Misfiring Barkley admits defeat a 'bitter pill'
Olly Barkley today reflected on England’s latest RBS 6 Nations calamity, and admitted: “It is a bitter pill to swallow.”
Barkley and his fellow goalkicker, fly-half Charlie Hodgson, missed six penalties between them as France compounded England’s post-World Cup misery by claiming a first Twickenham victory since 1997.
While England outscored the reigning Six Nations champions 2-0 on tries - Barkley and wing Josh Lewsey claiming quality first-half touchdowns – French scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili was England’s nemesis for a second successive season.
The former Gloucester star amassed 19 points during England’s defeat in Paris last March, and he added another 18 through six successful penalties to keep French Grand Slam hopes alive with an 18-17 win.
England have now lost eight of their last 11 Tests. Not since 1987 had England lost three championship games in a row, and they must now pick themselves up for a Dublin appointment with unbeaten Ireland on February 27.
“The last two games we have lost by two points and one point, and it is a bitter pill to swallow,” said Bath centre Barkley.
“We have lost key players that are hard to replace, people like Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back, all guys when the chips are down that you can really turn to.
“We are at a learning stage now, and we have to get through this,” added Barkley, who also backed skipper Jason Robinson.
“I think that Jason is leading the team fantastically well. I have been quite inspired with the way he has dealt with the side.”
Results though, suggest England are struggling, but they were their own worst enemies.
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