Potato on speed

The English papers, not content with eulogising Clive Woodward's charges' thumping victory over Ireland at Twickenham, decided to indulge in a little Paddy whackery. Rupert Bates in the Sunday Telegraph offered the following hilarity. "Matt Dawson, the England captain, got in on the running act with a 60-metre jig through feeble Ireland defenders who thought they were in the Irish dance troupe Riverdance and not allowed to use their hands." The same writer later referred to Keith Wood as the "potato on speed" so it's good to see no national stereotyping here, begorrah.

Here is a selection from the English newspapers on Ireland's performance.

"Apart from a deceptively brilliant start and that passage midway through the second half, Ireland ran out of ideas and puff." (Sunday Telegraph).

"In Ireland's defence, and it is not a word with which they appeared familiar through this legalised massacre, there was one mitigating factor. Having barely come to terms with the old laws, the Irish had to understand the new ones, which on yesterday's evidence seem likely to favour sides ready, willing and able to attack." (Independent on Sunday).

"Ireland began as if already cowed, were bewilderingly supine, until well into the second half, had apparently misread the new laws and played under the impression that tackling was now banned." (Sunday Times).

"Even on their darkest rugby days, Ireland would play with a passion which disguised a host of deficiencies. That passion never put in an appearance. All that remained was a long list of shortcomings." (Mail on Sunday).