Minute 1
Wales kicks off down the middle where Daly catches, it's well chase by Tipuric but not really by anyone else. Daly sets a ruck just outside the 22, we we another phase with Marler getting driven a little close to our 22 and then Kruis and Itoje form a caterpillar and Youngs clears almost up to halfway with Bigger under the ball to claim. Williams is stood just ahead of Bigger, not much he can do, Owens and Tomkins might care to run some better blocking efforts in future, Bigger would appreciate as he gets clattered by Curry and Manu.
Wales recycle and AWJ runs into Itoje and Lawes losing contact, Wales then work to the shoreside and Liam Williams does have the footwork to slightly stand up Manu but Manu has the core strength to just pull him to ground anyway. Wales run another phase to the open side, Tips who might be a 1 out option is busy talking to the men outside him having a discussion about shape, just what the 9 wants to see people not even looking for a pass.
It's a game of two halves
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Digby
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 2
Wales have had enough of pottering about in their half and send an innocuous kick down their left touchline where Daly makes the catch and is tackled to floor. Wales get into shape much quicker than England who have 3 forwards recovering, Kruis blocks Youngs trying to pass to Marler and by the time the pass can be made this mean Tips is right up in Marler's face, might have been a tip on pass opportunity there had Kruis not gotten in the way, but maybe Marler doesn't make that anyway. Youngs kicks from the base and nobody really claims, I'm assuming Watson gets a tap back on the ball and Itoje falls on the loose ball just ahead of Ball. Not sure what Owens was doing, he could have blocked better running back but just went to get ready on the shortside for the next phase.
Arriving at the base Youngs has his left foot forward which suggests he's either an idiot or there's space down the shortside he'd like to attack, Manu is putting not a lot of effort into getting back onside and being available, if that was an option for Youngs, and the TV angle is shit, maybe that's why Youngs doesn't take it and into is spinning making a pass to the left of his left. England go to the left via Farrell and Ford, and Tompkins does well to stay with Daly having perhaps pushed up a little quickly and Daly almost fades off his outside shoulder but Tompkins has sufficiently quick footwork to deny Daly space and Daly passes out to May who makes a few metres in contact with Tompkins and North.
Youngs has both Curry and Lawes offering to the right/openside from the base and he sends the ball to Lawes, it's not the most sympathetic pass a 9 has given and Lawes does at least recycle the pill. But that's enough playing for England and Youngs sends it back for Faz who puts up an incontestable high ball about 10m outside the Welsh 22 in the middle.
Wales have had enough of pottering about in their half and send an innocuous kick down their left touchline where Daly makes the catch and is tackled to floor. Wales get into shape much quicker than England who have 3 forwards recovering, Kruis blocks Youngs trying to pass to Marler and by the time the pass can be made this mean Tips is right up in Marler's face, might have been a tip on pass opportunity there had Kruis not gotten in the way, but maybe Marler doesn't make that anyway. Youngs kicks from the base and nobody really claims, I'm assuming Watson gets a tap back on the ball and Itoje falls on the loose ball just ahead of Ball. Not sure what Owens was doing, he could have blocked better running back but just went to get ready on the shortside for the next phase.
Arriving at the base Youngs has his left foot forward which suggests he's either an idiot or there's space down the shortside he'd like to attack, Manu is putting not a lot of effort into getting back onside and being available, if that was an option for Youngs, and the TV angle is shit, maybe that's why Youngs doesn't take it and into is spinning making a pass to the left of his left. England go to the left via Farrell and Ford, and Tompkins does well to stay with Daly having perhaps pushed up a little quickly and Daly almost fades off his outside shoulder but Tompkins has sufficiently quick footwork to deny Daly space and Daly passes out to May who makes a few metres in contact with Tompkins and North.
Youngs has both Curry and Lawes offering to the right/openside from the base and he sends the ball to Lawes, it's not the most sympathetic pass a 9 has given and Lawes does at least recycle the pill. But that's enough playing for England and Youngs sends it back for Faz who puts up an incontestable high ball about 10m outside the Welsh 22 in the middle.
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Digby
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 3
Biggar catches and eludes Wilson, or our entire chase as we can call him, but not Itoje. Williams comes over the ball to ensure Maro can't interfere with Welsh ball, it is what passes for rucking, Manu might want to point out it looks a lot like a forearm to connects with Itoje's head (nothing really in it but it's there)
Wales bring the ball out to Navidi who runs into George and Sincks and Wales are going backwards as they cannot win the contact. Wales choose to kick rather than faf about further and Biggar kicks down the right touchline, the ball lands about 2m infield just over halfway and bounces slightly backwards into touch
England show variety from last round and throw the ball to Lawes at the front, I thought yesterday AWJ had jumped across but actually he just links his inside arm with Lawes and that's enough to stop Lawes getting the ball cleanly back to Youngs, Youngs doesn't dive on the loose ball and take a kicking for his troubles, Moriarty makes a good pickup and throws it back to Tomos who makes a nice one handed take and palms it back to Navidi, so far so good, but then Navidi has two choices, carry himself into George Ford or send the ball still further back to a stationary Biggar, Ford owes him a beer ' cause Navidi stitches up Biggar who actually does well to be aware of North coming off his wing but North can't take the ball and gets clattered by Tuilagi, the ball goes loose and Ford picks up, Ford waits to Parkes to commit to the tackle and pops it one out to Curry, Curry also does well and attract both Tompkins and Navidi before getting the ball away to Itoje, Itoje pretends he's Kruis and shapes to kick but then carries ahead. If that Halfpenny swinging arm on Itoje isn't high he hasn't missed by much, it didn't look dangerous and the arm was perhaps an attempt to wrap in the tackle, Manu might as well take along a clip to his hearing. At the breakdown Lewis tries to fold over the ball but gets cleared by Faz who rather strikes him at the side rather than front on, it's not maybe the power of some of those cheap shots Ireland put on Curry but it's not a good look for rugby, maybe Manu should take clips of scatter rucking
England have a shortside with Curry and Watson, Youngs fires it miss one to Watson who stands who Williams, Watson has such fast feet for someone who isn't that small.
Biggar catches and eludes Wilson, or our entire chase as we can call him, but not Itoje. Williams comes over the ball to ensure Maro can't interfere with Welsh ball, it is what passes for rucking, Manu might want to point out it looks a lot like a forearm to connects with Itoje's head (nothing really in it but it's there)
Wales bring the ball out to Navidi who runs into George and Sincks and Wales are going backwards as they cannot win the contact. Wales choose to kick rather than faf about further and Biggar kicks down the right touchline, the ball lands about 2m infield just over halfway and bounces slightly backwards into touch
England show variety from last round and throw the ball to Lawes at the front, I thought yesterday AWJ had jumped across but actually he just links his inside arm with Lawes and that's enough to stop Lawes getting the ball cleanly back to Youngs, Youngs doesn't dive on the loose ball and take a kicking for his troubles, Moriarty makes a good pickup and throws it back to Tomos who makes a nice one handed take and palms it back to Navidi, so far so good, but then Navidi has two choices, carry himself into George Ford or send the ball still further back to a stationary Biggar, Ford owes him a beer ' cause Navidi stitches up Biggar who actually does well to be aware of North coming off his wing but North can't take the ball and gets clattered by Tuilagi, the ball goes loose and Ford picks up, Ford waits to Parkes to commit to the tackle and pops it one out to Curry, Curry also does well and attract both Tompkins and Navidi before getting the ball away to Itoje, Itoje pretends he's Kruis and shapes to kick but then carries ahead. If that Halfpenny swinging arm on Itoje isn't high he hasn't missed by much, it didn't look dangerous and the arm was perhaps an attempt to wrap in the tackle, Manu might as well take along a clip to his hearing. At the breakdown Lewis tries to fold over the ball but gets cleared by Faz who rather strikes him at the side rather than front on, it's not maybe the power of some of those cheap shots Ireland put on Curry but it's not a good look for rugby, maybe Manu should take clips of scatter rucking
England have a shortside with Curry and Watson, Youngs fires it miss one to Watson who stands who Williams, Watson has such fast feet for someone who isn't that small.
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Digby
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 4
Tips gets a little unlucky, he gets Watson down and into touch but as Watson tries to get the ball back on England's side Tips can only shin it into touch presenting England the line out. Wales shouldn't have this situation though, pressure from AWJ causes England to foul a lineout and then the #8 declining to take contact with Ford and North having hands like Parkes puts them right back in the mire
England win ball in the middle with Itoje, and look set to start mauling but then Curry peels away with the ball and George has looped around onto his shoulder, Curry sends it out to Ford who has Navidi pushing up on him as the inside back, and Evans and Lewis have both followed George and Curry leaving a big gap in the defence into which Ford puts Watson with a bad back on the inside. Again it's good footwork from Watson as he rounds Tomos and Williams can't do enough to get across and stop him getting across the line, pretty sure Tomos will feel that's a tackle he should be making.
Tips gets a little unlucky, he gets Watson down and into touch but as Watson tries to get the ball back on England's side Tips can only shin it into touch presenting England the line out. Wales shouldn't have this situation though, pressure from AWJ causes England to foul a lineout and then the #8 declining to take contact with Ford and North having hands like Parkes puts them right back in the mire
England win ball in the middle with Itoje, and look set to start mauling but then Curry peels away with the ball and George has looped around onto his shoulder, Curry sends it out to Ford who has Navidi pushing up on him as the inside back, and Evans and Lewis have both followed George and Curry leaving a big gap in the defence into which Ford puts Watson with a bad back on the inside. Again it's good footwork from Watson as he rounds Tomos and Williams can't do enough to get across and stop him getting across the line, pretty sure Tomos will feel that's a tackle he should be making.
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Digby
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 5
Nothing happens
Nothing happens
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 6
Faz puts over the extras
Wales kick off to Curry into our 22, Curry carries up and is put straight down by Lewis going low and Ball going high (a legal high to coin a phrase). Kruis and Itoje ensure the ball is coming back but without one of them on their feet nobody else protects Youngs looking to kick from the base, I think Wales might have hoped Tips would go more at Youngs looking to apply pressure, but it's a good kick from Youngs both getting the ball away quickly and making it contestable, May and Halfpenny go up for the ball and Halfpenny knocks on into touch is the initial call from the ref, but I assume his TJ corrects that May actually got a hand on the ball and deflects the ball back and out.
Faz puts over the extras
Wales kick off to Curry into our 22, Curry carries up and is put straight down by Lewis going low and Ball going high (a legal high to coin a phrase). Kruis and Itoje ensure the ball is coming back but without one of them on their feet nobody else protects Youngs looking to kick from the base, I think Wales might have hoped Tips would go more at Youngs looking to apply pressure, but it's a good kick from Youngs both getting the ball away quickly and making it contestable, May and Halfpenny go up for the ball and Halfpenny knocks on into touch is the initial call from the ref, but I assume his TJ corrects that May actually got a hand on the ball and deflects the ball back and out.
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Digby
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 7
Wales win their lineout with Ball in the middle, plenty of movement from Wales but they're still under pressure. Itoje floods through and tries to get at Tomos but Moriarty makes sure to get him down off the ball. Biggar launches a cross field kick, Daly goes up to catch the ball, Williams goes up to apply pressure and drags down Daly's arms whilst Daly is in the air and if one was being charitable Williams isn't going for the ball, but rather than a penalty for England we get a scrum for Wales, not a massive call but a little vexing.
Wales win their lineout with Ball in the middle, plenty of movement from Wales but they're still under pressure. Itoje floods through and tries to get at Tomos but Moriarty makes sure to get him down off the ball. Biggar launches a cross field kick, Daly goes up to catch the ball, Williams goes up to apply pressure and drags down Daly's arms whilst Daly is in the air and if one was being charitable Williams isn't going for the ball, but rather than a penalty for England we get a scrum for Wales, not a massive call but a little vexing.
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 8
Wales win the scrum and Navidi picks up at the base takes a few steps open/right before passing to Tomos, Tompkins has overrun the play and the pass to him from Tomos goes forward but the painted white line it traverses is no clue for officialdom. Farrell overruns in defence and ends up making a high tackle on Tompkins, Tomos with some decent work taking steps that hold defenders and a couple of quick phases later North is there to cross over for Wales, sadly without the ball, some credit to Farrell for the strip but things are not going well for North.
Faz continues being a dick pushing at North, Marler is busy playing with dicks, and the ref takes far too long to sort it out and undertake a review
Wales win the scrum and Navidi picks up at the base takes a few steps open/right before passing to Tomos, Tompkins has overrun the play and the pass to him from Tomos goes forward but the painted white line it traverses is no clue for officialdom. Farrell overruns in defence and ends up making a high tackle on Tompkins, Tomos with some decent work taking steps that hold defenders and a couple of quick phases later North is there to cross over for Wales, sadly without the ball, some credit to Farrell for the strip but things are not going well for North.
Faz continues being a dick pushing at North, Marler is busy playing with dicks, and the ref takes far too long to sort it out and undertake a review
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Digby
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 9
After a huge break for the ref to speak to players and for Wales to decide what to do with their penalty for Faz being a dick there's still no action in the minute when the clock restarts with a penalty nearly in front of the posts - bring back scrums!
After a huge break for the ref to speak to players and for Wales to decide what to do with their penalty for Faz being a dick there's still no action in the minute when the clock restarts with a penalty nearly in front of the posts - bring back scrums!
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Digby
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 10
Halfpenny makes the pen
England restart to the left with Daly chasing the kick but he can't get there to stop Navidi claiming the ball. Wales box kick from the base, for distance more than to compete and Slade takes the ball and drops it off to Manu building some pace, interesting to have Manu resourced back to take on the ball.
Manu runs into contact and oddly wins contact but we still end up with about 5 players into the ruck, which is an issue because next up Youngs sends the ball back to a little triangle of Itoje, Lawes and Sinckler, it's Kyle at the apex and he drops off a nice pass to Lawes as AWJ and I think Evans are closing him down, it's a good pass technically but I don't know about the decision making because Lawes isn't exactly supported if he makes a break there, maybe if we hadn't piled such numbers into the previous ruck...
Lawes is tackled by Moriarty who's able to roll on the wrong side as Lawes was a little past him, but Youngs gets the ball back for a kick over to the right touchline where Halfpenny is waiting to receive and Watson is on the chase
Halfpenny makes the pen
England restart to the left with Daly chasing the kick but he can't get there to stop Navidi claiming the ball. Wales box kick from the base, for distance more than to compete and Slade takes the ball and drops it off to Manu building some pace, interesting to have Manu resourced back to take on the ball.
Manu runs into contact and oddly wins contact but we still end up with about 5 players into the ruck, which is an issue because next up Youngs sends the ball back to a little triangle of Itoje, Lawes and Sinckler, it's Kyle at the apex and he drops off a nice pass to Lawes as AWJ and I think Evans are closing him down, it's a good pass technically but I don't know about the decision making because Lawes isn't exactly supported if he makes a break there, maybe if we hadn't piled such numbers into the previous ruck...
Lawes is tackled by Moriarty who's able to roll on the wrong side as Lawes was a little past him, but Youngs gets the ball back for a kick over to the right touchline where Halfpenny is waiting to receive and Watson is on the chase
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Digby
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 11
It's a really good take from Halfpenny under pressure and then Wales try a couple of one out passes over 3 phases but they're just losing ground so kick away into England's half, no intent to make it competitive just stick it over halfway but as so often keep it in play.
Slade takes the ball and puts up a high kick with Farrell chasing, this sees another push from Farrell on a Welsh player (not sure who blocking his path) I think Navidi might have given Farrell a nudge already, that or Farrell has a weird running gait, and then I think he's just annoyed at the next Welsh player in his way, and looking at where the Welsh player starts off and how he's tracking Farrell it is a block, a bit daft though, not least as he'd have still gotten to the ball to compete. As is Tomos is left alone to fuck up a simple catch and then gets knocked down by Itoje just to complete his enjoyment of that phase. England do get a chance to see if they can gain advantage but less than stellar passes from Youngs and Manu mean we're back for the scrum where Tomos dropped the ball
It's a really good take from Halfpenny under pressure and then Wales try a couple of one out passes over 3 phases but they're just losing ground so kick away into England's half, no intent to make it competitive just stick it over halfway but as so often keep it in play.
Slade takes the ball and puts up a high kick with Farrell chasing, this sees another push from Farrell on a Welsh player (not sure who blocking his path) I think Navidi might have given Farrell a nudge already, that or Farrell has a weird running gait, and then I think he's just annoyed at the next Welsh player in his way, and looking at where the Welsh player starts off and how he's tracking Farrell it is a block, a bit daft though, not least as he'd have still gotten to the ball to compete. As is Tomos is left alone to fuck up a simple catch and then gets knocked down by Itoje just to complete his enjoyment of that phase. England do get a chance to see if they can gain advantage but less than stellar passes from Youngs and Manu mean we're back for the scrum where Tomos dropped the ball
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 12
England win the scrum and head left from the scrum with the super secret move called 'give it to Manu' and Manu promptly wins contact with Parkes, Farrell clears out Tompkins from the resulting ruck and Wilson gets over the ball to preclude Biggar chancing a turnover, England with Youngs in place and quick ball
England win the scrum and head left from the scrum with the super secret move called 'give it to Manu' and Manu promptly wins contact with Parkes, Farrell clears out Tompkins from the resulting ruck and Wilson gets over the ball to preclude Biggar chancing a turnover, England with Youngs in place and quick ball
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 13
Youngs works left again to what's now the shortside and passes to Curry who drives on the outside shoulder of Tips and takes a few more metres. I think Navidi is maybe judged a tackler assist who doesn't release as he's told to get away and off the ball, that he might have been touching Curry seems incidental and I've seen worse positions for players on their feet trying to contest the ball, a bit unlucky for him as Ford was our man on clearout and faced with the choice of working to get under Navidi we see Ford choose to cuddle him from above, still Navidi does slow the play a little.
Blind again from England and Slade who has completed the George Kruis class of kicking for Dummies during recent training tries to thread a grubber where there's no space and just kicks the ball into Tipuric's shin. Wales gain control of the ball but being stuck down near the 22 and near the touchline aren't without too much surprise interested in doing more than recovering resources and kicking from the base, again it's not a kick to compete or a kick off the park.
Slade catches in our half, sends a kick back into the Welsh 22 which Biggar catches and calls for the mark, Biggar takes it quickly and sends a kick into touch up to the Welsh 10m line, the crowd reacts as it's a slight slice but hardly a shocker.
Youngs works left again to what's now the shortside and passes to Curry who drives on the outside shoulder of Tips and takes a few more metres. I think Navidi is maybe judged a tackler assist who doesn't release as he's told to get away and off the ball, that he might have been touching Curry seems incidental and I've seen worse positions for players on their feet trying to contest the ball, a bit unlucky for him as Ford was our man on clearout and faced with the choice of working to get under Navidi we see Ford choose to cuddle him from above, still Navidi does slow the play a little.
Blind again from England and Slade who has completed the George Kruis class of kicking for Dummies during recent training tries to thread a grubber where there's no space and just kicks the ball into Tipuric's shin. Wales gain control of the ball but being stuck down near the 22 and near the touchline aren't without too much surprise interested in doing more than recovering resources and kicking from the base, again it's not a kick to compete or a kick off the park.
Slade catches in our half, sends a kick back into the Welsh 22 which Biggar catches and calls for the mark, Biggar takes it quickly and sends a kick into touch up to the Welsh 10m line, the crowd reacts as it's a slight slice but hardly a shocker.
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Digby
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 14
England win the lineout with Maro, under some pressure from Moriarty. And again the ball is fed to Manu who wins contact with Parkes but it's still behind the gainline. England come right and Slade makes it over the gainline and Wilson is there to ensure quick ball, England head back left or toward the middle where Marler gets the ball and takes contact to set up a ruck. AWJ positions himself on the wrong side and gives away a penalty. Bit of a daft play from AWJ, England had 4 phases off that lineout, most behind the gainline, we get one positive phase followed by Marler ambling into contact and he's got such confidence in his defence he does that, or he'd just chancing it.
England win the lineout with Maro, under some pressure from Moriarty. And again the ball is fed to Manu who wins contact with Parkes but it's still behind the gainline. England come right and Slade makes it over the gainline and Wilson is there to ensure quick ball, England head back left or toward the middle where Marler gets the ball and takes contact to set up a ruck. AWJ positions himself on the wrong side and gives away a penalty. Bit of a daft play from AWJ, England had 4 phases off that lineout, most behind the gainline, we get one positive phase followed by Marler ambling into contact and he's got such confidence in his defence he does that, or he'd just chancing it.
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 15
Nothing happens
Nothing happens
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 16
A mere 92/93 seconds after the awarding of the penalty Faz sticks over the 3 points.
Wales kick off right to Curry who carries up into contact, he doesn't win the inches in the contact but the ball presentation back is good. Youngs makes the exit kick, about 15m infield so perhaps not according to plan but a decent height on it, Halfpenny takes the catch but immediately Daly is there to fall off Halfpenny and not make the the tackle which I assume was the intent
A mere 92/93 seconds after the awarding of the penalty Faz sticks over the 3 points.
Wales kick off right to Curry who carries up into contact, he doesn't win the inches in the contact but the ball presentation back is good. Youngs makes the exit kick, about 15m infield so perhaps not according to plan but a decent height on it, Halfpenny takes the catch but immediately Daly is there to fall off Halfpenny and not make the the tackle which I assume was the intent
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 17
Wales get the ball back once Halfpenny is tackled but it's not quick ball, they make one play were the ball is carried up by Owens but it's a deep play and he's easily caught behind the gainline by Lawes so they kick it away
Slade takes the kick from Biggar and sets off back upfield, with North covering the outside AWJ is ahead of Slade and Slade is able to show better footwork which forces North to come across and then Slade hooks the ball outside to Watson who carries to halfway. The ball is there for Youngs to pass out but Curry makes a decision to pick and go, not a great call but at least the ball comes back, and actually given Curry is carrying from a poor position he does well not to be driven back by AWJ and Ball, still should have left if for Youngs (at least in hindsight)
England think there's a chance to move it left with some width and there is, but we're so happy to put the ball out the back given our setup we position 5 of our forwards ahead of the ball and out of the game by the time the ball is with Farrell and with Tips pushing up to make any further pass a risk Farrell tries to carry up the middle, but it's going nowhere, Youngs passes back to Ford and he makes an aimless kick down almost to the Welsh 22 just to not have slow ball in our half.
Halfpenny catches and he boots it back where Youngs catches and passes to Ford who puts another kick in, this time across to our right touchline where North gathers
Wales get the ball back once Halfpenny is tackled but it's not quick ball, they make one play were the ball is carried up by Owens but it's a deep play and he's easily caught behind the gainline by Lawes so they kick it away
Slade takes the kick from Biggar and sets off back upfield, with North covering the outside AWJ is ahead of Slade and Slade is able to show better footwork which forces North to come across and then Slade hooks the ball outside to Watson who carries to halfway. The ball is there for Youngs to pass out but Curry makes a decision to pick and go, not a great call but at least the ball comes back, and actually given Curry is carrying from a poor position he does well not to be driven back by AWJ and Ball, still should have left if for Youngs (at least in hindsight)
England think there's a chance to move it left with some width and there is, but we're so happy to put the ball out the back given our setup we position 5 of our forwards ahead of the ball and out of the game by the time the ball is with Farrell and with Tips pushing up to make any further pass a risk Farrell tries to carry up the middle, but it's going nowhere, Youngs passes back to Ford and he makes an aimless kick down almost to the Welsh 22 just to not have slow ball in our half.
Halfpenny catches and he boots it back where Youngs catches and passes to Ford who puts another kick in, this time across to our right touchline where North gathers
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 18
North passes to Biggar in the fullback position and he carries up into Farrell (I assume because why not) just over the Welsh 10m line. Wales head left and actually make ground as Ball has a chance to run at Watson and it's not a dominant tackle from Watson, which isn't a surprise. From the quick ball it's one out to AWJ who essentially sets up another ruck but it's quick ball again. Wales go right and they have a decent advantage in numbers but no particular way to use them given the shape, Biggar puts in a dink kick over the England defence but Wilson is able to turn from the defensive line and chase/gather the ball before carrying into Wales half and setting a ruck.
Youngs dithers a bit as he doesn't have many if any real options, he passes to George on the left and George heads back toward the previous ruck which is where he'll find some support. England head left again and Slade use his footwork again, but this time on a back and it's less useful than against AWJ, at the resultant ruck North goes off his feet contesting the ball, though in fairness only one knee is on the floor right in front of the touch judge, penalty to Wales for Slade holding on - this wasn't a moment that amused me much on Saturday
North passes to Biggar in the fullback position and he carries up into Farrell (I assume because why not) just over the Welsh 10m line. Wales head left and actually make ground as Ball has a chance to run at Watson and it's not a dominant tackle from Watson, which isn't a surprise. From the quick ball it's one out to AWJ who essentially sets up another ruck but it's quick ball again. Wales go right and they have a decent advantage in numbers but no particular way to use them given the shape, Biggar puts in a dink kick over the England defence but Wilson is able to turn from the defensive line and chase/gather the ball before carrying into Wales half and setting a ruck.
Youngs dithers a bit as he doesn't have many if any real options, he passes to George on the left and George heads back toward the previous ruck which is where he'll find some support. England head left again and Slade use his footwork again, but this time on a back and it's less useful than against AWJ, at the resultant ruck North goes off his feet contesting the ball, though in fairness only one knee is on the floor right in front of the touch judge, penalty to Wales for Slade holding on - this wasn't a moment that amused me much on Saturday
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 19
Wales kick out to our 22 and it's a decent 1st phase offering, Wales look like they're keeping it in for a maul which commits Curry but Navidi passes back to Owens looping around, Owens has North and Parkes running hard lines in the 10 channel but it's a ball out the back to Tomos and then the same again to Biggar with Tompkins on the hard line. The main issue is the passing is just a little early, almost like they're following a textbook, and England are drifting happily enough, Wales run a couple more phases to break into our 22, and also have a penalty advantage for offside at the lineout. Given how much teams are allowed to go offside we must have really been taking the piss
Wales kick out to our 22 and it's a decent 1st phase offering, Wales look like they're keeping it in for a maul which commits Curry but Navidi passes back to Owens looping around, Owens has North and Parkes running hard lines in the 10 channel but it's a ball out the back to Tomos and then the same again to Biggar with Tompkins on the hard line. The main issue is the passing is just a little early, almost like they're following a textbook, and England are drifting happily enough, Wales run a couple more phases to break into our 22, and also have a penalty advantage for offside at the lineout. Given how much teams are allowed to go offside we must have really been taking the piss
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Digby
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 20
The pottering about comes to an end with no advantage other than a new advantage for a high tackle.
Minute 21
Halfpenny puts over the 3
The pottering about comes to an end with no advantage other than a new advantage for a high tackle.
Minute 21
Halfpenny puts over the 3
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Digby
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 22
England restart towards the left out into Wales 22, Navidi goes up for the ball but Daly gets their first and taps it back for England, Curry is about to claim but Tips running back gets a hand in before he can to knock it back the other way and it drops into Owen's lap. Probably justice done as Daly was for me just ahead of the kick, which normally we're not too bad at, it's an oddly disciplined area for England given some of our failings elsewhere
Owens has to quickly throw a pass back to Halfpenny, and it's a tricky one slightly dying on Halfpenny and also onto his left taking away a quick kicking option. But Halfpenny has enough time to launch a kick down towards our 22 which Slade retreats to gather.
An aimless kick from Slade is taken under no pressure by Biggar just outside Wales' 22 and Biggar gets Wales moving again with a forward pass to Tomos, but marginal and not seen. Tomos kicks down the England right and Watson kicks it back the other way
England restart towards the left out into Wales 22, Navidi goes up for the ball but Daly gets their first and taps it back for England, Curry is about to claim but Tips running back gets a hand in before he can to knock it back the other way and it drops into Owen's lap. Probably justice done as Daly was for me just ahead of the kick, which normally we're not too bad at, it's an oddly disciplined area for England given some of our failings elsewhere
Owens has to quickly throw a pass back to Halfpenny, and it's a tricky one slightly dying on Halfpenny and also onto his left taking away a quick kicking option. But Halfpenny has enough time to launch a kick down towards our 22 which Slade retreats to gather.
An aimless kick from Slade is taken under no pressure by Biggar just outside Wales' 22 and Biggar gets Wales moving again with a forward pass to Tomos, but marginal and not seen. Tomos kicks down the England right and Watson kicks it back the other way
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Digby
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 23
It's a good kick and chase from Watson, but he undoes that work with a poor tackle on Halfpenny. Wales manage to recycle the ball and work the shortside, Tips makes a show and go in no space and at least manages not getting bundled into touch. Wales recycle run another phase, and even AWJ isn't winning contact, and then kick from the base, another not contestable and not for touch. Watson takes and passes (in high fashion) to Ford who kicks it back down to Wales where Biggar takes outside the 22 roughly in the middle and runs back easily stepping Kruis and then George, I guess why push as a two when you can push as individual forwards against a back, Biggar gets almost to halfway and the ball is recycled and passed out to Owens who's tackled by Youngs, Youngs has an arm over the shoulder, and whilst it's not dangerous it's the sort of thing players who aren't small get penalised for.
It's a good kick and chase from Watson, but he undoes that work with a poor tackle on Halfpenny. Wales manage to recycle the ball and work the shortside, Tips makes a show and go in no space and at least manages not getting bundled into touch. Wales recycle run another phase, and even AWJ isn't winning contact, and then kick from the base, another not contestable and not for touch. Watson takes and passes (in high fashion) to Ford who kicks it back down to Wales where Biggar takes outside the 22 roughly in the middle and runs back easily stepping Kruis and then George, I guess why push as a two when you can push as individual forwards against a back, Biggar gets almost to halfway and the ball is recycled and passed out to Owens who's tackled by Youngs, Youngs has an arm over the shoulder, and whilst it's not dangerous it's the sort of thing players who aren't small get penalised for.
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Digby
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 24
Well blow me down if there isn't a tip on pass from Rob Evans, it doesn't come to much but it's nice to see. Following which Biggar kicks to Slade, Slade kicks to Halfpenny, Halfpenny passes inside to Biggar, Biggar kicks to Ford and Ford kicks down the line, Wales claim play a phase inside before Biggar punts a cross field kick to the left which Tips gathers and takes a tackle from Slade before passing up to North
Well blow me down if there isn't a tip on pass from Rob Evans, it doesn't come to much but it's nice to see. Following which Biggar kicks to Slade, Slade kicks to Halfpenny, Halfpenny passes inside to Biggar, Biggar kicks to Ford and Ford kicks down the line, Wales claim play a phase inside before Biggar punts a cross field kick to the left which Tips gathers and takes a tackle from Slade before passing up to North
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Digby
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Re: It's a game of two halves
Minute 25
Not quite sure how to describe the Farrell tackle on North, he wraps arms around the waist closing from behind, but doesn't drop down the legs and instead clings on like a really low piggyback. Possible a real concern if he drops from the waist North will simply break the tackle, in the event whilst Farrell gets North down he's pinned on the wrong side and concede the penalty, advantage at least.
Navidi passes from the base to Tomos at first receiver, Tomos moves the ball on to AWJ who has Ball one pass further out but pulls it back to Biggar and sadly misses Biggar, the ball landing between Biggar and Parkes. Even the missed pass aside whilst it's a nice setup the passing is still allowing England time to drift.
Parkes collects the bouncing ball and tries a cross field kick out to the right but it's out on the full so it's back for the penalty. Wales kick to touch just inside the England 22 down their left
Not quite sure how to describe the Farrell tackle on North, he wraps arms around the waist closing from behind, but doesn't drop down the legs and instead clings on like a really low piggyback. Possible a real concern if he drops from the waist North will simply break the tackle, in the event whilst Farrell gets North down he's pinned on the wrong side and concede the penalty, advantage at least.
Navidi passes from the base to Tomos at first receiver, Tomos moves the ball on to AWJ who has Ball one pass further out but pulls it back to Biggar and sadly misses Biggar, the ball landing between Biggar and Parkes. Even the missed pass aside whilst it's a nice setup the passing is still allowing England time to drift.
Parkes collects the bouncing ball and tries a cross field kick out to the right but it's out on the full so it's back for the penalty. Wales kick to touch just inside the England 22 down their left