England v Wales match, the following thoughts from David ‘Flats’ Flatman, former England, Saracens and Bath prop:
“Based on this evidence, World Rugby should consider substituting refs, not just players. The first half was an oval-shaped omnishambles.
“If Louis Rees-Zammit didn’t knock that on, then the game I’ve been watching for 40 years isn’t rugby. Equally, Josh Adam’s’ try was exceptionally well taken, but should never have been allowed.
“England weren’t undone by Wales. They were undone by some astonishingly poor refereeing and by their own equally astonishing inability to stop doing daft, unforced, illegal things.
“Considering how unthreatening Wales were with the ball for most of the game, England’s penalty count becomes even more astonishing. It reminded me of Tyson Fury punching himself in the face.
“England actually looked the sharper side with ball in hand, but since when has that mattered? When Wales had chances to score, they took them, even if some of them were gift-wrapped by a bloke from France.
“At school, one of the first lessons you’re taught in rugby is never turn your back on the opposition. With that in mind, my old PE teacher will have been hoarse from screaming at the TV when England switched off for Kieran Hardy’s try.
“If anyone picks a Lions XV that doesn’t have Tom Curry in it, they need help. The bloke’s on another level.
“George North is a genetic freak, but being a genetic freak doesn’t get you 100 caps. Loads and loads of boring, repetitive graft gets you 100 caps. Respect.
“Stuart Hogg and Liam Williams absolutely have to start for the Lions. There’s one slot up for grabs in that Lions back three, and a lot of phenomenal options to choose from.”
