious it left you wondering if you have missed a change in the laws.

[Mahoney]

Think this is a bit mad to be honest. England were a much better team when Ford was on. Really all Smith did was drop a goal that anyone would have done, under little pressure as he had the penalty. All seems a bit emotional which is fair enough

You just don't like his hair

I’d never be that shallow. It’s also his face, his voice, his demeanour. And his hair again

Give it a few years and you’ll always have rated him as a person and a player.

[Chilli2]

If England won this.......... I'd laugh, and laugh and laugh.

There's a fresh new take.

And laugh
And laugh
And laugh

[Paddington Bear]

And there it is.

A timely reminder

Thought SA were still no 1?

They've done nothing since that final though so total losers.

He’s on the England supporters tonic

Huh, could have sworn Ireland went back top when they beat France. Don’t think it materially changes my point - it’s a pretty mainstream view that Ireland are the best team in the world right now. Still largely none the wiser about what you’re angling at tbh

[Slick]

You just don't like his hair

I’d never be that shallow. It’s also his face, his voice, his demeanour. And his hair again

Give it a few years and you’ll always have rated him as a person and a player.

[Openside]

Wales to do France tomorrow. It’s upset weekend.

Nah, France winning in Cardiff on current form would be an upset.

Chum of mine has £100 on three home wins at 70/1

[Plim]

Morning after review, with plenty of pause button. A very high-quality game that.

One thing I’d missed was how well Earl stood up Lowe at the end of his line break (57 mins). Lowe looked a bit sheepish afterwards.

But I can’t see any reason for Ireland to fret. They are a very polished side. The Irish organisation is remarkable.

[Ymx]

Thought SA were still no 1?

They've done nothing since that final though so total losers.

He’s on the England supporters tonic

Huh, could have sworn Ireland went back top when they beat France. Don’t think it materially changes my point - it’s a pretty mainstream view that Ireland are the best team in the world right now. Still largely none the wiser about what you’re angling at tbh

It’s ok PB. They can be in your head.

Destroyed number 1 team with only 14 on the pitch.

Roaaaaaaaaaar !!!

[Ymx]

What do the crew make of this ??

Blatant red or shocking Hollywood

[Plim]

What do the crew make of this ??

Blatant red or shocking Hollywood

Hard to say, but the backwards stagger and flop is a Ten From Len, foul or no foul.

[tc27]

What do the crew make of this ??

Blatant red or shocking Hollywood

If that's head contact its a clear red. But would need to see from another angle as it could just be a shoulder to shoulder impact.

The dramatic dive afterwards is pretty poor though..that shit should be stamped out.

[Margin__Walker]

Can't tell anything from that without another angle. Could be shoulder on head. Could be shoulder on shoulder.

Surprised Furlong survived the experience though.

[Ymx]

Can't tell anything from that without another angle. Could be shoulder on head. Could be shoulder on shoulder.

Surprised Furlong survived the experience though.

Sexton would have actually doid … for a fifth time.

[SaintK]

Can't tell anything from that without another angle. Could be shoulder on head. Could be shoulder on shoulder.

Surprised Furlong survived the experience though.

Thought the ref said they'd checked in the background wwhen asked?