England: Where did it all go wrong?

BUGGER!

Let's Dance

As an aside from all the 6 Nations brouhaha, I was mightily relieved to hear that the New Zealand Rugby Union has signed an historic agreement with the Ngati Toa Maori tribe which will allow the All Blacks to continue to perform the Ka Mate Haka.

I understand that under the deal the Ngati Toa, who claim ownership of the traditional dance, have apparently been assured that use of the Haka would be "respectful" (a factor undoubtedly more significant than the supposition that they will also be paid compensation if the Haka is used in advertising).

I'm sure that the news comes as a huge relief to us all.

In a separate development, it is being reported that the RFU are locked in talks with a group representing descendants of African-American slaves in Tennessee over the continued singing of the spiritual folk song Swing Low Sweet Chariot by England rugby supporters at Twickenham.

Knockout

Not before time, it appears that the IRB are in the final stages of putting together a "robust" set of guidelines to tackle the ever increasing problem of on-field concussion.

That’s all very well, but I understand that a concussion protocol already exists whereby a player who has suffered concussion is not allowed to play or train for a minimum of three weeks unless declared fit to play after appropriate assessment by a "properly qualified and recognised neurological specialist".

All of which begs the question of why Eoin Reddan and Kelly Brown, both knocked completely sparko last weekend, have been selected to play for Ireland and Scotland respectively on Saturday.

I’ve been concussed on more than one occasion, and there’s no way anyone (recognised neurological specialist or not) can be sure these guys are ready to play again within a week.

Brutal Bananaman

Smash hits! England battering ram Banahan will not curb his brutal methods

So ran the somewhat hysterical headline in today's Daily Fail who, it appears, can't stomach the sight of an 18 stone, 6 foot 7 inch, tattooed Channel Islander playing for England in place of their soon-to-be anointed favourite adopted royal son.

The hate-mongering rag quality daily paper appears somewhat disappointed that Banahan is unlikely to be cited after his collision with Scotland's Kelly Brown on Saturday, a collison which left the Scot unconscious.

Predictably enough, the paper's readership (Outraged of Tunbridge Wells etc) are more than happy to hop on board the bandwagon in their condemnation with liberal sprinklings of words like disgraceful, thuggery and animal, despite almost certainly not even having seen the incident (or, I suspect, having ever seen any game of rugby).

Now, I'm no particular fan of the somewhat limited Banahan, but it's pretty obvious that all he did here was dip his shoulder and bounce Brown off. That he raised his arm to shrug off the tackler after contact was incidental. If anything Bahahan showed excellent technique, which is more than can be said for Brown who went in too high and with his head in the wrong place.

I'd be astonished if citing commissioner Russell Howell (who, the odious tabloid high-brow publication claims, is studying footage of the incident) gives this more than a second's thought before confirming that there's no case to answer.

Cowards

Sébastien Chabal, Jérôme Thion, Yannick Jauzion, Clément Poitrenaud, Aurélien Rougerie, Sylvain Marconnet.

"They are lacking in courage. They are good guys but cursed with what is obviously cowardice."
Marc Lièvremont.

England: Where did it all go right?

OK, before anyone else says it, I realise that it is somewhat precipitous to be singing the praises of the current England team after a less than convincing effort today against the Sweaties and when there's still every chance that the team will come unstuck against Ireland on Saturday.

Nevertheless, and despite today's error-ridden performance, I have to say that the difference between this England team and the rabble who were wearing the red rose some 12 short months ago is still nothing short of phenomenal.

Make no mistake, 12 months ago England would have lost this match.

On Tuesday March 16th 2010 I blogged that “We Can’t Go On Like This,” a post in which I lambasted England’s performance at Murrayfield as being “joyless and so bereft of ideas” and in which I moaned “I can’t for the life of me see the “progress” that the England management assure us is happening.”

How things have changed. While still a long way short of perfect (still way too many errors committed and penalties and turnovers conceded for my liking), there is certainly no lack of attacking intent in this England team and, win or lose in Dublin, I don't think there's much doubt that England’s fortunes are finally back on an upward trajectory.

So, what can we now expect from this England team? 6 Nations Champions? Probable (unless, of course, they are mullered in Dublin). Grand Slam Winners? Possible, although failure wouldn’t exactly be the end of the world.

As for the Rugby World Cup, whatever happens next week it'd still be a brave man to bet on the men in white. Although heading in the right direction, RWC 2011 will almost certainly arrive too soon on this team's development curve.

2015, on the other hand...

L'Italia chiamò

Italy 22 France 21

OUTSTANDING!