Ok – I know they wouldn’t do it if they were out and England were still in.
But.
Come on Wales. Come on.
As predicted, England lost ugly.
Wales are reaping the rewards for an ambition, attitude and absistenance (relatively at least) that England could not match.
Come on the boyos.
With only a few weeks to go, and with the England RWC 2011 squad just announced, there are clear signs that England have already bottled it.
Whilst the warning signs were already there in the turgid warm-up performances home and away against Wales, the latest quote from Martin Johnson is a blow to any England fans hope of seeing expansive, winning rugby.
From Bryn Palmer’s rugby blog @ BBC:
“Believe me, when you get into quarter-finals, semi-finals, finals, you would rather win ugly than lose pretty every day of the week,” Johnson said. “That is what World Cups are all about.”
The BBC’s Bryn Palmer might think that that logic is hard to argue against, but legions of England fans used to the joyless performances of recent years will beg to differ.
A win’s a win but personally, I thought that the penny had dropped with this England squad, and with this management team, after the 2010 Six Nations and that the constrastingly liberated performances of the Autumn internationals of 2010 and all but the last Six Nations games in 2011 had shown them the way and the light.
It was not ambition that lead to defeat against Ireland. It was an inability to cope with the pressure, an inability to continue to look to ambition and to deliver the required performances under that pressure.
So has, as is England’s wont, a woeful performance in the most important finale against Ireland put a nail in the coffin of that liberation, of that ambition?
On the evidence of the Wales games, yes.
And based on the words of Martin Johnson, England fans can look forward to a World Cup campaign that will ultimately end in losing ugly.
>Dominic wrote
>England 35 – Australia 18
> After 6 and a half years of poor intent and execution, I believe.
> We’re back.
Oh no we’re not.
After 6 and a half years of poor intent and execution, I believe.
We’re back.
Filed under australia, autumn internationals, england, martin johnson, rugby
Friday
Bath vs Gloucester
Gloucester might have kick started their season last week but I can’t seem them winning again at the Rec.
Weather to keep the score down?
I reckon: 15-9
Guscott says: Bath by more than seven points
Sale vs Wasps
What is it about Sale and Friday nights? I know they want Fridays for the crowds but I think it’s an unfair advantage.
Wasps starting slowly as usual. No scorefest in the rain
I reckon: 12-5
Guscott says: Sale by more than seven points
Saturday
Harlequins vs Newcastle
Harlequins to build.
I reckon: 27-12
Guscott says: Harlequins by more than seven
Irish vs Leeds
Leeds won’t get close
I reckon:33 – 12
Guscott says: London Irish by more than seven
Northampton vs Exeter
This is the tough part of the season now for the Chiefs. Northampton to bite back from their loss last week.
I reckon: 27-12
Guscott says: Northampton by more than seven points
Sunday
Saracens vs Leicester
Interesting. Leicester a shadow of their former selves but I was surprised by Saracens last week. Tempting to sit on the fence with a draw.
I reckon: 21-21
Guscott says: Saracens by fewer than seven
Filed under england, guscott, predictions, premiership, results, rugby
Saturday
Bath vs Sale
Bath, big time.
35-19
Edit:
Result: 31-16
Guscott said: Bath by more than seven
Verdict: Winners both
Gloucester vs Wasps
Possibly closer than you think. Gloucester can’t be bad all season, can they?
23-29
Edit:
Result: 22-20
Guscott said: Wasps by less than seven
Verdict: Close both but no banana.
Harlequins vs Exeter
Exeter’s magnificent start to come to a halt at the Stoop
28-21
Edit:
Result: 40-13
Guscott said: Harlequins by more than seven.
Verdict: Both called it the right way but not as close as expected.
Leicester vs Leeds
Leeds to spring a surprise? Maybe not.
33-17
Edit:
Result: 48-6
Guscott said: Leicester by more than seven
Verdict: Both winners.
Newcastle vs London Irish
Irish. Irish.Irish.
16-30
Edit:
Result: 12-46
Guscott said: Irish by more than seven
Verdict: No surprises.
Sunday
Saracens vs Northampton
Could be the game of the weekend.
Heart says Northampton. Head says Saracens.
23-23
Edit:
Result: 24-17
Guscott said: Saracens by more than seven
Verdict: First loss of the prediction season
Overall: Guscott … Winna…
Filed under england, guscott, predictions, premiership, rugby
Northampton vs Bath
We said: 23-19
Guscott said: Saints to win by less than seven.
Result: 31-10
Verdict: Both called the winner
Sale vs Harlequins
We said: 17-15
Guscott said: Quins by more than seven
Result: 21-17
Verdict: Friday night is Sale night, told ya. Brooks one up.
Exeter vs Newcastle
We said: 27-12
Guscott said: Exeter by less than seven
Result: 22-17
Verdict: Both called the winner
Wasps vs Leicester
We said: 29-25
Guscott said: Tigers by more than seven.
Result: 37-30
Verdict: Brooks two up.
Leeds vs Saracens
We said: 12-40
Guscott said: Sarries by less than seven.
Result: 14-26
Verdict: Both called the winners
London Irish vs Gloucester
We said: 35-18
Guscott said: Irish by a lot.
Result: 23-16
Verdict: Both called the winners.
Overall: Two weeks out of two for me.
Filed under england, guscott, predictions, premiership, rugby
After missing a week due to indolence, we’re back on track with our predictions for this weekend’s Guiness Aviva predictions.
Friday
Northampton vs Bath
Toughie this one. Bit early in the season for accurate predictions, have the M&Ms (Money and McGeechan and Moody) had enough time to fundamentally change the Bath boys. Probably not but could be close.
23-19
Sale vs Harlequins
Sale playing on a Friday… again. Surely the other teams are at a disadvantage?
What do I know? I’ve not even watched the highlights yet from the opening two weeks.
Sale to edge it due to start time.
17-15
Saturday
Exeter vs Newcastle
Ok. I’ve not watched all the highlights from last week but I did see Exeter give Newcastle a fright.
Are they a flash in the promotion pan or the Real Devonshire Deal?
One thing I do know, Newcastle can be dodgy.
27-12!
Wasps vs Leicester
Battle of yesterday’s boys but they’ll both be there or there abouts by the end of the season.
But I believe the era has ended at Leicester.
29-25
Sunday
Leeds vs Saracens
Leeds always capable of the odd shock. Saracens capable of destroying anyone on their day. Strettle to score a couple.
12-40
London Irish vs Gloucester
What’s up with Gloucester? Will they turn up?
35-18
Filed under england, predictions, premiership, rugby
Sale Sharks vs Newcastle
Brooks said: 20-12
Guscott said: Sale by more than seven
Result: Sale 35-18 Newcastle
Verdict: Both in the right ball park
London Irish vs Saracens
Brooks said: 21-38
Guscott said: Saracens by more than seven
Result: London Irish 33-16 Saracens
Verdict: Both surprised by the result
Exeter vs Gloucester
Brooks said: 10-40
Guscott said: Gloucester by more than seven
Result: Exeter 22-10 Gloucester
Verdict: Both underestimating Exeter
Wasps vs Harlequins
Brooks said: 21-21
Guscott said: Wasps by less than seven
Result: Wasps 29-29 Harlequins
Verdict: Yes, Draw! Brooks one up
Leeds vs Bath
Brooks said: 18-40
Guscott said: Bath by more than seven
Result: Leeds 16-32 Bath
Verdict: Both on the money.
Northampton vs Leicester
Brooks said: 28-26
Guscott said: Northampton by less than seven
Result: Northampton 27-19 Leicester
Verdict: Both predicting the end of an era?
Overall: A mixed bag of predictions. But Brooks one up thanks to that draw.
Filed under guscott, predictions, premiership, rugby
Time yet again to pitch myself up against Jeremy Guscott of the BBC.
Friday
Sale Sharks vs Newcastle
Friday night scheduling favouring the Sharks yet again.
20-12
Saturday
London Irish vs Saracens
Irish to start season slowly, Saracens to explode out of the blocks.
21-38
Exeter vs Gloucester
Exeter to take a bit of time to get used to the pace. Gloucester to start the season strongly before drifting in the middle.
10-40
Wasps vs Harlequins
Tricky to call. Both sides could have a great season.
21-21
Leeds vs Bath
Leeds did well to stay up. Bath have added some quality signings.
18-40
Northampton vs Leicester
Northampton to kick on this season. Leicester to fall away.
28-26
Filed under predictions, premiership, rugby
