Although I loathed the cynical nature of a different shirt for the gullible to buy, it was great to see England running out without a brand name sullying the pure white of each player's chest. OK, so the shirts were a cream flannel colour, but they weren't buggered about, and looked all the better for it. So how about that for next season - no sponsor on the shirt? After all, if its OK for the Frogs and All Blacks, why not the richest Union in the world. Or is it just ALL about the money nowadays at Headquarters?
Also, whisper this among the protein shakes and extra weights sessions, but centre play is making a comeback. A well-timed pass here, arcing run there, and a lot less of the biff and bash of recent years. Lord knows even that French pick-up truck Bastard managed a lovely little feint to go over for his second try. Mind you, that is a good dummy to buy! Anything which gets you out of tackling him has to be a good idea. Best backs at Twickenham - Tait and Hook, quick and soft hands both. Not sure what happened in Dublin, where O'Driscoll and Darcy were both out of sorts and failed to join the party.
The Bad is easier to find. Alun Wynn Jones has had more than enough stick from Gats and Sean the Dragon to last a lifetime so I will not join in by commenting what a complete and utter pillock he was. And Scotland looked again like they could play for 3 days against France and still not score a try. Their scrum capitulating was a shock too. Its really strange because Glasgow have scored tries for fun this season, but pull on that blue jersey and the backs seem to forget everything. Yes they make line breaks, but then seem drawn to run into the cover. All very odd. And as for Euan Murray choosing not to play on Sundays due to his religious beliefs - has he been watching Chariots of Fire? Isn't he a professional under contract with the SRU? Does his contract say anything about not having to play on Sundays? The concept of choice went out the window when you got paid to play laddie. Your country desperately needed you. They couldn't scrum for shite.
Oh and Heaslip - bright yellow boots? For God's sake man grow up. I can see the French front 5 sharpening their studs now in anticipation of stamping on your ankles next week. Leave the coloured boots to the girls in the backs...
