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Mon 6 Feb 2017 | 07:29
England edge France in tight Six Nations battle at Twickenham

47
Comments

England and France scored a try a piece but a late try edged the hosts ahead for a 19-16 Six Nations opening weekend victory at Twickenham on Saturday. French prop Rabah Slimani went over for the visitors, while a late try by Ben Te'o set up an England win.

The win was Eddie Jones' 15th in a row with England, surpassing Sir Clive Woodward's record of 14 straight victories, however he called it an ugly win.

"That's what Test match rugby is about. It's about getting your nose over the line and sometimes you've got to win ugly, and we did today," Jones said.

"I felt some players were still in their club mentality so that's something we need to work on. We were disjointed in attack and we lacked urgency in defence.

"Now we know what we've got to work on, we will get there. The finishers made a fantastic impact on the game - that is the strength of our team, we have a brilliant 23-man squad."

ENGLAND INJURY UPDATES:

Since the game it has been confirmed that lock George Kruis will undergo surgery on Tuesday for a knee ligament injury he sustained in training earlier last week. It is expected that the second row will require a 10-12 week rehabilitation period.

Mako Vunipola will join-up with England this week and will continue his rehabilitation from injury.

Posted By: Grant Constable

47 Comments

  • stroudos
    12:12 PM 08/02/2017

    Definitely!!

  • 10stonenumber10
    10:23 AM 08/02/2017

    I will message The Jedi on Facebook. The Alternative Rugby Commentator has been quiet for too long.

  • drg
    8:39 AM 08/02/2017

    Couldn't we set up like an RD Skype conference call where we all commentate? The amount of wind ups would probably just cause hysterics...

  • jimmy23
    10:55 PM 07/02/2017

    "Petit Guildford Edition"

    I really shouldn't have, but the name alone made me laugh for a good couple of minutes.

  • 45678
    8:23 PM 07/02/2017

    France were effective 1-8 and 11-15, but there were really let down by the half back pairing

    Serin in particular was so slow at the base of the ruck. He took all momentum away from any France pressure.

    If they can speed things up in that area they will be a real force in world rugby again

    England were really poor, but I think we've been flattered by winning games unconvincingly against average sides in the year after a World Cup. Good reality check

  • danknapp
    5:34 PM 07/02/2017

    RD Live Commentary was born.

    It'd be incredibly shit for most people, but there would be a few of us who would find it the greatest thing on the planet.

  • drg
    5:13 PM 07/02/2017

    With your assessment vs other peoples assessment, I'd say my assessment of it just being a shit game all round, is probably right on the money then...

  • frenchie
    3:32 PM 07/02/2017

    I hear the French played very well...but i tend to disagree. They did play a better game but only for the 1st half and there was only 9-9 at half time. Their kicking game was bad, they committed way too may mistakes and at times some of the players were very average. Red card for Lamerat who didn't serve Nakaitaci before the whistle for a possible try, Doussain cause he's not good enough, Maestri for being that slooooow.
    I'd like to see Huget back in the starting team. And yes we need a better replacement at 10.

    England kept its cool and went back to basics. Once they played with pace the French struggled quickly. The French get a bonus point and that's not too bad.

  • oliver
    11:54 AM 07/02/2017

    oh we are so ahead of you guys.......step up your French !

    http://boucherie-ovalie.org/2017/02/03/petit-guildford-edition-2017/

  • drg
    11:47 AM 07/02/2017

    Hmm maybe you're right, I'd like to see it closer though, either way, I guess it's done, we'd never really have questioned any of this a couple of years ago, so it's sad that we or just me, are doing it now.

    Still can't get over that Moriarty tackle though, seeing it penalised actually left me feeling slightly depressed...

  • drg
    11:43 AM 07/02/2017

    Hahaha drinking commentary, where certain actions of players result in a necessary drink!

  • 10stonenumber10
    10:10 AM 07/02/2017

    Parisse wears 8 for a different reason. He can play anywhere from 1 to 15, they just took an average of all the positional numbers and rounded it up. If Sonny Bill grew up as a Union 8 instead of League 10, he would be the only player near Parisse's overall game

    10 years on, the interviews still get me. Raised in Argentina speaking Spanish and Italian, moved back to Italy, learned perfect English, captained Stade Francais + Italy, and sounds like Schwarzenegger mixed with Arsene Wenger.

  • stroudos
    9:10 AM 07/02/2017

    Oliver - fair enough, I retract my earlier aspersion of M. Picamoles. Other than that sarcastic applause - and on re-watching I must say I can understand why he felt the need to do that, even if I don't agree with it - I'm not sure where I got the negative impression from. I can only conclude that it was purely on account of his being French......

    That is a beauty of a "don't argue" from Spedding isn't it!

    It seems also that Farrell's upright tackle technique isn't quite so effective on massive Polynesians:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlpoYdHVUgg

  • stroudos
    8:54 AM 07/02/2017

    Dan! Remind me not to drink coffee at the same time as reading your comments!!

    Good shout on the quarter-speed thing though - can see now it's Farrell's right shoulder into "Limpdick"'s chest/collarbone. Technically I think that does qualify -just - even under new tackle directive as a not-high tackle. Fair play to Farrell for being able to wrap both arms - reckon this may have helped to avoid the penalty too.

    DrG - I think the head snapping back like that is partly self-preservation by Picamoles - an instinctive reaction to get his face away from the contact area.

  • stroudos
    8:32 AM 07/02/2017

    Occasionally you see footage of rugby where there's no commentary, just the sound of the crowd and the players and officials via the ref's mic. So much more enjoyable to watch!! That should definitely be an option.

  • oliver
    8:24 AM 07/02/2017

    for some strange reason, I can't watch the video (blocked in your country?).

    anyways I think Picamoles's caracter has to be defended : he's been in the spotlight for a long time and has never done anything stupid, apart from that clapping at the ref thing. Never seen him resort to foul play either.

    As for Farrell, I know quite a few French supporters got a kick out of this little passage of play.......

    https://gfycat.com/EqualDelightfulIcelandichorse

  • jimmy23
    10:27 PM 06/02/2017

    I hope you're referring to the hit with that last sentence

  • drg
    10:18 PM 06/02/2017

    I'm not sure Dan, tried to watch it sort of frame by frame, I'm not sure why the collision; if to the chest, would cause Picamoles head to snap back... We've seen big hits when a players head rocks forward at the initial hit, because their speed is stopped but momentum causes the head to continue forwards...

    But until we get a close up view, it's hard to safe for sure..

  • vladimir
    9:18 PM 06/02/2017

    I don't see why, NZ was not playing.
    *brace for impact*

  • danknapp
    8:51 PM 06/02/2017

    I wondered if ITV didn't reshow it because they didn't want the ref to see it...

  • danknapp
    8:48 PM 06/02/2017

    Don't think there was head to head, I think that was shoulder to high chest and Picamoles' head rocked back with the impact. I've watched it on 25% speed to really enjoy it, and haven't seen any sign of head to head.

    Not the proudest wank I've ever had, mind.

  • drg
    8:46 PM 06/02/2017

    To be fair though Stroudos, given the angles we have so far, I'd say gut feeling that is at least a yellow if not a red - in todays age and with the current directives..

    Of course a closer view, slow motion etc, would help me exhaust my authority as an armchair expert...

  • 10stonenumber10
    8:06 PM 06/02/2017

    I still reckon they should do a regular red button commentary broadcast... uncut, biased, and beer fuelled. There is a market out there for 80 minute arguments and one-upmanship vaguely disguised as a television programme. Top Gear got away with it for years, The Grand Tour are making an even better job of middle-aged grumpiness!

  • marquisd
    7:59 PM 06/02/2017

    Well it's not as if Mr Healy has form for silly cheap shots now is it......But Picamoles was truly the force behind Les Blues. Feel he may have been affected by that winding.

    On another note I can't help but feel that England need a thrashing or a good hair drier treatment to get some oomph into their play.

  • vladimir
    7:28 PM 06/02/2017

    I agree.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifEvDBfZe0w

  • stroudos
    5:04 PM 06/02/2017

    When I was moaning about Picamoles' petulance earlier on this page, his complaining to the ref here was one of the things in my mind as an exhibit for the prosecution. However, I obviously hadn't really seen that "tackle" clearly! I'm now wondering how he managed to stay on his feet / awake, after basically being Zidaned whilst running at pace. Looked like he took the headbutt flush in the face too, but I don't remember seeing too much in the way of bruising and definitely no cut. His face must be made out of granite!

    A bit high is an understatement and to be honest I'm surprised Farrell didn't get a card for this, let alone concede a penalty.

    Ah, go on then, I'll say it: if it was Frenchman on Englishman we'd be looking at a red card and a ban!

  • danknapp
    4:15 PM 06/02/2017

    Picamoles is an absolute beast, and absolutely deserved MOTM for his performance. How the hell England managed to win that, I do not know. France threw everything at us. I'd love to see France get back to their best, they've been sub-standard for too long. They have high expectations and it's time they started to live up to them.

  • danknapp
    4:13 PM 06/02/2017

    Well, slowed him down, anyway.

  • danknapp
    4:12 PM 06/02/2017

    Did you all catch this monster shoulder from Farrell on Saturday? Stopped Picamoles dead in his tracks. Thought it looked a bit high, at the time, and wondered if Farrell would get a card for it, but it just looks like a properly brutal Rugby League type hit. Absolutely nailed it.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISVfYr9Wyew

  • danknapp
    4:04 PM 06/02/2017

    Seems a bit harsh on Parisse. That's a player who has had to give his team go-forward all on his very own.

  • vladimir
    3:06 PM 06/02/2017

    "Il va la foirer... Oh le con !"

  • im1
    3:05 PM 06/02/2017

    France play a massive pack. Dominate much of the game, but ultimately lose to a fitter side with higher quality substitutes. Teo, Haskell and Nowell all made big carries with Care upping the tempo.

    France played some really great stuff and Picamoles game was unbelievable. But England are 2 years ahead of them in their development and it showed how good a side they are becoming.

    If we want to debate bad reffing decisions in the game, it was ridiculous that no French player was binned when the penalty for England to go 12-9 up was awarded. Ref was already playing penalty advantage and then a pen is committed on try line

  • stroudos
    1:58 PM 06/02/2017

    2014 v Wales: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHH1gP75yYY.
    Now, admittedly that was a mystifying decision, even by Monsieur Rolland's standards, but still... Saint-Andre called him out on it in his press conference afterwards.

    Here we can see even a football referee clamping down on this type of petulance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2emrOciST7I. As the morally superior sport, rugby needs to keep a lid on this behaviour...

    I can't think of any other examples of Picamoles petulance, but in my head, (judgemental prick that I am), he's got a bit of a reputation for it.

    And, by the way, let's not forget that he has a hilarious name - if you're Brazilian anyway: http://www.rugbydump.com/2016/07/5205/brazilian-sports-presenters-find-it-hard-to-talk-about-louis-picamoles

  • luc
    1:41 PM 06/02/2017

    There were a fair amount of breaks and running ball in hand that ended 5m from the goal line in the first half. Pretty disappointed that the highlights only show ball kicking and conclude that the first half was "low on try scoring opportunities".

  • jimmy23
    1:31 PM 06/02/2017

    I think it's safe to say that once Haskell is fully fit he'll be starting. I wonder if Harrison will be given another shot at some point? As he's been doing well for Northampton as of late. Unless if I'm mistaken I believe Jack Clifford will be available this weekend as well.

    If Youngs can somehow find his Autumn form then I don't see why he shouldn't continue to start. I think being part of a struggling Tigers outfit isn't helping him all that much. Keeping Care as an impact sub seems to work well but can England really afford to have a first half like that away in Wales? I suppose if you start with pace then you need to make it count with points on the board, then having the more tactically astute option for closing out the game.

    Whilst Farrell has vastly improved ball in hand, I just feel that Ford has a bit more spark when it comes to creativity in attack. Farrell and Te'o offer very different things at 12 so I guess it's a case of whether you want the distribution from Farrell from off or the biff from Te'o.

  • oliver
    1:30 PM 06/02/2017

    yup, about Doussain: tu n'es pas tout seul.....that missed touch at the end had us all screaming.
    The positive thing for me is that Lopez played well, and kicked well.
    But maybe it's time to give Plisson another shot ? (as a sub I mean)

  • stroudos
    12:36 PM 06/02/2017

    Very good summary Colombes. I was very impressed by Haskell and Care - as you rightly say, they really made an impact, as did Te'o.

    Hask is still on his way back from injury, not that you'd know it from the energy he put in. For the time being I'd keep him as an impact replacement, but mid-term he's surely way ahead of Tom Wood in the pecking order.

    Three things I didn't like about Wood on Saturday:
    1. Late challenge and unnecessary handbags on Serin;
    2. Couple of silly penalties;
    3. Terrible hair. You're not Chabal Tom, get that monstrosity cut.

    Care always injects pace and the whole team benefits enormously. The question is whether Youngs is more tactically astute and should continue to start, or would that pace right from the start be a better option? Personally I don't know, but this is exactly the type of dilemma Eddie Jones is paid a lot of money for and I back him to get it right. Certainly a case can be made for keeping Danny up the sleeve and unleashing his pace on a tiring defence.

    Similar debate to be had over Farrell and Ford. I think Farrell is England's best option at 12. He may also be the best 10 though - looked very good in the final section of this game, but he had quicker service from the 9 and the French defence was tired - Ford is at his best in those conditions.

    For these selection debates, I'm happy to support England rather than France right now - Eddie's making sure the right guys get opportunities and the players all seem to be responding well.

  • jimmy23
    12:27 PM 06/02/2017

    I wasn't aware he did that, when did that happen?

  • vladimir
    12:23 PM 06/02/2017

    All in all, I am not worried about the result. Yes, France lost again, very nearly. But the players are building confidence from a very solid and sensible ground, which was very much absent under PSA and his predecessors. The players seem to be getting better, smarter everytime, very well learning the lessons.
    Let's remember how much time it took England to rebuild their team from Lancaster to Jones.

  • stroudos
    12:22 PM 06/02/2017

    Yes Jimmy, he's an excellent player. But he's always given me the impression of being a complete wanchor. Until we see Kieran Read sarcastically applauding the ref for yellow carding him, I'll refuse to entertain that bold claim of yours.

  • vladimir
    12:18 PM 06/02/2017

    I would take Dupont over Bezy or Machenaud. And Bernard over the other 10, since he has good habits with Serin and while not being incredible, he is at least consistent, which is good for a sub.

  • oliver
    11:24 AM 06/02/2017

    I don't know what to think anymore....Very encouraging stuff from Les Bleus, and super happy to see them play attacking rugby again but now we desperately have to start winning!
    Too many silly mistakes and easily given-away penalties gave England the game I think.

    Maybe the most positive thing for me was that Serin performed very well, especially considering he's only 22 and having a first start in Twickenham is huge. French play seemed much quicker with him than Machenaud so I hope he'll lead the team in the coming years. And that when he gets more confident, we'll see the individual bits of brillance that were missing saturday.

  • oliver
    11:17 AM 06/02/2017

    totally agree about the Moriarty/Fickou tackles comparison! Thought the same thing.

    The other tackle decision that irked me apart from the Moriarty one was the supposed high tackle on Johnny May from Gourdon. That was absolutely ridiculous IMO.

  • stroudos
    11:11 AM 06/02/2017

    Very ugly stuff from England for most of the game, but winning ugly is at least as important as putting teams to the sword. I was quite impressed by France - Picamoles my man of the match by a wide margin, thought Spedding was also particularly good and Serin delivered on the hype.

    Have to say I agree with the yellow for Jonny May. This it the type of action I think is genuinely dangerous - putting a bloke in vulnerable position. On the other hand, the Italian dump tackle v Moriaty was an absolutely beauty and something to be celebrated not penalised. Although "only" a penalty, it came at quite a crucial moment in the game and in my opinion really shifted momentum. That tackle should have been a massive psychological boost for Italy and ended up being three points and a major relief of pressure for Wales.

  • jimmy23
    11:04 AM 06/02/2017

    I've got no f*cking clue how we managed to win that. If that was at the Stade de France, we would have been trounced I reckon.

    Picamoles once again establishing why he's one of my favourite players in the game today.

    In fact, I'm calling it. Best 8 in the game today, better than Reid. That's right, I said that.

  • stroudos
    11:00 AM 06/02/2017

    He was awesome, wasn't he. Slightly disappointed that Itoje and Hughes weren't able to do more to keep him quiet, but that's less a criticism of them and more testament to how well Picamoles played.

  • vladimir
    10:46 AM 06/02/2017

    Dallaglio, for 40 minutes, on every occasion: 'The french look rattled!'
    Woodward, at half-time, straight in Dallaglio's face: 'The french look the better team.'
    I had a good laugh.

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