RBS Six Nations 14/2/10 - Match Review Thoughts

How very apt for England to be playing in Rome, one of the most romantic European cities and on St. Valentine's Day.  I can just here you all cry typical women writing that!  Well let's face it ,that was about the best part of the day the pre match build up.  

Anyway back to the plot, that was not!  My Armchair thoughts here....After stirring national anthems in particular by Italy and watching Bergamasco tears rolling down his cheeks, you got the feeling that Italy's hearts were beating hard.  Incidentally  Bergamasco was my Italian man of the match.

England took to the field on the back of a good win over Wales, their confidence should have been sky high.  Instead we as fans were put on the 'rack' and tortured for over 80mins.

The match started so well, seconds after the kick off England broke down the wing and Armitage was almost through but was bundled down just short of the line.  England seemed to have it under control and then it fell apart, bits were ok but most of the time the chariots wheels were wobbly.

First of all Jonny Wilkinson missed as many sitters (things he would not normally miss ) and you got the feeling then that this was not going to be a good day for England.  Wilko never managed to make anything really happen and looked frankly old.  So Jonny got his 500 points big deal.   Notably the only replacement not to get on was Flood, he should have been given a chance today a fly half.

Then the line out Dylan Hartley was also having a bad day at the office especially in the second half. he should have come off much sooner.

Then we continued to play this ridiculous 'Ping Pong' with the ball ( If I wanted to watch ping pong I would  pay to see the Chinese do it)  for crying out loud!  

Is it too much to ask for the backs to keep the ball in hand and run with the ball.   The commentary team remarked on how dangerous they looked when they did run with the ball but ............  it was only a handful of times.  Why?       I really feel that some of these players are lacking in confidence at this level to run for fear they do something wrong and are banished to the side lines.   

England could not capitalise on Italy being down to 14 men the list just goes on and on.

Italy did not tire as you might have expected in the past, they looked sharper, certainly sharper than England and above all they ran with the ball and looked like they wanted this game much more.  England looked at times like terrified ~Christians in the Coliseum being run ragged.

Well this game will give Ireland heart and then next game up at Twickenham will be a corker I think.  Lot's of points to prove, Lot's of wounds to be licked and some pride to be restored because at the moment what can you say.  Yes we won but not very convincingly and I mean no disrespect to Italy in that statement.  I just feel England being previous RWC Winners 2003 and runners up 2007 should be showing much more style and finishing at this point.

Italy: McLean; Masi, Canale, Garcia, Mi Bergamasco; Gower, Tebaldi; Perugini, Ghiraldini, Castrogiovanni, Geldenhuys, Bortolami, Sole, Ma Bergamasco, Zanni.
Replacements: Robertson for Masi (55), Canavosio for Tebaldi (53), Aguero for Perugini (55), Ongaro for Ghiraldini (75).

Not Used: Bernabo, Derbyshire, Bocchino.

Sin Bin: Castrogiovanni (58).

 Italy (6) 12
Pens: Mi Bergamasco 4

England: D Armitage; Cueto, Tait, Flutey, Monye; Wilkinson, Care; Payne, Hartley, Cole, Shaw, Borthwick, Haskell, Moody, Easter. Replacements: Hodgson for Care (75), Mullan for Payne (59), Thompson for Hartley (69), Wilson for Cole (64), Deacon for Shaw (64), S. Armitage for Moody (72).

Not Used: Flood.
England (6) 17
Tries: Tait Pens: Wilkinson 3 Drop-goals: Wilkinson

Att: 31,876

Ref: Christophe Berdos (France).

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• Italy v England RBS Six Nations Match Preview Thoughts
• RBS Six Nations Table 2010