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‘Low-quality game’: Irish pundit’s brutal summary of England’s win over Wales

George Ford of England looks dejected during the Guinness Six Nations 2024 match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on February 10, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Former Ireland backrower Stephen Ferris hasn’t held back in his assessment of England’s 16-14 win over Wales by branding the Six Nations clash at Twickenham “a low-quality game.”

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Playmaker Geoge Ford was the difference as the flyhalf knocked over a 71st penalty goal to ultimately snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

By going off the scoreline alone, the Test seemed to be one for the history books. Wales fell agonisingly short of a historic win with only two points separating the great rugby rivals.

But there’s another side to this tale. Both teams lost at least 13 turnovers, combined for 65 kicks in general play, and conceded 12 penalties between them. There were also three yellow cards on the night, with two England players taking a seat during Wales’ first-half rally.

It was a thrilling Test that came down to the wire, and in the end, it was the England players with wide grins stretched across their faces at full-time – but Irish rugby pundit Stephen Ferris wasn’t nearly as happy with the match that was.

“It was such a low-quality game in terms of the skillset on show, the attacking ability from both sides,” Ferris said on a RTE Rugby panel post-match.

“We’re talking about Freddie Steward, well we certainly were here in the studio, about getting player of the match just because he was taking high balls all afternoon. Tommy Reffell, as well, brilliant around the breakdown.

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“But not that much ball carrying and getting in behind each other’s defences. For me, it was a low-quality game.”

Before Ireland’s clash with Italy, that two-point victory lifted Steve Borthwick’s men up to first on the Six Nations standings with eight competition points to their name.

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England started their campaign with a hard-fought win over Italy in Rome last weekend, and they’re now two for two in 2024 following the win over the Welsh.

But while winning is, of course, the aim of the game, England’s points differential is only +5. Both of their wins to date haven’t been 100 per cent convincing.

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“I can’t see an improvement yet from England,” Ferris added. “Hopefully we see a bit more of it a bit later in the tournament.

“But at the minute they just look like a team that are maybe a little low on confidence and are still a little unsure of what exactly the coaching staff want from them.”

England will look to maintain their unbeaten charge in their Six Nations match when they travel to Edinburgh to take on Scotland at Murrayfield on February 24.

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4 Comments
S
Shaylen 284 days ago

To say it was a low quality game was a bit harsh. Sure both teams spurned chances and werent accurate at times but it was really entertaining and to be honest the quality was of an international standard. Just because its not the quality of a match between the All Blacks and Ireland doesnt mean its low quality. It was just average

B
Bob Marler 285 days ago

Not sure which 6N Ferris is following. I thought England showed definite improvement. Their defence looked better. Keeping Wales scoreless in the second half tells the story, surely, after shipping tries against Italy in week 1.

With France and Ireland’s attacking capabilities, in this years 6N - Englands best chances are focusing on a super stingy defence and a kicker who can slot goals.

That’s what it’s going to take for England to beat France and Ireland - not trying to razzle and dazzle on attack. With a young team and new coaches. Thats foolish.

England have shown time and again what they can do in knockout games. Treat each of the next games as a knockout game, grind out the win.

I think the aggressive rush defence will get under Ireland and France’s skin in particular.

T
Turlough 285 days ago

Two separate articles on Irish media pundits coverage of two matches. Just give your readers the links to watch the content themselves and cut the articles?

C
Colin 285 days ago

Yes he is correct. a low quality game as was Scotland v France.

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Hellhound 33 minutes ago
France put World Cup pain behind them with unbeaten run in November

France is starting to look like they are finally over their WC headache, although they were lucky that NZ had a very bad game. The Argies as usual is one game good, the next bad. If they can sort that out and be more consistent, they could become contenders for the WC.


NZ, Argentina (if they are more consistent), and now the Wallabies too is in an upward curve (can they be consistent?), as well as Fiji(as inconsistent as Argentina) looks like possible contenders. The Boks will be as usual a huge threat to defend their title. Things are looking up for the South, so the North should rightfully beware of the Southern Hemisphere threat.


With the French looking dangerous, the English with their close runs (mostly a mindset problem) and the Scottish seems to be the NH main contenders. The Irish is good, but not excellent anymore. They are more overbearing and with their glory days mostly gone with old players hanging on by a thread, by 2027 if they don't start adding in the younger players, they won't make it past yet another WC Quarter final. The problem is that their youngsters, while good is nothing special.


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