After following English rugby over the past 5 years, it should come as no suprise to anyone when all the excitement and hype surrounding England’s future after the France game is immediately morphed into crushing disapointment and mystifying inadequacy just two weeks later. It has become a depressingly rountine cycle since the WC triumph 5 years ago, a cycle that shows no signs of abating anytime soon.
England were downright awful from start to finish. There was no control, no discipline,leadership or ambition, no spark, no flow, no creativity; Whichever way you put it, England were sorely lacking in every single department that is neccesary to win a rugby match, plain and simple. Watching England’s disjointed and abysmaly abject performance was a perfect example of how rugby is a true team sport. There’s no way on this earth that Scotland possess better caliber players than England, so how did Scotland come away with the win?
In truth, it was more down to English errors and directionless play rather that Scottish brilliance. Time and time again England needlessly kicked away possesion, meaning they were never able to put any attacking moves together as after the 3rd phase someone kicked the god damn ball away, it was a dull as a rugby league match.
I feel sad to even think about it, but Wilkinson is no where near the player he was before his injuries, and however much i admire him, i don’t think he can keep his place for much longer on the back on recent performances. England really needed their few experienced players to step up today, yet Wilkinson was one of the worse culprits for pointless kicking and aimless midfield passing.
We can only hope that there is pride to be salvaged against Ireland next week.
