ENGLAND’S ENERGY COULD SPOIL FRENCH PARTY
ENGLAND might just have discovered themselves yesterday when the team showed real character in adversity — and if they can travel to Paris with that energy, they might yet spoil France’s Grand Slam party.
Down to 14 men after a minute, they reacted with their best performance so far in this year’s Six Nations.
They hit a wall of fatigue in the last 10 minutes and Ireland are too good a side not to take advantage of that and close out the win, but there were glimpses of a brighter future for England.
What happened is that when a side goes down a man so early, everyone in the short-handed team automatically raises their intensity and workrate by 10-15 per cent to — and England started playing at the pace and tempo I have always advocated.
They became energised, precise and remorseless. That’s what a bit of adversity can do to a side.
We saw in Cardiff on Friday night that France, good as they are, aren’t yet the finished article. You can attack their lineout, and their catching in the back three isn’t infallible.
And although wildly excited at the prospect of a Grand Slam, they will be on edge at the Stade de France.
The game yesterday hinged on that pivotal moment when Charlie
Ewels went in high on James Ryan, made contact head-to-head, and the big Ireland lock went down in some distress. It was a ridiculous red to concede.
You just can’t go in that high, head-to-head, and get away with it. You need to go in low and drive up. It was a red card all day long.
I can only compliment England for the way they reacted, especially up front, where the scrummaging went to another level.
Jack Nowell might mischievously argue it was him coming in off the wing to pack down at wingforward, but let’s give credit where credit is due. Having to move Courtney Lawes back to his best position of lock was almost a blessing for England.
But let’s also praise the front row, which gave Ireland a hellish time. The injury to Tom Curry also saw Alex Dombrandt come on and he added a reassuring solidity to the scrum.
In recent years, my first-choice props have always been Ellis Genge and Kyle Sinckler, and I often get challenged about them being great around the park but not so impressive at scrum time. But I’ve always trusted their scrummaging, although I will acknowledge that both have needed to work on that aspect of their game.
It was really pleasing, though, to see them lead the England fightback and force a string of penalties against Ireland.
I’m not a big fan of smiling through defeat — but this was a defeat that left me more positive and upbeat about England than in a good while. I’m intrigued to see how they go in Paris.