Sunday Snippets

Pressure Mounts on Lancaster: Stuart Lancaster’s time has been littered with impressive results, a surge in confidence and all round a rejuvenation of English rugby. However, with his side currently on a five game losing streak the pressure has begun to mount on the England head coach. Yesterday’s narrow three point loss at the hands of a powerful Springbok side, was more down to the lack of tactical nous shown by Lancaster’s side, and in particular flyhalf Owen Farrell, than anything else. Add that to another home loss at Twickenham against the All Blacks the week previous, where the final scoreline ultimately flattered the English performance, and one begins to understand the unprecedented level of scrutiny being levelled on Lancaster. What will arguably worry Lancaster and England fans alike, is the staggering statistics which show just how dominant England were. With almost 60% possession and territory, the hosts lacked any real ingenuity, creativity and failed to garner any real attacking threat on regular occasion. With Owen Farrell shorn of confidence and form at ten, Lancaster may be wise to replace the Saracen with George Ford, and may just see a turnaround in his own fortunes as a result.

Teddy on target: New French winger Teddy Thomas struck with a wonderful individual try to give under-fire coach Philippe Saint-Andre a much needed victory over the visiting Wallabies. With Clermont flyhalf Camille Lopez coming of age in the flyhalf position, Les Bleus controlled proceedings early on and raced into a 17-6 lead courtesy of tries from both Sebastien Tillous-Borde and winger Thomas. However, after an Australian resurgence in the second quarter, the halt-time scoreboard separated the French by just a single point. The pendulum of momentum continued to swing viciously in the opening exchanges of the second half, with both sides unable to maintain any firm grip on the lead, as penalty after penalty cancelled each other out. However, having established a three point lead with minutes remaining, the French hosts held on, courtesy of some inspiring last minute defence from skipper Thierry Dusautoir, to give Saint-Andre the much needed win.

Ryan Sheady