Six Nations
England
The first two rounds of the 2019 Six Nations couldn’t have gone much better than
they have for England. Few would have predicted victory in Ireland which was a
considerable shock made to look rather routine and the dismantling of France was
similarly impressive.
top of the tree of European rugby for fifteen years through
his club, country and the Lions. You’re playing a tough,
physical team and they contest harder at the breakdown than
everybody – we’ll start that on Wednesday. We’re looking
forward to going down there. It should be fun.”
It makes quite a contrast to where the team was following
their unsuccessful tour in South Africa in the Summer which
followed something of a disastrous Six Nations last year. They
still have difficult tests to come, particularly in Wales next up
but the progress the side has made is there for all to see.
It is easy to point to the return of key players such as Billy
Vunipola as the difference makers but there is more to it
than that. England have found a balance to their play both
in the forwards and the backs which is difficult to combat.
Hardworking forwards like Wilson, Kruis and Curry
complement the dynamism of the Vunipola brothers and
Sinckler perfectly meaning that England have gone from
break down novices to a force to be reckoned with there.
In the backs, the power of Manu Tuilagi has made a difference
and again with pace to burn outside with the likes of May
and Daly everyone seems to be comfortable in their roles. The
experienced pairing of Farrell and Youngs have led the team
to play in the right areas and England have looked very good.
Wales are the only other unbeaten side in the tournament
and their clash in Round 3 promises to be a fantastic match.
Following their first two performances England will go into
the match expecting to win and you feel it will take a fantastic
from Wales to stop them. Whoever wins the match will be
installed as tournament favourites.
Speaking after the France victory, Eddie Jones said, “I think,
when you put yourself in the position after 30 minutes that
you’ve got a bonus point against a top team, you’ve done
pretty well. The second half I though we outperformed the
other, even though there weren’t as many points we didn’t
lose our focus or our discipline. To keep France scoreless (in
that half) I thought was outstanding.”
“But we just had a quick chat in the room there and we felt we
probably left 15 to 20 points on the field. There’s a lot more
in this team and we understand that and we’ll continue to
be the very best we can be. When we get back together on
Wednesday we’ll start the process again.”
“We’re playing the greatest Welsh side ever. We’re going to
have to be at our absolute best. So on Wednesday – well you
know you’re playing a Warren Gatland side, who’s been the
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