Expect a New England
Now's the time for something different. They won't be able to suffocate and thereby frustrate the Springboks the way they have done to France and Australia.
Now's the time for something different. They won't be able to suffocate and thereby frustrate the Springboks the way they have done to France and Australia.
As enjoyable as it was watching England get one over on the Australians, let's not pretend the Red Rose is suddenly in full bloom again.
England go into the quarter finals with no pressure but some optimism. Tonight's win over Tonga was their most convicing performance in a competitive match since they beat France in the Six Nations.
England are still in the World Cup after last weekend's win over Samoa but what would have happened if the Pacific Islanders had been able to take their own lineout?
In a radio interview earlier this week Graham Rowntree, a member of the England coaching staff, boasted the next two weeks would be good to be an Englishman. How wrong can he be?
Continue reading "Good to be an Englishman? It's never been worse" »
After Friday night's debacle England will not now defend their world title. Failure to adequately prepare after victory in 2003 has left the current national set up fatally holed beneath the water line – which is why drastic action is needed now.
Brian Ashton's problems just keep mounting. Just in case finding a way to bounce back from Saturday's palsied display wasn't enough, he's now got to do without his playmaker and tighthead prop - who just happens to be his captain too.
But South Africa are without two of their most important players and will have to modify the way they play.
Continue reading "England up to their necks but South Africa waist deep" »
England were not the only 'established' team to struggle. Ireland were desperate against Namibia, Scotland were troubled by Portugal, Wales were given a scare by Canada and France actually lost to Argentina.
The nature of these smaller nations is that they don't have the depth to sustain a programme of four games inside three weeks. It was nice while it lasted and has given the competition the perfect kick off but that's it now.
Continue reading "England woeful but it should be put in context." »