England head coach Stuart Lancaster has called on his side to hold their nerve after a fiery victory over France.
Owen Farrell and Chris Ashton both received criticism for their lack of composure at key moments during last weekend's 23-13 victory, with Lancaster admitting he had spoken to the group.
"I've spoken to the group generally to make sure that we stay focused on the task in hand," said Lancaster
"Upon review of the game, we definitely got involved in one or two incidents that we didn't need to.
"We spoke about that as a group. As an opposition coach and team you've got to do everything in your power to upset and try to niggle the opposition.
"You have to be able to deal with that, keep your focus and deal with the task in hand, letting your rugby do the talking.
"It's not a big issue, I don't think we have a big fundamental disciplinary issue at all.
"In the context of the game, we were challenged by a very, very good French side and were delighted to come out on top."
Comments
lawynd says...
@APV1 - Slater will easily win try of the week, since I've 'retired' I haven't seen 18 stone move so fast! ;)
I pretty much agree with all of your suggestions though, and would simply add one. Someone steal Chris Ashton's boots.
Posted 16:00 04th March 2013
APV1 says...
@ heart_of_oak - who's this "Wade" chap you mention?
I note that the AP Try of the Week is between Biggs, Slater, Elliott, Arscott and Stegmen. Biggs is leading the tally, btw...
Actually I'd like to see both of them on the wings with Brown at 15.
And you are most certainly bonkers, but that's not a bad thing.
Why can't we start with Flood at 10, with 36 and MT in the centres? Chuck Goode on the bench and you've got 36 and Goode (we could nickname him "Two Shoes") to cover 10...
That way we can have wingers on the wing and our best 15 (Mr Angry) at FB.
Start with Care for his sniping and have Youngs on the bench.
Other Youngs on the bench, with Hartley (and his experience) to start.
Lawes on the bench as 2R (and BR) cover, but not a starter at 6.
Posted 13:27 04th March 2013
heart_of_oak says...
Now that my head has cleared, I reckon we'll see both Vunipolas starting which will of course attract the usual nationality obsessives. PR will no doubt be talking about 'Sydney born so-and-so' or Samoan born someone or other, just to stoke the fires a bit. It's unlikely we'll see Burns after his comments about needing time with Gloucester first. However, if Farrell doesn't make it and Flood starts, SL may have to put Burns on the bench as cover for Flood.
Of course, it'd be good to see some in form wingers which surely means the two chaps from Wasps. And if that were to happen, then Brown could go to full back, which is where he belongs. But this would mean too many changes so we're likely to see the two out of form, ineffective wingers from Saracens.
In another article SL has made it clear he won't be entertaining the notion of as many as 7 or 8 changes. I reckon it'll be 3 or 4. Billy and Mako in the scrum plus Strettle in the backs.
I hope I'm wrong - about the backs.
Posted 12:34 03rd March 2013
kybone says...
Im slightly torn on which way to go for the Italy game. On the one hand i think its the perfect opportunity to try out the likes of Billy V, Maybe Burns if he's right, and maybe a Wade or Varndell or even Yarde, but if we do that then go back to type for the Wales game that will mean that some of our players won't have played for 3 weeks, and thats not what you want for the biggest game. Basically, do we use Italy to prepare the best 15 for Wales, or do we try out some new combinations? No disrespect intended to Italy by the way.
Posted 10:37 03rd March 2013
heart_of_oak says...
Lawynd - I was completely hammered and I have the mother of all head aches today.
Posted 21:45 02nd March 2013
lawynd says...
@heart_of_oak - you were that tiddled at 20:54 on a Friday night? Good skills! ;)
Posted 16:32 02nd March 2013
Headhunter99 says...
Sound comments from Lancaster, you can see his non flashy composed attitude is keeping the players feet firmly on the ground.
On the Ashton debate I'd like to see Wade given an opportunity to come in against Italy, if he does well play him against Wales and their huge wingers. I seem to remember a certain Shane Williams causing us all sorts of problems. Please not Strettle !! still to much of a show pony for my liking.
Posted 08:02 02nd March 2013
Heart_of_oak says...
I hope you all appreciate my nick names for our lads. Maybe you can come up with better names ? So far this is what i've got :
Launchberry = Lunchbox
Ashton = Handbags
Manu = theres no N in Tuilagi
Actually its pathetic isnt it ? Maybe you chaps can come up with some better ideas. Obviously weve got 36 for 12trees which is great, nice and short. Speaking of which i will get repetitive strain injury if i have to write Vunipola with every post i make. Apv refers to Brown as Mr Angry. Do we use that "going forward" as they say in Powerpoint land ?
Some of you chaps must have some good ideas. So lets hear them. I'm thinking Hartley is rugby's answer to Dennis Wise so maybe there's something there ? Maybe we just call him Dennis ?
And some of these will doubtless strike you as bizarre but here goes :
Danny Care - Asbo
Owen Farrell - Wilko2
Cole - Old King
Marler - Mohican
Mako V - dont effin argue with me (cos he scares the sh1t out of me)
Billy V - chubbylugs - do t ask me why, it just seems right
Robshaw - the boss
So what do you think ?
Hey I might be bonkers but im not a bore. Got some suggestions for Fish and Georgesmith too but PR would reject my post.
Right, now thats done its back to the booze :-)
Posted 20:54 01st March 2013
TVaddict says...
@ArmchairGeneral
It probably will be Strettle if he does change things. Though saying that, Lancaster has been very good so far with his choices, so hopefully he'll choose wisely. I'm expecting Mako Vunipola and Care to get a start as I think he hinted at that in one of his messages. It would also be great if they start Billy Vunipol as well as try a new winger. Perfect opportunity for someone like Wade to show what he can do.
Posted 15:17 01st March 2013
Heart_of_oak says...
ArmchairGeneral , shame on you, you used the B word. Youre not another Bath fan are you ?
Anyway youre probably right that we will get Strettle again. The guy has had far too many chances already. Of course all this presupposes that Handbags will be dropped for his petulant outburst and we dont know that for a fact do we ?
Posted 14:25 01st March 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Think Lancaster will go with Strettle.
Posted 13:25 01st March 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
How about Biggs? He's hard in defence too. I prefer Wade to the big V. He gets through right traffic. Right now I would be happy with either starting. I don't think Ashton is just off form. I think he's lost his pace. The pace that saw him score that try vs Oz. with solid centres Wade is our Shane Williams.
Posted 13:24 01st March 2013
keste03 says...
@heart of oak: In my view, Varndell is only a finisher - and a good one I might add - but Wade can finish as well as create a spark from anywhere. Wade isnt the biggest tackler, but he can stop guys and it is about time he got his chance. Ashton is out of form and Brown, even though he is doing a good job at wing, hasnt got the pace of an international winger.
Posted 12:53 01st March 2013
heart_of_oak says...
jediboy - Wade is good and makes things happen, plus he scores tries. There is another bloke at Wasps however who scores more tries but never gets a mention. Why is that ? And I do hope I don't hear the name Biggs again from APV1. What we need is someone who can actually score tries.
Posted 11:07 01st March 2013
Jediboy says...
He talks sense does SL. And he's doing a great job.
Interested to see if he sticks with Ashton, who is out of form and not offering much to England at the moment.
Would live to see Wade replace him.
Posted 10:04 01st March 2013
butl says...
he's a good coach!
Posted 09:13 01st March 2013
melkdave says...
i have faith that SLand Co will keep the team totally focused on the job at hand .Achiving victory over Italy,and lets not kid ourselves,Italy on their day are well capable of beating anyone.They should have beaten the wallabies,in the aurtum ,and they have beaten Wales,Scotland and France quite regually in recent yearsThere are always going to be niggles in games,its a contact sport,and the players are passionate,and intense during a match.Lets all hope that all players control these passions .Because then we supporters get hard,intense ,and usually good matches to watch.
Posted 19:30 28th February 2013
alanatleeds says...
More good common sense from Lancaster. And because of what has happened in the past year or so you know this is not idle talk, he will motivate but will make changes when necessary. PSA, look and learn.
Posted 19:14 28th February 2013