12 Nov: RLWC2017 (Group A): England v France - Match Thread

[Southerner]

I’m very worried for the PNG game.

Think we’ll really struggle with their power and pace, especially around the ruck from dummy half. Then if we get through that we go up a level against Tonga! 

[Harry Stottle]

Pretty damn poor showing in the last 50 mins, all the structure went out of the team when Gale was subbed, never to be regained, Wiliams cannot pkay to a plan.

[Dave T]

I think we'll beat PNG by 20. Ireland gave them a great game in their own backyard.

[londonrlfan]

Just now, Southerner said:

I’m very worried for the PNG game.

Think we’ll really struggle with their power and pace, especially around the ruck from dummy half. Then if we get through that we go up a level against Tonga! 

I wouldn't be surprised if Tonga lost tbh. They're too busy acting like they've won the WC. I'd be happy to be their next opponents. 

[Man of Kent]

England 36-6 France FT. Anti-climax after a good first 40. 

[londonrlfan]

We'll beat PNG, they're not at home and we were poor because we were so far in front. 

[Man of Kent]

On the plus side, lots of room for improvement 

[Dave T]

40 minute performances need to be doubled pretty quickly.

[Davo5]

2 minutes ago, Forestgravy said:

We’re not good enough to win this tournament

Going on that 2nd half,might not be good enough to beat PNG !

[Chrispmartha]

Frustrating game to watch, England has been poor this  second half, but I’m not a fan of constantly switching the pivotal positions around all the time, gale and brown were going well why not just let them get on with it. Williams was poor but then ive never been a huge fan of his, im not sure what he brings to the England team.

Percival was good keep him in bring Watkins and Hall back, keep Gale, Brown and Roby as the spine and leave Widdop at full back.

[winnyason]

5 minutes ago, londonrlfan said:

Albert's kicking has been on another level to Fages' 

Kid can play. The rest of side pack of dogs 

[Dave T]

I think it is a good point, we are constantly mucking about with key positions.

[wackojacko]

Roby was excellent IMO, don't think Williams or Bateman should make the side, wouldn't be unhappy with the starting spine, thought Widdop was good at fullback. 

[Gray1967]

1 minute ago, Chrispmartha said:

Frustrating game to watch, England has been poor tgis second half, but I’m not a fan of constantly switching the pivotal positions around all the time, gale and brown wete going well why not just let them get on with it. Williams was poor but then ive never been a huge fan of his, im not sure what he brings to the England team.

Percival was good keep him in bring Watkins and Hall back, keep Gale, Brown and Roby as the doine and leave Widdop at full back.

Pretty much sums it up for me!

[londonrlfan]

Fages has got a northern accent 

[Griff9of13]

Poor second half. That said there was a lot of chopping and changing of the spine positions, 6, 7, 9 and 13. Comfortable win but plenty of room for improvement. It's not a bad position to be in that we're disappointed; two world cups ago we'd just have been grateful for a win.

[Harry Stottle]

2 minutes ago, Chrispmartha said:

Frustrating game to watch, England has been poor tgis second half, but I’m not a fan of constantly switching the pivotal positions around all the time, gale and brown wete going well why not just let them get on with it. Williams was poor but then ive never been a huge fan of his, im not sure what he brings to the England team.

Percival was good keep him in bring Watkins and Hall back, keep Gale, Brown and Roby as the doine and leave Widdop at full back.

Does not matter if you are a fan or not of Williams the evudence is in front if you he us not up to it, but neiither is Bateman but that doesn't  seem to matter.

[Mark S]

England should play France over 3 games throughout the season. Their forwards had the right level of intestinal, they just need to sort out their attack.

[Man of Kent]

Almost feels like we lost. Jekyll and Hyde performance 

[telliner]

6 minutes ago, Southerner said:

I’m very worried for the PNG game.

Think we’ll really struggle with their power and pace, especially around the ruck from dummy half. Then if we get through that we go up a level against Tonga! 

What grates on the nerves with the BBC pundits they talking about Tonga like its a foregone clusion,like PNG dont exist.If that 2nd half is a portent of Englands complacency they are in trouble because PNG are like never ending lakeland terriers.

[Wirral Warrior]

He had to get game time for all squad in case of injury later on, but now we are in knock out ,experimentation is over.Another precious weeks training should finalise the key positions and sharpen the mistake free mentality that Bennett demands.

[londonrlfan]

Just now, Mark S said:

England should play France over 3 games throughout the season. Their forwards had the right level of intestinal, they just need to sort out their attack.

We play France every year. They need to play the likes of Fiji and PNG more. 

[Forestgravy]

1 minute ago, telliner said:

What grates on the nerves with the BBC pundits they talking about Tonga like its a foregone clusion,like PNG dont exist.If that 2nd half is a portent of Englands complacency they are in trouble because PNG are like never ending lakeland terriers.

Correct. PNG are relentless 

[Wirral Warrior]

Generally impressed with France. Scored points v Leb and competed at times with both Eng and Oz.

[Guest]

6 minutes ago, Davo5 said:

Going on that 2nd half,might not be good enough to beat PNG !

Tonga most definitely but PNG are still in the developmental stage. We’ll put them away by 10-14 points.