Will England never learn or are they just arrogant

I think the frustration comes from the fact that the coaching team, most recently the ATTACKING coach Simon Amor, believe that kicking behind defences is the way to win matches and achieve world dominance. Trouble is, even if that were true, we're simply not very good at it yet continue to persist when clearly not working. Compare England's kicking yesterday to that of Russell and Hogg - no contest. Also if the team ethos was to kick in behind then surely it should also be in that ethos to chase the bl***y thing.

I agree that Russell and Hogg's tactical kicking was better on the day but share the wider concerns expressed.

If those really are the instructions issued which obviously involve time spent in preparation then it could explain Englands poor performance.

Bigmal wrote: Let us see what happens next - and more pertinently who is selected next!

Edited by islander - 08 Feb 2021 at 13:13

I made the comment, by message, to a friend that watching the Wales v Ireland game was a totally different experience to watching England v Scotland.

Eddie Jones is obsessed with the power game, despite it having proved to be largely ineffective in all games since England beat N Zealand in the last World Cup.

Whilst you need a pack that at least holds its own the current situation is not successful, or even good to watch.

Ditch the kicking, England seemed to put a kick through after several phases as if this was plan A - again ineffective and used several times when there was a clear overlap. when they did kick there was no chance of retaining possession most of the time.

Billy V at no 8 looked overweight and unfit - obviously only had 1 friendly game since last season.

Is Farrell the best 10 in England - having watched the Premiership games, I would say no.

No 7 wrote: I thought Eddie Jones interviewed very well post match . He took full responsibility for the poor performance.

I'd rather he did his job and selected a team capable of playing rugby and winning.

Pappashanga wrote: The best fly half I've seen lately  is Marcus Smith of Harlequins. All coaches , no matter who, seem to get stuck in a mode where they don't look beyond there 'usuals'. Eddie is no exception. The box kicking farce is another story. It's almost"I've run out of ideas, I know, I'll hoof it upfield and hope the other team drops it.' So clueless.

You give them too much credit - I don't think they are capable of thinking, they just follow the default of kicking after a couple of phases.

It all seems to robotic to me as they lumber from one set piece to the next.

Absolutely agree on both points Monkey Boy - give me a 10 with some creativity any day of the week - OK that comes with a few errors along the way but so what. Plenty other decent place kickers around too so time to dispense with him in my view. His kicking out of hand is just dire (along with several other ream members I could mention) - never finds any space (or 'grass' in modern parlance) just hands back possession. If as Eddie claims games are won by the team who doesn't have the ball then I'm afraid the game needs to change 

Guinness John wrote: There are others much closer and knowledgeable than myself, but as I see it the 8 9 10 link needs a radical sort out. Youngs is too slow and predictable. Great at the back of the crocodile or whatever it is called, not got any quick thinking flair anymore.                                                                           Marcus Smith is  currently the best 10 by a mile.                   Billy Vunipola is 2 stone overweight and needs to play a few games, but not in an England shirt. Yes injuries kept some first choice players out but come on Eddie think outside the box (especially the box kicking) Incidentally, putting 40+ points on Italy doesn't count.   I'm not holding my breath though.

Glad I'm not the only one who thought BV was overweight.

Anything less than 40 point win v Italy will be another disaster.