Mailbox: One night in Paris

Tuesday 26th February 2008

After England's heroics over France in Paris on Saturday, there doesn't appear to be any other victorious encounter over the weekend that Six Nations guru's are eager to talk about. Sorry Wales and Ireland! Poor Iain Balshaw. The Gloucesterman must be wishing he was playing in those other games instead, as once again he is the target of criticism from England fans.

"England have still got a very long way to go, I can't understand why Ashton does not blood the young guns waiting in the wings - Balshaw, and Regan need to go.

"What is the point having someone like Vainikolo in the team if England is not going to use him? Ashton needs to bring these young guns in soon otherwise we will be going down the same path after winning the 2003 World Cup.

"As a England fan I would like to see England open up and run with the ball more, we have the young guns waiting to do just that.

"Good win against France, and credit to the defense of England, but still lack flair. Just look at Flood, he is our best player at the moment.

"I wish Ashton would sit down and watch Super 14 rugby as that is where England need to be - it's not rocket science!"

- Glenn

"France lost the game, England did not win it. Hardly an indictment of Ashton's vision..."

- Pete

"England were England, a minimal game plan, brute force over style. Even though they won they are no further forward than they were after the Italy game. The 'past-their-best' oldsters have been reprieved for a few more games until the next disaster."

- David James

"It was pleasing to see the usual arrogance of sit-back and grind-out-the-win attitude disappeared against France! They have left Wales in their strongest position in years. I still can't get over why they lost that game. Balshaw nearly lost it for us again - he's playing high school rugby on an international circuit."

- Gibson Family (NZ)

"How good was the ref?"

"England were constantly offside at almost every loose maul/ruck and rarely penalised! Not once were England behind the hindmost foot-not once were they penalised?

"Yet every time England rarely managed to get into the French half - surprise, surprise - a penalty for England.

"England's first try was a blatant knock-on. Where was the ref or touch judge? Having tea and crumpets with the English selectors no doubt.

"The last penalty against the French, for not binding, was quite frankly absurd. Every single loose forward would be penalised if refs blew up when the flankers only had his hand on the scrum. Why was Walsh only intent on applying the laws when the French infringed?

"England had not won one piece of possession in the first fifteen minutes, yet they were 10-points ahead. LUNACY!

"Questions must be asked about the standard of refereeing and also questions should be asked about the effect of this blatantly biased refereeing on this game!"

- Treac

"England were about as good as the very poor referee. How on earth he missed that knock-on I will never know. How did he think the ball flew in that direction if it wasn't for Noon propelling it. Has he no empathy with the game?

"I don't think he gave anything to France. Not that a Welshman should complain at that."

- Wyn Morgan

"England were impressive. Defence was great and Sackey is really putting in the effort. I can not see anyone taking that jersey away from him for a while yet. On the other hand, Balshaw was truly pathetic.

"Unfortunately I have been a strong critic of Balshaw's for many years.

"My Aussie counterparts feel the same. Why have England got a full-back in the starting team that can't catch, pass or tackle? What has he done to deserve such admiration from Ashton? It is plain to see that unfortunately he is not up to international level. Time and time again he spills the ball or misses tackles, only for other team-mates to tidy up. Last night's game had some howlers, particularly the bomb that he over-ran by about five meters!

"LOL!"

- Kai

"Is England really back? Maybe. But what is sure is that Wilko is back!
I especially enjoyed the interview he had with the French TV after the game. He talked about the new French playing style for 5 minutes, whilst being translated from English to French by the interviewer. After that, when he was asked to say a word in French, he explained all the same thing in a really good French. Then the interviewer didn't quite know what to say as the whole interview in English was actually useless. Johnny can play the French, he can speak it too."

- Charles (The Frenchy)

"Bloody marvelous! That's how good England were. Incredible resilience and stalwart defence - why on earth did they not do this in the last two matches? Someone commented 'you never know what England team is going to turn up for the match nowadays, but you don't know what England team is going to turn up for each half!'. Lets hope they build on this!"

- Adrian

"Wales will win the Six Nation. Maybe not with the Grand Slam, but they'll be lifting the trophy come March 15th."

- Chris Ellis

"I believe that the new ELVs changes to Super 14 are awesome. I had my doubts at first but after watching the stop start games in this week's Six Nations, I couldn't stand it. The best and most important facet of the ELVs to me is that referees do not have as much impact on the game, which I believe has been rugby's biggest problem. If people are worried about the game losing its identity and tradition, then it's time for them to get with the programme. It's the way teams interpret and adjust which will take rugby to the next level."

- Ilai Fa'anunu