Poetic Justice

RED ROSE RATINGS – ENGLAND 33 – 19 WALES               Date: 11 th August 2019               Location: Twickenham Stadium, London, England               Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)               Attendance: 80,944 England began their World Cup run-in with a comprehensive victory over their old rivals. In the first of two clashes in two weeks against their neighbours a relatively experimental England commanded from start to finish. The victory not only would have given Eddie Jones’ side a great confidence boost, but it also denied Wales a chance to climb to the summit of the world rankings as preparations heat up. 15 – Elliot Daly (Saracens) – 6 Slotted a very tidy drop-goal on the move and looked eager ...

Exeter Chiefs – 1 st My Prediction – 2 nd   Review: Once again it’s been a fantastic season for Exeter who will return to Twickenham for the season finale. Just like last year they topped the table by eight points and then capitalised on their home semi-final advantage to take apart a visiting side and set up a showdown with Saracens. Besides from being top of the table Rob Baxter’s men have also crossed the whitewash eighty-nine times, twelve more than any other and amassed the highest points tally since Saracens in the 2013/14 season. Exeter constantly put their faith in their forward pack which would grind down their opposition with their physicality before allowing their dynamic backs to play with delightful fluidity that sliced weary defences open for fun. No side can do the simple things like Exeter, their ‘backs to the wall’ defence and ability to build pressure wreaked havoc throughout the campaign. A fundamental building block for the Chiefs success was their ...

RED ROSE RATINGS – ENGLAND 38 - 38 SCOTLAND                Date: 16 th March 2019                Location: Twickenham Stadium, London, England                Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)                Attendance: 82,000 After Wales comprehensively beat Ireland in Cardiff to win the Grand Slam, England's encounter with the Scots threatened to be an anti-climatic dead rubber. It was anything but. England raced into a 31-0 lead and looked to be storming to a comfortable win but in an incredible turn of events the visitors scored 38 unanswered points to lead by seven going into the final minutes. The game had one final twist though as George Ford rescued a draw ...

RED ROSE RATINGS – ENGLAND 57 – 14 ITALY                Date: 9 th March 2019                Location: Twickenham Stadium, London, England                Referee: Nic Berry                Attendance: 82,000 England piled on the misery for an Italian side that have now lost their last twenty-one Six Nations fixtures. Eddie Jones was prompted to once again raise the question of promotion and relegation from the historic competition as his side routed a hapless Italy. The victory keeps England in touch with the championship leading Welsh but leaves them relying on an Irish victory on the final weekend if they’re to lift the trophy. 15 – Elliot Daly (Wasps) – 7 Tor...

RED ROSE RATINGS – WALES 21 - 13 ENGLAND                Date: 23rd February 2019                Location: Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales                Referee: Jaco Peyper                Attendance: 74,000 England's dreams of a grand slam were ended by a dogged Welsh outfit that remain unbeaten. The Red Roses were unable to generate anything close to the levels of attacking success they'd enjoyed in their previous two encounters. Despite a solid start in the first half it was Warren Gatland's side that came out roaring in the second period as they smothered the English on their way to a superb test match win. 15 – Elliot Daly (Wasps) – 5 Was well wide of ...