6N Rugby - Italy v England

First topic message reminder :

England team to face Italy - Sunday

1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 28 caps)
2 Dylan Hartley (captain, Northampton Saints, 67 caps)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 57 caps)
4 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 43 caps)
5 George Kruis (Saracens, 11 caps)
6 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, 44 caps)
7 James Haskell (Wasps, 63 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (vice captain, Saracens, 22 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 53 caps)
10 George Ford (Bath Rugby, 18 caps)
11 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 11 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (vice captain, Saracens, 36 caps)
13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 17 caps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 16 caps)
15 Mike Brown (vice captain, Harlequins, 44 caps)

Replacements
16 Jamie George (Saracens, 4 caps)
17 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 38 caps)
18 Paul Hill (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
19 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 29 caps)
20 Maro Itoje (Saracens, uncapped)
21 Jack Clifford (Harlequins, 1 cap)
22 Danny Care (Harlequins, 54 caps)
23 Alex Goode (Saracens, 19 caps)

Is it me or is Jackson ( a ref I usually like) having a very poor one today. Calling penalties two plays after the offence took place, not telling the advantage is over, missing some obvious non-tackles, i.e. no hands or arms.

Youngs was tackled by a player in the 10m zone before he had gone 10m.

Italy playing very well so far. putting England under pressure at times, not allowing them to get on the front foot.

A great try by Ford, but England not being allowed to play the way they want to by Italy.

Looking forward to the second half, Too close to call at this moment. the way Italy are playing they could well get the win for the first time against England.

Cipriani has only recently starting picking up over the last month or so, Farrell has been great all season. If that's your definition of form then you are correct.

Cipriani was kicking in the low 60%'s a few weeks back also, not good enough.

Ref is having a shocker, as are England.

Not sure it was a great try Maj.

Italy can be a little dissapointed by some ref decisions, shouldve had a lineout deep in Englands 22 but went to England, there was a difficult breakdown decision that went Englands way that shouldve been a simple 3 points for Italy.

Fingers crossed though, the second half is as entertaining as the first

Going to have to commit more forwards to the ruck as clearly Ford and Youngs can't get their brains into gear to act before getting nailed today.

Kruis is not calling the line out well, some basic errors there on what is usually an England strong point, well when Youngs (T) is not playing.

mid_gen wrote:Going to have to commit more forwards to the ruck as clearly Ford and Youngs can't get their brains into gear to act before getting nailed today.

This seems obvious but England seem reluctant to get players to the breakdown, or maybe with both Vunipolas in the team they just can't get there.

Eddie Jones must be fuming with what's his seeing, we lack leadership and brains on the field.

Why is dan Cole in an England shirt?

I'm watching the grass grow...its more interesting.

Rugby Fan wrote:Do England have a penalty quota they try and meet as soon as possible in a match?

Ha ha ha was thinking similar myself. Parisse dealt with that poorly, got a telling off not a yellow card for the English

Again what is Dan Cole doing in an England shirt

For once a maul reffed correctly.

Every English players surprised by the law being applied.. LOL

Regardless of the incident I really don't like seeing Parise constantly asking the ref for yellows!! That's the second time now!!!!

Since when did tackles in the air stop being yellow card offences?????

Haskell very lucky there.

mid_gen wrote:Haskell very lucky there.

The guy should be no here near the team, simple doesn't have a brain at times

So let me get this right... Lands on back/neck equals red, and does not land on back and neck equals... A penalty?

Nonsense.

I can understand why the RFU wanted to give Lancaster another chance with England, but I think these last two matches show that we need to appoint a new coaching team to freshen things up.

What did Hartley do wrong there????

Hartley getting frustrated....no need for that either.

That's what happens when the severity of a punishment is based on the outcome rather than the intent. Haskell got away with that because the Italian landed safely, however his action was much more deliberate (to me anyway) than many of the incidents that have led to yellow or red cards where the tackled player has landed dangerously.

That was perfectly good from Hartley.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Regardless of the incident I really don't like seeing Parise constantly asking the ref for yellows!! That's the second time now!!!!

I agree that I don't like it but I think at this point most captains would be asking why cards aren't being given when the opposition are conceding so many penalties.

I know England are supposed to be this mighty world beating team but they don't look that good today

eirebilly wrote:That was perfectly good from Hartley.

Problem is that Hartley has an awful reputation for being a thug and it will always work against him.

TightHEAD wrote:

mid_gen wrote:Haskell very lucky there.

The guy should be no here near the team, simple doesn't have a brain at times

Taking away the fact he's been one of best players, I'm don't agree with that at all.

Bye bye Haskell

Beshocked will be plastered over the ceiling in joy

Italy were in this until that stupid pass. They need a score quick

Steffan wrote:I know England are supposed to be this mighty world beating team but they don't look  that good today

Hi Steffan...hows the valleys

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:

mid_gen wrote:Haskell very lucky there.

The guy should be no here near the team, simple doesn't have a brain at times

Taking away the fact he's been one of best players, I'm don't agree with that at all.

I've seen U7 players with a more attacking rugby brain.

With a real 7 that back row could work.

Do we have a real 7?

Itoje for Haskell, so Robshaw is a seven again.

kingelderfield wrote:With a real 7 that back row could work.

Do we have a real 7?

Armitage?

Also the question of who is the best loosie answered

Jackson pretty hot on the line-out except for Italy dummy-jumping and closing the gap ...

Care will be starting next match.

England turning the screw

Could be embarrassing for Italy

Duty281 wrote:

kingelderfield wrote:With a real 7 that back row could work.

Do we have a real 7?

Armitage?

Maybe if he moves to Bath.

Steffan wrote:I know England are supposed to be this mighty world beating team but they don't look  that good today

who said that?

Kvesic? Fraser?

Heaf wrote:

Steffan wrote:I know England are supposed to be this mighty world beating team but they don't look  that good today

who said that?

He's a welsh man here to bless us with his humour

Welcome back Mr Cole.....

Thought that was outlawed in Wales

this pack is starting to function a bit better.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Kvesic? Fraser?

Lets see how Clifford goes.

England are winning convincely now because Maro Itoje is on the pitch.