Ex-England boss slams Jones over pre-match comments

Itoje was passive in everything he did and at the 13.40 min mark slapped the ball down twice in a row in the tight. Should have been carded…but Owens didnt even penalise him. Watch it again Ben. Both eyes. B- for that report mate. Itoje topped England's tackle count in defense, and in attack made more runs and passes than both your 'hard working Saffa locks'. You also called out Rattez as 'impressive', but did you also notice Itoje win a line-out (1.33), and then immediately take Rattez out over the touchline as he returned Young's (poor) kick, for a territorial gain? 'Impressive wings shouldn't have a clear run , 5 metres in, and be taken over the side line in possession by a 'passive Lock, now should they? And of course Owens didn't blow Itoje up for the challenges on Willemse & DuPont . He was already playing penalty advantage for an earlier obvious Ewels ruck side entry (13.22) as Itoje simultaneously went for the ball. Itoje's attack on Willemse (a slap at the ball 13.28) didn't lose possession for the French so play on, the second on DuPont (13.40) wasn't a slap at all, since DuPont was running the ball from the base, so not even a slap and a borderline legal tackle. But forgetting the rights and wrongs of those three challenges by Itoje, at three different phases, covering less than 20 seconds, just think for a second about your statement, 'Itoje was passive in everything he did'. Seriously buddy?

For the passionate and long suffering French supporters ......at last !

The French played brilliantly all round! Was nice to see a couple of English solidly smacked down onto their backs from a strong French wall! Farrel seems to have lost his smirk this time round and ironically after learning how to tackle properly seems to have injured himself as well! And the Kamikaze kids struggled in their arts! Fantastic French I say! As for Eddie the lip? England will Bring on the Brutality he said!! NOT.. welcome back Le Bleurs .. it’s been a long while coming!

Great summary. I too wondered how Itoje got away with those slap downs. O’Connell in commentary even commended him for it

Were I The Scottish coaching staff I would encourage my team to all watch the France match. I would then remind them to take the game to England from minute 1. I would also remind them of Eddie’s comments that England must go to Murrayfield and have some fun. Obviously at Scotland expense. England will be edgy.. 2 losses in a row now including a WC final. They will despite Jones upbeat comments be low on confidence. A confidence that cannot come from talking big but playing winning rugby.

Precisely. He’s got a basketball profile. But I think he could easily carry extra 5 kg

Just watched the replay. Capt and number 7 Ollivon was the best forward on the park. They have 2 solid hard working safa locks in Willemse and Le Roux. Number 8 Alldritt was tireless in defence. Motm for me their halfback Du Pont. Their Fijian centre Vakatawa does a Tuilagi type job and big defender. Rattez a scrawny 11. Impressed. Farrell had his worst game. However i did think he wasnt right after 13 mins when he had the stinger to the shoulder after bouncing off Vakatawa, ironically injurying himself trying to make a legit tackle. Itoje was passive in everything he did and at the 13.40 min mark slapped the ball down twice in a row in the tight. Should have been carded...but Owens didnt even penalise him. Johnny May saved their blushes with 2 fantastic tries and is the best winger in the world for mine and has been for the last 2 years. Sinckler just seemed to go to ground every carry just before being hit, as pointed out above. Dont know what thats about. Again, he was passive too. Lawes was their best forward at 6. Willie Heinz was slow at the base and showed why he wasnt rated in nz. Ben Youngs service was far better but he seemed to go awol. Tuilagi off early with a groin injury so will be out for a while, whilst Billy Vunipolas broken arm pre game wont see him in action for a while. So issues for them. French seemed to fade badly in that last 15-20 mins and the scrum capitulation would be alarming for them. Thought Eng shouldve scrummed a bit more for those penalties. Scotland will see an opportunity here, especially since Eng havent beaten them the last two 6 nations. Meanwhile France will have the luxury of a bit of r n r vs Italy.

I know what you mean, but I don't think he'll ever be that player. But equally, I don't think he's making the most of his frame breaking the line. He's in the more athletic and mobile quadrant of International Locks, and with a basketball background, should have more of a line bursting turn of speed and off load game. He's still a young 25 and with different coaching, or with different team responsibilities, I think he could be even more effective. As good as I think he is, he still frustrates me.

Fair enough. I just think he needs to add 5 kg and run low like J George/Billy V

They scored everyone 5 or 6 apart from Marler. Stats are less of an emotional opinion.

He did a lot well for sure Neil. Not sure how fashionable it is to rag on him though. Times writers are 100% convinced the sun comes up each morning from Maro’s date

The Guardian rated him 5/10 (worst in pack). Eggbeaters podcast (big Maro fans) agree.

It's not a weakness in his game, it's not how he is used. He's the main nuisance disrupting opposition set piece, which he does very well, and as I've already said, he topped England's tackle count. He also made nearly as many runs as both the French locks combined, and no one was making metres from that position on Sunday. It's fashionable to rag on Itoje, but he and Lawes were two of few standouts for England against France. He can't do everything.

Yes, he’s boisterous. But jeez, his carries were not strong enough. Lawes at least crossed the gain line.

You have to get off Itoje Harry. He topped England's tackle count, and made nearly twice that of Curry. Yes, Sinkler went missing by his standards.

Clive Woodward is doing his utmost to stay relevant.

Don’t get excited. That’s Eddie ; he loves to talk, and has an expiry date that had 2019 on it. The French, or I should say we French, I’m 5/8 French, were just too good. England played well, the French were ready for their style of play. A wonderful set of back rowers. England will continue to be hard to beat.

I’m generally an Eddie fan and the personality he brings to the game. England lost more because of poor selections and a good French performance than Eddie running his mouth off. Perhaps he expected a squad full of leaders and pros used to winning to respond better post RWC final loss. Farrell, Itoje Etc struggled without the V Bros backing them up

I know, all that stuff about the All Blacks being under pressure backfired badly!

I agree Harry. Sinckler hit the deck the moment he was touched. Had to be a tactic. It didn't work. And I know it's not popular to say so but Itoje has weaknesses in his game and carrying in tight is one of them. He never carries into the teeth of the battle. He runs good angles in open field but carting it up with the expectation of only trying to go forward a little isn't in his repertoire. Underhill and Curry were undermanned in the tight stuff. Not picking a big, carrying 8 as replacement for Billy was mistake