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Jeremy Guscott's Six Nations Q&A

Jeremy Guscott
BBC pundit Guscott is on hand to tackle your queries throughout the season

Former Bath, England and Lions centre Jeremy Guscott is back to answer your questions.

Among the topics Jerry discusses this week are:

- How Toby Flood guided England to a famous win against Wales in Cardiff

- Why many of Wales' biggest names failed to fire in Cardiff

- What Italy need to to do to finish off Ireland

- Who is his player of the round after a marvellous weekend of Six Nations action

If you have any questions for Jerry, please use the postform on this page. He will answer as many as possible, but unfortunately not every question submitted can be used. This week's answers appear below.


Hi Jeremy, overall I thought there were loads of positives to come out of a decent England performance on Friday night. The one major concern I had was the team's inability to kill the game off, in particular when the side went 14 points up. How worried do you think we should be about a couple of missed chances in the second half which allowed Wales to get back into the game?
Andrew, UK

England's Chris Ashton

Extended highlights - Wales v England

Hi Andrew, I don't believe England showed any signs of panic when Wales got themselves back into the game. Toby Flood controlled the game. He was like a general and his confidence filtered through the side. You had a sense he was going to nail his kicks, a bit like Jonny Wilkinson. It is great to see an England Number 10 command like that. If anything I thought England looked comfortable and could contain a Welsh side with a limited cutting edge. It would have been good to see England kill the game off in the second half but you have to give credit to Wales for getting themselves back in it. Overall I thought it was an adequate performance and a good win away from home.

Hi Jerry, whilst it was a clinical display for England against Wales, do you feel that we are missing a bit of creative flair in the centres? Although we have a creative 10 and a good back three, surely we should have a bit more pace and flair in the middle of the park, too? They do set good targets for the forwards in the middle but we don't really attack teams in the middle like when Will Greenwood and you played together.
Dan, England

Hi Dan, I agree with you to a degree that we don't use the centres enough in attack to set up an attacking platform. Whilst Toby Flood did a great job controlling his team I thought he could have used Mike Tindall and Shontayne Hape more through the middle. Hape was only used once on a short ball and took out a number of players. England have to vary the attack using inside and outside balls.

After a fabulous performance by Toby Flood it seems inconceivable that anyone could take the Number 10 jersey off him. However, Wilkinson was such a revelation defensively when he came on. Is it feasible to find places for both of these in-form players?
Andrew Neill, England

Hi Andrew, if Toby Flood and Johnny Wilkinson played at the same time, England's attack wouldn't be as balanced. It's great for England to have two in-form Number 10s, these two will keep each other on their toes as neither can afford to let their form slip otherwise they will lose their place. To have someone of the calibre of Johnny Wilkinson in the form that he is in to replace Toby Flood during a game is brilliant news for England and Martin Johnson.

Straight forward question: What's going wrong with Wales?!
Rupert Morgan, Guernsey, UK

Hi Rupert, what Wales lacked was their big players playing well. Jamie Roberts was anonymous, Mike Phillips had probably his poorest game ever for Wales and Matthew Rees wasn't leading by example. Wales looked lost. For the last few games Wales have had a game plan but have been unable to execute to a high enough standard. Against England the plan must have been to attack Tindall's outside but they didn't do it enough.

On the couple of occasions Wales did, one time they kicked it away and on another they scored. In the first half, except for the first seven minutes, Wales struggled to get the ball and England had 60% possession. I would simply like to see all the Welsh forwards play with the same energy as Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton and Dan Lydiate and be more direct. From that base I would like to see Roberts hitting ball up the middle, setting the platform and then Wales can bring the likes of Davies, Williams and Hook into the game. Wales were simply not direct enough up front and the backs crabbed across the field too much.

Jeremy, Wales seemed to do a lot of sideways running against England and lack any real edge in the backs. How do you think they can improve the creativity? A change at 10 or the centre partnership?
David, Wales

Hey Jerry, would you agree that one of the things Wales lacked on Friday was Jamie Roberts's ball carrying? Where was he?! Do Wales need a running fly-half like James Hook or Rhys Priestland to fully utilise the talents of Jonathan Davies and Roberts?
Alan, Wales

Hi Alan and David. Jamie Roberts running hard off of Jones would have straightened the line. I believe the Roberts/Davies combination should remain - the team just needs to get the ball in their hands. Given good quality ball we all witnessed what Davies can do, Wales simply need to do it more often. I really don't think Hook is the answer at 10, having not played enough. Priestland would be a brave shout by the management. I would give Jones one last game to run the show because he didn't on Friday.

Warren Gatland's Wales play Scotland on Saturday
Gatland will have to re-think his options

Jeremy, having to eat a little humble pie here following my comments last week, so in the spirit of true Welsh denial I'd just like to highlight that we created plenty of opportunities but the ref was inconsistent, the pitch cut up and the oranges at half-time were spiked! But can't argue with the result if I'm honest, missed kicks are one thing but we (Wales) should have taken other chances over the course of 80 minutes, so (begrudgingly!) well done to England. My question is what, in your opinion, has coach Warren Gatland got to do to this team to get them to convert chances into points?
Martin Howells, Llanboidy, Wales

Hi Martin, for me Davies, Warburton and Lydiate had good games, they played with energy and direction which the rest of the Welsh forwards appeared to lack. Warren Gatland has got to get the rest of his pack to play at the same level as those three did. The chances that were created, on another day would have been finished off, especially when Lydiate went close under the post (had Deacon not killed the ball I'm pretty sure Wales would have scored).

A couple of chances were wasted by players kicking the ball away and not keeping possession. When Stoddard went down the line he should have kicked in field. Wales will continue to create chances and eventually one will stick and from there that will give them the confidence that isn't there at the moment. Also there are a couple of players coming back from injury just lacking match time. At some stage I think Gatland has got to make some tough calls and drop his experienced players that aren't playing well enough at the moment.

Considering Scotland have managed to equal their try count from last year's Six Nations in their opening game, do you think they have a chance of finishing in the top half of the table? What is your prediction for Saturday's game against Wales at Murrayfield?
Gavin Crosby, Scotland

Hi Gavin, on the performances I've seen Scotland would have to be favourites to beat Wales but if they give the ball away as they did for three of France's tries then it will be hard. I have Scotland to beat Wales, Ireland and Italy.

Jerry, before the Six Nations you said that Richie Gray is "slow and cumbersome" and "Bambi on ice" and that he won't have "any impact". After his performance in Paris, I wonder if you feel like reconsidering this view?
Alex, Scotland

Jerry, I heard you made some negative remarks about Richie Gray in the press recently. What are your views after his performance on Saturday and why did you not think he would be able to make an impact previously?
Dave, Scotland

Hi Alex & Dave, I had some banter with Lawrence Dallaglio recently over Richie Gray and have to concede that I was very wrong in my appraisal of him. His performance against France made him Scotland's man-of-the-match. He played better than I anticipated and I'm pleased for him and Dallaglio that he did. He looks a very decent player and if he continues with those kinds of performances and keeps himself injury free he will be a Scotland regular for a long time to come.

Following arguably Italy's best Six Nations performance, do you predict this is the best Italy can hope for, or is there a chance of a rise in performance and rankings?
Alessandro, England

Ronan O'Gara

Extended highlights - Italy v Ireland

Though Italy were defeated by a sub-par Ireland side, surely getting so close to one of the major teams is a real positive for the Italians. Can you see any chance of a victory over Scotland or Wales, especially with the fantastic Sergio Parisse at number eight?
Olly, Italy

Hi Alessandro & Olly. Italy were so close to winning against Ireland I still can't believe they didn't pull it off. Italy showed their inexperience and lack of precision at the re-start after they scored, they only had to catch the kick and keep possession to run the clock down and close the game out. I hope Nick Mallett can make his team realise, and believe, after that performance they are more than capable of giving Wales a good run in Rome.

On current form I would back Scotland to beat them at Murrayfield but Scotland will have to play very well. England won't be taking the Italians lightly either. I suppose the one thing going against the Italians after taking the Irish so close is that every team will be sharper in readiness for them.

Hi Jeremy, although everybody is talking about how impressive the French were this weekend against Scotland, do you not also agree that they look vulnerable in defence after shipping three tries against a Scotland team that has frequently struggled to cross the line on a regular basis?
Lee McCrudden, England

Hi Lee, there is no doubt in my mind that France looked sharp, skilful and executed the basics generally well against Scotland. Their set piece was rock solid particularly the scrum where they really did put Scotland in a pile during the first 40 minutes. Scotland did give the ball away for three of France's tries but the French worked well to make the most of those opportunities.

Imanol Harinordoquy breaks away to score for France against Scotland

Extended highlights - France v Scotland

Hi, Jeremy, what do you think about France's choice at centre? If you were the French coach, who would you choose to play against Ireland? Also, could you please tell me where I can find as unfashionable a scarf as the one you wear? :)
Sarunas, Lithuania

Hi Sarunas, good to see we are reaching Lithuania with this Q&A. I thought Aurelien Rougerie and Maxime Mermoz played well against Scotland. It's a real shame about Mermoz getting injured and we wish him a speedy recovery. Yannick Jauzion has come into the squad and is very likely to be playing against Ireland next week. Jauzion is an exceptional payer and I'm looking forward to the battle between him and Brian O'Driscoll.

Hi Jeremy, as an inside-centre yourself, you must have been shaking your head at the spills and lack of yards made in the midfield by Ireland on Saturday. Is it not time that Declan Kidney ceased to ignore Northampton's James Downey, who's been the form number 12 in the Premiership and Heineken Cup this year. Good hands, stout defence, unwavering consistency and crossing the gain-line every time - just what Ireland need. No?
Jim Quinn, Ireland

Hi Jim, I have to agree with you, Downey has played well for Northampton and does the basics very well. Look how well O'Driscoll played with a big centre during the Lions tour, it rejuvenated him and I think Downey would have the same effect as Roberts did.

Judging from the matches at the weekend, it looks like England v France may well be the deciding game. Would you agree?
Mark, England

Hi Jeremy, do you think anyone will win the Grand Slam this year bearing in mind France have to go to Twickenham and England need to go to Dublin - tough games for both countries.
Huw Jones, Wales

Hi Mark & Huw, I do believe we are in for a few more surprises yet before this Six Nations Championship is finished. It would be too easy to say France or England are going to win a Grand Slam because they look the teams most likely at the moment. I agree that France will find it very hard at Twickenham to beat the English and the same for England to go to Dublin and win. I believe England have a great chance with three consecutive games at home that they will be expected to win.

What an opening Six Nations weekend! I was in Cardiff on Friday night for the game, and what an experience. It was by far the best atmosphere of any sporting event I have been to. Why do they not have more matches at night!? I believe a perfect Six Nations would have games on a Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Although I know this is unlikely to ever happen, surely it would only improve the atmosphere and generate more interest in the Six Nations?
Rich, England

Hi Rich, I enjoyed the experience of the game in Cardiff on Friday night but it won't happen again for 2012 and 2013. I'm pleased at least the Six Nations committee experimented by having Friday night games.

Who was your team of the weekend? Player of the weekend? And surprise of the weekend?
Paul Cavanagh, Scotland

Hi Paul, my team and my surprise of the weekend has to be Italy for running Ireland so close. My player of the weekend has to be Richie Gray for proving me so wrong.

You can follow Jerry on Twitter at http://twitter.com/JeremyGuscott




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see also
Easter eyes ultimate England goal
06 Feb 11 |  English
O'Driscoll relief after Irish win
05 Feb 11 |  Irish
Gatland rues Wales kicking errors
04 Feb 11 |  Welsh
Scots must be ruthless - Robinson
05 Feb 11 |  Scottish
England can be better - Johnson
04 Feb 11 |  English
France 34-21 Scotland
05 Feb 11 |  Rugby Union
Italy 11-13 Ireland
05 Feb 11 |  Rugby Union
Wales 19-26 England
04 Feb 11 |  Rugby Union
Jeremy Guscott's Six Nations Q&A
31 Jan 11 |  Rugby Union


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