Rugby Union (was 2014-15, now an ongoing thread)

[paul_e]

My issue with the Cipriani thing is that you shouldn't come out and say everyone has a chance to impress, then give a player 15 minutes in which he completely changes the game and then still not give him a chance. I like Lancaster in general, but there are too many favourites in the squad.

See I don't particularly like him and never considered him to be experienced enough to deserve the job.  I also had concerns that he was too 'Leicester' in his approach to the game and that we see us playing 10man percentage rugby where players are dropped for what they can't do rather than picked for what they can do.  He's largely filled the squad, from 1-12, with solid 7 out of 10 players who can do a job but aren't creative or dangerous against a set defence.  yes we have some quality outside but they get so little good ball that they're largely wasted.

We might do well in the world cup but I genuinely think a good head coach would have seen us going into this with 2 6nations grand slams behind us and as clear favourites, not as outsiders for a semi-final place.

[PaulWinch again]

See I don't view him as harshly as you and I also think it's worth remembering what a state we were in after the last World Cup. We were an absolute shambles and he has pulled that around. I just think that he has blind spots for certain players, which is an issue.

[PaulWinch again]

Corbiesero misses out then. I'm glad to see Slade there, but Burgess is going to have to do seriously well to make his selection worthwhile.

[PaulWinch again]

Hmmm I hope Parling starting is just because Launchbury still needs easing back.

[PaulWinch again]

It's a big game for us tomorrow. If we beat Ireland, the forwards front up and the midfield combo works it'll give us a lot of confidence. As an aside I think it's a disgrace that Wales and Australia don't have to name 3 specialist hookers. They can essentially use a weakness to their advantage.

[PaulWinch again]

Much much better so far. Ford doing well, May and Watson looking dangerous and Parling having a good game.

[PaulWinch again]

Much better today. Parling really helped the set piece. Barritt and JJ actually looked a good partnership. Ford, May and Watson cemented their places. Still a few more things to work on, but much more positive.

[UK Redsox]

Injury worries for Wales as Halfpenny and Webb are stretchered off

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/34165330

[PaulWinch again]

I'm hoping Launchbury will be ready for Wales and Aus, because he's class.