England v Wales 6N 2018 - Post Match thoughts

England survived a really though Test match but will have to improve for Ireland, mark my words.

NAT WEST SIX NATIONS 2018

 England 12 v 6 Wales

England and Wales ran out onto the Twickenham turf and the game we expected unfolded!  We had ferocity, tries and TMO no Try for Wales which I am sure will be talked about by many as a wrong decision.  Jerome Garces, the referee, toots no Try, so Wales lose out this time.

                         Jonny May's First and Second Tries - paimages

England are playing their hearts out on the field, blood all over, Hartley having to change his shirt as it is deemed too bloody.  We have fights that the referee calls scuffles, brilliant match and the rugby is good as well.    

England have made fewer mistakes in the first half than Wales. Their contact skills have been excellent in awful conditions.

Wales stepped another gear in the second half, picking and driving, they really had their tails up.   England on the other hand defended so well but looked sluggish at times.   England took some injuries and some very hard knocks and tackles.   A very tough match just what England needed, a severe test of skills and physicality.

Mike Brown was outstanding, so solid and definitely deserved man of the match.   Sam Underhill's try saving tackle would have been a close second man of match for me as well.

Wow, my nerves are shattered that was a really good England v Wales Test match,  England made fewer mistakes, came out of the blocks quicker, were very disciplined and their defence was excellent. 

Phew time for a G&T  cheers folks!

England: Brown; Watson, Joseph, Farrell, May; Ford, Care; M Vunipola, Hartley (capt), Cole, Launchbury, Itoje, Lawes, Robshaw, Simmonds.

Replacements: George, Hepburn, H Williams, Kruis, Underhill, Wigglesworth, Te'o, Nowell.

Wales: Halfpenny; Adams, S Williams, Parkes, Evans; Patchell, G Davies; Evans, Owens, Lee, Hill, AW Jones (capt), A Shingler, Navidi, Moriarty.

Replacements: Dee, W Jones, Francis, B Davies, Tipuric, A Davies, Anscombe, North.