From the touchlines: Crunch time

England coach Brian Ashton has repeatedly made it clear this week that England players who fail to perform against France in Paris on Saturday will follow the same fate as Andy Gomarsall.

Late on Thursday, captain Phil Vickery reiterated that message - not that it was needed - claiming his spot in the side isn't assured either if he fails to perform to the highest standards. So the message is clear: mess up and you're out.

It's a high-risk strategy by Ashton which could go two ways. There's a chance it could make his players raise their game as they did at the World Cup and exceed expectations. However, it could make the players so nervous in the build-up in the French capital that they fluff their gameplans altogether and completely capitulate.

Ashton's plan is a bold one and should shut up the doubters who argue he's not tough enough. However, if it all backfires - and it could hideously so - then questions will be asked. Let's see what happens...

How do you think England will fare in Paris and has Ashton got his tactics right? We want to hear your views...

Comments

[Big Rog]

Surely losing to such a magnificent team as the current Welsh side cannot be 'utter failing'. Utter failing would be losing to Old Beergut's 2nd B XV while their star player 'Pegleg' McNasty was not at his best after having been taken suddenly drunk the previous night and losing his boot. Or are you insinuating that the band of heroes that make up the Welsh rugby squad are only capable of such a standard?
England lost the match against Wales because they relaxed. It was a silly error but only the players know what really happened. I would guess that it was simple overconfidence, after all they'd cruised to a comfortable lead in the first half and barely broken into a sweat. All they had to do was hold on, let Wales run out of steam and double the score in the last 15 minutes. Perhaps their overconfidence led to too many of the players deciding to relax and let someone else in the team do the work. You can't do that against any international side especially Wales. Once the Welsh players found themselves with a bit of room to work their pride took over and English hearts sank as we watched the team panic in a way that I have never seen before, even during the dark days of the 70s.
The lesson was driven home against Italy and I hope with all my heart that those 2 match videos become required monthly viewing for all England squad members for ever.
The France match showed what this side can do, as the younger players become more experienced and their dynamism comes to the fore I believe that once again England can become truly world class. The artificial cycle forced on us by the World Cup means that there will be more dissatisfaction than ever with teams and coaches as they try to win the current round of matches while building towards a particular date. Now is not the time to have your 2011 starting XV team sheet pencilled in, much less written out. A team is not built like a house from the ground up, it is renovated like a much valued heirloom by only replacing the bits that need it. Even the French with their much heralded new look retained many familiar features, mind you it didn't do them much good did it?
Come on England! More of the same please.

[Matt]

James I dont know why you and the rest of England feel the need to blame your utter failings at sport on other issues, such as injury, when other teams have to deal with the same problems. The reason you lost against Wales was because they played better rugby and the sooner England takes responsibility for its own failings instead of blaming them on everything but the team, the better.

[JamesL]

Not so much is Brian a decent coach but perhaps we need to question his substitutions. Disappointing as it is that England has only played 2 good halves of rugby thus far, let’s look at the reasons why. Against Wales we had key injuries to a number of players that forced changes but to be to play a lock in the back row was the real reason we lost against Wales. Anyone whose has played the game will know that despite the improvement in mobility of most "Boiler Engines" they run out of steam if you ask them to do two jobs. You can't combine the two disciplines at international level. There's no question that induced errors in the backline put under additional pressure. Ashton should have moved Vainikolo to the back row, used Wigglesworth on the wing and played 10 man rugby for the last 20 minutes. I see no Welsh revival just yet. Yes Italy had a good 20 minutes, as you would expect on home turf, but when the match was not yet won to replace Johnny, unless injured, with Cipriani was another error that almost cost the game. Had the changes been right England would be sitting with a 100% record. I expect a win against France.

[Derek Meikle]

Lay off Ashton - can't see anyone doing a better job than him right now. He's got injured players because of the ridiculously busy rugby calendar and he's not quite got the talent at his disposal that people think. Give him time regardless of what happens today.

[Emma]

Come on France!!!!!! Beat those smug gits!!!!

[mick]

i was in rome watching the game against italy and the team had no direction or enthusiasum. Some fowards where walking with heads down so they are going to have to dig deep and play with confidence against the french. If they win it will be one of the great wins in the 6 nations.

[John]

Ashton...mess up and YOU are out!

[Ron]

With so many retirements and injuries, it's not about the 6 nations'rather more about sorting out the team and tactics for the future. England have the strength and depth but how do they want to play,in the old forward style or a more expansive game. It's make your mind up time.

[CShea]

Feeling great about the game and am really confident for England going into the France match. This is when they'll turn things around.

[Jimmy Stevens]

just saw olly barkley's off to gloucester next season. didn't see that one coming. hopefully that'll give him the confidence to achieve his potential as he looked stifled at bath. would love him back in the england set-up when he's back to his best, whether at 10 or 12. he's easily a match for wilkinson, cipraini and flood. a top footballing brain.

[Lee]

Hasn't moved the team along?! I think they've gone backwards if that's possible!!!

[Tom Sykes]

Vicks is awesome at rousing speeches for England against France. Apparently he did the job nicely before the World Cup match between the two sides again so bring it. Raging Bull here we come!!!

[JGriffin]

I don't think Ashton has moved the team along. It is largely what has been forced upon him by circumstances, athough if you had a limited contract, what would you prioritise? There are loads of potentially great players out there, most playing for teams other than Bath, Gloucester or Wasps. He could have done a Lievremont instead of an O'Sullivan. The goal is another WC Final, not bragging rights in the Felinfoel Arms in Upper Cwmtrch for a few weeks.

[Ash]

I admire Ashton for what he's doing. He's basically taken loads of flak and kept calm and very quietly threatened his players by getting gomarsall out of the entire match-day 22. I don't think that or the threat of the axe will make the players overly nervous. They're professionals and they know their places are on the line whenever they pull on an England shirt. And if they don't, they're not worthy of the England shirt.