With France on course for a Grand Slam, England travelled to Paris looking to make amends for a narrow loss against Wales in the last round.
With England having made steady progress this tournament, the trip to Paris had been highlighted as the most difficult challenge for Stuart Lancaster’s men in this year’s Six Nations. England started brightly with a break by Lee Dickson, much like Chris Ashton was making last year off the inside shoulder, but there wasn’t the support and the move broke down. An early high, wide and short drop goal from Beauxis when nothing was on gave an indication of what we could expect from the French half backs.
The sight of Dylan Hartley popping up at the first scrum would have worried England scrum coach Graham Rowntree and amissed penalty kick quickly followed by a conceded penalty on the England try line did nothing for English nerves.
With England having made steady progress this tournament, the trip to Paris had been highlighted as the most difficult challenge for Stuart Lancaster’s men in this year’s Six Nations. England started brightly with a break by Lee Dickson, much like Chris Ashton was making last year off the inside shoulder, but there wasn’t the support and the move broke down. An early high, wide and short drop goal from Beauxis when nothing was on gave an indication of what we could expect from the French half backs.
The sight of Dylan Hartley popping up at the first scrum would have worried England scrum coach Graham Rowntree and amissed penalty kick quickly followed by a conceded penalty on the England try line did nothing for English nerves.
- 3/11/2012
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
England cross the Channel for their fifth game of the tournament as they take on France at the Stade Francais this Sunday at 3pm.
Despite the constant media buzz of speculation over the future of his role as England manager, Stuart Lancaster has insisted it is business as normal and picked the same side that just lost to Wales in the last round as he continued to show faith in a side that sees Lee Dickson, Ben Morgan and Geoff Parling make their second starts, while Farrell continues at fly half.
The loyalty to those players who had served him so well so far this tournament meant that Charlie Hodgson returns to the bench after a hand injury meaning Toby Flood was sent back to his club, much to the consternation of the Tigers coaching staff.
Despite their criticisms, Flood has yet to show sparkling form that could justify a place in the starting xv,...
Despite the constant media buzz of speculation over the future of his role as England manager, Stuart Lancaster has insisted it is business as normal and picked the same side that just lost to Wales in the last round as he continued to show faith in a side that sees Lee Dickson, Ben Morgan and Geoff Parling make their second starts, while Farrell continues at fly half.
The loyalty to those players who had served him so well so far this tournament meant that Charlie Hodgson returns to the bench after a hand injury meaning Toby Flood was sent back to his club, much to the consternation of the Tigers coaching staff.
Despite their criticisms, Flood has yet to show sparkling form that could justify a place in the starting xv,...
- 3/10/2012
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
Ball In Touch: The 2012 competition got under way in Paris on Saturday, as World Cup Finalists France looked to avenge last year’s defeat to Italy. Let us know what you thought of the game either in the comments below or on Twitter @Ballintouch and remember to use our handy beginners A-z guide to rugby
Just 104 days have passed since the World Cup Final, but it is all change for many of this year’s Six nations sides. France are under the new management of Philippe Saint Andre and first up to get the tournament underway in Paris against Italy, in what was possibly the easiest result to call of the opening weekend.
The Italians last meeting with Les Bleus resulted in victory for the Azzuri, so revenge was a phrase blowing around the Stade Francais. The French looked to probe the defence initially, the freezing cold meaning both sides...
Just 104 days have passed since the World Cup Final, but it is all change for many of this year’s Six nations sides. France are under the new management of Philippe Saint Andre and first up to get the tournament underway in Paris against Italy, in what was possibly the easiest result to call of the opening weekend.
The Italians last meeting with Les Bleus resulted in victory for the Azzuri, so revenge was a phrase blowing around the Stade Francais. The French looked to probe the defence initially, the freezing cold meaning both sides...
- 2/4/2012
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
As Andrea Bocelli is so keen to tell us, it is time to say goodbye. Sunday sees the culmination of 48 matches over seven weeks to decide who will be crowned world champions as the seventh Rugby World Cup comes to a close. And it’ll be New Zealand, right?
Well, quite simply, yes, probably. Sunday’s game has seen the rugby world come together in the opinion that New Zealand will win it. At last. One bookmaker has already paid out, such is the certainty that they keep the Webb Ellis trophy in Auckland for the next four years.
Despite appearances, there will actually be another team present in the form of France, but I use the word ‘team’ loosely. Never has a team played so badly and still got to the Final (Well, apart from England in 2007). The difference to of the class of 2007 English though is the fractious...
Well, quite simply, yes, probably. Sunday’s game has seen the rugby world come together in the opinion that New Zealand will win it. At last. One bookmaker has already paid out, such is the certainty that they keep the Webb Ellis trophy in Auckland for the next four years.
Despite appearances, there will actually be another team present in the form of France, but I use the word ‘team’ loosely. Never has a team played so badly and still got to the Final (Well, apart from England in 2007). The difference to of the class of 2007 English though is the fractious...
- 10/21/2011
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
The anticipation had been simmering all week, coming to the boil on Saturday and regardless of form, the look in the eyes of both teams said it all. Passion was palatable during the Anthems, the coverage showing an absolutely packed Millenium Stadium back in Cardiff of Welshmen willing their boys on.
The kick-off forced France to put the ball out immediately, prompting the Welsh to maul the resulting lineout with alarming speed to within ten metres of the French line before errors dampened this effort. France responded with vigour, putting in several similarly determined drives into the oppositions half before a lack of precision (front rows trying to pass) ceased any opportunity.
After five minutes James Hook was given the opportunity to score the first points of the day from inside the French 22. Despite been next to the touchline, he curled it through the posts beautifully.
A turnover lead to...
The kick-off forced France to put the ball out immediately, prompting the Welsh to maul the resulting lineout with alarming speed to within ten metres of the French line before errors dampened this effort. France responded with vigour, putting in several similarly determined drives into the oppositions half before a lack of precision (front rows trying to pass) ceased any opportunity.
After five minutes James Hook was given the opportunity to score the first points of the day from inside the French 22. Despite been next to the touchline, he curled it through the posts beautifully.
A turnover lead to...
- 10/15/2011
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
With Wales playing their first Rwc Semi-Final since 1987 against the troubled and precocious French, the winner will take their seat at the top table of world rugby against one of Australia and New Zealand on Sunday 23rd October in the World Cup Final.
Momentum. A key word bandied around rugby circles, but what does it mean? At its most basic level, you need momentum to go forward. In a rugby context that could be a tackle, a scrum, a maul. But it’s not just a physical act; it can also be a state of mind. And it is something Wales have in bucket loads at this very moment, something none of their contenders for rugby’s crown can claim to have.
It is a process that began a couple of years ago, but in no way has it been perfect. Andy Powell’s drunken trip down the M4 in...
Momentum. A key word bandied around rugby circles, but what does it mean? At its most basic level, you need momentum to go forward. In a rugby context that could be a tackle, a scrum, a maul. But it’s not just a physical act; it can also be a state of mind. And it is something Wales have in bucket loads at this very moment, something none of their contenders for rugby’s crown can claim to have.
It is a process that began a couple of years ago, but in no way has it been perfect. Andy Powell’s drunken trip down the M4 in...
- 10/15/2011
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
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