England - the build-up and winning the World Cup at a canter

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Smith in the back field worked nicely against Ireland. We could interchange him and Steward on defensive duty but keep both in the backfield to receive kicks. Ford dropping in it one or the other has chased a kick up field.

I'd like to see if given a go as the attack does need an injection of something and the AB tactic isn't a bad one. Ruck speed and security needs a big upgrade though as that is the main element killing our attack.

Ford wants De Beer's record

Heaf wrote:Shouldn't have stuck his hands out and just head butted the turf

Or indeed landed on his foot first.

Collapse2005 wrote:Ford is by far Englands best 10

Bar Farrell and Smith absolutely right.

protea438 wrote:This constant booing by the Soap Dodgers is really getting irritating now. Its as if none of there players are allowed to be penalised

Lol.

protea438 wrote:This constant booing by the Soap Dodgers is really getting irritating now. Its as if none of there players are allowed to be penalised

I suspect that it's the constant drop goals by England that are irritating you.

That's some brilliant work by Ford, recognising the opportunities and running up points when he can.

Argentina have been really poor, against a team with 14 players and they can't seem to get a grip on the game or themselves.

Old Man wrote:Ford is being very astute here. He knows they are playing one man down for the rest of the match, so he is taking control and scoring ooints at every opportunity

He also knows that it'll frustrate Argentina. They can see the scoreboard ticking away against them. The Carreras drop goal attempt itself was a clear demonstration of that. The Pumas just straying from the game plan.

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Ford is by far Englands best 10

Bar Farrell and Smith absolutely right.

Ford is the best tactical 10 and kicker from hand in England this game is perfect for him. Smith is not better than Ford....by a long shot

Have to say I don't know if it was planned before hand or on the fly by Ford (and it must be coaching surely for the consistency) but the drop goals should be what we're always looking for if overlaps aren't being created. Very good on that.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Ford is by far Englands best 10

Bar Farrell and Smith absolutely right.

Ford is the best tactical 10 and kicker from hand in England this game is perfect for him. Smith is not better than Ford....by a long shot

I mean yeah, no in terms of better. But perhaps to the tactics yes. And the tactics that Borthwick has is a real winner.

Borthwick master class so far lads.....

We've played better every time we've went to 14 men. Curry lad, take one for the team.....England on fire.

Just 6 more games (and red cards) to the final!

England playing very intelligently here, impressive. Aregentina... Absolutely laughable.

Dallaglio is an idiot. Why is he allowed to talk rubbish in relation to the laws. Its not borderline. Same as Woodward. Doing no favours to the casual viewer in not knowing the laws.

Great to see Dallaglio and Woodward not understanding the laws at all.....clueless.

ITV don't impress me much, a studio full of English pundits, they aren't even trying to give the impression they aren't biased.

A referee, a TMO and a bunker ref have decided it's a red. Their own in studio ref JP Doyle explained why it was a red and still those pundits want to talk rubbish.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Great to see Dallaglio and Woodward not understanding the laws at all.....clueless.

What this guy says x

Meanwhile Doyle says we have to protect the head (correct) then goes on to claim a player jumping hip first into another player's head isn't out of control ... hmmm, so what happened to protecting the head?

I've reached the conclusion that England can only actually play with intensity when we are in a position where there is no expectation.

If I was England now. I'd put it deep with a massive chase and look to set up another drop goal. The psychology of it could be massive.

For his meagre time on the pitch Curry was actually excellent. Real shame to lose him.

Borthwick has got to get the subs absolutely spot on in this second half. It's hot and the players are going to be tired.

So how long a ban do we expect for Curry?

Heaf wrote:Meanwhile Doyle says we have to protect the head then goes on to claim a player jumping hip first into another player's head isn't out of control ... hmmm

Take the blinkers off Heaf, he connects with the guys chest/shoulder region first then maybe carries through to head with an upper part of the body, certainly not flying into his head with his hip, having stopped and slowed it I don't even think the hip hit the head

Heaf wrote:So how long a ban do we expect for Curry?

You'd be imagining about 3 from memory I think

Heaf wrote:So how long a ban do we expect for Curry?

Knowing the sort of treatment English players get, probably free to play the next game, before a massive social media outburst and a 10 week subsequent ban

neilthom7 wrote:

Heaf wrote:Meanwhile Doyle says we have to protect the head then goes on to claim a player jumping hip first into another player's head isn't out of control ... hmmm

Take the blinkers off Heaf, he connects with the guys chest/shoulder region first then maybe carries through to head with an upper part of the body, certainly not flying into his his head with his hip, having stopped and slowed it I don't even think the hip hit the head

Yup not direct. There was head contact but that's enough to take it down.

That was not what I envisioned!

Second half thoughts in terms of score. Im imaging Argentina by 12 at the mo. Anything less or a win and Borthwick is a magician that even I didn't expect.

I'm afraid I have to be critical of Borthwick here. Wtf is he doing having Tuilagi pack down when May is on the field.

If England can frustrate Argentina for 5 or 10 mins and not let them get the early score or upper hand I think they will go on to win, just keep taking points. They will tire yes but Argentina seem very poor at controlling themselves and that frustration will give England the win even with the 14

No 7&1/2 wrote:I'm afraid I have to be critical of Borthwick here. Wtf is he doing having Tuilagi pack down when May is on the field.

Daly has form there too!

This is probably the best halfback play from England in a long time. Keep Mitchell and Ford together.

only 60m - go for posts

Little surprised at that. Looks like Cole lost his bind.

Mr Bounce wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:I'm afraid I have to be critical of Borthwick here. Wtf is he doing having Tuilagi pack down when May is on the field.

Daly has form there too!

It is robbing us of our easiest first phase gain line option as well. Ben Earl pick, round the corner to draw the flanker and pop to Manu crashing through their 10. That's what we want.

Heaf wrote:only 60m - go for posts

Drop goal yeah.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Mr Bounce wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:I'm afraid I have to be critical of Borthwick here. Wtf is he doing having Tuilagi pack down when May is on the field.

Daly has form there too!

It is robbing us of our easiest first phase gain line option as well. Ben Earl pick, round the corner to draw the flanker and pop to Manu crashing through their 10. That's what we want.

Yup. May has that pace tp properly take advantage of it.

One more score England! One more score!

Not surprised by Cole coming off tbh.

Scrums been going OK so far - wonder what will happen now

No 7&1/2 wrote:Little surprised  at that. Looks like Cole lost his bind.

Looked a bit 50/50, think England got the decision because the Puma LH's backside was sticking out at an angle when the bodies hit the floor.

Boom! Manu! Boom!

Three score lead now.

Is Tuilagi also picking up part of the 8 role now?

This isn't going according to plan - need to give away another red ..

Heaf wrote:Scrums been going OK so far - wonder what will happen now

....loading

Hooooooof.

Lol. Love this
The Argentinians really haven't adapted at all.

Argentina giving a masterclass how not to play against 14 men

Argentina looks like they never showed up. Really bad form them (and bad for my Superbru).

But, and this is important, we are almost in garbaage time!

One more drop and it's 3 converted tries ...

Mitchell off. He's been excellent