We're fine going forward but can be surprisingly vulnerable in defence.
The amount of missed tackles yesterday was atrocious. (Luke Fitzgerald, in particular, must think the job is beneath him).
And you're right to some extent about the centres. The back row aren't getting out to fill the gaps as quickly as they should on the opposition ball but that doesn't excuse missed first tackles.
If D'Arcy (great servant that he has been) goes to the World Cup it'll point to just how weak we are in that area. The guy couldn't get a game last year, yet he was togging out for his country last night? That said, if Earls stays fit (and is given better defensive support from the back row than we've seen in the last two games), he's about as good a replacement as you'll ever get for O' Driscoll (inasmuch as you could ever replace that man). Sadly, there's nothing in Keith's track record to suggest that he will withstand a punishing World Cup schedule. Basically, if you pick him (and he is the best option) you've got to plan on a back up as a probability. Hence, D'Arcy getting the call up, I suppose. It really is a conundrum for Joel Schmidt.
And it's a shame because we're really not that far off the mark at all.
I dont think it is. That group of death is incredibly tough. Do you really think that it is nailed on that they will beat Australia in a RWC match? I certainly dont, and they will have to do that.Bollocks
I dont think it is. That group of death is incredibly tough. Do you really think that it is nailed on that they will beat Australia in a RWC match? I certainly dont, and they will have to do that.
I dont think the Twickenham factor will count as much in a world cup. The officials have no truck with a Northern hemisphere winning it thats for sure, and due to the ridiculous ticketing policy I wouldnt say that the crown will be completely partisan. A lot will depend on who referees their games. I think that Wales have the beating of England too, certainly if they played eachother 3 times in a month I would have Wales winning 2 of them.Nailed on? Definitely not. But England will be favourites to, especially at Twickenham. Likewise home to Wales. However tough a group it looks from England's perspective, it looks worse from an Australian or Welsh one.
That it's a horrible group is hardly unknown, one of those three will be going out in the group stage.
I dont think the Twickenham factor will count as much in a world cup. The officials have no truck with a Northern hemisphere winning it thats for sure, and due to the ridiculous ticketing policy I wouldnt say that the crown will be completely partisan. A lot will depend on who referees their games. I think that Wales have the beating of England too, certainly if they played eachother 3 times in a month I would have Wales winning 2 of them.