What regions did England stand out against France? Six Nations 2011
Martin Johnson’s side proved that they can grab a victory with graft or craft, putting down the basics of a win in defense and set pieces. There are few things that we observed in the greatest match of all time and we learned a lot on reverse strategies.
Lee Crunch went beyond expectations and set a new level to rugby prior to the upcoming World Cup.
Going Bok to Basics might cost
England has recently proved to be dangerous side and turned down sides like Australia and Italy, but the Springboks denied them a victory when they felt short at set pieces to South African side. At Twickenham in a fragile fixture South Africa out played
England at the set pieces and made it a reason to their victory. England took it as a lesson and in Lee Crunch, didn’t let France over rule the set pieces. England made laid their foundation on the basis of set pieces and surprised France. England lost 21
out of 27 line-outs against South Africa and faced difficulties in scrum, but they won 14 out of 24 line-outs against France on Saturday causing major damage to the home side. For England, Dan Cole stood up and enjoyed some success, while France couldn’t take
over as estimated.
There should be Alternatives way to win
It is a traditional Toby Flood style to often boot the ball ahead for Mark Cueto, who collects and makes a run. But on Saturday he had to depend on it more than ever as French defense had left no other option. Even against Italy Toby Flood just kicked the
ball once, but this time the French defense was too strong to break with a run or young Chris Ashton. French defense strategy had Chris Ashton blocked, who came in contact with the ball only five times. The pressure on England’s forward was so immense that
a few kicks landed in no man’s land and resulted into penalties or scrum. England had to depend on its backline in such situation and eventually we can say that their victory exclusively depended on defense.
Adapting to the different circumstances
After victory over Wallabies in November, England was expecting the same strategy to work on South Africa, but the wet conditions that day didn’t go in their favour. South Africa adapted to the changed circumstances and did their job. On Saturday, it didn’t
rain during the match but heavy rains prior to it left the afternoon blighted. England’s team in 2003 was the side that anyone would expect to play in any conditions and the team that played against France on Saturday was somehow the same. Though the comparison
is debatable, but the present England team is surely producing similar results.
Reserves are as important as experience
England recently had to take a few blows when loss of Courtney Lawes, Tom Croft and Lewis Moody shook Martin Johnson to senses and he started working on more options. Tom Wood, James Haskell and Louis Deacon were called back, whereas, Mike Tindall, Wood,
Tom Palmer, Cole and James turned out to be the fruitful experienced lot. The absence of Jonny Wilkinson wasn’t felt in presence of Toby Flood.
Tags: