FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED: マイク is mortal, Mako's a work in 進歩 and 賞賛する for Italians' passion

By Luke Benedict

Published: | Updated:


1) THREE DOESN’T GO IN TO TWO

Whisper it, but England 現実に have a 高級な of centres to choose from. 井戸／弁護士席, three. After a １０年間 of 長，率いる coaches 実験ing with more than 20 different centre combinations (Ayoola Erinle anyone?), England suddenly look to have a midfield of menace.

マイク Brown showed his customary tenacity to 格闘する away Michele Campagnaro for his 開始 try, but it was Luther Burrell who took out three players with his strength to stay upright and his 削減（する） 延期するd pass out wide. It is the sort of subtle but 破滅的な pass (O'Driscoll-esque) that no outside centre has 配達するd for England in a long time…

VIDEO Scroll 負かす／撃墜する to watch 地位，任命する-match reaction from Stuart Lancaster

Strength: Luther Burrell's powerful running and balance highlight England glut of quality centres

Strength: Luther Burrell's powerful running and balance 最高潮の場面 England glut of 質 centres

2) MIKE BROWN MADE A MISTAKE

I repeat: マイク Brown made a mistake. No, honestly. He made a mistake. 井戸／弁護士席, a sort of mistake. Both he and Jack Nowell went up for the same ball and they had 明確に both called for it.

Brown ended up 膝ing his team-mate in the rib cage and the ball 攻撃する，衝突する the deck. Knock on. It might not have been all Brown's fault, but he was in some way 責任がある, or 肉体的に の近くに to, an actual error on a rugby pitch. Amazing scenes.?

Mere mortal: Mike Brown (left) and Jack Nowell jump and sabotage each other's chances at taking a high ball

Mere mortal: マイク Brown (left) and Jack Nowell jump and 破壊行為 each other's chances at taking a high ball

3) MAKO HAS SOME SCRUMMAGING TO DO

When Mako Vunipola runs with the ball in his 手渡す it is like watching that 玉石 at the start of Indiana Jones (I forget which movie but you get the point). He’s a 猛烈な／残忍な, powerful, compact, bruiser of a ball 運送／保菌者 but he is still a work in 進歩 at the 始める，決める piece.

I had him 負かす／撃墜する as the form loosehead on the Lions 小旅行する, but he wasn’t 信用d in 実験（する）s because of his scrummaging. He’s still deceptively young and he will grow into やめる the 軍隊 in the tight five, too.

Nearly there: Mako Vunipola is a battering ram with ball in hand but has some work to do in scrummaging

Nearly there: Mako Vunipola is a 乱打するing 押し通す with ball in 手渡す but has some work to do in scrummaging

4) RUGBY, PASSIONE ITALIANA

At the 危険 of sounding horribly patronising (at best) or 前向きに／確かに 植民地の (at worst), fair play to the Italians for trying so damn hard.

There is an, as yet, insurmountable 湾 in class ーに関して／ーの点でs of the talent on the field - and, more 意味ありげに, player pool, 基金ing, 施設s etc - but the 地元のs here just ooze passion.

It is always a wonderful atmosphere: a 勇敢な, Roman, （人が）群がる roaring on some 絶対 ferocious Italian 攻撃する，衝突するs (and some not so 損失ing defence). Marvellous.

It is just a shame Italy so often seem to fumble the final pass whenever a （疑いを）晴らす-削減（する） 適切な時期 to 得点する／非難する／２０ 現在のs itself.?

Up for it: Italy can't be accused of not giving their all in the remarkable atmosphere of the Stadio Olimpico

Up for it: Italy can't be （刑事）被告 of not giving their all in the remarkable atmosphere of the Stadio Olimpico

5) THIS FELT LIKE A WARM-UP

There is no g etting away from the fact that Ireland in Paris was always going to be the day’s main event. This dozy fixture in the afternoon sun felt like the support 行為／法令／行動する before the final gig of Brian O’Driscoll’s 別れの（言葉，会） 小旅行する (some say he’s older than Mick Jagger).

That isn’t to say England are 完全に to 非難する. Stuart Lancaster will be 完全に 満足させるd with this Six Nations （選挙などの）運動をする. On paper, his squad were 苦しむing an 傷害 危機 (five 行方不明の Lions!) but the new kids certainly stepped up to the plate.

Burrell, Jack Nowell, Jonny May and to an extent Billy Twelvetrees look at 緩和する in the white shirt. 井戸／弁護士席, in Europe at least. Next up, New Zealand. Bring it on.

Next: England have impressed in Europe, but New Zealand will be a full-on examination

Next: England have impressed in Europe, but New Zealand will be a 十分な-on examination


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