Matt Dawson rips into England for going back on their promise to fans

RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content 

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Echoing their previous match in Rome, England found themselves behind at halftime, with Wales scoring a penalty try and an Alex Mann score, putting the home team's unbeaten streak since 2015 under threat.

Yet, England mounted a comeback in the second half, with Fraser Dingwall's try narrowing the margin to just one point before George Ford's crucial penalty sealed the victory.

With this triumph, England climbs to the top of the Six Nations standings, maintaining a flawless record in the tournament. Despite suffering consecutive defeats, Wales managed to secure a losing bonus point and retain fifth place.

“They have come out of their bubble to say they care how the fans feel and that they know what the fans want,” he wrote in his BBC column.

“That is fine, but it gives the public the right to reply.

“The performance was not necessarily how they said they would do it. It was not raining heavily and there were loads of opportunities to play in a different way. The modern generation of England players feel like they want to entertain the public but you have to be able to stand by that.

"Some of the opportunities you get in the game give you the chance to entertain, when they would ordinarily be box-kicking the ball. 

"I don't think the fans care too much about making the pre-match walk to the dressing room longer, but they do care about being dominant in every facet of the play rather than scraping through by a couple of points. 

"If they go out there and win games with physicality, endeavour and striking at the right time, I can guarantee the fans will go wild. What excites the fans is them turning up to Twickenham and thinking no visitors win here."

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Looking ahead to the next match against Scotland at Murrayfield in two weeks, we identify four players who may need to step out of the starting team.

Evening Standard 6/10: "Showed his inexperience at the level for his yellow card, but recovered as the game progressed."

Telegraph 5/10: "Struggled to match the heights of last week, losing the ball in contact deep inside the Welsh 22 before conceding a penalty and yellow card for killing a maul."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "A great debut last week but not so good this time around. The yellow card was needless as all he had to do was hold them up as he had got onto the ball."

RUCK 6/10: "Collapsed the maul as Wales trundle towards the goal-line. Awarded a yellow card as Wales get a penalty try. Provided a new role as a line out jumper at the back. Spilt the ball after 47 minute re-start. Didnt have the best game to build on his MOTM performance v Italy, but put in strong hits around the pitch. Off for Alex Coles (72)"

RUCK 6/10: "Didn't get back onside following the Welsh restart and gave away a penalty. Out of position at 27 minutes, lucky that George North opted to kick with a big gap ahead of him. Flattened by George North, as he missed the tackle at 33 minutes."

Telegraph 5/10: "The try covered a multitude of sins - from George North running straight through him, to not holding his line before passing to Daly."

Planet Rugby 6/10: "Not a huge carrying threat but a smart operator. Took his try well and is a good distributor on the gain line, although he needs to show more in the rest of the Six Nations."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "Much quieter than last weekend. Didn’t really get the opportunity to run but he was a useful chasing option."

Rugby Pass 6/10: "Unable to follow up his livewire Stadio Olimpico effort with another eye-catching display. Still had some good moments, namely his scramble defence."

Guardian 5/10: "A try-saving tackle on Josh Adams was a highlight but denied chances to repeat the attacking threat shown in Rome."

Rugby Pass 6/10: "Didn’t shirk his tackle load with England under the first-half pump and had a lively second-half start before exiting on 52 minutes."

Rugby Dump 5/10: "Hauled off in the 50th minute after struggling to impose his mountable size over the young welsh pack."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "The scrum was not really a factor while he was on the field thanks to some smart (possibly underhand) tactics from the Welsh."

RUCK 6/10: "Given a talking to by the ref at 14 minutes, as he and the Wales tight-head jostled at multiple scrum re-sets. Gave away a scrum penalty for not pushing straight at 15, but regathered his composure as the scrum battle progressed."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Penalised for the scrum penalty when England went with just seven players at a set-piece in the lead-up to the first Welsh try. He then contributed to the hole that the visitors burst through for their second try by going too low and not preventing the Tommy Reffell offload. Another subbed off 12 minutes into the second half."