Investec Challenge - England v Wales 11/8/07

 Match Review

England 15 France 21

England faced a much stronger test this week against France in the second warm up match on the road to the Rugby World Cup 2007.  A game England could of won and really should have won.   

As I watched the match in the comfort of my armchair on HD television, I thought this is more like it.  The game went back and forth one minute England led and then the French, so tight at times the lead was only by one point.   England had much of the possession in the first half and at times looked much stronger than France.  England again especially dominant in the pack but France were not Wales, definitely this was more like a rugby match with effort, strength and the passion to win. 

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Stalwarts like Lawrence Dallaglio and Captain Mike Catt showing what Rugby World Cup medallists are about, Lawrence giving his all but I have to say looked very tired towards the end of the game and we all know that the game is about 80 mins plus more maybe.  As to a RWC squad pick for Lawrence I would take him but for me the nod would go to Easter to start.  Mike Catt I thought was inspiring and a wonderful example to everyone, some of the breaks he made younger members of the team could not even manage to do.  Mike would be definitely in my final 30man squad.

England did get some chances against France, three maybe four but they did not put them away.   The French defence was far superior to that of Wales the previous week and thank goodness was much more of a test, which to be fair that is what these warm up games are or should be about.  I would have liked to see the ball coming out quicker but France are good at slowing it down when needed.

Olly Barkley's kicking was top notch however, just like last week with Worsley I felt Olly saw the red mist of the touchline and failed to pass the ball on a number of occasions when he should have done.   At this level players must play and think as a team (one mind so to speak), they have to otherwise the will lose and that is what happened in this match the chances went begging.   

At one point I thought this is a bit boring, no tries, swapping penalties etc., and then bingo in went France's Pelous at the corner flag, Lewsey tried hard to stop him but it was most definitely a try.  More penalty swapping a bit of excitement and handbags when Regan and Ibanez squared up to one another.

First Half :  England 12 - France 11

Second half no changes and off we went again down the middle pick and drive, pick and drive and then just after a couple of replacements for England, with Lee Mears and Andy Gomersall coming on for Mark Regan and Shaun Perry.    Wow excitement again, I really thought we were going to get a try, I was screaming at the TV go on Sackey  go on Sakeeeeeyyy  as he went thundering down the line but alas no try!  Don't think he could hear me shouting anyway?

Gomersall showing initiative and taking points from a drop goal.   England did not look like they were going to score and if you get that far you need to get something, interesting the Sky commentary where prattling on about Barkley not taking control of the game, maybe Gommers thought he should and did.

Oh sugar was all I could say when that man came on for the French - Musketeer Chabal,  well that is what he looks like, I mean all that blooming hair, imagine turning around and getting a mouthful of that hair in your face YUK!   Well the giant musketeer made a big difference the tackles were woeful from England and in he went on the 71 mins mark Try France.

England did produce some good ball handling during the game but they never seemed to manage to cut the line or put in that last final pass to get the points.  Lot's for Brian Ashton to think over.  Ashton is quoted as being angry after the game because of the chances missed well so he might but this was a game to find out who is up to the mark and who is not, I think he found out about one or two during this game.

And please!!! why on earth bring Saint Jonny on for 2mins at the end - what was that all about?  In my opinion a waste of time, no matter how good a player two mins that is just ridiculous, your number one fly half not really warmed up, thank god he was not injured is all I can say!

To my mind the games that will count are the games in the RWC Pool, even if we are taken apart in France next week, the games that will count are the Pool games..  I don't think Ashton has or will give his set pieces away for the RWC and I expect more to come from England when we get to the RWC 2007.

Roll on next weekend, wonder if we can beat them in their own backyard?

England: Abendanon, Sackey, Noon, Catt (capt) Lewsey, Barkley, Perry; Sheridan, Regan, Stevens, Shaw, Kay, Haskell, Worsley, Dallaglio
Replacements: Mears, Vickery, Corry, Borthwick, Gomarsall, Wilkinson, Cipriani

France: C Poitrenaud, V Clerc, D Marty, Y Jauzion, A Rougerie, D Skrela, P Mignoni; O Milloud, R Ibanez (capt), J-B Poux, F Pelous, J Thion, S Betsen, R Martin, J Bonnaire   Replacements: D Szarzewski, N Mas, S Chabal, Y Nyanga, J-B Elissalde, F Michalak, C Heymans.

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