Related News
Improving England within reach of title
Source: Agencies |
February 28, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ENGLAND proved it can win the tight games after Saturday's tense 17-9 Six Nations victory over reigning champion France.
Last season England lost narrowly to Ireland, drew with Scotland and fell 10-12 in Paris despite playing well and scoring the only try.
It was then well beaten by Australia in Perth in June but bounced back to beat the Wallabies 21-20 in Sydney in what is beginning to look like the pivotal game in its development under Martin Johnson.
At Twickenham on Saturday England again showed it had remembered the way to win a tight game as, after turning round at 9-9, the hosts opened an eight-point lead early in the second half and held it to the end.
"It was a good win. We really had to fight and graft," Johnson said, having made it three out of three after wins over Wales and Italy.
"I quite enjoy that type of game - it's not always pretty, but that's test match rugby. Last year we lost to Ireland in a similar sort of game and it rips your guts out."
That must have been how France was feeling, not least because it was Jonny Wilkinson, destroyer of its dreams on so many occasions, who drove in the final nail.
Nerve-less style
Wilkinson came off the bench and in typically nerveless style sent a 48-meter penalty straight through the posts with his first touch. The score took him back in front of New Zealand's Dan Carter as the game's all-time leading scorer but more importantly for England it underlined its current depth of talent.
Wilkinson has dropped to second choice behind Toby Flood yet when he entered the fray on Saturday after 51 minutes when Flood injured an ankle he earned the biggest cheer of the day.
Wilkinson's boot played a major role when England beat France in the semifinals of the 2003 and 2007 World Cups and with England having also knocked it out of the 1991 competition, Saturday's result was of major significance.
"I said before the game that I think the England side is better than us at the moment. They are the best team in the northern hemisphere," France coach Marc Lievremont said.
England, seeking its first title since 2003, is not allowing itself to talk about a clean sweep but it will expect to beat Scotland at Twickenham on March 13 to set one up.
It finishes off with a tough trip to Ireland on the tournament's final day, March 19, when France hosts Wales.
Elsewhere, Wales edged winless Italy 24-16 in Rome.
Last season England lost narrowly to Ireland, drew with Scotland and fell 10-12 in Paris despite playing well and scoring the only try.
It was then well beaten by Australia in Perth in June but bounced back to beat the Wallabies 21-20 in Sydney in what is beginning to look like the pivotal game in its development under Martin Johnson.
At Twickenham on Saturday England again showed it had remembered the way to win a tight game as, after turning round at 9-9, the hosts opened an eight-point lead early in the second half and held it to the end.
"It was a good win. We really had to fight and graft," Johnson said, having made it three out of three after wins over Wales and Italy.
"I quite enjoy that type of game - it's not always pretty, but that's test match rugby. Last year we lost to Ireland in a similar sort of game and it rips your guts out."
That must have been how France was feeling, not least because it was Jonny Wilkinson, destroyer of its dreams on so many occasions, who drove in the final nail.
Nerve-less style
Wilkinson came off the bench and in typically nerveless style sent a 48-meter penalty straight through the posts with his first touch. The score took him back in front of New Zealand's Dan Carter as the game's all-time leading scorer but more importantly for England it underlined its current depth of talent.
Wilkinson has dropped to second choice behind Toby Flood yet when he entered the fray on Saturday after 51 minutes when Flood injured an ankle he earned the biggest cheer of the day.
Wilkinson's boot played a major role when England beat France in the semifinals of the 2003 and 2007 World Cups and with England having also knocked it out of the 1991 competition, Saturday's result was of major significance.
"I said before the game that I think the England side is better than us at the moment. They are the best team in the northern hemisphere," France coach Marc Lievremont said.
England, seeking its first title since 2003, is not allowing itself to talk about a clean sweep but it will expect to beat Scotland at Twickenham on March 13 to set one up.
It finishes off with a tough trip to Ireland on the tournament's final day, March 19, when France hosts Wales.
Elsewhere, Wales edged winless Italy 24-16 in Rome.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
