The Short Ball - s04e19 - The Blues have 9 + 10 problems

Would have also liked to have seen Rueben Love start a fullback with Jordan at right wing. For as much criticism Reese gets for his lack of speed, which is valid, Tele'a is just as slow.

Would like to have seen Perofeta cover 10/15 form the bench and park McKenzie in the stands (he played in 13 tests).

The England backline has faltered too, scoring some great tries, but then also making bad mistakes, such as the one that led to the Kellaway try. I felt that out in NZ there was too much possession kicked away, and that has continued this autumn.

One does miss a lot in just watching the game once, and not going back and checking on "what really happened". That is where the analytical part of your articles are so illuminating, Nick.

Also throwing a part time hooker in between Ox Nche and some other monster is a different prospect to packing down next to Fin Baxter or whoever - no disrespect to Fin, he's a good player but England's scrum can't afford passengers, the Boks can getaway with it.

Either Jamie needs to get fitter so he can play for 70+ minutes and then this isn't such a bad prospect... Or we need a different captain... But I don't think a lack of leadership at the death is close to the top of England's issues. A colander for a defence and a terrible conversion rate for red zone entries rank much higher. England need to find an attacking structure that doesn't rely on Marcus pulling rabbits out of hats and letting Wigglesworth off the hook.

Personally, I don't like the idea much.

My specific point is that in this Ireland and Fiji game, I hope the ref is alert to the Irish tactics so that Fiji plays their natural game.

As for the Bok game. I hope that the ref misses what you have highlighted completely so that the Boks get 3 tries this time, not two.

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Ireland are off their feet at the majority of their attacking rucks. Its so common that commentators don't even notice it. We hear about "clear outs" and "clean outs", which don't exist in the Laws (the correct word is "binding"), and the obligation to "endeavour to stay on your feet" is nowhere to be seen.

Ireland is not the only team to adopt this coached flopping and diving at attacking rucks, but its clearly part of their quick ruck ball strategy.

No need for law changes here. We just need refs to award penalties when players don't endeavour to stay on their feet.

Ireland had 17 wins on trot including 2 x NZ and SA. France only lost to Ireland in 2 years. These aren't surprising results. Can you please substantiate your nonsense statements?

Yeah, it will probably be close. And the Scots should win it. But that's what they said about England.

NZ, Australia, England, Ireland, and France are all timing their campaigns for RWC 2027, and Argentina, Scotland and Wales will be much improved. Rassie will keep building and evolving things, but he knows that it does not take much to derail any team on any given day.

It will be fun to watch.