Why I think England could win.....

We are a damn good side who pushed 2 of the top 3 teams to the limit and hammered a second tier side. We lost through some mistaken decisions and over ambition. We certainly weren't afraid. Our young forwards are a match for anyone. Robshaw is a great captain, but unlike other great captains, he isn't world class at his starting position. He is inexperienced and the last 2 games exposed this. Nevertheless, he has a winning mentality and I respect this above his failings. He has guts and ambition. He needs wins.

We need lightning quick ball at the breakdown and I would like to see the backs standing deeper so that the ball is taken at pace with runners and decoy runners cutting angles. This will also negate flat passes to the wing which has forced them to stretch and knock on. Its easier to run onto a ball than to check and reach for it.

To date our taking the ball in a static position means we put together several passes and gain no territory as tackles drive us back.

Kicking into space is key and we do this well. Our weakness has been our inability to chase this ball and apply pressure, force charge downs errors. Our defence is good but we need to be more threatening in attack - pressure is key.

The All Blacks have 4 times the number of caps we offer - but even the greatest run of results ends one day. Wales showed in the second half that they aren't perfect and lets be honest, Wales aren't any better than we are. England will have watched this and hopefully will have planned to expand their attack and use width and pace. It will be a huge ask, but it's not impossible. And before you think I am insane - remember we were better than SA in all but points and a lucky try. We bettered Australia in much of the game - we have match the southern hemisphere so far with predictable game plans.

Lets hope we can do the seemingly impossible. Come on England - and good luck to Wales. They deserve a win.

Like the attitude sausage. Best of luck to you. Nothing is deserved though. Every victory is earned.

I was going to write yesterday that you were mad but you are obviously a genius

Maybe I am not as insane as many predicted - and at 6/1 I am very happy.....

Mines a pint please

Fair dos, he predicted it!

well done Sausage, what a prediction, and what a bet

Saus
What are this week's lottery numbers going to be?

I suspect though even in your wildest predictions you didn't foresee England dominating as much of the game as they did - basically all the first half and all but a 5 minute spell around 50 minutes (when the ABs came back from 15-0 to 15-14) and the last 10 (when the game was won anyway).

In a way I found the first half more impressive, even if the rugby was less entertaining. Incredible pressure from the England defenders to keep the ABs on the back foot, and to establish a decent half-time lead. To then let them back in with a sniff but to so clinically kill the chance off with three quick tries was beyond belief.

Indeed, I'm going to re-watch the game just to make sure that it did really happen.

Dummy Half - No it exceeded every expectation. I didn't even dream of that performance. I agree about the first half - but for me, the most impressive thing was the way we reacted to 2 quick tries. Most teams would have been resigned to defeat - we stuck it to them. I have watched it 3 times and still don't believe it!

Sausage

You made your call and fair play to you it was a good one, not that you were the only one around here to do so late in the week mind

Bravo

Bluesman - they did - but they didn't say how to do it. Bomber thanked me - honest guv.