At the Vélodrome stadium,
The expression “it’s in old pots that we make the best jams” fits perfectly with this XV de la Rose, victorious over Argentina (27-10) Saturday evening at the Vélodrome stadium for their first match of the Cup of the 2023 world of rugby. We knew they were in full doubt after their three defeats during the four preparation matches, some even saw them falling from the start against the Pumas.
The first minutes of the match also proved the most skeptical. With the exclusion of Tom Curry, after having exploded the arcade of poor Juan Cruz Mallia, and a penalty of 50 meters taken in stride (3rd). At 15 against 14, we even felt at times that the Pumas were more powerful and more enterprising. But the English are badass, and it didn’t last.
George Ford in Jonny Wilkinson mode
Because of a man, fly-half George Ford, absolutely perfect. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen an Englishman so good with his feet at the Stade Vélodrome and in less than 10 minutes, the man who replaces Owen Farrell, suspended for the first two matches, scored three drops to set the record straight. time. Including two of almost 50 meters. “Drops are always scheduled, it’s a great weapon for us, especially when the ball is as slippery as today,” reacted the man of the match, with the same sobriety as his kicks.
Drops, therefore, the specialty of the XV of the Rose, with the record for punts in the World Cup (24), and above all the basis of the strategy of the world title won in 2003 with a certain Jonny Wilkinson. And again this year, they put a huge blow on the head of the Pumas, in addition to the points scored.
The XV of the Rose is not dead
But also to an energy and a combativeness that has always characterized this XV of the rose, all eras combined. “We first wanted to play a great game for us. We defended well, the victory was good and George Ford had an incredible match,” summarized the captain of the XV de la Rose, Courtney Lawes. When Michael Cheika acknowledged that England had “controlled the game very well. The rhythm was choppy, exactly as she wanted it to be. To the point of having limited punishment at the end of the match given the number of balls lost by the Pumas, as much because of the English defensive line, as the psychological impact inflicted by Ford’s foot.
The fly-half and his teammates finally proved their coach, Steve Borthwick, right: “George Ford was magnificent this evening. Of course against the poles, but also in his management of the game. This is a new example of the leadership that exists within this group. There were a lot of positives to take from this performance, not least the way the guys kept their composure in difficult times against a good Argentina team. » With a clever mix of “experience and some promising young people”, England could ultimately be the surprise of this 2023 World Cup. They at least seem to have found the recipe.