Stuart Barnes's Six Nations verdict

Wales v Scotland

Wales will be content with the result but not the quality of the performance. Considering the paucity of ambition from the Scotland camp it is a minor miracle Wales only failed to double the point tally of their bereft opposition. That minor miracle, from the Scottish perspective, is the kicking foot of Chris Paterson. Five infringements, fifteen points and some slight succour on the score board for a team who deserved nothing bar points from penalties.

Wales will be concerned with their failure to eliminate errors in their own half but with a fortnight until their next game and that game being Italy in Cardiff, the management has a right to feel pleased enough with Wales’s start.

Wales produced their own minor miracle themselves in the elfin shape of Shane Williams. In the perfect physical world of Shaun Edwards and Warren Gatland, he could become an endangered species but with the quality of finishing on display Saturday, he is in no hurry to be relegated to the history books. He has weaknesses but his strengths have always outweighed them and ever made him an exciting player to watch.

Scotland had no one to match him and no ambition to match a Welsh team that were fitful but looked the part on several occasions. James Hook is not yet the finished article and Gavin Henson is still flickering rather than exploding into life but that midfield, with its superb distribution skills is going to damage somebody badly before this tournament is out.

Gatland says Wales are two years from becoming a seriously good team but the immediate question is just how high – or should that read low – is the standard of opposition this season? In a sub standard tournament with France to come in Cardiff a championship is on the cards and a Grand Slam a possibility.

For Scotland the implications are deeper and graver. Frank Hadden’s team have become so obsessed with bulk that they have forgotten how much easier it is to beat a man in space rather than run through or over him. At times Wales taught him and his team a lesson. It is one that must be urgently heeded. This three man ruck a pop pass from a breakdown does nothing but take three attackers out of the equation at the cost of one tackler. It was an old and mindless English favourite. That has to be dropped as does the fly half, Dan Parks, if Scotland are to try and attack the try line.

Either Chris Paterson or Phil Godman has to be given the shirt and encouraged to play more aggressively, otherwise the three quarter line will be consigned continually to the role of spectator in attack and tackler in defence.

The key man was Shane Williams. He reminded Scotland what they lacked and the Welsh management that there remains an instinctive spark in Welsh back play that should not be snuffed out in the pursuit of pure power.

France v Ireland

There was fat chance of Ireland snuffing out the sublime skills of the French back three, craftily serviced by that fox of a scrum half, Jean Baptiste Elissalde. The commentators thought 19-6 down was a tough half time call on Ireland, what?

Since when has the creation and finishing of sweeping moves been such an unimportant part of the game. Effort takes all day, class a microsecond and in three brief bursts, France left Ireland trailing in their wake. It was as diametrically opposed a performance to that of the Bernard Laporte regime as could be imagined. All invention and swagger behind but careless and depowered at the scrum. The line out, where Julian Bonnaire rules the airwaves, is a strong point but the way Ireland scrimmaged their way pack into the game offers hope for England in a fortnight. This team has a bloody big Achilles heel.

Ireland lacked any of the incision of France but drew on enormous reserves of effort and heart to take the match to the final minutes. Yes, there was probably an element of the French switching off but full credit to the Ireland scrum which won a dubious penalty try but there was no doubting their superiority in this aspect of the game by full time.

The match had plenty of positives for both the teams; for France the oozing class of a back three and a willingness to play what is in front of them, from anywhere. The problem most in need of remedy is the scrum. I wonder, if in the rush to play, the basics haven’t been forgotten and the issue boils down to a state of mind.

Ireland’s scrum and tenacity plus the performance of a back row where David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip offered momentum that was missing against Italy are all substantial bonuses but the midfield is muddled. The great man, Brian O’ Driscoll, has lost nothing of his commitment and skill at contact but the gaps are closing before he gets into them and the forced passes are finding nothing but air. Georden Murphy will have a long wait to see whether Eddie O’ Sullivan punishes him for failing to stem the tide of a slick French back three

The key man was NOT the hat trick hero, Vincent Clerc but his Toulouse team mate (and club winger) Cedric Heymans. His confidence, pace, passing and left boot will not win him the player of the tournament if Clerc keep scoring the tries but his confidence at the back is the catalyst for a flawed but exciting French team which plays with joyous ambition.

Italy v England

It is hard to know where to start. It was almost the perfect beginning with England having studied the tapes of Italy versus New Zealand and seen how Daniel Carter carved the Europeans up every time he chipped the ball behind the defence. Two minutes in and Jonny Wilkinson, with a helping Italian hand, opened Italy up with a clever chip and a glorious slipped pass out of the tackle; Paul Sackey scored and England had the flying start they wanted.

A charge down of Bortolussi, the full back and only kicker, hence the constant target for English pressure resulted in another early try. Wilkinson, behind a dominant pack, kicked the conversion to bring up his amazing thousandth point and they were on their way – and that was where it ended.

Hereafter, instead of accelerating the pace of the game and driving hard and fast through the pack, the side settled for `control’. That meant kicking ball into touch. True, the Italian line out was poor but whereas France are threatening to score every time they turn opposition ball over, England, without thought pass it back into their comfort blanket, the twenty two and kick the ball out of play. The slower the game the better Italy’s hopes of hanging in and boy, were England slow...not just in their sluggish predictability of the way they ignored the turnover but the drip effect of slow possession given to the backs only when the forwards have finished with it. The forwards lose faith with the packs and the backs lose confidence. Andy Gomarsall ran this particular circus show and should lose his place as a result.

Wilkinson meanwhile – we are bound to be told – answered his critics and he certainly played a confident first half – but the reality is that no one doubted he could play well on the front foot. The first half was a joy ride and proves nothing other than he possesses plenty of skill. But in the second half he and his scrum half both rejected the possibility of upping the pace of the game and a couple of aimless kicks undid what was technically a fine performance. But where was the feel for the game?

There will be no few reservations even though France will be a different test altogether. The Danny Cipriani charge down will be cited as proof that the young Wasp is nowhere near ready for the test berth. There is no hiding from the fact that it bore the hallmark of inexperience yet it had the feel of a middle order batsmen being under pressure to score quick runs because the front line batters had dawdled. It was a mirror image of Toby Flood being introduced late in the day against Argentina and throwing an immediate try and match conceding intercept try. Ditto Cirpriani and the charge down although England did not lose. Whether the sharp shock of another defeat might not be a necessary dose of tough medicine is another issue altogether.

Italy will travel to Wales and be hammered because Wales will not be afraid to play at pace and utilise space. They were brave but desperately limited opponents. No speed wide and no tactical kickers other than a full back. 19-23 represents a loss in all bar name.

What does it mean for England? More pressure to perform and win in Paris (and that is possible judged on the frailties of France’s scrum) yet also the question of a performance which `moves on’. England are on the move; backwards.

Whilst Jonny Wilkinson’s 1000th points in test match rugby demands note there can be no doubt that the man of the day was Sergio Parisse, who was spellbinding in defeat. Had his equally experienced Marco Bortolami not been sidelined his well deserved man of the match award could have been so much more than consolation.

Comments

[Chalk]

Dear Barnesy

There is a picture of you in our pub toilet in Chew Magna - honest! What have you done to offend the good people of the Chew Valley? It sells a top pint of Butcombe as well.

[Tom Batch]

I m not sure whether Cipriani at 10 is the answer just yet, and I have to say I agree with Lynagh that he should be introduced at 15 first to get to grips with international rugby. JW has not been awful, yes there was that pass against Wales, and yes he has only really shone behind a dominant pack, but he is not the source of Englands woes. Secondly am I the only person who cannot understand Balshaw's continued selectioned, he is at times an exciting runner, but his inadequacies in defence make him far from world class. On a slightly different tangent does anyone know a great deal about the supposed conflict between Ashton- Wells, from what I hear they don't speak?

[Andy]

Rob, I thought quite carefully about that before I wrote it. In both games so far Wilkinson was good in the 1st half when his team was going forward. In both games the forward pack has lost the plot at halftime and allowed the opposition forwards back into the match. When your forwards are standing still it is up to your 9-10-12 to plug the corners and keep you on the front foot. On both occasions, as the better kicker, he has failed to do that. That would indicate to me that he is struggling to operate under pressure.
In the WC the English forwards were on top of most of their opposition (after the pool games) so Wilkinson had time and space. Now he doesn't get that and is struggling.
And none of this detracts from the fact that the Italians are a poor team. No point dressing it up, they have a reasonable forward pack but nobody to run the game for them (is Masi the best they've got?).
Ireland only just beat them because Ireland aren't as good as they think they are.
Wales went into this thinking they were worse than they really are and look at the results.
Perhaps it's an attitude thing, but you certainly wouldn't hear NZ, Aus or SA saying the were happy to win by 4 points in Rome.

[Penfro]

Rob, Wales were 20-15 before Shane`s try, so Scotland were 5 adrift.

[robr]

I was hoping barnsey would give up on the Cipriani must play instead of JW now.
His time on the pitch shows he is far from ready and needs more time. My biggest fear is that he will start sonn and become a laughing stock, and lose all his confidence.
Wasps brought him in slowly, mainly as full back, i can't see why England are not doing the same.
AT this moment I agree JW needs a good understudy but I believe there are better players out there then the wasps playboy.

[Rob]

Andy just think about what you just wrote...JW folds under pressure these days?! did you watch any of the world cup? And your comments about the six nations make no sense either. Ireland only beat Italy by 5 at home, england lose by 4 away, France beat ireland by 5...conclusion-anything can and does happen in the 6N. Without a wrong TMO decision Scotland would have been with 2 points of wales going into the last 15 so dont try and suggest that Wales or France are that far ahead. And John's comments about stirling mortlocks kicks, that is what if sports analysis and its worthless. The whole point is that he missed, that happens the whole time in sport tiny moments change games and sometimes sporting history. What if Joe Worsley had not tapped tackled Clerc in the semi! but he did, just as wilko kicked the goals that really mattered, unlike the all blacks, Hook/Jones for Wales against Fiji, Mortlock. High performance sport is all about delievering when it really counts, just ask the england footballers...

[Andy]

Laughable comments by some re the JW v DC debate. Wilkinson is good and setup a lovely try early in the game, but folds under pressure these days. Cipriani sits on the sideline, sees JW's first half plays and think "if I want his shirt, I've got to do something like that as well otherwise I'll always be the reserve". Give the kid a start and see if he can run the show rather pick up the pieces when he comes on. He also came on at a time when the English pack had as much direction and manpower as the Marie Celeste.
Italy are not good (sorry Ferdinando) and offered absolutely nothing on attack and relied on a lucky charge down to get close. They had a huge amount of ball but need a 10 that knows what to do with it. 10-12-13 bashing it up the middle is never going to get them challenging the top of the table. England should have closed the game down if nothing else.
Poor game featuring 2 mediocre teams. Wales should have enough class in the backs to tear them a new one, but Italy could go close to beating Scotland.
The saving grace for the 6N is Wales v France being on the last weekend as that will be the decider and the only game worth watching.

[Tom Burbury]

I've been reading comments below about Cipriani and whilst I would disagree that he will never be the finished article I do agree that currently his standing as second in line to the No. 10 shirts is far to elevated. I do think we need a change at 10 and I cannot understand why Shane Geraghty does not even appear on the radar of most people? He has proved that he can perform at this level (France last year and an outstanding display for the Saxons against an experienced Ireland A side a week or so ago, MOM no less!) but seems to be the invisible man as far as the England management are concerned? At the very least he should be the one playing backup to Wilko, not Cipriani.

[Tom Burbury]

I've been reading comments below about Cipriani and whilst I would disagree that he will never be the finished article I do agree that currently his standing as second in line to the No. 10 shirts is far to elevated. I do think we need a change at 10 and I cannot understand why Shane Geraghty does not even appear on the radar of most people? He has proved that he can perform at this level (France last year and an outstanding display for the Saxons against an experienced Ireland A side a week or so ago, MOM no less!) but seems to be the invisible man as far as the England management are concerned? At the very least he should be the one playing backup to Wilko, not Cipriani.

[Guy]

i cant believe soome of the comments below.
Wilkinson was poor against Italy. We were butchering them up front but can anyone remeber an attack that went through the phases and seriously looked like scoring? no we scored off a a turn over and a charge down..not brilliant front foot rugby!
cipriani was masively unliucky to coome on when he did. Jonny had played like a drain for 27mins of the second half, the forwards were losing control and we were completely rudderless. if he was sent on, as some on this board have suggested, to steady the ship and see out 13 mins, what is the point???!! he is a massively talented player but we are not going to see this unless he is given a half on a day that england arent scurrying back into their collective shell. gomersal was appalling at scrum half...."oh look the ball is at the back of the ruck i'll just go make a cup of tea whilst he decides who to pass it to"
in the forwards why oh why cant any english forwards take the ball moviing? they do it for wasps etc..what changes? why the succession of rucks to advance nowhere and then kick the ball away/badly or turn it over?
i was desperately unhappy with the perfromance against Italy and anyone who wishes to see england rule the roost again should be also.
i honestly dont care if we lose against france as long as we see some ambition and execution!

[Neil McCann]

I cannot agree with either Barnsy's view of the game or that Ashton was tactically out-thought as expressed above.

The root of England's current problem in my view is their inability to execute anything well and consistently. The constant stream of errors and moronic penalties undermine everything else they are attempting to do. From poorly executed kicks, to Easter and Gomarsall messing up a simple restart catch, the inability to pass to hands when faced with a 4 to 1 overlap mid way through the second half, Haskell jumping into the middle of the line out 30 seconds after being warned by the referee about closing the gaps.

Regardless of any game plan until the players start to execute like internationals and stop giving away cheap penalties England will continue to struggle.

[Steve Spear]

Does anyone remember seeing Cipriani play fly-half for the Saxons against Scotland A last year? England had to beat him as well as the Scots. He had an appalling game with error after error yet he was kept on till full time, a nightmare! I don't understand what all the fuss is about, I have yet to see Cipriani play well at top level. I think the media and others are trying to build him up because it's the kind of story they like, DC will never be a Wilkinson who, judged on his record, is clearly one of the very best fly-halves ever. What England need is not some wonderkid in the backs but a great on-pitch, up-front leader to get hold of the players when they are throwing it away and bash their heads together.

[John (Scarborough)]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The English backs aren't skilful enough to play as flat as they do. Unlike, say, the Australians (and pardon me while I choke on that), they simply don't have the instinctive timing or technique to give or take flat ball at speed. This means that back line moves are hesitant and too easily read by the opposition. It also accounts for the high ratio of handling errors, usually as the ball arrives at or above shoulder height. Can't understand why neither "Barnesy" nor any of your other contributors has commented on this. It's as plain as a pikestaff to me.

Also, lets have no more whingeing about Flood's acrobatics. Do we all want a bit of panache or don't we?

[Gareth Williams]

re Eddy Jennings.
So thats why Wilkinson threw a bad pass against Wales because the game didn't matter and all those times when he had to limp of the field injured it was only because the game wasn't important. Don't get me wrong I think Wilko is a fantastic player and a great guy as well but don't forget he too makes mistakes and missed a few kicks in the world cup and England had to rely on Sterling Mortlock just missing a penalty kick in the last few minutes of the world cup quarter final otherwise they may have gone no further. Perhaps then not so much would have been expected of England in the 6 nations and with less pressure they may play better.

[Trevor Bannister]

JoeMatt has a point, not a particularly thoughtful or good point but, credit where credit is due, he has given it some thought. Not a lot of thought or anywhere near enough thought mind you.

The problem is that England are neither one thing nor the other. Either you look to be a team that performs or you look to be a team that competes. If you perform then you have a game plan, usually based on scoring tries and running the ball and generally offering something aesthetic on the pitch. Alternatively, you compete and just aim for the win without style but with lots of mental strength and bloody mindedness. In RWC 2007 England had a lot of the latter but little of the former, now they have made no real advances in performance but have taken a couple of steps backward in competitiveness.

It pains me to say it, but was Dallaglio right in that Ashton just cannot give direction. Playing Jonny from the start suggests a game plan of being competitive but then bringing on DC suggests more of a performance mentality. You need to get one of them cracked before you work on the other.

Suggestions to play DC at full back is just another example of the problem (albeit not one from Ashton) - what can a player possibly learn about international rugby by playing for a quarter of an hour out of position other than if you don't have a clear game plan you are in trouble.

Now, if someone could create a model and system of measuring these competitiveness and performance things then that would be something worth reading about.

[Andrea]

"Italy will travel to Wales and be hammered because Wales will not be afraid to play at pace and utilise space. They were brave but desperately limited opponents."
Ok, I recorded that.

It's becoming increasingly funny to read comments in which the Italian team is described as a part of the landscape. Trees or stones, around wich to dance and run like fairies to do the job easy and classy. And then put the blame on the players that were not capable to do that.
It was so easy from the armchair, wasn't it?

It needs two to play tango Mr. Burns.

[James]

I also rarely agree with many of your points, but thank God you have, for once, given Wilkinson some recognition. So many other atricles have not. This is a man who has scored 1000 points in international rugby- it is remarkable. Anyway the point is that Wilkinson knows how to win international matches, albeit the last two performances have been unconvincing but his past, and recent past, shows that england simply play a lot better with him in the team. There is more trust and belief. It has shown with the likes of Hodgson at 10 we have struggled match after match over the last few years with little showing of hope, yet the return of Jonny produced a world cup final.

I feel the Gomarsall situation is a no-brainer, he is just not able to produce quick ball and simply not good enough, it's all very well yelling at the ref etc but any team needs quick ball to operate in attack, especially against the likes of Italy.

Haskell is a great prospect, but i am fearing a new Lewis Moody in terms of penalty counts, this is one talent that must be thoroughly disciplined and this will result in a great player.

Noon deserves some credit, he played with heart and decency. I generally do not rate him as he lacks creativity which every centre must have be them big or samll but he played a solid role, and was one of the reasons we won in the end.

Cipriani will, one day, prove decent, but Stuart you are admitting defeat by saying he is too inexperienced to start as i believe you felt he should play over Wilkinson. Now you are correct: he is not ready and quite simply not better the Jonny. Ashton's decision to bring him on is mind-boggling at a time when the game needed closing down and not chipping and chasing, however his kick to the corner in final stages displayed class and a brain.

I want to see Geraghty instead of Flood, who has by all means done well. Geraghty has something extra as proven in the recent 'a' team game.

There is a vast amount more I desire to write but I never read the long blogs.

[JoeMatt]

Rob's comment about Barnes's cricketing analogy is absolutely spot on - Cipriani did not have to force the game; his job was to play safe and close it out for England. Wilkinson had a strong first half and, in a team short on leaders, showed the commitment and passion required to get England a much needed victory. People have to realise that Italy are considerably stronger now than they were in previous seasons except (fortunately for England) at half back. In Parisse and Bergamasco they have two excellent back row forwards who were more than a match for England's young inexperienced line up. None of this is to say that England were not poor, again, in the second half and to make one wonder about what exactly the coaching team are saying to them at half time. But let us be thankful that it was Brian Ashton and not Stuart Barnes who picked the England team for this match - if Cipriani had started we would have lost.

[Eddy Jennings]

Can anyone tell me why Stuart Barnes continues to rubbish Wilkinsons performance?

If Wilkinson had played and beaten Italy on his own he would still be criticised by Barnes.

Lets do a quick rewind to the World Cup - When it counted Wilkinson delivered, not once but in every single game. Dan Carter meanwhile was dragged off (injured?) when things got tough against France.

Greatness is about delivering when it matters, and for that reason Wilkinson is greatness personified.

When will Barnes realise this?

Probably never.

Any chance the Times could pay a bit extra and get Martin Johnson in to write this column. At least then we might get a balanced view and something worth reading!

[Andy Hopper]

I don't often find myself agreeing with Stuart Barnes - but his comments on the small but brilliant Shane Williams against the big, bulky but clueless Scots is very valid and very welcome. The size obsessed Stephen Jones should trying opening his mind.

For England - how they managed to be so abject in the second half is a big concern. The pack were completely outplayed and were far too accepting of that. Gomarsall has been blamed - and he didn't play well, but there are other far reaching issues which seem to be largely behind the scenes. England's lack of leadership, lack of desire and competitive edge worry me greatly. Can only see France winning by a margin on the 23rd, despite their unusually poor scrummaging.

[peter]

I don't believe the blinkered stuff I am reading here. Does Barnsey even watch these games? THE ISSUE: England pack folded in the tight loose - except for lineout. Wales will have to play a lot better in the tight to beat Italy. AND Don't think that Mallet won't get his lot operating at higher levels.. The best pack in Europe is emerging as we watch...well , at least some of us can see it....

[dave]

Stuart, pretty good analysis of the France-Ireland match, but as an Irishman I would suggest that the half-time score was unfair. Of course France showed great incisiveness taking their opportunities, but 50-50 possession and territory suggests Ireland were hard done by. Still, second half was better and people are finally giving the Irish scrum some long over-due credit. Well done sir on all 3 pieces here though.

[David Harrison]

Stuart Barnes is simply coming over as having a personal grudge against JW!
While not at his very best JW continues to show the class and skill of a world class number 10.
Having made it clear that DC should be first choice - and been proved wrong, he still does not have the good grace to admit he was wrong!

Mr Barnes continues to talk of taking contol when the forwards are "going backwards". I didn't see Dan Carter doing so in the last world cup, and I an old enough to remember that he was not able to do so when he played! With no ball it is rather difficult to do so.
It would appear that Stuart Barnes is simply trying to make a name for himself - probably best to ignore him!

[Anthony Jones]

I was really looking forward to Stuart Barnes justifying his continuing campaign against Jonny Wilkinson this morning. He did not disappoint me.
Does this man ever hold his hands up and say - loud and clear - `I got it wrong.'
I'm not holding my breathe.

[Ralph Bennett]

Has the persistent rumour of discord between head coach Brian Ashton and the Forwards Coach John Wells have any bearing on the end product!
Also was Laurence Dallaglio involved with the half time talks during last years World Cup? Maybe he should be called in to do the same during the 6 nations…

[Rob]

I am afraid the using that cricket analogy to explain away Cipriani's kick is simply not appropriate. He was not like a middle order batsmen coming in when the lower order had blundered, he was a middle order batsmen coming on when all that is required is a draw and sensible defensive shots. He had no need to force that play. If I was to use a cricket analogy it would be that the kick was as inappropriate as a middle order batsmen going for a slog at a good delievery in his second test when the game is still in the balance. The fact is that Ashton should not have taken Wilkinson off at that point, he should have showed more respect to the Italians. He should have taken off the hugely ineffectual Balshaw and given Cipriani 15 minutes at 15 where he has played so brilliantly for Wasps on a number of occasions. And just a last thought if Cipriani has as Barnes claims been tearing defences to pieces in the guiness prem and heni cup how come wasps are 8th (just one place above Newcastle with a much better pack!) and are already out of the heni cup?

[Ferdinando, Oxford]

'Italy will travel to Wales and be hammered'. Didn't it have to be the case against Ireland and England? When will the British press start to give some credit to this team? And is it possible that when another 6-nations team does not 'hammer' Italy it is because they played badly and not because the Azzurri were good?

[Will Oami]

Just intrested in what Barnsy said in previous comments that England should take a chance on DC at 10. Don't get me wrong I think that Wilko could have had a better 2nd half but DC's shocker proves he needs more time to come to terms with the step up to this level. I have no doubt that DC will be the England 10 at the RWC2011, but England need to be careful with him.

[Armchair Expert]

Why do England shy away from fast ball. It has become a lost art. The forwards don't look like producing it, and when they do the backline looks caught on the hop. Going through the phases is not enough, you don't score points for ball retention alone. I have become tired of watching England play. I wish they could share the empty ache that supporters experience watching a game played in slow motion that feels like it's in black and white. Lose, lose big even, but play the game at pace, and bloody enjoy it.....Help us get the excitement back watching our Country play the game we love.

[Gareth Davies]

Stuart
Your defensive agressive in defence of the lamnasting you gave JW by hiding it behind a crickt analogy is not worthy of you. We are seeing the same rugby we saw as before the Austrailain game, when you surely remember the players took charge.
The two A's must go. The team reflect a commen malaise in the UK. I call it MMM, Mediocre Middle Management. What the Hell is up with senior mananegents that makes life untenable for World Cup Winning coaches so much so that they are forced to leave and reduce once mightly teams to whimpering used to be's full of self doubt.

[Murray]

England's players lack any personality out on the pitch... Everyone just looks as though they are content to do their own bit, without anyone dragging the team onwards. Its like a group of 15 big, strong but ultimately mindless individuals playing insipid, characterless rugby. This team is a vortex for talent, as they are all appreciably talented at club level, and much blame must lie with management. Oh for some, precocious, bloody minded, arrogant talent again... players who will look the likes of O'Driscoll, Heymans, Parisse in the eye and scare them.

[Ben]

Well done Stuart. We can always rely on you to describe a loss when England win. England's first priority is to win - mission accompished. Next is to do well in the 6N - they have moved off the bottom of the table. Last is to transform their game over a two to three year period into a more balanced approach. This will not happen over night and is work in progress. The Wilko v. Cipriani debate is over. Cipriani is not ready and needs to be introduced into test rugby slowly. The lad got 15 mins on Sunday and gifted 7 points away at a crucial time.

[DAC]

Spot on Stuart, however Regan has to go as well, Dylan Hartley deserves a go. Ashton was out coached by Gatland last week and Mallet this week.

[Colin MIESCH]

What do they put in England's half-time tea?

[rich roberts]

Well said Stuart Barnes-an excellent writer with a great understanding of the game!

[Mike Daly]

Is this performance not similar to the World Cup in which England played awfully. Then the players rebelled at the lack of a game plan and did what they did best.
I can't help think that there is a mising link between Bryan Ashton's mind and what he tells the players; or they just don't undertand.
I hope we have our strongest pack with agression and focus against France