Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the GuardianThere is no more tantalising – or irrelevant – phrase in the sporting lexicon than “if only”. Modern Test rugby is almost entirely about outcome, particularly when England and Wales share the same rugby field. Nine times out of 10 Scott Williams would also have fancied diving beyond Underhill to score in the final quarter. Very often at the highest level it is the unsexy bits of play – the aerial contest, kick chase, restarts, defensive line speed – that settle big contests and Jones’s England are increasingly sound in all those areas. Injuries to Anthony Watson and Sam Simmonds will require monitoring but, otherwise, England could scarcely be better placed.

Source: The Guardian February 11, 2018 21:56 UTC