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  • Ok. What have we learned thus far (probably better to wait until the 6N have played too to answer that but):

    It's going to be pretty open. SA had spells of play where on another day they could've scored a couple of tries - I know shoulda, woulda, coulda BUT like every team, NZ have vulnerability too (previously they've seemed almost impermeable whether faced with a power/off-loading/set piece/territory game against them). England certainly have the speed and directness to cause problems, provided support can be quick enough to stop NZ et al turning them over.

    Australia are going to pour points down the swanee due to not having a reliable goal kicker and as such can't win the world cup. 3 different kickers missed today and didn't look close to nailing the tricky ones.

    Fiji could beat Wales - couldn't they?

    The refereeing sounds better than it is - two potential red-cards - shoulder direct to head - not even referred by the TMO. Poor/non-existent policing off the offside line at the ruck.

    France.....well, are France. Much improved but not sure I saw much of a consistent game plan and would expect England to strangle/frustrate them (if they don't strangle themselves). They have a very decent crop of 4-5 early 20s players that are mustard however.

    The Japanese hatrick hero has a beautifully soft plumage

  • England certainly have the speed and directness to cause problems, provided support can be quick enough to stop NZ et al turning them over.

    Based on today, then yes. With Curry, Underhill and Itoje England should be very competitive around the breakdown, that said, they've struggled badly against Wales in this area. But England do have all the ingredients in their side to trouble them.

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