Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward says the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand previous year is the reason behind England’s poor showing in the Six Nations.
Advertisement
“Maro Itoje looked out on his feet and wasn’t the same player we saw last summer against New Zealand”.
The physical demands of an extra two months’ work at the end of the Premiership season has now affected England’s players according to Woodward, so he has some sympathy for them. “We’re disappointed for them, we wish them the best for their recovery, we’ve got close links with the players individually and we’ll be in touch with their physios so we’re part of their rehab process and it’s an opportunity for somebody else”.
A year ago it was the opposite scenario with England seeking a clean sweep in Dublin, only to lose for the first time under Eddie Jones. “No lack of effort by the team”.
In Cardiff, a try from Liam Williams and a Leigh Halfpenny hat-trick of penalties saw Wales finish second as they just beat France in a dour struggle.
“England and Eddie Jones have got to do a lot of soul-searching and honest words need to be spoken”.
Ireland won just the third Grand Slam in their history with a 24-15 win at Twickenham to top the Six Nations table undefeated.
One of the assistant referees for the England vs Ireland match on Saturday got involved during an England training session.
“I don’t think it will affect his decision-making and we’ll stand by him as an official on Saturday”.
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has said: ‘If I was going to stay coaching global rugby then I’d stay coaching the All Blacks’.
“It’s not a great thing to lose three games but it gives us a reality check and it keeps us honest and hungry”.
“You know, we’re trying to do that with England at the moment”, he said.
“There’s nothing that stands out that we massively need to fix”, he said. There are a number of things that are ongoing.
It does look like Gardner will be a key factor in tomorrow’s contest, with his adjudicating of the breakdown expected to be stricter on jackals, who have been getting away with placing their hands on the ground before getting onto the ball, among other offences, very often in this Six Nations.
“It was a really, really tough match”.
“In the grand scheme of things, we’re on a journey and are learning about ourselves”. “The ones who aren’t take a bit of time”.
“Defensively that was definitely our best display in the competition”.
Advertisement
“If I was going to stay coaching global rugby then I’d stay coaching the All Blacks”.
