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Tue 17 Jun 2014 | 01:25
England impress with big midweek win against the Crusaders

21
Comments

England picked up their first win on tour as they beat the Crusaders 38-7 this morning. The hosts scored their solitary try through replacement Matt Todd, while England scored six as they showed their strength in depth ahead of the third Test.

News of Owen Farrell's medial ligament knee strain this morning meant that a starting spot in the third Test against the All Blacks is up for grabs. Danny Cipriani made a claim for it with a solid 50 minutes against the former Super Rugby champions.

With the score at 26-7 at halftime, the game was pretty much over but the England XV added another two tries through Anthony Watson and Chris Pennell, adding to first half efforts from Joe Gray, Ben Foden, Brad Barritt and Alex Goode. Foden's in particular was very neatly taken. 

Injured Farrell will remain with the squad for further treatment but coach Stuart Lancaster has said that he'll narrow down the squad over the 24 hours following the Crusaders game.

"The knee has been scanned and there is a strain there. It's disappointing for Owen as he was desperate to play in the final Test but such is his character that he is already working on his rehab and still contributing to the tour. Fortunately we have three other fly halves to call on."

While the Crusaders were missing some of their All Black stars, it was an impressive run out for an England squad that are testing new combinations and are looking well placed for the home Rugby World Cup next year. Farrell's injury may yet be a blessing in disguise.

Posted By: Grant Constable

21 Comments

  • 10:29 PM 23/06/2014

    I'd have Foden in at 15 everytime, but am also a big fan of Brown. Could he play at 12 ?.
    Having two tactical kickers at 10 & 12 takes some of the pressure off the 10 & Brown has proven his adaptability at wing & fullback. Would like to give another run to Yarde. He can exploit space with pace, while Tuilagi & Burrell rely on bulk. Happy to see England line out without Farrell at 10 - he seems to remain a talent in development, playing out Lancaster's ideas rather than trust his own talent. His ability to line break is much under-used & his Run/Kick/Pass mix seems unbalanced.

  • stroudos
    4:21 PM 20/06/2014

    I like your thinking 10 and I wouldn't put it past Mr Lancaster, whose tactical nous impresses more and more, to hatch such a plan. We saw what happened to New Zealand in 2007 when they found themselves without a proper Plan B when Dan Carter's leg played up. Either way,

    I'm looking forward to seeing how this team goes tomorrow - on paper it looks like there should be some aesthetically-pleasing rugby played. If New Zealand intensity allows them to, that is.

  • drg
    12:18 AM 19/06/2014

    Gets my vote!

  • danknapp
    4:23 PM 18/06/2014

    I like how your comment now appears to be a particularly brutal putdown of Phil, recently returned from sabbatical. And three people have liked it. I'm going to like it too, to make it four, to continue the charade.

  • danknapp
    4:22 PM 18/06/2014

    Reports that his breasts are small and humble, not like melons, have yet to be confirmed.

  • danknapp
    4:22 PM 18/06/2014

    That's true, and we all know, hips don't lie.

  • s_conner
    1:40 PM 18/06/2014

    It's all in the hips! He swings them better than Shakira

  • stroudos
    1:22 PM 18/06/2014

    Yes.

  • stroudos
    1:21 PM 18/06/2014

    Would love to see Cipriani-Eastmond-Tuilagi combo.

    I'm not sure that watching someone defend against Conrad Smith is a fair test - there's something about that bloke, looks unspectacular but he bewitches defenders somehow, a true expert at unlocking defences and creating stuff out of nothing.

  • upthelowend
    10:58 AM 18/06/2014

    Also, whilst I still appreciate the sentiment, it definitely is two mismatched sides, but calling it purely an ITM cup side is a little strong considering; McNicholl, Taylor, Laulala, Tupou, Ellis, Taufua, Tuitavake, Adam Whitelock, Luke Whitelock and Flynn all played against the force a couple of weeks back. Of which I believe 5 have been capped for the All Blacks.

  • oldflyhalf
    10:44 AM 18/06/2014

    ...the depth, or "pensioners", of Crusaders versus "amazing depth" of England. :)
    the details that make always the difference.

  • upthelowend
    9:13 AM 18/06/2014

    People are gonna get awful pissed off if you keep spamming your youtube channel like that. This is a place for discussion not mindless self promotion.

  • upthelowend
    11:14 PM 17/06/2014

    If you go that route, you also gotta say England 2nd/3rd string dominate ITM cup team.

  • 10:17 PM 17/06/2014

    I would pick Cipriani at 10. With Watson and Foden on the wings

  • 10:16 PM 17/06/2014

    So does Marland Yarde, Yarde runs up and takes no one allowing Smith to get through. (Same action on Nonus try)

  • notawelshdavies
    10:03 PM 17/06/2014

    Cipriani to start the next test, nothing to lose. Pick the form players.

    I would also be inclined to start Tuilangi and Eastmond in the centres as Twelvetrees looked off the pace- albeit due to injury- and Burrell cannot tackle.

    Evidence the Burrell cannot tackle;

    In the build up to Nonu's try, Burrell gets drawn in to allow Conrad Smith's break.
    After this, he fails to tackle the sideways moving Nonu when covering; this is more understandable, but the attempt is so weak it is an indictment of his tackling ability

  • getitout
    9:01 PM 17/06/2014

    what law is this? I am not familiar with it

  • drg
    8:53 PM 17/06/2014

    Ahem...http://pic.twitter.com/PebUJvP6Io

  • hellraiser_rob
    7:46 PM 17/06/2014

    I had to use all my guile and cunning to watch this at work, nice win, wonder if cips has catapulted himself straight into the starting 10 birth for Saturday, they took him off quite early in the 2nd half.

    We have amazing depth in the lock department Ed Slater was great.

    I wonder why England rate Goode over Foden at 15?

  • bunn
    7:46 PM 17/06/2014

    "crossed the plain of touchline" Please learn the rules commentator!

  • juggernauter
    7:10 PM 17/06/2014

    Some skill from England! Great to see Pennell getting a try, fully deserved... roll on the 3rd test!

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