Two years ago Jones had the edge as a player. This time the England forward did not lose an inch in the comparisonHere was fun, for all of us who got to watch it at any rate. It looked like it must have been murder to play in, a real ring-a-ding set-to of a match between two fast, loose and fierce teams on a freezing March afternoon, 30 bullies busy knocking seven bells out of each other. The rivalry between England and Wales never needs much stoking and the game blew up even though the players and coaches had been on their best behaviour in the run-up. It was as if the teams wanted to work off all the cares...
Wales were seeking an upset but snatched at their chances and left knowing they were flattered by three-point defeatThey are easier to like these days: brave against all odds and more interested in attack than the defence that has defined them for so long, but the trouble is, being easy to like is usually an alternative to winning. Wales travelled east in search of a surprise to rank alongside their legendary mugging of England in the 2015 World Cup but were comprehensively bullied out of proceedings, doors slammed on them at every turn, a big ugly hand in their face throughout, at a longer arm’s length than heir own.In the end it was a shoulder in the face – Manu...
Les Bleus go to Murrayfield with the grand slam in reach and Gaël Fickou says they now have the tools to challenge the bestFrance have arrived in the danger zone. A team that were treated dismissively by Eddie Jones at the start of the Six Nations, were sublime and sloppy against Italy and showed a depth of character in Cardiff missing from the side for a decade now have the title, and a grand slam, in sight. Expectation has replaced hope.A young side have not had to wrestle with the demons of the past because, for the majority of the squad, they were in someone else’s nightmare. On Sunday Les Bleus are at Murrayfield, a ground where they have not...
Josh Navidi’s return will be vital to Wales’s hopes of stopping England at the breakdown, and the hosts will need to keep their cool if Wales try to rile themThe breakdownWales’s tactical approach is easily seen in their team selection. Taulupe Faletau is a world-class player but he is still feeling his way back at Test level after a long injury layoff whereas in Josh Navidi Wales have picked an absolute terrier at the breakdown. Ireland’s problems at Twickenham centred around the fact that they were not able to meet England at the gainline and stop their ball carriers, and they could not slow their opponents’ ball as a result. England were then able to play Manu Tuilagi into the...
Despite the congested rugby calendar there has to be a conclusion to this fated Six Nations tournament, to divvy up the cash if nothing elseRugby’s annus horribilis shows little obvious sign of easing. For the time being all roads no longer lead to Rome and the best-case scenario involves the Six Nations - both male and female - dribbling to a belated conclusion in the autumn. There are far more important things in life than a few postponed rugby matches but for the tournament organisers the real headaches are only just starting. Related: England's Six Nations game against Italy postponed due to coronavirus outbreak Related: The Breakdown | Wayne Pivac needs to shed Mr Nice Guy image if Wales are...