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He’s the perfect emergency blanket.Puja wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 6:57 pm Want to apologise to George, as I was dubious about what his value off the bench would be, but I thought he was absolutely superb. Was the absolute glue in that last 15-20 minute surge. Would start him and have Dan on the bench for Scotland.
Daly is now forgiven for everything as well.
Puja
Agreed - where France were jostling the ball out of Itoje's hands, Chessum was imperious and rode the competition. I'm a big Martin fan, but I think Chessum needs to take his shirt right now.Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:06 pmHe’s the perfect emergency blanket.Puja wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 6:57 pm Want to apologise to George, as I was dubious about what his value off the bench would be, but I thought he was absolutely superb. Was the absolute glue in that last 15-20 minute surge. Would start him and have Dan on the bench for Scotland.
Daly is now forgiven for everything as well.
Puja
Again though, Chessum’s handling in the air made such a difference. The French had clearly gotten a feel for dislodging the ball in the air and Chessum helped halt that.
Must've been one of those appalling team talks that we decided the tall Eddie Jones must be giving. Must've been so offended by the obvious ineptitude of his England coaches that he summoned the spirit of Sam Vesty to guide him.Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:44 pm A note on Fith - I felt he started off very nervous, and relying on Marcus as 2nd receiver every time. Wouldn't have been anywhere close to MOTM at HT - but something happened at half-time, and he started trusting himself to run the game, and moved up through the gears, moving England around the pitch and flourishing.
I think you'll find the Leicester fans are probably the ones least fond of Murphy nowadays!Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:54 pm Absolutely delighted for Borthwick. For any faults he has, he’s clearly a very genuine person and in no way a “tall Eddie Jones”.
I know we have some massive Leicester fans on here who will love Murphy but he’s been made to a look a right dick today and it’s great.
The pack got on top and the 10 looked good. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. He was nothing more than a solid in last 30 mins, imo, but it was his first start so what more can you ask. If Farrell had been given motm for that performance we’d have all been pissed off. Should’ve gone to T Cuzza, imo.Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:44 pm A note on Fith - I felt he started off very nervous, and relying on Marcus as 2nd receiver every time. Wouldn't have been anywhere close to MOTM at HT - but something happened at half-time, and he started trusting himself to run the game, and moved up through the gears, moving England around the pitch and flourishing.
Have the chickens hatched?Puja wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:47 pmMust've been one of those appalling team talks that we decided the tall Eddie Jones must be giving. Must've been so offended by the obvious ineptitude of his England coaches that he summoned the spirit of Sam Vesty to guide him.Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:44 pm A note on Fith - I felt he started off very nervous, and relying on Marcus as 2nd receiver every time. Wouldn't have been anywhere close to MOTM at HT - but something happened at half-time, and he started trusting himself to run the game, and moved up through the gears, moving England around the pitch and flourishing.
Puja
Do let us know the French media reaction. Are they tearing into their lads? That'd be harsh in my view. Everybody has games where it just doesn't click.francoisfou wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:03 pm That was so sweet! My neighbour invited me and was clearly feeling a bit smug before kick off!
His French tail is well and truly between his legs now!!
It clicked but failed to put away 3(?) gilt edged chances to score. They ran us ragged at timesMr Mwenda wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:19 pmDo let us know the French media reaction. Are they tearing into their lads? That'd be harsh in my view. Everybody has games where it just doesn't click.francoisfou wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:03 pm That was so sweet! My neighbour invited me and was clearly feeling a bit smug before kick off!
His French tail is well and truly between his legs now!!
I hadn’t considered anybody but Curry would be getting it if England won, but it was great to see how Smith settled in to it.Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:12 pmThe pack got on top and the 10 looked good. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. He was nothing more than a solid in last 30 mins, imo, but it was his first start so what more can you ask. If Farrell had been given motm for that performance we’d have all been pissed off. Should’ve gone to T Cuzza, imo.Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:44 pm A note on Fith - I felt he started off very nervous, and relying on Marcus as 2nd receiver every time. Wouldn't have been anywhere close to MOTM at HT - but something happened at half-time, and he started trusting himself to run the game, and moved up through the gears, moving England around the pitch and flourishing.
If Penaud and DuPont(!) hadn’t forgotten how to catch for 40mins they’d have been out of sight at halftime.
All that said, let’s hope it breeds some confidence into the entire setup and they move on from here. Soppy Bastard looked liked he might cry when Daly went over.
Agreed but why were they rattled? It was close to desperation. Maybe it was just the occasion???Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:42 pmIt clicked but failed to put away 3(?) gilt edged chances to score. They ran us ragged at timesMr Mwenda wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:19 pmDo let us know the French media reaction. Are they tearing into their lads? That'd be harsh in my view. Everybody has games where it just doesn't click.francoisfou wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:03 pm That was so sweet! My neighbour invited me and was clearly feeling a bit smug before kick off!
His French tail is well and truly between his legs now!!
The wind and rain in London today was grim. Not much of an excuse but their handling was just so far off.
Chessum adds a lot more at lineout time but 26 tackles for Martin and 29m carried all of which were hard yards into the jaws of the French defence. Boring and won't make the highlights reel but that's the kind of shift your teammates love you for.Puja wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:46 pmAgreed - where France were jostling the ball out of Itoje's hands, Chessum was imperious and rode the competition. I'm a big Martin fan, but I think Chessum needs to take his shirt right now.Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:06 pmHe’s the perfect emergency blanket.Puja wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 6:57 pm Want to apologise to George, as I was dubious about what his value off the bench would be, but I thought he was absolutely superb. Was the absolute glue in that last 15-20 minute surge. Would start him and have Dan on the bench for Scotland.
Daly is now forgiven for everything as well.
Puja
Again though, Chessum’s handling in the air made such a difference. The French had clearly gotten a feel for dislodging the ball in the air and Chessum helped halt that.
Yet more evidence why we shouldn't be playing our third decent lock at 6 - if one of the locks falls out of form, we have a replacement and competition, rather than blocking a back row trying to get all three onto the pitch.
Puja
Accepted but would Chessum be that far behind in carrying/tackling? It's a good dilemma for SB to have.FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:53 pmChessum adds a lot more at lineout time but 26 tackles for Martin and 29m carried all of which were hard yards into the jaws of the French defence. Boring and won't make the highlights reel but that's the kind of shift your teammates love you for.Puja wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:46 pmAgreed - where France were jostling the ball out of Itoje's hands, Chessum was imperious and rode the competition. I'm a big Martin fan, but I think Chessum needs to take his shirt right now.Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:06 pm
He’s the perfect emergency blanket.
Again though, Chessum’s handling in the air made such a difference. The French had clearly gotten a feel for dislodging the ball in the air and Chessum helped halt that.
Yet more evidence why we shouldn't be playing our third decent lock at 6 - if one of the locks falls out of form, we have a replacement and competition, rather than blocking a back row trying to get all three onto the pitch.
Puja
Good point. Is it fair to suggest that might account for the failure to catch the ball but not the innacurate passes?Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:51 pmThe wind and rain in London today was grim. Not much of an excuse but their handling was just so far off.
I’m not sure why one but not the other, but it’s all guesswork.Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 9:00 pmGood point. Is it fair to suggest that might account for the failure to catch the ball but not the innacurate passes?Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:51 pmThe wind and rain in London today was grim. Not much of an excuse but their handling was just so far off.
Yeah it's a nice problem to have. Itoje had 19m carried and 25 tackles for more time on the pitch. Chessum 31m but 6 tackles.Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:58 pmAccepted but would Chessum be that far behind in carrying/tackling? It's a good dilemma for SB to have.FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:53 pmChessum adds a lot more at lineout time but 26 tackles for Martin and 29m carried all of which were hard yards into the jaws of the French defence. Boring and won't make the highlights reel but that's the kind of shift your teammates love you for.Puja wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:46 pm
Agreed - where France were jostling the ball out of Itoje's hands, Chessum was imperious and rode the competition. I'm a big Martin fan, but I think Chessum needs to take his shirt right now.
Yet more evidence why we shouldn't be playing our third decent lock at 6 - if one of the locks falls out of form, we have a replacement and competition, rather than blocking a back row trying to get all three onto the pitch.
Puja
Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:42 pmIt clicked but failed to put away 3(?) gilt edged chances to score. They ran us ragged at timesMr Mwenda wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:19 pmDo let us know the French media reaction. Are they tearing into their lads? That'd be harsh in my view. Everybody has games where it just doesn't click.francoisfou wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:03 pm That was so sweet! My neighbour invited me and was clearly feeling a bit smug before kick off!
His French tail is well and truly between his legs now!!