MAILBOX: Six Nations reaction

Last weekend saw the Six Nations take an unexpected turn for the interesting with the title still anyone’s for the taking (Besides Italy, Scotland and Wales!). England surprised, Ireland nearly choked (literally) and Italy stunned Wales (albeit due to a dubious last-minute decision by the ref). Here are your thoughts on the action…

England were fantastic, Toby Flood was an excellent replacement for our Injured fly half, Shane Geraghty was superb, whose break set up a good try for Mike Tindall. A shame he won’t be in the Welsh game.

Mr Guscott’s comments are palatable and fair as England do need to tighten up their finishing and have lots to do (no back up for Jason Robinson in 60th/61st min, Josh Lewsey should’ve thrown the ball short and behind, not wide, to stop interception errors etc). David Strettle’s speed was brilliant, as was Robinson’s, Ellis, Geraghty, and others who demolished the French, Tom Rees excellent.

New and experienced players is a fantastic combination as Geraghty mentions. Tom Palmer quickly grabbed the ball in 12th minute who played well. There’s so much to say about many players they can’t all be included.

Mike Catt made a great captain who should’ve been included sooner even if not as a captain. Some lightening tackles, and excellent attacking. I appear to have missed why England were not granted a penalty when Serge Betsen tackled Mike Catt off his feet, but Mr Kaplan was far better than in 2005, honest!

Well done England. Wales must now be crushed who are very angry with themselves for not winning a game, who should not be underestimated. The more points England score, the better.

Come on England!!!

– Paul Gibbs

First off, full credit to England for putting in a performance. I was scathing last weekend and can only applaud them this week. As for France, I’ve said this in the past but got flamed for it. France will NEVER win the World Cup, why? Because they are too inconsistent, today they were hopeless beyond belief. To win a World Cup, you have to be consistent and you just know they’ll blow out when it matters (think back to their two finals and two semi final blow outs). As for England, if they can build on this performance they may just be a force of some kind in the WC. I think they need to retain Catt and give Jonny Retardkinson the boot. Ill wait until the game against the Boks to see just how far they’ve come.

– Springbokwaddle

So England beat the Frenchies and Ireland went on to retain the Triple Crown
– they must be cursing their defeat against the French. A stronger resolve will be required during the WC if the Irish are to do well.

Every English journalist should be made to sit back and calm down and not start talking England up for the WC. Yes, it was a win and yes, it was a decent performance but there is still much improvement to go. Consistency for a start, lets put 30 points on the Welshies, another good performance from the pack and some good tries from the backs and then we can hope a little more. One win means nothing, England need to play consistently well from now on – the pack needs to get back to ‘White Orcs on steroids’ and intimidate and bully teams again, something we haven’t seen for a while.

The Southern Hemisphere teams and ABs in particular will not be seeing anything to scare them from this 6 Nations with the both the Irish and French inconsistent.

– Scottie (Englishman in Oz)

Okay, so one swallow doesn’t make a summer, but it can make you start to think about warmer days!

In the Daily Telegraph this week Mick Cleary in his article “Ashton’s search for sea change” and Paul Ackford’s “Folly of the ever changing team” both suggested that England management have a confused vision, and are destined to be left out in the cold come September and the world cup. I would agree wholeheartedly had the Robinson era continued, but under Ashton I feel confident enough to put away the winter woollies, and nip down the chemist to pick up a bottle of suntan lotion.

Consider this. Perhaps, just perhaps, Ashton didn’t want to pitch too many new boys into the fray all at the same time, and the judicious mix of old stagers and new blood is part of a transition strategy to produce the new look England. A younger, more vibrant, more daring and, dare I say, a more blond England.

Cleary suggested that only Jason Robinson may make a world XV, but even before the France game I fancied another player to really start to make people sit up and take notice. After seeing him in the England A game against Italy I was convinced here was a star in the making. When Jason Robinson first arrived in Union he made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end every time he got the ball in open space. Recent form suggests that Robinson has recovered some of his electric spark, but that glow has been eclipsed by the man on his opposite wing. Young David Strettle is making a damn good fist of out-electrifying Mr Robinson, and if Ashton can get both players sparking at the same time then the mix may be very potent indeed.

Toss another blond in the form of Shane Geraghty into the mix, and things start to hot up; it was his vision and pace that created England’s second try. If that other blond Josh Lewsey could only rediscover his pre-world cup form I would be quietly confident that England would at least make it out of the group stages of this summer world cup tournament.

Come September perhaps France might not be such a bad place to take a late summer vacation after all.

– Ian McFarlane-Toms

I’m not sure what you guys were watching but here in California we had an early time change for daylight savings so it was bound to be an odd day anyway. Got to the pub late after a few penalties were already exchanged, paid Setanta $20, and then we had to listen to the RTE feed. I think the players on the pitch must have had the same feed piped into invisible earpieces as the Irish commentators went on about how bad England were and how they never stood a chance against such a classy side as France… and then England started finding the gaps. England were all over the place and it was so good to see the youngsters putting together some great football and France never really got going although you could see a little more pace in the dying ten minutes.

The reason why we get out of bed so early, pay Setanta’s idiotic fees, and listen to absurd commentators is that anything can happen during these games. Today England decided to save themselves from further repudiation and played a good game. Lots of errors but they had pace and heart. It’s a shame that Ireland didn’t lose to Scotland… that would have made the tournament complete somehow. I expect Wales v England to be a cracker and the Welsh will want to make up for their loss to Italy.

This was Six Nations at its best!

– Unknown

I’m afraid Chris White has dropped a clanger. Before I whinge though:

1. Italy produced a dominant performance and last quarter heroics. Italy deserved to win.

2. Wales should be commended for going for a win and not settling for a draw.

3. Chris White is an excellent ref.

There are 2 issues with the end of the game; consistency and communication. The first half ended in IDENTICAL circumstances. The ball was kicked out. While the ball was out of play time elapsed. The ref was asked if time was up but said the line out had been awarded and play would continue. What’s good for half time is good for full time. There was a clear breakdown in communication between the ref, the TMO and the players. Chris White knew what he was being asked – is there time to kick it out and throw in? He listened in on his earpiece told the Wales players 10 secs left, was then asked again can we kick out and throw in and made a clear “yes” response. This can be gauged by his actions after the kick. He jogged over to the line out to set up the last play. On the way there, he gets the message time has elapsed and changes his decision.

The strict laws of the game would also support the spirit of the laws. The line out was awarded before time elapsed. The laws state the line out should proceed.

Well played Italy, bold move Wales. Own up to a dropped bollock in this case officials.

– Dr Chris Bidder

Scotland were unlucky against Ireland who were not the same team as against England. The Scots put them under terrible pressure who should have gone for more attempts at drop goals.

Ireland can be, will be, and have been beaten, they are not invincible. I do not approve of Ronan O’Gara being chocked unconscious even though I am no fan of his, nor do I approve of Shane Horgan’s dangerous tackle. Wales were also unlucky.

– Paul Gibbs

I’m Welsh. I’m livid.

Is the referee in charge? How can he say there’s enough time for a lineout and then refuse to let them play it?

I know I’m Welsh and in any match which involves my team I have a one-eyed view of the referee, but that one is surely not just me?

Can I also ask how the early tackle on Morgan was missed? And the punch on Stephen Jones? And the stamp by Troncon on Rees?

There weren’t any really obvious howlers by White against the Azzurri, there are three absolutely critical ones against the Welsh. Normally I think he is a good referee, but it definitely felt like he was less than even handed to me – I try to accept the odd bad call, the referee is closer, expert and I’m biased, but certainly the first two of those looked absolutely clear and badly handled. It appears White saw the stamp since he spoke to Troncon, in what rule book is stamping not near the ball and as retaliation acceptable?

Still fuming.

– Lewis Pike