Unlike the previous match, this was exciting, entertaining, creative, and good. The lead swapped hands several times, and until the last couple of minutes it wasn't clear who was going to win.
Both sides played, at times, imaginative, fast attacking rugby. Both sides, most of the time, defended well when the other side were attacking well, but there were just enough cracks, particularly of French discipline at key times, for the scores to build up. But, although the defences played well, the tackles were usually made and so on, the attacks generally remained well considered and fast and always looking like they could have been successful.
Chabal had a massive game, in the line outs and in particular running with the ball in-hand. Ireland played, overall, better as a team and with that bit more discipline (they gave away no penalties in the first half for example) to deserve the win, but this was a match that, as a neutral, I'd love to watch again - it was pulsing, fun, entertaining. Well worth watching, and really highlighting the deficiencies of England's performance. If England play like this throughout the 6N there won't be any English Lions, and England will only win one match.
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