Not English but that was a magnificent team. Watched some of the pre world cup games against SH sides recently and had forgotten how good they were. A complete team without a weakness and it's probably only now that we realise how good they all were. Some of the tries Ben Cohen scored were top drawer. Lewsey was the last piece in the jigsaw and what a player he was!!
You could be from Mars and have to realise how good that English tram were. Rugby was a bit better than too many stoppages mow and the atmosphere in the CLcutta Cup here is electric.
When you look back on this, you realise the England team of that time weren't at all flash - they were just very effective at doing the basics very well, across every player on the pitch. Whether ruck or maul, a kick or a pass, every player was competent and made good decisions at the right time, playing with instinct. Although JR pace was astonishing .
What's even more telling is the pace at which they played and recycled the ball especially from 9 to 10 plus the depth in talent meant no one took their place for granted
Fuck me, England were a joy to behold in those days. So many influential players. I didn't appreciate Steve Thompson's ability to get around the park at the time; he seems to be on the ball and punching holes in the defence throughout the match here. How England 2015 could do with the accuracy of his darts too. Dawson's sniping runs, getting England behind the defence and soft offloads to runners who are expecting it and running great angles. Dexterity and vision in the midfield. Lethal wingers, Lewsey solid at the back there. They all just look so composed and relaxed. It's a bit like when you watch New Zealand, they just seem to have so much time on the ball.
Firsthgyhgyhuy Lastujhujhuj Indeed. As I said, a bit like when you watch New Zealand today. The difference is that, although as you rightly state, England were without doubt the best, others like NZ, Oz and SA were never that far behind. All the Northern Hemisphere teams currently are so far away from the Big 3, they might as well be playing a different game. Having said that, I'm delighted by the progress England have made under Eddie Jones. There's a huge gap to close, but it is starting to look conceivable that that gap can at least be shrunk a bit...
Well it's probably over a year since your comment and England are coming back. They're playing SCotland this Saturday (11.03.2017) to equal the World record for consecutive wins
Best move for me was the Crossfield kick to Ben Cohen. England moving the ball one way (Allowing Scotland's defence to drift the same way) only for Jonny to put in an excellent kick in the other direction where Ben Cohen was unlucky not to be awarded the try. The way they manipulated the Scot's defence was quite brilliant. A move inspired by Wigan RLFC and Jason Robinson? I once saw an almost identical move by Wigan RLFC finished by Robinson himself..
Hard to believe that England are the greatest grand slam chokers ever! They could have had more grand slam glory but they always seem to fail at the last hurdle. Ever since 2003 the best they can ever get to is 2nd best. Oh well, never mind. Am so looking forward to England coming first...........sorry, second best again! I might as well watch 1991, 1992, 1995 and 2003 DVD's because they aint gonna win any more............FACT.
Robinson's acceleration for his try is incredible.
Miss seeing him play.
Not English but that was a magnificent team. Watched some of the pre world cup games against SH sides recently and had forgotten how good they were. A complete team without a weakness and it's probably only now that we realise how good they all were. Some of the tries Ben Cohen scored were top drawer. Lewsey was the last piece in the jigsaw and what a player he was!!
You could be from Mars and have to realise how good that English tram were. Rugby was a bit better than too many stoppages mow and the atmosphere in the CLcutta Cup here is electric.
When you look back on this, you realise the England team of that time weren't at all flash - they were just very effective at doing the basics very well, across every player on the pitch. Whether ruck or maul, a kick or a pass, every player was competent and made good decisions at the right time, playing with instinct. Although JR pace was astonishing .
What's even more telling is the pace at which they played and recycled the ball especially from 9 to 10 plus the depth in talent meant no one took their place for granted
8:29 that ankle tap by Dawson........brilliant!
Wasn't he offside ?
it's 8:27 and not offside
My lord Jason Robinson was lightning and Johnny Wilkinson was the best ten in the world truly an amazing English team 🏴🌹
Simon Taylor was such a Great Player. I’d totally forgotten that he made that tackle on josh lewsey! What a good team England had.
Fuck me, England were a joy to behold in those days. So many influential players. I didn't appreciate Steve Thompson's ability to get around the park at the time; he seems to be on the ball and punching holes in the defence throughout the match here. How England 2015 could do with the accuracy of his darts too. Dawson's sniping runs, getting England behind the defence and soft offloads to runners who are expecting it and running great angles. Dexterity and vision in the midfield. Lethal wingers, Lewsey solid at the back there. They all just look so composed and relaxed. It's a bit like when you watch New Zealand, they just seem to have so much time on the ball.
Firsthgyhgyhuy Lastujhujhuj Indeed. As I said, a bit like when you watch New Zealand today. The difference is that, although as you rightly state, England were without doubt the best, others like NZ, Oz and SA were never that far behind. All the Northern Hemisphere teams currently are so far away from the Big 3, they might as well be playing a different game.
Having said that, I'm delighted by the progress England have made under Eddie Jones. There's a huge gap to close, but it is starting to look conceivable that that gap can at least be shrunk a bit...
Well it's probably over a year since your comment and England are coming back. They're playing SCotland this Saturday (11.03.2017) to equal the World record for consecutive wins
Simply the greatest rugby team ever assembled. They play with instinct rather than replicating training field set plays.
That England teak absolutely peaked by 2003. Had been pretty damn good for a few years at that stage.
Im sorry. Im sorry. Martin Johnson‘s left handed pass across the middle of the field in the second half! That was a moment of unexpected brilliance!
Not unexpected.
Best move for me was the Crossfield kick to Ben Cohen. England moving the ball one way (Allowing Scotland's defence to drift the same way) only for Jonny to put in an excellent kick in the other direction where Ben Cohen was unlucky not to be awarded the try. The way they manipulated the Scot's defence was quite brilliant. A move inspired by Wigan RLFC and Jason Robinson? I once saw an almost identical move by Wigan RLFC finished by Robinson himself..
Great team and let’s face it in better times.
Absolutely 😊
That Jason Robinson try...
All kinds of dirty play from both sides but the passing by the backs for that Lewsey try was perfection.
Is it possible to have full Match plz?
I had England-Wales 2002 recorded on VHS but boring 50-10 for England.
2:35 is hilarious. Quite impressive chase for a second-row, but what the fuck was he thinking!?
He was also massively offside
Most of us could reel off the players names as the squad was consistent..nowadays..
Chris Paterson cheap shot on Matt Dawson 10:27 LOL
What a pack! No one could live with them, unless the referee helped.
Put the live scores up FFS
Poor Steve Thompson.
Great handling for Lewsey's try!
The best rugby ever
A Great English side!
Put the live scores up. FFS
Hard to believe that England are the greatest grand slam chokers ever! They could have had more grand slam glory but they always seem to fail at the last hurdle. Ever since 2003 the best they can ever get to is 2nd best. Oh well, never mind. Am so looking forward to England coming first...........sorry, second best again! I might as well watch 1991, 1992, 1995 and 2003 DVD's because they aint gonna win any more............FACT.
ho ho! What is this we have here!
+samool22 Good grief, it's an English Grand Slam lol! Had to work hard for it though! Maybe I was being too pessimistic!! Take care
This comment aged well.
2016 grand slam btw