How's the nerves?

[UKHamlet]

They did have a man in the bin, not that that means we usually score tries!!!

But they had a man in the bin because of the pressure we were putting on.

[Sandydragon]

They did have a man in the bin, not that that means we usually score tries!!!

But they had a man in the bin because of the pressure we were putting on.

Agreed. It was the result of multiple penalties and that's what the yellow card is for. Even with the man advantage, to score two tries is good going against a well organised defence. Webb and Priestland made a difference I think, although they were being presented with quicker ball as well.

[hawkaye]

Two separate questions - why we were so poor for 50 minutes and so good for 20.
Poor - tempo and urgency, lineout and clearing out at and from breakdown, tackling and covering, chasing kicks. For the 3rd match in a row against England Biggar missed a tackle which led to a try but main problem was front 5. Also England attackers kept stepping inside Welsh defence and Warburton was absent.
Good - the opposite plus great service from Webb, less kicking and Priestland getting the backs moving.
Substitutes added shedloads of extra energy.

[Sandydragon]

Two separate questions - why we were so poor for 50 minutes and so good for 20.
Poor - tempo and urgency, lineout and clearing out at and from breakdown, tackling and covering, chasing kicks. For the 3rd match in a row against England Biggar missed a tackle which led to a try but main problem was front 5. Also England attackers kept stepping inside Welsh defence and Warburton was absent.
Good - the opposite plus great service from Webb, less kicking and Priestland getting the backs moving.
Substitutes added shedloads of extra energy.

Ken Owens carried the ball with real purpose and got some good momentum for us. Rugby is a lot simpler when you are on the front foot.

[Tre]

Two separate questions - why we were so poor for 50 minutes and so good for 20.
Poor - tempo and urgency, lineout and clearing out at and from breakdown, tackling and covering, chasing kicks. For the 3rd match in a row against England Biggar missed a tackle which led to a try but main problem was front 5. Also England attackers kept stepping inside Welsh defence and Warburton was absent.
Good - the opposite plus great service from Webb, less kicking and Priestland getting the backs moving.
Substitutes added shedloads of extra energy.

Ken Owens carried the ball with real purpose and got some good momentum for us. Rugby is a lot simpler when you are on the front foot.

Ken Owens not being our first choice hooker is a proper mystery to me

[Numbers]

Before the game our lineout was the most successful in the tournament so I don't really think the problem lies there, ditto the scrum.

We failed to win any possession and too many players had an off day, this happens in sport occassionally.

The fact we managed to get within 4 points at the end was a miracle.

We didn't get any decent ball from phase play for the majority of the match due to our clearout being ineffective, we also couldn't try our set plays for gainline success when we weren't winning our own ball at the setpiece.

If you can't retain the ball it makes it difficult to win games.

Cuthbert was hopeless, Biggar was ponderous (not helped by having poor ball), AWJ was oddly quiet, Baldwin has his worst game for Wales to date.

The backrow weren't great either.

It's all very well saying we didn't create anything but when you have pooor quality ball it makes it very difficult to create anything.

Verdict: we were d1cked up front.

[davejames78]

Ken Owens not being our first choice hooker is a proper mystery to me

Baldwin being first choice at the Ospreys is a mystery enough for me. Perhaps ASM Clermont will sign him as well.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Two separate questions - why we were so poor for 50 minutes and so good for 20.
Poor - tempo and urgency, lineout and clearing out at and from breakdown, tackling and covering, chasing kicks. For the 3rd match in a row against England Biggar missed a tackle which led to a try but main problem was front 5. Also England attackers kept stepping inside Welsh defence and Warburton was absent.
Good - the opposite plus great service from Webb, less kicking and Priestland getting the backs moving.
Substitutes added shedloads of extra energy.

Ken Owens carried the ball with real purpose and got some good momentum for us. Rugby is a lot simpler when you are on the front foot.

Ken Owens not being our first choice hooker is a proper mystery to me

Ditto.... and I still don't understand why Hibbard was dropped.

[Sandydragon]

Two separate questions - why we were so poor for 50 minutes and so good for 20.
Poor - tempo and urgency, lineout and clearing out at and from breakdown, tackling and covering, chasing kicks. For the 3rd match in a row against England Biggar missed a tackle which led to a try but main problem was front 5. Also England attackers kept stepping inside Welsh defence and Warburton was absent.
Good - the opposite plus great service from Webb, less kicking and Priestland getting the backs moving.
Substitutes added shedloads of extra energy.

Ken Owens carried the ball with real purpose and got some good momentum for us. Rugby is a lot simpler when you are on the front foot.

Ken Owens not being our first choice hooker is a proper mystery to me

Concur. Baldwin has seemed OK, but Owens has looked much better (when fit). Our lineup has been much better on the whole with Baldwin over the past 2 seasons so credit for that.