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Le Crunch - but not as we know it

  • Rob Hodgetts - 91热爆 Sport journalist
  • 9 Mar 07, 12:30 PM

Rob HodgettsLondon - Brace yourself then, England and France fans. Sunday is fast approaching and we all know what that means - "Le Crunch". Two teams in glorious form on collision course in a potential Six Nations decider.

Er, except that it's not, really. If at all, in fact. Technically, the title is still up for grabs but the only thing slightly crunchy about the fixture is whether England can convince us they are not actually as bad as they were in Dublin (that's not to denigrate Ireland by the way). And whether France can maintain their push for a fourth title and third Grand Slam in the last six seasons.


Of the two, arguably the more interesting is not whether England can shrug off the tag as a second division side but whether France have finally emerged as hard-nosed, results-oriented, serious World Cup contenders.

Of course, with France always comes the caveat (and cliche) that "no-one knows which team will turn up".

Will they play to their potential and unleash a barrage of forward firepower and attacking artistry to run England ragged?

Or will they inexplicably "go missing" and offer a pale imitation of the real France? When I spoke to former France captain and Sale boss Philippe Saint-Andre at the Six Nations launch he was adamant that there is too much hunger in the squad to represent France in the World Cup on home soil for that to happen.

Yes, it is a bit of a failing and something of a Mediterranean trait, he shrugged. But no, this is too big a year for anyone to take their eyes off the main prize, he assured me. "There will be revolution in France if they go to sleep during the Six Nations," he said.

Now England, under another new captain and with a raft of changes, may yet offer France a proper match and it would help quieten the critics clamouring for a quick-fix if they do.

But it is Les Bleus' reaction to this which is key for the rest of the year, and which could well send a wee tremor through the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

England's 2003 vintage realised it was the cumulative experience of victories achieved under pressure that took them to World Cup glory, not a series of showboating wins against sub-standard opposition.

France stuck to their task and ground out the win in Dublin and came from behind to see off a spirited Wales in Paris. Now the "crunch" for Bernard Laporte's men will be to maintain their winning habit at Twickenham on Sunday. The Six Nations title will be a step closer to the main prize of the World Cup, and crucially, it will be one more win for the players' memory banks.

England, at the very least, must perform. Victory would be a bonus.


Comments  Post your comment

  • 1.
  • At 04:42 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • redhander wrote:

A bonus?

It would be a miracle.

  • 2.
  • At 05:02 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • Ronan wrote:

It's so tough. You look at the two teams on paper and you think, there is no way England can get a result against this French team. But as Brian Clough said, "Matches aren't played on paper". Twickenham, with a Jonny Wilkinson kicking machine in your team, and nothing to lose... Who knows??? (I'm an optimistic Irish man, hoping for a Championship that Ireland have been threatening to achieve but just failing to win since 5 became 6)

  • 3.
  • At 05:13 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • Irish Mike wrote:

Allez Les Blanc. Never thought I'd be praying for an English win so much. I have a feeling howver my prayers will fall on deaf ears.

  • 4.
  • At 05:22 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • scott wrote:

all you none believers that think england will get beaten by france, i've got 2 words for you, HAV FAITH, just look at the last world cup!!!

  • 5.
  • At 05:47 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • Emily wrote:

I cannot see any other result coming out of this game other than England on the wrong end of another 30+ point thumping here.

  • 6.
  • At 05:47 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • Woofio wrote:

Message from France: The French players have too much at stake for England to have any hope of a slack performance. Les Bleus are playing for a berth in the World Cup team. They would skin and eat their team mates alive for a place in the squad so England will be just a tasty snack. I look for us to win by at least 30 points.

Um - what 'Jonny Wilkinson kicking machine'?

Buenaventura

  • 8.
  • At 06:31 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • Tu wrote:

After what I've seen in the last 2-3 years in the northern hemisphere and with the British Lions as the proposed cherry on top, there won't even be a wee tremor in the north and south island of NZ. The All Blacks and NZ domestic rugby with the Super 14 included is so far far ahead of anything in the north that only a rational thinking rugby minded individual would even confirm the poor state of NH rugby. Rugby in NZ has developed leaps and bounds on and off the field that it would take a nation. province or club to forfeit a game for the NH to have any real shot of glory. Ireland is the only credible competition with Italy finally earning the respect for all their hard efforts. And someone please tell Lewsey that the AB's he has confronted with in the past has been and gone. The new breed of conditioned elite athletes are meaner, hungrier, faster, stronger, more skilled. They haven't been just pumping iron but pumping the top 4 inches also. So when it comes to the 2007 All Blacks, be afraid no be petrified!

  • 9.
  • At 07:04 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • Guy wrote:

Post 7.
Just like every other World Cup since 1987!

  • 10.
  • At 07:12 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • robert wrote:

record defeat for england!and thats from an englishman

  • 11.
  • At 07:33 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • David wrote:

There is no chance in my mind that england will win. Even if they did have jonny it would have 2 be an amazing effort 2 win. I'm an irish fan and would like 2 see an english victory but to me it seems highly unlikely

  • 12.
  • At 07:49 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • Bouleman wrote:

During the previous World Cup I was in Spain and could only watch the games on a French channel. The anxiety that came through the commentary every time Mike Catt got the ball was palpable. The French think he's magical so who knows England could well spring a surprise on the back of French fear.

  • 13.
  • At 08:08 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • matt wrote:

It looks like a walkover if France play well but England rarely lose by much. I think France are pretty much man for man better and are playing well as a unit, i see the England back 3 struggling as well.

  • 14.
  • At 08:20 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • Andy in Dar wrote:

Go England. You might just pull it off, all this gloom and doom must be stacking the odds and pressure onto France. So Eng must be worth a few quid. They have some good new talent to blood, all bodes well for 2011. To the NZ supporter, we have heard all that before except that you are probably right this time. What would happen to these super human bionic rugby robots if they loose it again?

  • 15.
  • At 08:30 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • WeewifeyLesley wrote:

If you go on the last two England/France matches, its probably going to be a very boring and uneventfull match which France are def going to win!!

  • 16.
  • At 08:38 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • Mike Webb wrote:

I think it will take a huge forward effort to achieve a result against France, I havn't seen the front five dominate, and certainly havn't seen the backrow show any pace which could disturb Yashvilli and Skrela

  • 17.
  • At 08:38 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • Tom wrote:

>>

I see the England back 3 as the only threat we pose. If Catt and Tindall get the ball out to Strettle and Robinson I think England will scavange some good points. If kept in the forwards however, we haven't got the slightest chance - going on recent performance that is.

  • 18.
  • At 09:21 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • Lee wrote:

# 8 . You'd better skin the world this year. If you don't I'm getting on the first plane to NZ and I'm gonna earn a few quid as a grief counsellor. A few paople made a lot of money counselling after you were going to win the last world cup and didn't.
It would take a big shift in power if you didn't win, granted, but there has been a lot of iron pumped over the last 3 months and we'll see the effects this weekend when the superstars return to action in Super 14.
Fingers crossed Carter and McCaw stay injury free.

  • 19.
  • At 10:00 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • Ed2003 wrote:

Can't see us winning but nothing is impossible in sport.

I do expect a much improved performance in most areas of the pitch but it wont be enough.

  • 20.
  • At 11:41 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • Spencer Tracy wrote:

Re: Post 8 - TU

I have to agree with TU, we in the NH have so much catching up to do with the ABs that if the top NH teams spent the next 6 months conditioning and the ABs spent the next 6 months on a beach downing beers, we would still be months behind them. Also, I agree that the Irish are probably the only NH team at the moment that would give the ABs something to think about, France, based on the Autumn internationals, definitely wouldn't cause any ripples let alone tremmors on any of NZ's islands. Our current crop of players as BA rightly points out are definitely second rate. Is 6 months enough to turn us back into Ellis winners, I doubt it, but I have a feeling that we will definitely be closer to France tomorrow than we were to the Irish two weeks ago - and why not a win. Remember, we were only beaten by 4 points last year by the Irish at HQ, the same (give or take a couple of faces) team that thrashed us 2 weeks ago. France are good, granted, but they're not all that now are they?

  • 21.
  • At 11:56 PM on 09 Mar 2007,
  • hugo wrote:

well we certainly won't win if our own bloody fans can't find the energy or decency to say a good word about the england side. and before you say that there isn't one good thing how about you apply some unconditional love for your team so that they do not feel pressured to the point of exhuastion. we have to start winning sometime and theres no reason it cant be this weekend!

  • 22.
  • At 04:46 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • martial boffy wrote:

I love the Mike Catt comment.
I'm sure the french are shaking thinking "how could they leave that genius out the England squad for so long".
Please!!!

  • 23.
  • At 04:54 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • wrote:

I am with Tu comment no7. France are going to thrash England BUT the southern Hemisphere is way ahead. France are the only team that can come close but how close.

  • 24.
  • At 08:45 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • wrote:

To Post #8:

Yes, I agree that the All Blacks are way out in front at the moment. However, if they have the same 'we've won already' attitude as you, they still won't win the world cup.

By the way, what does 'pumping the top four inches' mean? Something to do with masturbation?

  • 25.
  • At 08:52 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Guy wrote:

daveinaustria

I don't think that can be correct. remeber we're talking about NZ. To have a "top 4 inches" implies there is more than 4 inches to start with!

  • 26.
  • At 09:33 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • wrote:

Engand Oh! England oh for the glory days tha once were, We english have three chances of winning this 1 Slim 2None 3 A dogs chance, with wilkinson out again there will be no flare in the game. I know we will try our hardest and I would love to eat my words, But invest your hard earned on the french, You think the odds look cramped at around 2/5 ?? it si money in the bank. Amen.

  • 27.
  • At 10:01 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Kevin O'Neill wrote:

aaah England v France the question... who to support ?
mmmh...
ALLEZ MON COUSINS CELTIC

:)

  • 28.
  • At 10:30 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • wrote:

Well I am part English and part Kiwi and this is the best chance for NZ to win but complacency is the reason for the most losses at all levels in rugby. Ireland and France if they can win enough ball could take the Blacks. Now Sunday Les Bleus could underestimate England, so I am being confident and going for our boys to go with the Dunkirk spirit and sneak it. Good old Catty showing what a star he is!!

  • 29.
  • At 10:39 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Math (France) wrote:

Some say on the paper there is no chance for England to win, well... We can only see that in this tournament England won twice, France 3 times. I am definitly not sure that France is way over England. The context is with high pressure in England now, but is it not the case before every Crunch? Are the players from England not strong competitors?
I wish a for a French victory but definitly will not think it can be done easily against our prefered opponent!
Lets look for a good game!

  • 30.
  • At 10:44 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • seb wrote:

The french shouldn't be over confident because There will certainly be a strong English reaction after the defeat in Ireland.

  • 31.
  • At 10:45 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • simon wrote:

If both teams play to their full potential, England will get stuffed. The skill levels in the English game (Scottish as well for that matter)is lamentable. The basics are a struggle & vision is almost non existant. The ability to move the ball out of the tackle area is one of the most important area in the game, as it takes away the time needed for defenses to reorganise. It's not a difficult skill, the problem is the support runners and this is where tha ABs are so strong. Every time one of their playmakers or back row players make a break, they have CLOSE support on both shoulders & the rest of the team start running attacking lines in anticipation of the developing attack. Club rugby is not delivering the goods, players need more time in a national coaching stucture.

  • 32.
  • At 11:02 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Surreypuma wrote:

By the sounds of things there will be no point in watching England/France tommorow as we have already lost.
If we do lose by a huge margin then this surely should be a sign to our rugby's glorious leaders that drastic action must be taken!
As for NZ, i forgot your the greatest rugbying nation in the world, we may aswell give you the cup now!

  • 33.
  • At 11:17 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Derek Tyler wrote:

Kevin #27 - better support England, your French is terrible !!

  • 34.
  • At 11:20 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Derek Tyler wrote:

All this talk about 'backlash' from teams that lost last time out is nonsense - they can only play as well as they know how. Does anyone really think England will be so much better because they were trounced by Ireland ?!

  • 35.
  • At 11:25 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • wrote:

why does it feel like lambs to the slaughter
a sure sign when you can't even get the english second row right!!!

  • 36.
  • At 11:32 AM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • wrote:

All i want to say is the irish, ney the celtic nations in general, get your loyalties sorted. Ok i get it you all hate the english. But it still amazes me that you celebrate england losing more than you do if your country wins - except when an english win helps you ot in some way. Yet all english fans know that if a home nation is playing against a non home nation then the home nation gets the support. Even at the 2003 RWC most celts were hoping for an aussie win because if they can't win it then heaven forbid the english can, stuff the desire to bring the trophy to the northern hemisphere!

  • 37.
  • At 12:02 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Sam Court wrote:

I'm English, but I can't help but fear the worst - it started well (just like last year...)then has begun to slip away - AGAIN! Its so depressing, when we played Ireland, there just seemed no fire and they all looked knackered.

Surely after this year it is obvious that the various matches can't/shouldn't clash? We'll never have central contracts in England - which is fine, but why not change the dates? Jeez.....

As much as I want to hope, here's to a 30 point loss....

  • 38.
  • At 12:11 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Ed2003 wrote:

"Yet all English fans know that if a home nation is playing against a non home nation then the home nation gets the support."

Errm, do we?

To those who are comlaining that England fans aren't showing much support for the team, wake up. Just because you're realistic about your teams chances doesn't mean you don't support them.

  • 39.
  • At 12:26 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Thom wrote:

36, Johnny. Just rise above it mate. I spend half my life in Wales and it's just getting dull now. I find it really quite sad. Most of them don't even know why they hate us. It's bred into them. They'll give you reasons like, we're arrogant and we play dull rugby. Some of them will try and give you a history lesson and tell you why they have the right to all this hatred. Nothing we can say will change it, so just ignore it.

  • 40.
  • At 12:26 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • French Supporter wrote:

France should win it if they keep their spirits up and don't give in (re. games against Ireland & Wales).
I am puzzled as to how people can say that Ireland is the only NH team that can compete against the mighty ABs! Based on what fact? When did they last play them? Ireland lost to France who were trashed by the ABs last time around (first game played after only 4 days of practice together, second game being better).
France is taking the England game very seriously and from all the interviews are showing respect to the side that has seen so many changes. They won't go in overconfident.
Allez les bleus!

  • 41.
  • At 12:51 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Samuel wrote:

Re: post #36, Here! Here!
I have spent the last 8 years living overseas, watching the world cup at 5am from Cayman Rugby Club. (one of only two places one the island to have Sky, so it was easy to count the real fans.)
Firstly very few English turned up for the games, but Oh how they cheered after we lifted the cup, and secondly we had more support from the Southern Hemisphere fans during our matches against the Northern Hemisphere teams than we ever got from the other so called '91热爆' Nations.
The difference between Northern and Southern fans is the Southern support 'good rugby' where as the home nations just support an English loss.
Worse still, we can't even support our own team until after we've won.
Isn't the fact that our small nation competes as real world cup contenders on many stages a huge achievement, lets face it, simultaneous world cup victories in Football, Cricket and Rugby is hardly going to be a reality for any nation, in fact I cannot think of another nation that this could even be a possibility.
So lets stop being 'winging poms' about our impending loss, and start supporting victory in the face of adversity. After all is that not what sport is all about?

  • 42.
  • At 01:28 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • wrote:

Re:post#41 I am a rugby nut who enjoys all games. The Premiership is producing some spectacles which are as good as any Super 14. The Six nations could do the same, but the pressure is too much for the coached versus the natural players pooring rain spoils it as well. but I agree all the home nations like to see England beaten no matter who they are playing. I will even support France when they are playing the Southern Hemsiphere, except NZ but then I am part Kiwi.

  • 43.
  • At 01:31 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Darran Mather wrote:

any northampton fans out there? Heard from my Rugby League sources that Chris Ashton. the Wigan fullback as signed for you guys. Wigan offered him a huge contract but he turned them down cos he wanted to play 'kick and clap' at international level. Fair enough isn't it.

  • 44.
  • At 01:36 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Jason wrote:

To posts 36,38 and 41. I know plenty of England fans who opt to support an overseas team against one of the home nations, but I don't cry about it.So what! And it's not hatred. I'm married to an Englishwomen. I don't hate her and my half-English children. Some non-English happen to get fed up with the UK being refered to as 'England', and some England fans thinking like they are the sole representatives of the UK. Other home nations only getting a small paragraph in a newspaper if they achieve something, instead of four pages if an England player even farts.

  • 45.
  • At 02:02 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Craig Robb wrote:

What a violent cheat Brian O'Driscoll is. In any other sport and he'd have been sent off for that kind of behaviour, as it is the 16th Irishman just allowed it to carry on without any personal penalty against O'Driscoll and they go on and score. A disgrace.

  • 46.
  • At 02:19 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Bonux wrote:

From what I recall, Dunkirk was rather a terrible English defeat in disguise. Leaving equipment, ammunitions behind and French allies fighting the Germans... (please avoid references to War, I like to believe rugby brings us together rather than apart)

I am living in NZ, naturally I am impressed with the ABs but we have seen that before. In 1999 the French team on tour in NZ was hammered by the ABs (a 50 points difference or something) and 3 months later we all know what happened. Don't get me wrong however I like the ABs, their style, pace and fairplay. Great team to watch especially those past two years. But just like any other team, their worst ennemy remains overconfidence.

November test matches gave from my point of view a wrong indication of what to expect from the French team during the coming World Cup. In fact, I am confident that a few teams will be able to compete with the ABs (Wallabies, Boks, Ireland and even Argentina will deliver). I remind you a one off performance on a day will be enough to ut any team out of the competition so let's eat humble pie until we see what happens. It will surely make a great World Cup.

Once again with my on team I cannot say what will be the result. I happen to regret the current state of the English team, as it does not help us to reflect on ourselves. The same way I would like to see Argentina joining the Six Nations (while relegating the wooden spoon). We need new blood, and I am disappointed like many with Italy sticking to the bottom.

  • 47.
  • At 02:22 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Samuel wrote:

No-one is crying about it, just making an observation, that will not apply to everyone, and certainly I was not applying it to the family, just the terraces. Please I think we can all accept it is only a game after all.
One last point, which newspaper(s) are you referring to, it wouldn't be the English editions would it?
Next time your in Scotland pick up a copy of the Daily Mail 'Scotish edition'(for example)you'll probably find it has a similar bias.
Also Johnny W's farts are very important to the English press... it sells Newspapers you see!
Anyway kick off has started...It would be great to see Ireland win, especially if we loose, but then again do Scotland really deserve the wooden spoon, I shall be supporting good rugby

  • 48.
  • At 02:28 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Steve Greenwood wrote:

The Scottish 91热爆 coverage is so bigotted they should be ashamed of themselves and it just shows how one sided their coverage is.

  • 49.
  • At 02:42 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Jason wrote:

To post 46. Dunkerque was not an English defeat. It was an evacuation of British forces from France. Not English - British! And some of you English still wonder why us non-English get slightly miffed at times, when Wales, Scotland and Ireland (Eire and Ulster) do not get a mention for their contributions, past and present, to the UK and British Isles. We lost lives in the war, too. Anyway, back to the rugby. Allez les Bleus! And I won't get upset if you support Italy today, because we can all support who we like. Okay for you lot to do what you like, but not us (just like a Scottish friend of mine and his wife who got told to 'wind their necks in' in a pub in England during Ireland v England, for cheering on Ireland! Of course, they cheered even more for Ireland!)

Cymru am byth!

  • 50.
  • At 03:20 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • French Supporter wrote:

Oh boy, our "best hope against the All Blacks" really showed us today!
Poor NH!
Just kidding, but I am smiling a bit :-)

  • 51.
  • At 03:21 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • D Robertson wrote:

What a nonsense - I awake early on the far side of the world to listen to five live over the web for Scotland Ireland. First thing that drives me crazy is with 3 minutes to go in a cliffhanger the commentary switches to football cutting hugo mcneill off. Then with two minutes to go the feed is cut saying that due to contractual obligations they cannot continue - well thank you thank you thank you five live.

  • 52.
  • At 03:56 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • wrote:

Can the IRB or some other responsible body prohibit the aduteration of our international pitches by coloured advertisments painted onto the hallowed turf which thoughout the game is transferred to the players skin and clothing.

  • 53.
  • At 04:01 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Tu wrote:

Geez if the Ireland Scotland match is supposed to scare the All Blacks then I'm certain the good ol Webb Ellis is coming down under. That was a rotten display of rugby and will not even beat the Blues in the Super 14. The state of affairs in the standard of rugby in the NH is extremely well below average. Scotland will need a 30 point advantage and Ireland 25. And its funny how people are still comparing the current All Blacks with previous teams when all the evidence points to an extremely well coached, well prepared team to claim the RWC for the first time 20 years. Ireland disapointed me. Last year they couldn't even beat an All Black B or C team at the beginning of the AB's test season when it is the start of gaining momentum. Hence the reason why the IRB will introduce some changes to cull the divide between the AB's and the NH teams as if the AB's have anything to apologise over. Whatever!

  • 54.
  • At 04:03 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • jcintokyo wrote:

Post 33 - backlash. Reference Scotland v Ireland today! Granted, our boys were nervy and made a lot of mistakes but Scotland took it to them and capitalised, which they didn't do against Italy. Scotland had a lot to prove, so too do England.

I can't see an England win tomorrow, but I am praying to BOD for one!

  • 55.
  • At 04:05 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Rugbynotpolitics wrote:

Yachvilli has scored nearly all France's points in the last 3 years v England.
Simple opening minute game plan for the openside flanker........... ;)

  • 56.
  • At 04:20 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • jcintokyo wrote:

Post 45 - so the swing taken at Rog wasn't cheating then? Just because the ref didn't see it doesn't make it right.

  • 57.
  • At 05:21 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • French Supporter wrote:

Even though White made a big mistake at the end, Italy deserved the win. I hope the ludicrous calls from our Anglo-Saxon and Celt friends to take Italy out of the 6Ns will stop now...and the "Best NH team able to beat the ABs" in the World Cup better be careful next week ;-)

  • 58.
  • At 05:24 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • smattp wrote:

how can that ref be so bloody stupid. he let burgamassco hit stphen jones. he let an off the ball challenge. he said there was enough time and then changed his mind. is it me or does that sound biased.

  • 59.
  • At 05:34 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Moscow James wrote:

Well Done to both Ireland and Italy today!
Ireland have now beaten two tough sides, and were beaten by the best side in the Northern Hemisphere at present, and had a well deserved win against, probably the weakest team in N.H... even though many pundits have said that Ireland should have thrashed England by more...
Italy are and will be a team to be considered seriously... Ireland have them next weekend, on St. Patricks Day, incidentially, and it will be a tough one, for the Irish, but they should do it, with 10 points to spare...
Of course it would be nice to see England beating France tomorrow, but is that asking too much?? I for one, hope that England WILL beat France, as will most of the other Fans from thr N.H.
And one final point, a few people here posted recently, that Ronan O' Gara was useless... please, I ask you... kindly refrain from writing about something that you quite obviously know anything about! POG is the best No. 10 in the N.H. No Questions!
Come on England :)))

  • 60.
  • At 05:37 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Loquitur wrote:

It didn't take long for the pathetic comments to appear did it (#58)? The ref can only call what he sees (the punch) and if you were paying attention you would have noticed that White took his cue from off the pitch for the final whistle. Whingeing about bias when refs make honest mistakes, etc. is so pathetic, and possible anglo-phobic! There have been plenty of refereeing errors during this year's 6Ns - so don't just pick out the English ones!

And by the way. I was up for a Welsh win today. Am disappointed, but on the strength of the second half Italy deserved their win.

  • 61.
  • At 05:37 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Sacha wrote:

Well it's always been tradition in England to support the underdogs... I guess that's the national team then! Haha Come on England :)

  • 62.
  • At 05:55 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • terry wrote:

Can anyone tell me the result of the England u20 v France that was played on 9th March please?
Can't seem to find the result anywhere.

  • 63.
  • At 05:59 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • DAVE HUGHES wrote:

Being a proud Welshman I am absolutely baffled by this welsh side. How do you go from grand slam champs to chumps in 2 seasons?. Something is not right, I accept that when a team take to the park that the majority of responsability lies with the 15 players on the field. I hate to say it but this management has done us no good and in a World Cup year, it really does look bleak. I dont see us progressing through the group stages and I feel we took massive strides under Mike Rudduck and have taken 5 steps back with Gareth Jenkins & Co. I would like to say well done to Italy today they are showing massive strides in the right direction and bodes well for future 6 nations.

  • 64.
  • At 06:19 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • South London Sarrie! wrote:

I think the result is inevitable to be honest. France are playing the best rugby I have seen from them in years. What I am looking for tomorrow is for England to show a bit more savvy in their approach. Playing basic heads up rugby.

Ashton hit a nail on the head when he said that England are in the second division of international rugby. If we had only taken that frank approach a couple of years ago maybe England would have some hope going into the world cup. Damage limiation is England's only hope at present.

If England get it wrong tomorrow we're going to get smashed. Because, France are not only going to want to keep their 100% record but also to send a signal about their world cup intentions.

  • 65.
  • At 07:06 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • aupasf wrote:

To post 62
In Northampton, France under 20 won 33/13 over England or something like this. I only saw the last ten minutes, and as someone said, it was guile and speed vs brute force. Guess who won?
I had a good laugh when I read that Hadden said his side lost today to the second best team in the world. How many times do the French have to beat Ireland before it registers? Australia, SH, even England will challenge this sort of dumb classification at the RWC. Out of the four games I saw, Ireland played well only once: against England. They were seriously challenged by a poor Welsh side, defeated by a reasonably good but not outstanding French team, and though better than the Scots could have easily lost that game. All this hype and non sense is getting annoying. Beware Italy!

  • 66.
  • At 07:25 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • maxime wrote:

French supporter.

Please don't be so sad, before the game.
Tomorrow, we'll have 15 men vs 15 men on the field, nothing's done.
You have to be optimistic and support your team.
More, I don't wan't to see Australia and South Africa with only 2 northern credible oppositions in 6 months: we need England to brandish the northern flags with France and Ireland at next WC. Come on.
You have work to do, but you have to.

  • 67.
  • At 07:35 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • Tu wrote:

Keith Woods is definately not happy with his boys display against Scotland. Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England need to learn from last night's Blues game against the Lions and learn more creative flair, skill and explosive power to dominate more. The quality of rugby at the moment in the 6Nations is very poor and doesn't give anyone confidence going into the RWC especially for a NH supporter. But at least I don't have to worry because with all the reports about the NZ Super 14 teams doing really well without their star AB's and the AB conditioning has now been successfully completed, I'm going to enjoy real rugby this coming SH winter. Just to note, it's looking more likely that Troy Flavell, Tialata, Macalister, Nonu and co will go into their conditioning programme in the winter and rest up from the upcoming tests. Good things to look forward to from a AB fan!

  • 68.
  • At 08:23 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • French Supporter wrote:

Post 66.

My comments with respect to Ireland were tongue-in-cheek. I like to see Ireland play (well not like they just did, but in general). To be honest, I think England are down but not gone and it is best for them to be down now than during the RWC. And it would not surprise me if they win tomorrow.

With regards to NH in RWC I fear that either France or Ireland will miss the cut as Argentina will probably win against one of them. They play really good rugby and they deseve a quarter final. I hope Italy makes it too (sorry Scotland but I'm a quarter Italian ;-)). To be honest I really think that on current form only France can beat the ABs but even that is a long shot. I hope that new teams will make it to the quarters (any chance for a Pacific Island nation? - one of the smaller ones I mean) so that rugby really starts becoming more global - not just the English-speaking nations with a few Latin nations tolerated only to spice it up a little ;-)

  • 69.
  • At 09:02 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • DGG wrote:

with catt back England will have that fizz that has been missing. They have been playing boring one dimensional rugby, very slow off loading the ball. If htey get the lieout going and if they up the temo then the French are there to be taken. Yashvile is back so keeping him quite is key. Good luck England do us a favor!

  • 70.
  • At 11:18 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • robin wrote:

yes NZ score more tries than NH sides generally. however what annoys me when in 1999 SA naas botha kicks 5 drop goals v Eng it is marvellous,expansive rugby, when England kick drop goals it is boring,is that bias?. how many NZ penalties did grant fox,andrew mehrtens ,now dan carter kick?
most sides including NZ ,IRE would sooner give 3points,than 7 away.
as to cheering on celtic teams,usually i ignore the hysterical anti-English bias of celtic fans.i wanted IRE to win grand slam this season if ENG could not do it.
finally les bleus,Ashton is trying to rebuild for 2011 hampered by injuries and premiership fixtures,the trouble with central contracts it would make some players complacent; aka England cricket ?
all the pressure is on France,ENG players want to perform as this will be the last time they are at twickenham before Autumn RWC.Sport is about upsets so i am hoping for a famous if narrow try fest win to England!

  • 71.
  • At 11:44 PM on 10 Mar 2007,
  • mike wrote:

England have a long way to go, but are making some progress - too late for the RWC I think, but at least I can look forward to NZ bottling it as usual.

  • 72.
  • At 04:31 AM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • Tu wrote:

Ok now lets get this straight once and for all. Its a waste of time comparing this new AB's side to previous. And bringing up Merts and Foxy, now mate thats really cutting at straws. Been there, done that, its getting old, move on son. NZ has everything it takes THIS TIME to bottle on the best RWC victory champagne and thats the only bottling these boys will do. And Ashton isn't rebuilding to 2011, where's the monkeys uncle did you get that from? He's trying to put a team together to defend the 2007 RWC fool. And you're saying Catt would add fizz? Mate, Catt wouldn't even make it into the All Black C or D team. If he's your version of fizz, superior skill, pace and power, then England rugby is really in trouble. He maybe clever but the boy is slow and weak and you really have to wake up and smell the coffee. WAKE UP MAN!

  • 73.
  • At 07:37 AM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • Mike F wrote:

Scott
I like your confidance, and just hope that you are not as crazy as you sound.

I'm an Irish man, so I also dream of an English win!!!! But to be serious, England can actually win. France have a habbit of wobbling on the big day, lets hope this is a big day.

Are you Scott Kieller by the way, if so, email me, you have time to write on these sites but no time to keep in touch with your mates

  • 74.
  • At 09:22 AM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • domingo wrote:

love the bbc coverage of the six nations but the only thing that ruins it, is Eddie Butler, do not let him near an England game, or alternatively provide an English alternative commentary to him.Nick Mullins and Brian Moore is a far better pair.I watch with the sound off when Butler is on,Wonder who will be doing the Wales/England game in Cardiff.Will he be unbiased ?.Ah well another 91热爆 game with no sound

  • 75.
  • At 09:37 AM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • J-L wrote:

good luck, english men ! we'll be there to win. but as a rugby fan, i'd like to see a beautiful game and two beautiful teams.

England will lose simply because we don't have players good enough to compete with France. In Wilkinson we have a decent player who despite all the hype would is not even close to being a world beater. We need to get back to basics and compete physically which is the only way we can play.

1. AB's
2. France/Aus./SA
3. Ireland
4. Wales/Scotland/Argentina/England
5. Italy...

  • 77.
  • At 11:07 AM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • France Supporter wrote:

To Steve (73)
1. ABs
2. France
3. Australia/SA/Argentina
4. Ireland
5. England
6. Italy
7. Wales/Scotland

Of course this may all change this pm! :-)

  • 78.
  • At 11:26 AM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • Vincent wrote:

Today, we will see in Twickenham,
the poor English squad in agony,
deeply stuck like a piece of ham
in a sandwich, surrounded by brie...
Allez les Bleus !!!

  • 79.
  • At 11:33 AM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • South London Sarrie! wrote:

Re:73

Sorry to be pradantic but I not sure about the order you have put forward.

1 AB
2 France/Ireland
3 Aus/SA
4 Argentina/England
5 Italy/Wales

  • 80.
  • At 01:06 PM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • Bonux wrote:

Tu, is it an attempt to fool people reading this blog? Being in Auckland I can say the only NZ team that is performing well in the Super 14 are the Auckland Blues (that I happen to support :-) :-) Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes and Chiefs are under performing quite clearly which shows that we should be aware at least of the quality of the South African teams. I expect a strong Sprinboks team to turn up at the RWC. However, you are right saying the Six Nations is not too exciting (I am French by the way), but please keep in mind that any players from England or France play twice as much as any player in New Zealand during a season. Of course this is nothing to do with New Zealand which remains a terrific side that deserves nothing but praise. Let's say we just make it easier at our own expenses. The NH (or at least England and France since Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy do not have the same issue) needs to sort out their calendar. Personnally, I find the format of the Six Nations, Heineken and Top 14 is commercially very strong and reliable but is way to heavy to put out two decent national teams. Given the numerous injuries and short period of preparation (and well known unpredictability ;-) I would dare to say the second test match in Paris against the ABs was not that bad although there is still work to do. However, if there is another thing that the current Super 14 tells me: the ABs would better not lose Carter or McCaw on injury. (like we lost Michalak and Marconnet... who would ski before a RWC... yet another sign of unpredictability :-) :-) So let's hope England gets back on his feet like every other team around so we shall enjoy a great RWC. Still, I hope the ABs go to the Final... hopefully against France ;-)

  • 81.
  • At 01:25 PM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • Bonux wrote:

Don't worry Tu, nobody is stupid enough to underestimate the ABs who remains THE legendary team. I only suspect there will be other strong contenders (well, I hope so at least). Typically I always compare the Wallabies in rugby to the Germans in football (or soccer if you prefer) don't quite always look like they could make it but always there upfront. I was mentionning the South African teams in Super 14. For the first time in years, those teams seem to cope well with playing (well) away. I have no doubt the Welsh (a very decent side at RWC 2003), Irish and Argies will deliver the goods too. England's got work to do, but that mix of old/new side they have assembled for le Crunch could be the start of a recovery. Of course, I hope they will recover further down the track... being an arrogant Frenchman ;-)

  • 82.
  • At 04:37 PM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • Worsel wrote:

Large slice of humble pie any one?

  • 83.
  • At 05:03 PM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • Stephen wrote:

Re No.78

Hey Vincent. Want some humble pie to go with your brie sandwich?

  • 84.
  • At 05:15 PM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • Pete wrote:

It's about time Guscote was replaced as one of the 91热爆 "pundits". To suggest that he would leave a fit Wilkinson out of the game next week, just shows he likes the sound of his own voice and has nothing possitive to add.

  • 85.
  • At 05:20 PM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • Phil wrote:

I feared the worst and sat down expecting England to lose in the way they did at Croke Park last week.

But we won....why? Well I think our young players came through for us. Farrel and Wilkinson were dropped in favour of in-form players. Lets not try and put the clock back now. Neither Farrel or Wilkinson should be picked again until they have an appropriate run of form. Stick with the team we have as I believe it can only get better.

  • 86.
  • At 05:28 PM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • Chris Hart wrote:

Is there any way some one could stop Brian Moore from continually Bitching about the referees. It is so pathetic and, in any case, the laws state that the referees decision is always correct. That's what makes it such a special sport. Brian Morre's comments bring everything down to the level of the common or garden Soccer supporter

  • 87.
  • At 05:41 PM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • maninalift wrote:

I love David Strettle: Having players with quick feet adds value to the more direct players like Tindal. Passing was a big positive in that game. Good offloading in the tackle over-the-head passes etc. completed in difficult situations, good support and gathering of passes. This turned good individual runs into attacking opportunities (and even tries). The kicking from hand was a bit patchy. Some very good kicks but too many poor kicks to touch.

  • 88.
  • At 05:42 PM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • Worsel wrote:

To be fair to Mooro complaining about refs, rugby is a game that the referee has massive influence over. His interpretation decides matches, more so than any other sport. Playing the ref is key to winning rugby matches and it is infuriating as a player to feel the ref has let you down and made a bad decision.

  • 89.
  • At 05:55 PM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • Jon wrote:

I fully expected a thumping. What I saw was the French not doing themselves justice, a couple of new players unafraid to run at them and a couple of old players using experience to its fullest.

There were far too many unforced errors and from that point of view, it was woeful on both sides. However, the most woeful statistic of the match? The one that came up at 76 minutes: France having completed 37 phases of play throughout the game. Ludicrous, terrible, and in itself a slice of the humble pie I rather hope Vincent and his ilk will currently be eating.

I'm not going to pretend that this is a resurgence or heralding a huge comeback, but it was an unexpected and welcome result, and one I thoroughly intend to celebrate. Cheers!

  • 90.
  • At 06:04 PM on 11 Mar 2007,
  • robert wrote:

how and why?how did england get away with a win and why did the french play so badly.....well done england for winning but if they were playing any southern hemishere team there is no way they would have got away with so many passes that went to no one!lets face it catt got away with it and as for corry playing in the second row he got away with it at best....as for france shocking!!!

  • 91.
  • At 04:55 AM on 12 Mar 2007,
  • Tu wrote:

Yo Bonux! Aside from the Chiefs the other NZ teams weren't that bad either and could still make the final four with their All Blacks returning. And I'm not even worried about losing Carter and McCaw as there are plenty who can stand in, sure not at McCaw level but close enough under Henry and co. The South Africans, Argies, Ireland and France will test the AB's and thats what Henry has prepared for. Having 2 AB teams was a masterstroke. Good on England for winning which was just a morale booster but like Underwood said, "Don't get carried away." Catt is absolutely wrong to say they've turned the corner. You have to win consistently to do that.

  • 92.
  • At 08:16 AM on 12 Mar 2007,
  • mike wrote:

Hey Tu!
Did you smell the coffee?
I think it was tea........English breakfast with French toast!!!

Enjoy your pie.

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