Next up.....France

[fivepointer]

That was a fine win. We established a bit of control in the 2nd half and finished good winners. We played a bit, showed some enterprise, didnt over commit and generally played with a commonsense that has been sorely lacking in this 6N's.
Hard to find fault with any of the starters. Thought Ewels had an excellent game, Billy maintained his upward trajectory and the 2 wingers never flagged.
That was a very welcome performance.

[tigran]

The french commentators were very surprised that the video ref allowed Itoje's try, with Woki's hand under the ball...

[Raggs]

The french commentators were very surprised that the video ref allowed Itoje's try, with Woki's hand under the ball...

Seemed fairly clear that it was down as he slid across, then got twisted onto Woki's hand.

[Mikey Brown]

Yep, was unsure at first but there's stills with a clear contact.

[tigran]

The french commentators were very surprised that the video ref allowed Itoje's try, with Woki's hand under the ball...

Seemed fairly clear that it was down as he slid across, then got twisted onto Woki's hand.

Anyway, great game, I'm not surprised that england threw everything in it, it could have gone either way I guess, great game, and congrats rosbifs

[Digby]

I thought we were going to win when in the 67th minute after Earl got pinged going in at the side to concede a pen on our ball France made a big play through the middle, England forced a knock on and then celebrated almost like they'd won. It seemed clear by then France were struggling

Though count me in the group a little surprised the tmo awarded the try given the on field ruling. Whatever the result mind this was a terrific game from both sides, just fantastic for rugby

[Bored Falcon]

Best England game for a while. Some good performances in there. Still think there are some question marks over our team and direction. but hopefully Eddie has a plan.

Curry should have been MoM imo. he reminds me of this Kiwi 7s in that he can do pretty much everything as is everywhere. I like Wilson but I'd like to get someone else in at six (Underhill now's he's back, earl etc).

Thought Ford looked electric in the last 20. would love to see a ford, Lawrence, joespeh/Marchant backline this summer.

[Bored Falcon]

The french commentators were very surprised that the video ref allowed Itoje's try, with Woki's hand under the ball...

Seemed fairly clear that it was down as he slid across, then got twisted onto Woki's hand.

Anyway, great game, I'm not surprised that england threw everything in it, it could have gone either way I guess, great game, and congrats rosbifs

50/50 for me. if I were french I'd be thinking it's one of those games teams have to lose before they grow. Think that french side is only getting better.

[tigran]

Seemed fairly clear that it was down as he slid across, then got twisted onto Woki's hand.

Anyway, great game, I'm not surprised that england threw everything in it, it could have gone either way I guess, great game, and congrats rosbifs

50/50 for me. if I were french I'd be thinking it's one of those games teams have to lose before they grow. Think that french side is only getting better.

For sure

[16th man]

Certainly the first game of the Championships that you can imagine causing any sort of ripples in NZ and SA.

[Danno]

Happy with that. For all that we've failed to win when we're behind, close a game out or show any attack we managed all 3 to some degree today

[Beasties]

There's a certain solidity about this French team, they don't seem to have the flakiness of every other French team. This is not good news for everyone else.

[Insouciant]

Definitely a big improvement for us. Not just the win but the performance generally. There were some dips, errors, knock ons, penalties given away.. but overall this was so much better. I might even watch the game again to understand how we managed it a little better.

I imagine it was a good game for the neutral too. Very open and lots of attacking intent even if the execution wasn't always perfect.

[Banquo]

The french commentators were very surprised that the video ref allowed Itoje's try, with Woki's hand under the ball...

Seemed fairly clear that it was down as he slid across, then got twisted onto Woki's hand.

For sure.

[MrK]

Certainly the first game of the Championships that you can imagine causing any sort of ripples in NZ and SA.

Absolute
Genius
Post

[normanski]

Come on. Will you be cheering for France or Wales next week. I have a feeling we have the measure of France after that display.

[Puja]

Certainly the first game of the Championships that you can imagine causing any sort of ripples in NZ and SA.

I'd imagine there are a few puckered arseholes in New Zealand thinking about their opening game of the next RWC.

Overall, that was a great win for us. Not perfect, but we played and beat a very good team and I'm just as pleased with that as I would be beating NZ or SA. Especially pleased with us not giving a penalty away for the first 29 minutes, despite being under some pressure at times - our reputation showed in that we got a warning for a yellow card after just our first penalty (although in fairness, we did commit three offences in the one attack, but still, a little harsh!) and we need to lose that reputation, pronto.

Thought the ref was very good. There were some decisions I didn't agree with, but he was consistent, communicated well, and contributed to a very good game.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Tough one, but I’ll be cheering for France. I would hate to watch this Welsh team win a Grand Slam.

[Scrumhead]

Where are Oakboy and jngf?

[francoisfou]

Come on. Will you be cheering for France or Wales next week. I have a feeling we have the measure of France after that display.

Dream on, Norm!

[Puja]

Tough one, but I’ll be cheering for France. I would hate to watch this Welsh team win a Grand Slam.

I live in the West Country, surrounded by Welsh and people who have lived in England all their lives and have no trace of a Welsh accent, but are "Welsh" when they're winning at rugby. I don't hate to watch the Welsh team win a Grand Slam, I'd just hate *hearing* about it.

Just watched the highlights and, quite apart from Itoje definitely getting the nose of the ball down, Woki is a good couple of feet offside when Itoje picks and goes, so justice was done anyway.

Puja

[francoisfou]

From a French point of view, that was an important match in the development of a potentially World Cup winning team. With a bit more nous, the team would surely have earned the win, but a resurgent 2nd half display from the English took the match away from them. So, no complaints from me and let’s come good next Saturday evening and prevent the unthinkable!

[Digby]

I'd have been very close to making Youngs or Curry MoM, but actually the big difference was probably in the end Ford. France didn't organise much if anything in the 2nd half.

[Peej]

Think England got a bit lucky with that last lineout; Hill makes clear contact in the air, way more than the one Ollivon got done for.

Still, a good win after a great game. Though it does mean Wales will probably win the Grand Slam, and that is deeply disappointing

[Puja]

I'd have been very close to making Youngs or Curry MoM, but actually the big difference was probably in the end Ford. France didn't organise much if anything in the 2nd half.

I'd actually say Farrell was pretty close - ran some good lines from 12, made good plays coming in at 10, spoke well to the ref, tackled well, made all his kicks including some very tough ones.

Puja