A founding victory? If England have not chased away the doubts surrounding their level of play less than a month from the World Cup in France, they have at least avoided the affront of conceding a historic defeat at home, by demonstrating great strength of character. Despite four yellow cards (including one turned red after intervention from the bunker), a new slew of hand fouls that prevented him from developing his game and a scrum that continued to squeal, Maro Itoje’s teammates, well helped by their forwards, snatched the victory (19-17), this Saturday, during their second match of preparation for the World Cup in France.
With eleven changes at kick-off and the return – among others – of captain Owen Farrell, the English team lined up had nothing to do with the revamped XV defeated in Cardiff. Yet the mistakes repeated themselves. We think in particular of these 11 hand faults (against 14 last Saturday) which prevented the Rose from chaining the playing times. Only the boot of its opener allowed it to concretize its broad domination (10th, 40th) in the first period.
To believe that the final exit of his captain Owen Farrell (69th), whose yellow card turned red, served as an electric shock. After a succession of faults, punished by three cards, a penalty (46th), a penalty try and an achievement by Tomos Williams (65th), the English forwards took matters into their own hands, reassuring themselves on one of the phases that master the best: the balls carried. Enough to gain precious meters, reverse the pressure, propel the second line Maro Itoje towards the only English try of the match (68th, 16-18), then snatch a penalty to go back in front (76th, 19-17).
The English will continue their preparation against Ireland on August 19 in Dublin then against Fiji at Twickenham on August 26, last tests before challenging Argentina, Japan, Samoa Islands and Chile during the World group stage. Wales, who have not won at Twickenham since the 2015 World Cup (28-25), will host South Africa for a final rehearsal, before facing their Pool C comrades, successively Fiji, Portugal, Australia and Georgia.
12
For four long minutes, where they conceded a try, the English evolved to 12, deprived of cards from Genge (58th), Steward (60th) and Farrell (69th).
Player: Owen Farrell
The English captain made his return as a starter in this XV. His performance perfectly illustrates the current limits of the Rose: if he was able to be effective at the foot against the poles (100%), and tried to animate his offensive line as well as possible, he was also guilty. dropped balls and an indiscipline that could have cost his team dearly. His shoulder tackle directly into Basham’s head earned him a justified red for dangerous play. An action that should be studied a posteriori and could earn him a possible suspension of one to several matches.
