France name Antoine Dupont as stand-in captain

Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.

That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.

You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).

You really are a disgusting piece of cr@p..

Yes... The team that wallabies thrashed few hours ago

Ave rating for the starting teams: 6.3 vs 6.2 in favour of Wallabies (median for both teams of 6.0)

Ave rating including reserves: 6.0 each

Suggests a pretty close match.

Think someone may have had their finger of the scale for the Wales ratings.

Sitting w English fans at Twickenham yesterday, the tension is seriously mounting. Normally good sports (fans not media), the tempers are flaring a bit.

For gawds sake Wales, grow a spine.

There must be somebody in Welsh rugby getting kickbacks to stop Wales ever getting some pride in itself.

That said, they looked like a tier II side today.

Australia could do with a few more games as they are purring beautifully atm.

They are weak. They have no spine. They have no courage. What is the point of welsh rugby other than a sick joke for kiwis having fun destroying them.

From here on in they might as well be called Walez, or Walenz.

God forbid either one of them gets injured over the winter and can’t play the 6Ns.