Wales have case for moral victory in loss to England, Scotland prepare for ‘Big One’ and Ellie Kildunne’s stock continues to riseOne minute Eddie Jones is using the media to put pressure on opposition captains and fly-halves, the next he is criticising those whom he perceives are giving insufficient credit to himself and some of his players. “You guys tell me Mike Brown can’t play Test rugby … you guys are unbelievable!” he told his BBC 5 Live’s Chris Jones after Saturday’s narrow 12-6 win over Wales. “You’re always criticising him and now he has a good game you’re all on the bandwagon. You guys are better selectors than we are, that’s what you think you are.” Given England have...
Twickenham oozes intimidation but Wales stand their ground in a bruising Test decided by the finest of marginsIt was a foul day, cold, wet and grey, but no one at Twickenham cared too much about that. There was enough heat on the pitch to keep everyone warm. It was a brutal, bad-tempered game, a brawl in a squall.It seems whatever else Eddie Jones’s provocations achieved, they certainly did not improve the relations between the teams and in the stands the atmosphere was as intense as it has been in a long while. The roar of anticipation in those last few seconds before the kick-off must have echoed right across west London. Twickenham is an intimidating place to come and play...
The fly-half suffered under the high ball against resilient and resourceful opponents but will rise to future challengesIf Wales had arrived with the ambition to paint the town Scarlet, they had not reckoned on England’s white orcs. This England pack may not be quite at the level of the 2003 vintage, which earned that back-handed compliment of a nickname, but Wales, for all their spirited endeavour, could not break down a remarkable English defensive wall. Twickenham was stormed but remains standing.Wales will point to a first-half try questionably chalked off, and judging by how they responded to conceding two early scores, Warren Gatland was surely right in his assessment that his side are the fitter. Rhys Patchell endured a forgettable...
Not for the first time, England’s coach has targeted an opposition No 10 before a big Six Nations match, adding further spice to what is set to be a fiery occasionWhen Wales head for Twickenham the odds on a passive, entirely silent pre-match buildup usually range between slim and none. This year has proved no exception and calculated references by Eddie Jones to the “cocky” Welsh and the torrid welcome awaiting the visiting fly-half Rhys Patchell have added further kerosene to the already combustible Six Nations contest on Saturday.If Jones’s pointed analysis is any indicator, a red-hot encounter is all but guaranteed with Patchell a particular target for attention. The Scarlets’ fly-half has been wonderfully influential for both region and...
Warren Gatland’s side suddenly look inventive and dangerous from broken play and the tactical battle with Eddie Jones has never seemed more intriguingTwo minds and a few dozen bodies will collide at Twickenham on Saturday when Warren Gatland aims to inflict a first home defeat on Eddie Jones. A fixture that at the start of the month looked a probable home win has become more intriguing after the manner of Wales’s victory against Scotland.It was against a side with a poor away record in the tournament and Wales were under pressure for most of the first half after taking a 14-point lead but it was the manner of their performance last Saturday that demanded attention. Wales showed composure in possession...