2026 Six Nations fixtures confirmed with England handed perfect start

“I simply can’t understand how Duhan van der Merwe, a man of 6’5”, fails under the high ball in the way he does.”

“He’s bloody massive yet managed only one from five in the air in a dismal display under the ball.”

“Tommy Freeman worked hard — 15 carries and the most line breaks — but he was turned over four times — twice in the air and twice on the floor.”

“That aerial battle — Rodrigo Isgro and Ignacio Mendy absolutely cleaned the Lions out at the contestibles.”

“Yes, in attack he was threatening and he played a part in two of the Lions’ tries, but, and it’s a big but, Australia is the land of the physical, athletic full-back and the spiral bomb.”

“The Lions simply cannot afford the luxury of Smith’s defence at 15. He doesn’t understand the positional requirements and he’s simply too small and light to compete one to one.”

“Yes, as an impact player or starting ten, he will do a great job, but as a starting full-back? Come on!”

“I had to check to be sure Jac Morgan was even playing, such was his lack of impact.”

“When your openside spends 55 minutes on the pitch, makes four carries for six metres, and manages six tackles (one every nine minutes!) you wonder why he’s failing to execute the basic roles of his position.”

“He also failed to control anything around the drop zone… and generally went missing in action in a woeful personal performance.”