France thump Scotland in Nice

If Anayi has any sense [which I am sure he does] he will tell the Prem to get lost if starts trying to force SA out of the deal.

Eng 10 + Wales 4 in one half, and Ire 4 + SA 4 + Scot 2 + Italy 2 in the other could make sense in two conferences. Maybe.

But it is still a heckuva a lot of games if you're looking at double-headers plus knockouts. As tough a season as Top 14.

If Borthwick doesn't grow up, and show 100% confidence in Smith, England will wallow in mediocrity waiting for Borthwick's dismissal.

The halfback mix didn't make much sense either. Surely you would pair Smith with Randall [a 9 similar to Porter or Danny Care] and Spencer with Ford? Spencer got slower and slower and more 'Bath' as the game went on and it did do Smith any favours.

Let's see if they can get selection and gameplan right v. Aussie shall we?😲

In contrast, NZ were much more organised in defence, very secure at a high percentage of breakdowns, and had the majority of standout players. For example I felt their backrow far outplayed Englands. All three wree very good, with Sititi a real standout.

The game on Sat. when the WB's come to town is one Borthwick will have sleepless nights over. Skelton is well known and feared there, and if Joe Schmidt builds around him in the right way, it could be ugly for England. Ofc England have by far the superior side on the team sheets. But they will have been hurt by that loss to the AB's. And the media beginning to smell blood in the water is anothe factor.

We'll see where they stand at the end fo the current tour won't we? As I pointed out if they lose to Ireland and France it will be 9/14 for the year.

I would heistate to see "a return to attacking, flowing rugby, and not playing your own 22, which is the ABs style" however.

I don't feel the attack is sophisticated enough for that. Most of it is pretty basic stuff depending for its success on individual skill-sets, which are still of high quality.

I'm also not sure you understand what pleases your average joe Springbok rugby supporter!

"that Sititi offload to Telea " What struck me lookig at the replays was that Telea should never have got in down the outside. Genge froze as Telea got the ball, did a little half stop step. He had time to step out and force Telea in, or make a strong tackle. Telea is just too good and strong given that space.

Must also add that was a superb offload by Sititi.