MIKE: JONNY TO SCUPPER GATS PLANS
IKE TINDALL expects Warren Gatland to devise a special plan aimed at stopping red hot Jonny May running amok in Cardiff. try and utilise his speed as soon as possible. Mind you, I expect Warren Gatland will be busy making a few plans to stop Wales falling into the same trap as the Irish and French did within a couple of minutes of the kick-off.
“Gats is one of the world’s top coaches and won’t just sit back and wait for England to try and strike it quick a third time.
“But whether he does it in the first minute or the last, it’s one thing trying to stop Jonny and another actually doing it. “He is a very awkward customer not just because of his speed but his quick feet.
“Jonny has always been fast but he is religious in terms of how much he works on it. He went away to a sprint camp in America last year and that was in his down time. But that’s the sort of bloke he is. On top of that he has unbelievable footwork.
“They were out the blocks like lightning again. They are starting so fast and catching out opponents.
“Eddie knew this French team is all over the place and not in good form, and he knew an early score would knock their confidence and belief back even more so. It worked a treat. The intensity and energy is back. Even Ireland could not live with it.
“The Wales game is now being sold as a Grand Slam decider. It’s not necessarily that because both teams have two more games.
“It’s always tough going to Cardiff for any England side. It’s a 4.45pm kick-off so plenty of time for the home supporters to get into the pubs and get some fuel down them.”
England’s head coach
Eddie Jones attempted to turn up the pressure on
Gatland’s men by suggesting they were “the best Welsh side ever”. Tindall said:
“Eddie likes throwing his hand grenades. It’s the mind games he plays so well.
“People were frowning when he was still doing it when
England were losing but at the moment the side is in great form and people don’t mind so much. It’s just tongue in cheek. Gareth Edwards, Phil Bennett, JPR Williams may have something to say about that!”