After a great first weekend of the Six Nations there’s no question where everyone’s attention will be on Saturday – Twickenham.
England versus Wales has the potential to be a fantastic match, with a huge amount resting on the game for both teams.
Wales have had a lot of praise this week, and deservedly so after a brilliant performance in Cardiff against Scotland, but this is where the real challenge for them begins.
It’s one thing being able to win a game in that manner, but what really counts is being able to do it week after week. Rugby is all about what you can do next and the Welsh setup will be fully aware of that and be focused on the task in hand.
Scotland were embarrassingly poor last week, but England are a serious side. They are one of the best few sides in the world and this will be a proper test for Wales – but one I think they can overcome.
England have a very good coach in Eddie Jones and it has been interesting to hear some of the things he has had to say about Rhys Patchell and Alun Wyn Jones in the last couple of days. The media always makes a big deal about mind games like this, but he’s just being a good coach.
If England win then people will look back at the comments and say what a good job he’s done, if they lose then they’ll all be forgotten about. It’s a no lose for him. The players won’t be taking any notice of it either – they will just have their heads down, looking forward to the game.
In Italy I thought England’s passing looked really slick and sharp and they are full of confidence. Sadly, the way Italy are playing it’s a little difficult to judge exactly how good the performance was, but England are looking a very strong unit. Wales know they will have their backs to the wall for potentially large parts of the game and the result will depend on how they cope with that.
There are some great battles all over the field. I think Wales have probably got the better back row which could be crucial. Out wide will be interesting too with Anthony Watson and Jonny May looking good, up against Steff Evans and Josh Adams. Watson and May might have more experience, but ultimately you have to get the ball to them, and for both sets of wingers it will come down to how the lads inside them play and if they can get the service they need.
I’ve got some great memories at Twickenham, every time I started there we won, and there are a few Welsh lads who have experience of winning there and that will be really important.
Wales were superb last week and I have spoken to a few of the boys and their confidence is high on the back of that and I think they might just spring an upset.
WOUNDED ANIMALS
It’s a massive game at Murrayfield with Scotland and France both coming off tough losses.
Mike is now leading the coaching at the Mike Phillips Rugby Academy in Dubai.
Scotland let themselves down badly against Wales. There was no physicality, huge gaps in the defence and they just couldn’t string phases together – it was like schoolboy rugby at times.
I have said previously about Scotland having to deliver and once again they have failed to do so. They got a lot of credit for running New Zealand close but you have to be winning games consistently to be taken seriously.
For France, losing so late is always tough and now you have to hope they don’t crumble. I had some harsh words to say about them last week, and it is really sad to see how they are at the moment. I grew up watching great French sides – I even had a France shirt as a kid – and to see them not in the top two fighting for championships is a shame.
But international rugby is all about playing for 80 minutes. It’s no good performing for 30 or 60 minutes, the level has to be high for the whole game, and that’s where they are falling down at the moment.
It’s going to be a very interesting game, and one in which both sides have to show some real fight and get some pride back, but I think France will bounce back and get the win.
Finally, it looks like it could be a cricket score for Ireland as they face Italy.
They did very well last week to snatch a win in Paris. I actually texted Johnny Sexton to ask if he had shinned that drop goal – he looked so surprised it had gone over.
Once again they seem to be going about their business quietly and getting the job done. They got the ball rolling in France and you would expect them to follow that up with a very comfortable win against Italy. That will tune them up nicely for the tougher games to comes when Wales go to Dublin, and they have to travel to Twickenham.
The Mike Phillips Rugby Academy in Dubai is run in conjunction with Just Play. Currently aimed at 3 to 11-year-olds, you can register your child to be coached by Mike and the team by calling 04 348 3869 or visit http://justplay.ae/rugby/
