ONE POOR KICK, ONE AWESOME PASS

Is that what test match rugby has come down to? One awful clearance kick from Jonathan Davies, the wrong man in the wrong position off the wrong foot, and seconds later, having received the ball from Ford in midfield, Owen Farrell delivers the most awesome, accurate bullet pass to Daly, who never breaking stride, gets on the outside of Cuthbert to score in the corner to win a game that like last week, England should never have won.

Game, set and match...

OATH roving reporters, Mark Jones and Tony Harjette were there - what did they think?

Mark Jones of Trebanos: So big day arrived and the usual buzz of Wales v England. The odd pre match comment of Wales employing daffodil throwing goats to frighten the English were not seen but the atmosphere was intense. The match was a gripping and when England pressure led to an 8-3 lead we feared the worst. But the Welsh fightback was awesome. With Wales back row dominant. England seemed shaken and Wales seemed in control only to lose it in then in a way which has become too common. An unfortunate kick in field and England cool heads took their chance. Ifs whats and maybes don't count but it is hard for a layman to understand why we did not take our kicks when offered or why we substituted players who were going well so early in second half. All in all a great game but frustrating to us Welsh. 

Did Wales lose it or England win it is a matter of some debate but the important point is who has most points after 80mins, and these games have never been predictable although we Welsh will need to lick our wounds and move on. At least we did not see a bank of daffodil throwing goats!!!

Tony of Harrow: The day started like a normal morning on a packed tube, except alcohol was being consumed and this train was full of Eddie Jones disciple's off to Cardiff.  The city a buzz, with the Welsh keen to reply to Sweet Chariots about putting it where the sun does not shine. 

However at the end of the day its about taking your chances and boy do this group know how to do that. The only unbeaten side after round two, come on boys.

Tony did send a pre-match photo of him and lots of excited English fans...well most anyway

English fans boost the Welsh economy in Cardiff

MORE IRISH WAKE THAN CRAIC

Marvellous game, wonderful atmosphere, spectacular opening 30 minutes from Scotland, a centre scoring from a lineout, amazing comeback from Ireland, need I go on?

Dunbar's cheeky try for Scotland

Luckily I was there, having given up my debenture at Twickenham, I decided to broaden horizons and head to Edinburgh with Doylie and Blakey, to catch up with Danny, an old buddy from Dublin. The day started well with first experience of tram service into town (I told you I have not been out much) and a swift trip to a tat shop on Princes Street to buy the compulsory "Jimmy Hat". We then had to wait for the Cafe Royal at end of Rose Street to open at 1100hrs, and Guinness frenzy commenced.

Cafe Royal: A beautiful place to be

Ireland weren't the only ones late to the ground, and having missed the anthems, we settled down to witness the best opening 30 minutes from a Scotland team since the 1999 side destroyed France in the Paris sun. The Scottish backs were ruthless in exploiting the space created by the back row's dominance at the breakdown - Wilson and Strauss have been described as journeymen, but, along with young Watson, they outmuscled and outsmarted their Irish counterparts. Hoggy got the ball over the line but the forwards won them the game. The Gray brothers were outstanding, whether carrying, tackling or stealing lineout ball, and young Fagerson played the full 80 mins against an experienced Irish front row. 

The Irish looked shellshocked, not just at half time, 21-5 down, but also in that final 10 minutes, having got themselves back in front, only to concede two soft penalties to lose the match. Laidlaw is a class act, kicking everything, and then showing ice in the brain, by kicking for the Irish corner at the death, when a shot at goal seemed the obvious choice. No wonder VC keeps him on, despite Ali Price playing out of his skin for Glasgow, and desperate to show what he could do.

The Scots emerged from Murrayfield to face a beautiful sunset accompanying their walk back to the town, with a spring in their step and that strange, unusual feeling of having won a "tight" test match - no longer the bridesmaids! The Irish on the other hand were devastated, this was meant to be the first easy hurdle on the way to greeting England to a Grand Slam decider at the Aviva in March. Some blamed the ref, some blamed players like Heaslip and Kearney, only a few praised Scotland for bringing an uncharacteristic intensity for the full 80 minutes. They weren't even up for a gag from their Scottish pals about the "wooden spoon" - more wake than craic...

I like Ireland, they have raised the bar on attacking rugby in the Northern hemisphere, and deservedly beat the Kiwis in the Autumn. However, they don't need someone like ROG increasing the tension between the two teams with an ill advised comment before the game, about Scots being "mouthy" and "not being able to back it up". He did apologise afterwards, whilst eating humble pie, but surprised he is even aware of the recent Munster-Glasgow incident regarding targeting of Conor Murray, as he has followed the euro gravy train to French rugby and the Top 14. Anyway, here is his "silly kick" in 2013 in same fixture putting hs team under great pressure ... enjoy!

Edinburgh was jumping regardless, as the nation released the frustration and disappointment of losing to Australia in the World Cup QF (and may other heroic Scottish defeats). France next Sunday in Paris is another challenge altogether, but for one night at least the heavy flowed.

CAN LIGHTNING STRIKE TWICE?

Can Ireland beat NZ twice in a row, a team they have never beaten before, and quite probably the most dominant team ever. By 1930hrs UK time we will know if lightning can strike twice. However, most non English people will be cursing the TV schedulers who, like last week, have put two big games on at the same time - Ireland v All Blacks and Scotland v Argentina - both at 1700hrs. Why the TV companies can't agree a sequential schedule is beyond me. And what makes it worse, my football team is playing at the same time, and I don't have Sky Q!

Nathan, the Fijian, will face his fellow Islanders today

My prediction for today - England by 17, Argentina by 10, NZ by 10, Wales by many

Enjoy another festive feast of beer and friendship.

BACK ON LINE: THANK YOU IRELAND

After a sabbatical of a few months, Ireland's marvellous win over NZ spurred me into action and has inspired me to pick up the blog again. Ireland were ruthless, clinical, marvellous last weekend in securing their first ever win over NZ, and Kiwis looked average under intense pressure. I wouldn't want to be Italy this weekend, as NZ will seek to remind people they are probably the most dominant All Black team ever.

This weekend's games will be interesting - England, with such a poor record against SA, should sneak a win against an underperforming Bok team in development. Scotland, with a few key player injured, including in front row, will struggle to match the in form Wallabies, and may have to wait to correct the injustice of the RWC 2016 QF. Wales, who were terrible last weekend against Oz, have dropped scared cows such as Roberts and Lydiate, in an attempt to overcome an improving Pumas team, who put 50 points on Japan.

And it is due to rain all day, which will favour SA, Scotland and Argentina, But, regardless I think the scores will be:

England by 10, Australia by 7, Argentina by 5.

Enjoy this festival of mud, beer and old friends.

ENGLAND v AUSTRALIA 1ST TEST PREVIEW

England and Australia have both named squads for Saturday's First Test in Brisbane.

England's starting XV includes Farrell at 10, replacing George Ford, Yarde in for Nowell on the wing and Burrell in at inside centre to give much needed bulk in midfield. Yarde will inject pace into the back three, but has scored few tries this season for his club, and is no better defensively than Ashton, who didn't even make the plane. Anyway, I, along with many others hope to eat our words come Saturday lunchtime, when he collects his MOM award having helped England win the game. England should get some impact off the bench from Lawes and Launchbury, with Itoje likely to cover back row, possibly replacing Robshaw in second half. It still concerns me that Haskell is not a natural 7 to combat the obvious Pooper threat at the breakdown.

England: 15. Mike Brown; 14. Anthony Watson, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Luther Burrell, 11. Marland Yarde; 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Ben Youngs; 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Dylan Hartley, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. George Kruis, 6. Chris Robshaw, 7. James Haskell, 8. Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Matt Mullan, 18. Paul Hill, 19. Joe Launchbury, 20. Courtney Lawes, 21. Danny Care, 22. George Ford, 23. Jack Nowell.

Yarde in for Nowell in First Test

Australia is forced to blood three new players as a lot of their RWC 2015 squad is still playing in France. Dane Haylett-Petty, the Western Force full back, makes his debut on the wing, Samu Kerevi of the Reds comes in as 12 alongside Kuridrani (combined weight of 33 stone) and, finally Rory Arnold, at 6ft 8in, partners Rob Simmons in second row. Despite absences, the Wallabies have experienced match winners in key positions from Folau at 15, Foley at 10 to Moore at hooker and Hooper at 7. Australia's front row has more strength in depth now than in years with Polota-Nau, Slipper and Kepu all on the bench, and Sean McMahon is another natural openside in the Pooper mould. Nick Frisby will become another Wallaby debutant at scrum half at some stage and Lealiifano would have started at 12 had it not been for the birth of his first child.

Arnold the Brumbie becomes tallest Wallaby ever

Australia: Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Rob Horne; Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (captain), Greg Holmes, Rory Arnold, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock.

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, James Horwill, Dean Mumm, Sean McMahon, Nick Frisby, Christian Lealiifano

The first test represents England's best chance of a victory, so it will be tight, but I predict Australia to win by 7 points.

MORE NEW LAWS ... HURRAH!

Yes, they have finally got rid of scrums and rolling mauls...

....unfortunately not!

World Rugby has introduced a number of law changes to the northern hemisphere game in an effort to stop simulation. Any player who dives or feigns injury in an effort to influence match officials will be liable for sanction.

Players who need to be substituted because of an injury following foul play will no longer count as one of their team's six allotted replacements.

And a change has also been made in the application of a maul law, punishable by a penalty. It means a player in possession cannot slip to the back of a maul, with the ball having to be moved backwards hand to hand instead.

The changes have been in effect in the southern hemisphere since January.

HOME NATIONS HEAD SOUTH FOR SUMMER TOURS

It is strange that a country not even involved in touring the Southern Hemisphere will have a considerable impact on the Home Nations summer tours. As the French season goes onto August (or close to it), so that the French Government (through companies) and/or millionaires who own the clubs can use rugby to show off their wealth or egos, this serves to deprive every other nation (bar NZ and England) of players in June and July.

England head to Australia for three tests, and despite having only won three tests in Oz before (total) must fancy their chances. They have enormous strength of depth (shown by their comfortable win over Wales without Sarries and Exeter players), whereas Michael Cheika, the Australian coach is rebuilding, and will not be able to rely on the (expanding) Aussie contingent en France. Like most nations, he will be using the series to blood some younger players, especially those playing in Super 18 form teams such as the Brumbies and Waratahs, although it must be concerning that Rebels, Reds and Force are again propping up the table (although they have only played NZ teams to date). If England win the 1st test in Brisbane then the 2nd test will be titanic...

Eddie arrives in his home country to find a rubber glove awaits

South Africa, with half their RWC 2015 squad playing for Montpelier, are also re-building, and have the added challenge of needing to field a higher percentage of black players. With many black players featuring for the Lions and Stormers, two sides in rich form in Super 18 (albeit not against NZ teams), I think they will still be more than a match for Ireland. I fear for Ireland, as without Sexton I think they will struggle to control test matches. I also cannot understand why they have not selected Gareth Steenson (Northern Irish) of Exeter at fly half as the English Premiership is of a higher standard than most of the Irish players are exposed to. The Irish selectors also seem to have been watching another league this season, as there are very few from the standout Connacht team, which has dominated the Pro 12. I predict an easy series win for SA.

I would like to say "Here's Jonny" but he won't be....

Lastly, Wales take on New Zealand, who despite being in re-building mode, and losing almost as many players to the French bistro's as SA, still look capable of fielding an incredibly strong side, consisting of a dreaded mix of RWC winning experience and youth. The Crusaders, Chiefs, Hurricanes and Highlanders all look impressive this season in Super 18, and the Blues are much better than their "season horriblus" last year. I fear for Wales, especially if they play defensively (and tactically) as badly as they did against England last weekend. They are also unsure when French based players such as Jonathan Davies and Luke Charteris will join the squad. Again, I predict an inevitable series whitewash for the Southern Hemisphere team.

Before I finish this post, can I express my dismay at the selfish "me, me, me" attitude of the owners of clubs like Toulon, who only care about winning themselves, deliberately attempt to intimidate players into not playing for their country (by threatening them with sanctions), and treat everyone else in the game with disdain (from journalists to other clubs to World Rugby). Guys leave our game alone, and go buy another Sunseeker or Tesla. It is time for the governing body to man up, leave its Howth seafood restaurant and show such gentlemen who is boss. It is our game, not theirs. The next generation need to be inspired by watching their national side competing at the highest level against other nations in a national stadium. The rugby equivalent of USA Utd v Abu Dhabi City is not the answer. Just look at the French national side.