2018 6Nations - Game 1: Italy

[Digby]

Not seen one done yet, so, team of the round

Healy
Guirado
Furlong
Henderson
AWJ
Shingler
Navidi
Simmonds
Davies
Ford
Earls
Parks
Williams
Watson
Halfpenny

Thought Mako went well in fairness.

Watson showed electric pace, but was anyone slightly concerned with the way he touched down the first try? No? Ok, just me then

Mako did go well, Cian gets in for doing well Vs a much more powerful pack

[Digby]

Was it the Watson finish Flats had issue with, or his grandfather anyway?

[Banquo]

Was it the Watson finish Flats had issue with, or his grandfather anyway?

no. Twas-faz

[p/d]

Good post. I agree with pretty much everything there. Had one of the other home nations come away from Rome with a 46-15 victory we’d have been saying what a good result it was.

It would be nice to think that be our reaction, though suspect we would be talking about how poor Italy were.........similar to the comments made about Scotland and France after yesterday's games.

I was hoping for a bit more blood and thunder today, from both sides. Sadly both defences were shown up and Ford and the iceman were really not put under pressure .....even though some of their kicking would suggest otherwise

Just for you, it's possible to be wearing a denim jacket with a tie and not be the daftest looking person in a lineup

What the........

[Rich]

Not seen one done yet, so, team of the round

Healy
Guirado
Furlong
Henderson
AWJ
Shingler
Navidi
Simmonds
Davies
Ford
Earls
Parks
Williams
Watson
Halfpenny

Earls is a right wing, I would think Evans was the best left wing of the round.

How can you not have Sexton ?

[Digby]

Not seen one done yet, so, team of the round

Healy
Guirado
Furlong
Henderson
AWJ
Shingler
Navidi
Simmonds
Davies
Ford
Earls
Parks
Williams
Watson
Halfpenny

Earls is a right wing, I would think Evans was the best left wing of the round.

How can you not have Sexton ?

A wing is a wing, and both Earls and Watson have time on both.

And I didn't have Sexton as when he started getting frustrated they weren't putting points on the board he seemed to cause problems for the Ireland attack rather than stay with the plan, awesome kick though

[Oakboy]

Not seen one done yet, so, team of the round

Healy
Guirado
Furlong
Henderson
AWJ
Shingler
Navidi
Simmonds
Davies
Ford
Earls
Parks
Williams
Watson
Halfpenny

Thought Mako went well in fairness.

Watson showed electric pace, but was anyone slightly concerned with the way he touched down the first try? No? Ok, just me then

Did others touching down casually one-handed not annoy you then?

[Banquo]

Not seen one done yet, so, team of the round

Healy
Guirado
Furlong
Henderson
AWJ
Shingler
Navidi
Simmonds
Davies
Ford
Earls
Parks
Williams
Watson
Halfpenny

Thought Mako went well in fairness.

Watson showed electric pace, but was anyone slightly concerned with the way he touched down the first try? No? Ok, just me then

Did others touching down casually one-handed not annoy you then?

He was under a lot more pressure, and imo should have dived it in, he also dotted it down with his inside arm. Besides, I only mentioned it as Watson was named in this team, so had some context. They should all take care, its true.

[Puja]

Not seen one done yet, so, team of the round

Healy
Guirado
Furlong
Henderson
AWJ
Shingler
Navidi
Simmonds
Davies
Ford
Earls
Parks
Williams
Watson
Halfpenny

Thought Mako went well in fairness.

Watson showed electric pace, but was anyone slightly concerned with the way he touched down the first try? No? Ok, just me then

Italy's 13 is surely in with a shout - he looked very useful indeed.

You're not alone in being irked at how Watson finished - both of his tries would've been more secure with a dive - and I'll join Flatman (and his grandad) in saying that Farrell putting down with one hand was an unnecessary risk. My two year old gets taught to hold the ball in two hands in Rugbytots as it's the safest way to carry it; I don't see why a professional shouldn't know that too.

Puja

[Digby]

Italy's 13 is surely in with a shout - he looked very useful indeed.

Looked decent for England, not so much for Italy sadly for them

[Banquo]

Not seen one done yet, so, team of the round

Healy
Guirado
Furlong
Henderson
AWJ
Shingler
Navidi
Simmonds
Davies
Ford
Earls
Parks
Williams
Watson
Halfpenny

Thought Mako went well in fairness.

Watson showed electric pace, but was anyone slightly concerned with the way he touched down the first try? No? Ok, just me then

Italy's 13 is surely in with a shout - he looked very useful indeed.

You're not alone in being irked at how Watson finished - both of his tries would've been more secure with a dive - and I'll join Flatman (and his grandad) in saying that Farrell putting down with one hand was an unnecessary risk. My two year old gets taught to hold the ball in two hands in Rugbytots as it's the safest way to carry it; I don't see why a professional shouldn't know that too.

Puja

As Diggers has pointed out, Italy 13's defence wasn't great, but their backs made us look a bit daft in defence also, albeit not quite so garishly.

The second Watson try I was actually a bit crosser about, until I saw the replay, it was a decent finish, he got whacked pretty hard, and it looked like he had less time to weigh up a dive. I'd hope a quiet word is had.

[Digby]

The first Watson try is just weird 'cause he has the ball on the outside, and then despite the defender coming across transfers the ball to the inside, and it's not like he insists on finishing with his left arm only

[Digby]

Italy 13's defence wasn't great

Rank is the word. It's not even he just did nothing, at times he put effort into doing the wrong things

[Banquo]

The first Watson try is just weird 'cause he has the ball on the outside, and then despite the defender coming across transfers the ball to the inside, and it's not like he insists on finishing with his left arm only

yep, was like some sort of bizarre reflex

[Rich]

Is Watson left handed ?

I thought it was a basic skill for a wing to always carry the ball under his outside arm ?

[Mikey Brown]

Genuine question. Is George Ford the best passer in the world?

[Timbo]

Carrying the ball with the inside arm is a very NRL league thing. If you have to dive for the corner easier to get the ball down that way.

[Raggs]

Anyone use the 1014 second screen on youtube/facebook?

I tried for the Wales game, and it was interesting, but I struggled to focus on the game, I was busy listening to them (not a problem with the usual commentary!). I do think the half time and full time talking points are interesting though (just checked the England game), but I'd guess that'll come with their full review anyway.

[scuzzaman]

Congratulations to England.

You did something today I didn't expect; you made Italy look quite good.

But yet nowhere near as good as you lot made Scotland look...

Aye. true dat.

[Stom]

Anyone use the 1014 second screen on youtube/facebook?

I tried for the Wales game, and it was interesting, but I struggled to focus on the game, I was busy listening to them (not a problem with the usual commentary!). I do think the half time and full time talking points are interesting though (just checked the England game), but I'd guess that'll come with their full review anyway.

I don't listen to commentary anyway, so I didn't bother. I mean, I have the noise on, but I kind of blank it out during the game. Only useful when I've been distracted by one of the kids or to hear the ref.

[Digby]

Watching the game back now.

Minute 1

Starts well or England, kickoff a bit too long, but Maro as the one man staying in at the breakdown (and my impression which may be false is we left 1 man in on defence for much of the game) drives the 4 Italians back.

Having caught the kick England quickly catch the one out Italian move as Robshaw is quickly up, and Hartley falls on the floor either deeming it to be support play or simply to continue his trolling having being selected yet again

Italy move one pass the other way and it's Robshaw again taking them to ground with a little help from Youngs.

Italy now set up the box kick exit play, and it's a decent chase which sees Brown drop the ball

That's it for the 1st minute as the scrum isn't set until the 2nd minute

Minute 2

Italy feed the ball in but can't strike for the ball and eventually Cole has even pressure the Italian looshead takes it to the floor, penalty to England. Farrell kicks to touch and that's it for the 2nd minute, a minute where thanks to the scrum the game didn't restart and there was no ball in play

Minute 3

Minute 3 is almost 40 seconds old by the time the ball comes in as the ref sees the need to explain what a line is for the Italians to stand on in the lineout to leave a gap, the Italians ignore him anyway (as would England) and the ball is caught easily enough by Itoje. Looks like 3 forwards from each side go to ground, and as Youngs pulls the ball back to Te'o on a decent hard running line the Italian forwards near the touchline have to run around the prone English forwards who've drive through and landed on the ground. Te'o runs a brand new line never seen before between 10 and 12 drawing the 10 into a tackle wherein Te'o wins contact. Italy do a an okay job coming around the corner in defence, but they've got on a quick count 7 defenders on the openside which doesn't prove enough. England run a loop with Ford and Farrell which is nicely done, a few keys to the try, Mako's pass away from the lineout when he's the acting halfback (and possibly the feint to suggest a maul), that the Italian 10 loses contact with Te'o, doesn't slow the play the ball and reloads onto he blindside where they're not under pressure, and the hard line which Brown runs off the loop which blocks Boni from corner flagging. (oh and the wise decision from Watson to expose the ball in grounding the ball)

Minute 4

Nothing happens

Minute 5

Farrell misses a tricky conversion from wide out. Italy restart long to Simmonds. Ford makes an exit kick which is high coming down on our 10m line or so, Italy knock on.


And that's it for the opening few minutes, more of this excitement will follow

[Digby]

Minute 6

England run the knock, i.e. the scrum is thankfully avoided, and the ball is moves left where Lawes takes it into contact up to around halfway. Launch then also carries to halfway. Ford and Farrell run another loop, this time Italy don't bite as much on the line being run by Brown, but Ford goes short to Te'o and we're on the front foot almost up to the Italian 10m now. But there's a shit pass from Youngs, slightly behind Mako and too high which is knocked on, Italy regather and the ball is kicked into the England 22 where the bounce eludes Brown. Brown does well to gather the ball and stay on his feet until support arrives, and the 6th minute ends with the ball sat on the floor for about 5 seconds whilst England get into position for an exit play.

Minute 7

The first 4 seconds sees England continue to not play the ball, and the refs might want to consider if doing feck all with the ball for the better part of 10 seconds is what the game is about, however, we go short to Simmonds, and then only 11 seconds later (seriously refs, wtf?) England play the ball. Youngs makes a box kick landing unchallenged for Blue 15 to claim about 7m in and a little short of the England 10m line. Italy potter about on attack

Minute 8

Italy still on attack (sort of) and they win a contact/collision having found Ford in the line. Italy make further progress when Launch doesn't quite make a tackle and the Italian carrier going to the floor is able to drive on a few further metres. Hartley finally does something decent by suggesting he's counter rucking and falling into the Italian 9 trying to play the ball which slows up play. The minute ends with Italy having not done too badly being caught well behind the gainline with Boni put to ground by Te'o

Minute 9

Starts with Boni ignoring a requirement to release the ball simply playing on, ref and TJ have popped off for a gauloises and there's no sanction, tackles, pfft. Cole gets over the ball, slows it a bit but can't get close to forcing a turnover. Italy are going nowhere, stick up a contestable kick, May takes a decent catch. Launch takes the ball up strongly, Youngs to Ford and England exit with a high kick chased by Watson and Farrell, both Farrell and Watson go to ground as it always takes two to tackle a small back who's jumped into the air to claim a kick, no point anyone staying on their feet to contest possession. (as an aside the blocking provided by Boni for his 15 is about as pointless as one might hope to see, and thoughts he'd do better running back to be onside would be sadly all too accurate, but it's less effort to run back slower claiming you're a blocker, ask Hartley). Italy admire the ball on the floor and out of play for around 8 seconds, so not as bad as England, but again the refs should act if the players can't be bothered to make any effort. Minute 9 ends with Italy again admiring the ball on the floor for 5 seconds or so, progressive stuff it is not.

Minute 10

Only a second old when Italy spring to life, that or they kick the ball away. England take the ball with a safe catch from Brown, move it left and May chase the ball down the wing after a nice kick from Farrell. May doesn't quite there, close, and Italy run the ball back into the England half down the right. So it was a nice kick from Farrell, but having not had the ball a while we quickly moved to not have the ball again. Boni the Italian 13 clearly thinks it's illegal for him to be the acting half, of maybe he hands like Bergamasco, but again he's hovering not doing a lot when he could act as an auxiliary 9 and speed their play. Launch runs up on Parisse but he's guessed on the wrong recipient of a pass and he badly exposes Cole who has Blue 1 easily break on his outside, but having run out of the line Launch is then still running back when Blue 1 offloads the ball to him which is a tad fortunate, still, it's prime attacking ball for England. Sadly England don't do well as Hartley gets driven back by a 1 man counter ruck and collapses Ben Young's knee as he collapses onto Youngs. Without too much surprise that's it for the 10th minute as the ref blows up for the injury to Youngs.

[p/d]

Any sign of pit girls or cheerleaders in the opening exchanges?

[Digby]

I wasn't looking

[Which Tyler]

I wasn't looking

You'll just have to srtat again then...