NWR 6N 2021.

One of the pundits has just said that in the second half, France did not have the ball in their hands in England's 22. That seems unlikely but if true, may show where France went wrong.
England look more promising behind the scrum than they have done for a while. Slade has added a lot to the team. Just need to sort out the rucking.
 
Not much in it... but England deserved something for playing better than usual... I have no idea whether the last try was valid but Wales got 2 shaky tries last time... so the media would have run riot if the referee had refused this one...
France guilty of missing some clear chances but what a beautiful team!
 
Finally, a game to remind fans that rugby can be thrilling to watch. France were majestic at times - I half expected the england players to applaud the 2nd french try! Full marks to the ref this week - he even had the balls to reverse the final penalty from england to france when Earls had clearly not supported his own weight. Whilst France were clearly more threatening in attack, the game could have gone either way and England deserved the win just as much as France would have if they had held on or scored at the end.

One question as I can’t remember the rules in my old age! I thought a defensive player carrying the ball into touch behind his own try line meant a 5m scrum to the attacking team, not a 22 drop out?
 
Finally, a game to remind fans that rugby can be thrilling to watch. France were majestic at times - I half expected the england players to applaud the 2nd french try! Full marks to the ref this week - he even had the balls to reverse the final penalty from england to france when Earls had clearly not supported his own weight. Whilst France were clearly more threatening in attack, the game could have gone either way and England deserved the win just as much as France would have if they had held on or scored at the end.

One question as I can’t remember the rules in my old age! I thought a defensive player carrying the ball into touch behind his own try line meant a 5m scrum to the attacking team, not a 22 drop out?

Depends on who carried or kicked the ball over the goal line. if the defending team does it, then it is a 5 yard scrum.
 
Not much in it... but England deserved something for playing better than usual... I have no idea whether the last try was valid but Wales got 2 shaky tries last time... so the media would have run riot if the referee had refused this one...
France guilty of missing some clear chances but what a beautiful team!
Agreed. On balance of probabilities I reckon the ball was grounded, but the TMO and ref must have better eyesight than me, as I saw nothing that I'd say was sufficiently conclusive, to justify overturning the on-field decision of no try.
 
Lest we forget, England held France to a single penalty in the second half. From France’s perspective, that isn’t going to win you games against the top teams. Would hate to play them in Paris though...!!
 
A great game to watch. As has been said could have gone either way deservedly.
Thought the last try was clearly grounded, from the finial angle they showed.
If England has shown this style from the first game they might have got something for the championship.
 
While the best team in this 6N lost it was great to see England getting back their mojo when it mattered. Either of these teams have the potential to win RWC 2023, but neither of them have the consistent battle hardened mentality that the ABs showed in almost all their games from 2008 until the semi in Yokohama or England in the run up to the 2003 final. Next weekend will be a good indicator; France denying Wales a Grand Slam that has so far fallen into their lap or Wales showing it is no fluke when referees aren’t giving them the breaks and England needing to demonstrate they can clinically deal with Ireland on their own turf (though crowd absenc does hel) or succumbing to the St Paddy’s day (or thereabouts) issues.
 
I think I tend to look at this sort of thing as a "spirit of the game" type question - was he in control, moving forward confidently and was it a result of positive attacking play? Yes. 30 years ago before the TMO was around, this is the perspective that would have been taken and therefore it's an easy yes for the try. With the age of the TMO, sometimes you get these ones, sometimes you don't. It tends to work out in the wash.
 
Only reason there could be any fuss is ref’s on field decision was no try with ball carrier held up. Was there enough evidence to overturn that decision? In my view, the answer is still yes as ref based his view on where itoje and the ball finished as that’s what he could see. Only tv could show what he didn’t see ie the contact between ball and ground before he came to a stop.
 
Hogg’s assessment seemed right - Scotland mistakes led to Irish opportunities and they will take those all day long. A draw would have been a better outcome one feels. And so to next week. France too strong for resurgent Welsh or will it be some implosion resulting in joy for Pays de Galles rather than Gallic cheers? The other match will be determined by which England turns up. If it yesterday’s performance you feel England should win. Hope Malins stays in and Ford plays like that again. If it is the team from earlier, Ireland will coast it.
 
All very confusing to an o'd fogie like me. If you both got your hand on the ball as it went over the line, in my day, touched in goal game stopped, attacking 5 yard scrum.
Is it about control or downward pressure? Otherwise any defender would just have to touch the ball as it was grounded or crossed the line. Seems clear the attacker had control and downward pressure here.
 
While the best team in this 6N lost it was great to see England getting back their mojo when it mattered. Either of these teams have the potential to win RWC 2023, but neither of them have the consistent battle hardened mentality that the ABs showed in almost all their games from 2008 until the semi in Yokohama or England in the run up to the 2003 final. Next weekend will be a good indicator; France denying Wales a Grand Slam that has so far fallen into their lap or Wales showing it is no fluke when referees aren’t giving them the breaks and England needing to demonstrate they can clinically deal with Ireland on their own turf (though crowd absenc does hel) or succumbing to the St Paddy’s day (or thereabouts) issues.
3 flukes?
 
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