Great to see Billy and Anthony back and firing
OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE ... EVERY WEEK
Afine hat-trick from the recalled Jonathan Joseph and a recordequalling Calcutta Cup victory is more than any England fan could have expected yesterday but it’s probably not the best preparation for what will be their toughest assignment in Dublin on Saturday.
I applaud England for their approach and attitude but this was all too easy. Before the game we had two questions in our head: Are England as good as we think they are, and are Scotland really back as a proper Six Nations force?
We still don’t have an answer to the first question because of a most definite NO to the second. What truly surprised me was the ease with which England cut through the porous defence because they did nothing we haven’t already seen before.
Well done to them for taking their chances and scoring tries off first phase ball – but by and large the Scots’ defence did themselves in. I don’t believe there was enough smoke and mirrors from England to have caused such disarray in the midfield, with players stranded and looking disorientated. Worse still, they looked confused by their own system as much as the England runners. They weren’t synched and were standing far too far apart leaving themselves isolated.
Credit does go to the George FordOwen Farrell axis but the Scots can’t have been bemused by it. England attacked with their similar pod and took the same option each time. It actually surprised me how much traction they got from simply putting the ball through the hands and credit to them for their slick execution. It all began at such high tempo you feel they’ve had a rocket this last fortnight since that Italy game.
The finishing from Joseph was great to see. He took his hat-trick in fine style and was a constant threat from the off. We all know he has these dazzlingly quick feet but for me it’s more exciting seeing him run onto the ball at pace, being a bit more Daly-esque if you like.
Joseph has another dimension to come but he also has outstanding top end pace and he beat players comfortably yesterday. There is so much more to come from him when he gets the mix right between the stepping and jinking and hitting the ball at top speed.
He also showed he can be the provider, with a nice flat pass for Anthony Watson’s try and when his defence is taken into account it’s no surprise Eddie Jones wanted to get him back in the team. Nowadays he offers a genuine offensive/defensive option that can knock players backwards and also has that gas to deny pretty much any other No.13 in world rugby the space outside.
Once Stuart Hogg had gone off Scotland seemed to lack any ball carriers who could put a dent in England’s defence, let alone someone to penetrate. Tim Visser picked up as the game
went on but by the time he got his hands on the ball in any sort of meaningful position it was already an hour gone and the game was up.
To be blunt, Scotland have flattered to deceive in this Six Nations. Against the two heavyweights, England and France, they’ve lacked oxygen to breathe new life into their game. There have been improvements but they will likely finish with three wins.
They will take positives from the first half against Ireland and the second half against Wales, but over the 160 minutes against France and England they have not turned up. To find the answer will be difficult. Vern Cotter will likely give his side a shot at redemption against Italy next week – much like Rob Howley gave his side one more chance against Ireland.
England casually cruised to this title and now must finish it off against an Ireland side bruised and battered after that high-intensity scrap with Wales. But like the Irish players said afterwards, they will not lack motivation in their cause to stop the England chariot racing to another Grand Slam. It doesn’t come much bigger than denying England a Slam at the Aviva.
The big plus for England is that Dublin is not a hostile environment compared to some grounds. In my experience it’s not the nature of the Irish to be hostile; they love their sport and enjoy good games. The Irish players will also be looking to put themselves on the map for Lions selection. It was only small margins that cost Ireland – decision making at crucial
“Scotland have flattered ... against the two heavyweights, England and France, they’ve lacked oxygen to breathe new life into their game”
times, a yellow to Johnny Sexton and the disallowed try after Robbie Henshaw went offside. It doesn’t make Ireland a bad side and we all remember the last time England went to Dublin looking to seal a Slam and were turned over 19-9 in 2015.
England will know it was a soft touch against Scotland and nothing will come as easy next week. They won’t run those same moves and get through the Irish defence.
This was not the test Eddie Jones would have wanted; yes his set-piece functioned well but it was all too easy.
Billy Vunipola looked strong and sharp on his return. Likewise Anthony Watson. He will be a fixture on the England wing for years to come. While it would have been nice to see more of Daly, Watson is not a bad replacement. He improves game on game and seems so intuitive to me – he picks up the feel and tempo so easily and he is another, like Joseph, with a lot more to bring in the coming years.
Jack Nowell justified his selection on the other wing and showed his desire to get involved from the off. He’s active and wants the ball and is genuinely dangerous. With so many threats it gives England great options, and with both Ford and Farrell in midfield, they have the generals to let them fly.