If there's one thing I'd change about England at this time is I'd love to have seen Jason Robinson slot in at 1st receiver more!! He only did it a handful of times but he either scored tries from that position or created tries due to defences being worried about his running ability. Despite England scoring lots of tries they might have scored a whole heap more!!
England were so confusing, undoubtedly the world's best team from 2001-2003, beat everyone, won the world cup, then suddenly became absolute dogshit for the next 10 years (bar the rwc 2007 fluke).
Thanks for the upload, this truly was an amazing era and fantastic time for English rugby, a team that can be measured against any 15 throughout the history of the game. World class players in every position, competition for places, oustanding management and the cherry on top Jason Robinson
Jonny was quicker than I remember. Actually, you forget how good we were then. Left the missus 9 months pregnant on the sofa to watch the final in the boozer. Wanted our baby boysmiddle names to be Jonny Aragorn, but she wouldn’t let me. Had the honour shortly after of playing with Buck Shelford in a 10’s competition and have a lovely photo with my lad being held by Buck. I said to him after that it had been a privilege to play with him. He said, it had been his privilege to play with me, which said more about the man he was rather than my ability as a rugby player. Happy days.
sorry eddie j, this england team was light years ahead of anything you will ever produce. not sure many of the current squad would get in this vintage, maybe the vunipolas at the top of their game. and tuilagi. possibly one of either underwood/curry instead of back.
Started playing rugby when I started school in 2001 when I joined school, and honestly re watching this just brings them happy days back again. I can still smell deep heat watching this. Still best friends with all my rugby mates from school, all been best men at each others weddings, and just about all of us still play together for the same team. Rugby really is the best sport on earth