England march on, as Wales give mixed performance

Where to start with that game? For 65 minutes Wales put together one of the most appalling performances they have ever produced under Gatland, they were lethargic in the kick chase, limp in ball carries and totally bereft of ideas in attack. Not to mention the beyond woeful defence that will have had Shaun Edwards screaming to rafters. And then for 15 minutes after a raft of substitutions, Wales seemed to flick a switch and suddenly look like a team full of Lions and arguably the best team in the Northern Hemisphere.

Haskell lead the English charge with typical ferocity.

First things first, let's take nothing away from England. They played an exceptional game, no bones about it. They started of looking to spread the ball wide and catch Wales' defence unawares by using their big ball carriers as foils for their backs. It forced Wales to second guess their blitz defence system, and suddenly were just allowing England to eat up the yards with the likes of Mike Brown and Anthony Watson enjoying the empty spaces. From that early sign of intent, content that Wales
were in shock, England returned to their abrasive choke-hold best. Then went about the game with a ferocity and brutality that couldn't be matched. In attack they won the gain battle again and again with the likes of Vunipola and Haskell battering the Welsh defence, allowing the outside backs chance to exploit the holes. In defence they double tackled every Welsh player carrying ball - often while standing still - creating agonisingly slow ball for the Welsh half backs. To be honest England's game plan was simple, breakdown ferocity, tackle brutality and an efficient set piece, all of which culminated in allowing points machine Owen Farrell to punish every Welsh infringement.

England were helped by whistle happy Craig Joubert, and while he had a largely balanced game with the same decisions being applied to both sides, he is starting to get a reputation for being far to quick to blow the whistle and end the play. Compare that to the likes of Nigel Owens, Wayne Barnes; and Angus Gardner who refereed Ireland vs Italy earlier in the day, who are far happier to play advantage and let the game keep flowing. Joubert gave players almost no time to roll away from the tackle, and mixture of Welsh players failing to adapt to the interpretation and English players using some sportsmanship and intentionally trapping the Welsh players in the ruck, England gathered a swathe of penalties upon which they could build their lead.

Itoje was excellent,  future Test Lion for sure.

England still, despite their utter dominance, only managed to score one try, which came from a Maro Itoje break (Welsh players yet again falling off tackles) and then the simple execution of a 2-on-1. If England have any grand schemes of felling the Southern Hemisphere teams they are going to need to look to score more tries, rather than just accepting the penalties when they come. But for the 6 Nations they are playing the perfect game.

On the other side of the pitch, Wales managed to produce such a contrasting display it is hard to say what Wales will take from this game into Italy next weekend. Let's discuss the first performance first. Wales have prided themselves on their defence for almost a decade now, it didn't exist this game. Time and time again England found holes to run through, time and time again defenders fell of their tackles, it was a sickness. I can only imagine what Shaun Edwards was saying in the changing room at half time. Alex Cuthbert will be disappointed, after having had a good defensive game against France last time out, once again he seemed incapable of making a tackle as even Anthony Watson fended him off at one point. When Wales had the ball they struggled to gain any momentum, largely because of the aforementioned English defence, but also the forwards look tired and unwilling to do the hard work. Rob Evans - the young prop - who so often this tournament has been seen doing strong carries was non-existent this game except at the scrum. Any forward that looked to carry off 9, was static when receiving the ball allowing the English tackles to smother them and kill all momentum. This slow possession then meant that Gareth Davies couldn't initiate any sniping runs, Dan Biggar couldn't get his back-line moving, and Jamie Roberts was always getting caught behind the gain-line.

All of this meant Wales had to kick the ball a lot, far more often than they usually would. Which highlighted just how tired they look. Wales' kick chase was just plain woeful, so long it has been a real weapon of Wales, but today players were leaving huge holes for the likes of Brown and Nowell to run into on the counter attack. They also struggled to win the aerial battle, outside of Liam Williams covering the England launched bombs, which meant they couldn't try and claim territory victories like they have for so long. It stemmed from a simple lacking of cohesion caused by England's feroicty, but you have to question how Wales didn't see it coming. It was the exact style of play England used to beat Scotland in the "big opening match" and should have seen it coming, and adapted.

Biggar struggled to get any sort of game going, under the immense pressure from the likes of Kruis and Haskell.

Eventually Wales did adapt, although it was with only 15 minutes left in the game. It came about from a change of scrum-half largely. The introduction of Rhys Webb saw a sudden rise in the tempo of Welsh play, suddenly forwards were coming on to the ball at pace and winning the gainline battle, Webb was getting the ball away from the breakdown swiftly and not allowing England to set their defence. It gave the Welsh attack room to breathe, and with room to breathe Wales suddenly looked lethal. With the introduction of Rhys Priestland to the fly-half slot, Wales started playing flatter, with England on the back foot from Webb it meant they could make massive inroads. Using their Roberts as a decoy runner Wales saw some promise and got the likes of Jonathan Davis and George North in plenty of space in which they can show what made them so sought after by clubs.

Getting players like Davies attacking wide and at pace,
is how Wales should be playing.

It showed just what Wales are capable of when they get front foot ball, and play heads up rugby. You worry that they often go into the game with a game-plan set in their heads and it takes a lot for them to deviate from it. If they just played with a little more adventure and confidence to use the wider channels they look like a team that can take on the southern hemisphere sides. I think maybe the lack of crisp attack has stemmed from Dan Biggar at fly-half. When he has Rhys Webb inside him he is much more confident, able to play much flatter because he knows what Webb is going to do more than current scrum half Gareth Davies. Which means the Welsh attack looks more threatening, while recently he's sat a little deeper and relied on his kick-and-chase prowess more than his ability to make plays. It is something the Welsh management need to consider going into the game against Italy next weekend.

Webb to start?

So for Italy what should Wales do? For starters they should go out their to play the sort of rugby we saw at the end against England, get their big men moving in space where their speed and size can make a big impact. Rhys Webb needs to start alongside Dan Biggar to see if they can function again and bring Wales' attack alive, if not Rhys Priestland deserves a lengthy period on the field to show what he can do. Other than that the forwards need to find their ferocity again, and remember that they are international level players. Alun Wyn Jones has been a shadow of his usual self this tournament and was simply out shone by Maro Itoje at Twickenham. But on top of that they need to stop attempting to make one man ball carries, far too often they end up getting isolated and conceding a penalty in good attacking positions. Despite no silver-ware being up for grabs against Italy, Wales should go out their to showcase their attacking ability and aim to put the sort of score on them that Ireland achieved. With a tour to New Zealand in a few month, Wales need to show how good they are with ball in hand. In defence they have to be more solid, yes they only conceded one try against England, but they could have easily shipped two or three more, and against New Zealand they would have. Wales need to look ahead to the summer, meanwhile England head to Paris to try and earn a well deserved Grand Slam.

Once again the Welsh fly-half debate is raging, Biggar was so good in the World Cup, but has struggled in the 6 Nations.