Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Great game

Three fantastic games of rugby over the weekend. First up Ireland vs Wales and it was so good to see Wales finally playing with shape and accuracy and heart after what has been (and still is) a very unsettling period in their rugby history. And Rhys Carre's try was the highlight of the weekend! Ireland in the end were just too good even though they are still in a phase of development.

Scotland played just as we know they can and prevented France from getting into the game until the final quarter. Just brilliant, confident attacking rugby with pace, power and flair. We English are normally on the other end of that so it was good to see another nations getting both barrels! Well played and congratulations to Scotland.

Then onto Italy vs England which was never going to be an easy game for England. And so it turned out. Italy are now a solid international side and proved it here. They have a strong and disciplined pack and some genuinely world class backs. They also have a pragmatic manager who trusts his players. England just seem out of sorts at the moment. Itoje has been a powerhouse and before being given the captaincy was a natural on-pitch leader, but, like Jamie George before him, seems to be negatively affected by the extra "official" responsibility of being captain. He comes in for criticism in the same way as Owen Farrell did but is a bit of a liability at the moment in the same was as Farrell could be. England seem unable to change tactics or alter the plan of hoofing it back to the opposition at every opportunity and until this changes we're in for a rather fallow period in English rugby I fear. Congratulations to Italy though on a great performance and on finally beating us!