I think you're all underestimating how well the Italians actually played.
Their harrasment of the English pack was quite effective, stopping England from passing the ball around. Disruption tactics - if the other team can't throw it around, they can't score. And of course when the Italians did attack, they kept it close to the pack. Short passes, no chancy stuff, so lots of close support, few drops and few chances of interception.
A classic example of how to disrupt the flow of play of a more skilled team.

Agreed Milo ... But as I've said we'll take the win and leave Mr Lancaster to do the necessary :ok:

'Untrained' chimps could've scored,given the try opportunities absolutely butchered by the England backs & the Orcs weren't much better.
The Italians matched Englands physicality,demonstrated the teams lack of real strength in depth & an inability to adapt.They really are pretty ordinary !

woptb,

You are right, they are pretty ordinary.

The amazing thing is they couldn't find enough rugby talent in the 50 million English residents, so they had to go to South Africa, the South Sea Islands and the Antipodes to find some more "Englishmen" for the team - and they were still cr@p against Italy.

The same as the Army concentrating their recruiting efforts in Fiji so that they can field a team to beat the Navy!

I predict the English will be quiet on this thread. Their League of Nations rugby team wasn't up to much, so it's back across the Severn Bridge with their tails between their legs once again. Well played boyos!

1.3 ... Keep up old chap ... due credit already given ... see Ruckin' Thread :ok:

CS I find it difficult to keep up at my age!

Me too :ok:

Phew, am rushed off my feet this morning preparing yet more packs of paper tissues to mail to my English pals in order to console them in their grief (see my post #34).

Cardiff restaurant menu blackboard last night:

"Tender English lamb, locally slaughtered & well stuffed using traditional Welsh recipe"

Seriously, if you have never been to Millenium Stadium for a game like this, you have no idea of the pressure-cooker atmosphere. England were awe-struck & out-classed.

Surprised that they had the roof closed; they normally have it open, so God can watch Wales win....................

HB

Agreed HB ... Wales played very well indeed ... stick one of those packs of tissues in the post mate :ugh:

Commiserations, Coff..........

HB

Argentina 26-51 England

A most satisfying win ... I think we'll be keep the Islands Ms Cristina Fernández de Ketchup :E