Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Off Topic => Sports Arena => Topic started by: cdbearsfan on February 04, 2012, 01:59:00 AM
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What do people reckon?
I know sod all about it but I reckon the French will win, not a Grand Slam though.
Any thought from people who actually understand rugby?
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Meh.
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I think Wales are probably favourites, then the French. There's England who are complete unknown quantity(I hope we're free flowing and exciting!). Scotland will be tough, Ireland experienced and Italy who knows. I'm looking forward to it.
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Great game.
Rules can be confusing for people who know, let alone those who don't ;D
England have a new head coach and has made some really possitive changes. 3 new caps and several others with only a few full caps, so it's quite an interesting line up. Young and hungry springs to mind.
Maybe Villa should try it?
In fairness Wales are the team to beat, they started a couple of years ago so their team has had time to gel.
France will be France, either brilliant or rubbish (Hope it's the later vrs England)
Scotland and Italy are always difficult games on their home turf.
Ireland seem to be getting on now (don't know if they've had big changes like England) but are capable of beating anyone on their day.
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I think this will be the closest 6N for a long time, wales and france are slightly ahead, then england and ireland are a bit unknown (ireland are experienced but aging, england are a very young and inexperienced squad) and then scotland and italy are a little weaker but all the teams are capable of beating each other this year. England have the advantage of scotland and italy first 2 games to get used to playing together, one of the other first and I'd have written us off for the year.
In general the standard of northern hemisphere rugby is improving massively with the improved academy structures and better quality coaching the gap between north and south has closed massively, I think by the next world cup people will genuinely be looking at 1 from 7-8 to win it.
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Loving the scots so far.
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Predictably shit game so far.
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Come on Ireland when you kick off tomorrow against the Welsh
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Why does the referee keep stopping the game? I understand the knock-on rule but he seems to stop it everytime somebody runs into/past/near another player or doesn't run or thinks about running or whispers to a team-mate that he is considering running. Or standing still. Or having a bit of a lie on the floor. Don't think I'll ever understand this sport.
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I will submit the rules of the beautiful game of Rugby later on for the people that aren't too sure of the rules ! It doesn't make much sense I must admit if you are not a rugby convert.
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I like the look of this Denton guy. He's been ace.
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Another random stoppage from Mr Pointyhands.
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Happy enough with that, we weren't great but got the job done.
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New manager comes in and sorts the defence out.
Not a bad idea, that. Perhaps people in other sports could take note.
Nail-biter of a match, great result for England. I'm really looking forward to the Ireland v Wales match tomorrow, it's usually a belter and I don't care who wins.
EDIT- to be fair, a better side than Scotland would have beaten us, but it was good to not concede daft penalties for the entire match.
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Our attacking needs work, but that'll come and the move that lead to the cross kick for Strettle was very good. The most impressive change was the lack of penalties we conceded, under the old regime we would have conceded about 15-20 the discipline was much better in this game.
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Got back at 2am this morning having endured a tricky drive in poor conditions from Manchester southwards.
To be honest not a great game and I think Scotland lost the game rather than England won it, they really are woeful once they get into the 22 on attack. That said they have one or two really good players, especially Richie Gray who I think is nailed on for the Lions test team in 2 years as things stand.
Had a seat pretty low down behind the posts, just where Hodgson scored the try to be exact and it's always difficult to judge a game from that angle and being low down. I thought Botha was excellent though, seemed to do a lot of work around the field and in the tight. Our scrum appeared to have the upper hand, which I didn't expect and thought Corbiersero had a major impact there. The backs need a little more work and not quite sure where the Ben Youngs that broke into the team has disappeared too. Quietly impressed with Barritt, but don't think he will stay in when Tuilagi is fit again. Please Mr Lancaster will you pick Sharples instead of Strettle next week?. Thought, although the tackle was good from Hodgson's cross kick he should have off loaded to the on rushing Foden who would have gone over.
All in all, can't complain about an away win, although would have liked to have seen more quality obviously. However, it was freezing, blowy and a bit damp yesterday, so to be a bit expected. Great Friday and Saturday was had up there and would recommend anyone to go. Great atmosphere in the pubs around the grassmarket on Friday night and very friendly. I would say though, that the Scots really whipped the fervour up before kick off and if England did that at Twickenham, then we would be accused of being imperialistic and arrogant and all sorts.
Bring on Italy next week and well done Wales.
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Richie Gray
He is a beast.
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Richie Gray
He is a beast.
There's some big lads in the Welsh backs. North will be a considerable unit when he stops growing, he's only 19 and already built like a semi detached outhouse.
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If they won't pick Johnnie May, and I get the lack of Premiership experience argument, Charlie Sharples should get a game against the Italians. His pace will murder them.
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I just don't rate Gray. He's young but for me he doesn't use his strength enough for me. Was pretty disappointed with him at the World Cup and on Saturday.
Agreed that North looks like a fantastic player though. The frightening thing is that he will only get bigger and better.
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If they won't pick Johnnie May, and I get the lack of Premiership experience argument, Charlie Sharples should get a game against the Italians. His pace will murder them.
Well he has been sent back to his club, deemed surplus to requirements. I understand that they want keep a settled team at the moment but the performance that I saw on Saturday can be improved on massively. I don't get Farrell and Barritt in the centres with Turner Hall on the bench, no flair there whatsoever, just like for like. Sharples or May, should at least provide an option from the bench. I have a horrible feeling that he will pick exactly the same team again and we won't get lucky this time. This is why, in my opinion, he shouldn't have the job full time and I am scared to death that a couple of wins against soft opposition will lead to that.
Let's see if he has the balls to play Morgan at number 8. He did more in 15 mins than Dowson did in the previous 65.
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What often annoys me with England is the fact they go for safe options on the bench rather than game changers.
They would be nuts to give Lancaster the job full time.
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Worrying times for Scotland. We have been shit at scoring tries for ages but have always been saved by having reliable kickers in the team. Now with Parks joining Paterson in international retirement we don't even have that. I struggle to see where the points are going to come from. :(
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Worrying times for Scotland. We have been shit at scoring tries for ages but have always been saved by having reliable kickers in the team. Now with Parks joining Paterson in international retirement we don't even have that. I struggle to see where the points are going to come from. :(
If Laidlaw can make the step up I think you'll see a lot more tries going forward, Parks, for all his quality from the boot, was far too comfy sitting nice and deep in the pocket and playing the game in front of the defence which has meant for years that all the fancy moves are being done to deep to hurt the good sides. Laidlaw will stand much flatter and, if the coaches get the backs running the right lines, you should see much more positive play. It's the same issue England have had with Wilko, good player but not suited to the game as it is now at the top level.
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If they won't pick Johnnie May, and I get the lack of Premiership experience argument, Charlie Sharples should get a game against the Italians. His pace will murder them.
Well he has been sent back to his club, deemed surplus to requirements. I understand that they want keep a settled team at the moment but the performance that I saw on Saturday can be improved on massively. I don't get Farrell and Barritt in the centres with Turner Hall on the bench, no flair there whatsoever, just like for like. Sharples or May, should at least provide an option from the bench. I have a horrible feeling that he will pick exactly the same team again and we won't get lucky this time. This is why, in my opinion, he shouldn't have the job full time and I am scared to death that a couple of wins against soft opposition will lead to that.
Let's see if he has the balls to play Morgan at number 8. He did more in 15 mins than Dowson did in the previous 65.
Farrell and Barritt will work outside a good flat 10 (Freddie Burns will be great once he's got a bit more experience) we looked a bit 1 dimensional on sat because of Hodgson. As said regarding Parks above, old fahioned 10s who sit in the pocket are pretty much on the way out unless they're exceptional (O'Gara is the only 1 at that level in europe). The younger 10s are all much better at carrying the ball into contact and making gains at the line (priestland and sexton are great at this), once england get a 10 who is a threat carrying, kicking and passing (again Burns is the obvious choice) we'll get a much better idea of how good the midfield options are.
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If they won't pick Johnnie May, and I get the lack of Premiership experience argument, Charlie Sharples should get a game against the Italians. His pace will murder them.
Well he has been sent back to his club, deemed surplus to requirements. I understand that they want keep a settled team at the moment but the performance that I saw on Saturday can be improved on massively. I don't get Farrell and Barritt in the centres with Turner Hall on the bench, no flair there whatsoever, just like for like. Sharples or May, should at least provide an option from the bench. I have a horrible feeling that he will pick exactly the same team again and we won't get lucky this time. This is why, in my opinion, he shouldn't have the job full time and I am scared to death that a couple of wins against soft opposition will lead to that.
Let's see if he has the balls to play Morgan at number 8. He did more in 15 mins than Dowson did in the previous 65.
Farrell and Barritt will work outside a good flat 10 (Freddie Burns will be great once he's got a bit more experience) we looked a bit 1 dimensional on sat because of Hodgson. As said regarding Parks above, old fahioned 10s who sit in the pocket are pretty much on the way out unless they're exceptional (O'Gara is the only 1 at that level in europe). The younger 10s are all much better at carrying the ball into contact and making gains at the line (priestland and sexton are great at this), once england get a 10 who is a threat carrying, kicking and passing (again Burns is the obvious choice) we'll get a much better idea of how good the midfield options are.
I hope you are right, but I think at the top level a little bit of gas is required and to me, neither of them have that. I would have liked to have seen Freddie Burns in the Elite squad for this tournament and being brought on for the last 20 mins or so, to gain some experience. Toby Flood stands nice and flat and it was no coincidence that England scored a bucketful of tries last year when he was given a consistent run at 10. As you rightly said, we then went back to the old fashioned safe way with Wilko and the backline were given no real chance.
Got a lot of time for Will Greenwood as a pundit and I know that he would like to see Tuilagi at 12 and Jonathan Joseph at 13, so that's good enough for me. Bit of pace, power and flair there, but I guess a little lacking on the kicking option outside the 10. If we can draft George Ford in over the next year or so, dependent on bloody Cockerill picking him at Leicester instead of Staunton, then we may have something to build on.
What about a backline for 2015 of :
Youngs, Ford
Tuilagi, Joseph
Ashton, Foden, May
How does that look?
Hard fought 23-16 win for the boys tomorrow, two tries maximum
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If they won't pick Johnnie May, and I get the lack of Premiership experience argument, Charlie Sharples should get a game against the Italians. His pace will murder them.
Well he has been sent back to his club, deemed surplus to requirements. I understand that they want keep a settled team at the moment but the performance that I saw on Saturday can be improved on massively. I don't get Farrell and Barritt in the centres with Turner Hall on the bench, no flair there whatsoever, just like for like. Sharples or May, should at least provide an option from the bench. I have a horrible feeling that he will pick exactly the same team again and we won't get lucky this time. This is why, in my opinion, he shouldn't have the job full time and I am scared to death that a couple of wins against soft opposition will lead to that.
Let's see if he has the balls to play Morgan at number 8. He did more in 15 mins than Dowson did in the previous 65.
Farrell and Barritt will work outside a good flat 10 (Freddie Burns will be great once he's got a bit more experience) we looked a bit 1 dimensional on sat because of Hodgson. As said regarding Parks above, old fahioned 10s who sit in the pocket are pretty much on the way out unless they're exceptional (O'Gara is the only 1 at that level in europe). The younger 10s are all much better at carrying the ball into contact and making gains at the line (priestland and sexton are great at this), once england get a 10 who is a threat carrying, kicking and passing (again Burns is the obvious choice) we'll get a much better idea of how good the midfield options are.
England had that player.
Danny Cipriani.
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If they won't pick Johnnie May, and I get the lack of Premiership experience argument, Charlie Sharples should get a game against the Italians. His pace will murder them.
Well he has been sent back to his club, deemed surplus to requirements. I understand that they want keep a settled team at the moment but the performance that I saw on Saturday can be improved on massively. I don't get Farrell and Barritt in the centres with Turner Hall on the bench, no flair there whatsoever, just like for like. Sharples or May, should at least provide an option from the bench. I have a horrible feeling that he will pick exactly the same team again and we won't get lucky this time. This is why, in my opinion, he shouldn't have the job full time and I am scared to death that a couple of wins against soft opposition will lead to that.
Let's see if he has the balls to play Morgan at number 8. He did more in 15 mins than Dowson did in the previous 65.
Farrell and Barritt will work outside a good flat 10 (Freddie Burns will be great once he's got a bit more experience) we looked a bit 1 dimensional on sat because of Hodgson. As said regarding Parks above, old fahioned 10s who sit in the pocket are pretty much on the way out unless they're exceptional (O'Gara is the only 1 at that level in europe). The younger 10s are all much better at carrying the ball into contact and making gains at the line (priestland and sexton are great at this), once england get a 10 who is a threat carrying, kicking and passing (again Burns is the obvious choice) we'll get a much better idea of how good the midfield options are.
England had that player.
Danny Cipriani.
He could've been but he got in the squad and thought he'd made it.
What about a backline for 2015 of :
Youngs, Ford
Tuilagi, Joseph
Ashton, Foden, May
How does that look?
I prefer Trinder at 13, I think he'll be fantastic in a couple of years, reminds me of Greenwood.
I'd also expect to see Christian Wade in the side by then, he's the genuine superstar coming through in the backs, I think he'd be in there now if he hadn't got injured, he's already the best wingers in the league for me.
I'm also not totally convinced by Youngs, I think the lad at sarries is probably the future for the england 9 shirt, Youngs is a great ball carrier but I think he's nothing more than average in the rest of his game and once we have the extra quality outside him with the experience he will be a weak link.
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Cough *Charlie Sharples* cough
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For what it's worth I feel that Danny Cipriani was grossly mismanaged by Johnson and co. I was lucky enough to be at the Six nations game v Ireland when he produced THE best attacking performance I have seen from an England number 10. If you remember he got injured just after, horrific ankle injury and in the absence of Wilko and others was almost pushed back into the team for Autumn Internationals in Johnson's first games in charge. There was no way he was ready to play International Rugby then, but I guess they thought needs must. He had some problems with his kicking from hand and gave away 2 tries, if memory serves me correctly and was then benched for Flood for the last match v New Zealand.
Now, I'm not trying to defend some of the things he did, although I do think he was penalised some what for being Kelly Brook's partner, but if he was say Australian, Kiwi or heaven forbid Welsh, then they would have worked with him to try and iron out some of these problems to the betterment of the player and the National team. This, in my opinion, was the first error of Johnson's tenure and it was a crying shame that he felt he had such little chance of playing for England that he had to go 12,000 miles away to ply his trade.
If he comes back and plays as he can, then yes, he would be my first choice number 10. Must admit, when I was writing earlier I completely dismissed him from my thoughts.
I think he is suffering from the English trait of building players up and then joyfully knocking them down and also not trusting anyone with a bit of flair. It's all about what he can't do, rather than what he can unfortunately.
Ben Spencer I think is the name of the Sarries scrum half and is playing for the U20's tonight. Little bit too boot happy for me, however that maybe the way Sarries play. I still have faith in Youngs to rediscover his form and if not him, with Care, Simpson and Dickson about, the cupboard is far from bare.
All in all when you look around the league, England have some fantastic players coming through. It's now a case of selecting them and getting the right combination. I also agree about Christian Wade, terrific talent and should be in and around the squad next season hopefully.
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Ben Spencer I think is the name of the Sarries scrum half and is playing for the U20's tonight. Little bit too boot happy for me, however that maybe the way Sarries play. I still have faith in Youngs to rediscover his form and if not him, with Care, Simpson and Dickson about, the cupboard is far from bare.
All in all when you look around the league, England have some fantastic players coming through. It's now a case of selecting them and getting the right combination. I also agree about Christian Wade, terrific talent and should be in and around the squad next season hopefully.
That's the fella, does like to kick a lot but he's very inexperienced and they have a very mobile pack so the box kick will be the easy option. I think there's something about him though.
Ben Youngs I'm just not sure. He's great for a team like Leicester who dominate up front and bully people around the park, I just don't know if he can be the right player in a fast paced, running side that england need to become (with the selection of backs we have coming through). On current form Lee Dickson is the obvious choice so it's no suprise that's he's been promoted up through the ranks now that lancaster is there.
I agree Cipriani was mismanaged, he could've been a superstar but the wrong people were in place all through the rfu for him to be kept grounded and focused. The still injured and unfit performance wasn't great but the bigger issue was his complete inability to deal with it. His club form disintegrated after that and he's never managed to get back to a point where england have a decision to make with him.
The other youngster to look out for who i think has a big future with england is Kvesic at worcester, has the makings of being a top 7, hopefully he'll live up to the potential because we've not had one of those since 2003.
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Hartley's lineout throwing has been dreadful this six nations so far.
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It looks like the players are on fire sometimes with the amount of steam in the air.
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Dont they have a yellow rugby ball
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Yeah I know, I can't see fuck all!
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The kid Farrell has nerves of steel..............
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Shocking try to concede.
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Foden has just cost us two tries in a minute.
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Fortunate try for us.
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It's weird this England are only 4 points ahead, but I think we've played really well in the second half.
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Shocking that France vs Ireland was called off 5 mins before kick off.
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Utter bollox. How that postponment came to pass is terrible. French Rugby Union should hang it head in shame. Blowers on the pitch 15 minutes before kick off reminded me of Villa Park in 1989. How much did that ground cost??!!!!
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A complete and utter joke.
Incompetence of the highest level.
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I hope the French authorities are embarrassed about what happened tonight.
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A win is a win. Bit of added confidence before the Welsh. Paris was shocking by the way.
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Shocking that France vs Ireland was called off 5 mins before kick off.
Evening of Swing Low Sweet Chariot (Has Been Cancelled).
I personally fail to see a problem with another couple of hours of fun in Paris and not having to watch the worst game on earth but that's just me.
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Well, I don't why England are bothering to turn up to Twickenham in a couple of weeks, it's a foregone conclusion that Wales will beat us with a display of Rugby that won't have been bettered since the halcyon days of Gareth, JPR, Phil and Merv the Swerve.
Honestly, I know England haven't set the world alight but for crying out loud we have played two games in the most horrific conditions possible for Rugby and got two wins. Wales weren't great for the fist half today and only cut loose when the Scots were down to 14 and they played under the roof in "perfect" conditions.
I think a couple of changes in the next game are called for. Certainly Dickson and Morgan have to start and if Lawes is fit and available he would slot in ahead of Palmer for me. It will be interesting to see if he changes the midfield and my gut feel is that one of Tuilagi or Flood will come in but not sure who and for whom. One thing I do know, Farrell will stay in for his kicking.
Should be good and looking forward to it.
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The performance of Dickson when he came on makes me feel quite vindicated for saying I thing Youngs is holding us back. The difference when we had someone organising the big guys and generating quick ball was huge, Morgan was also part of that.
I thought hodgson had a really poor first half. He did get better in the 2nd half but I'd still replace him with Flood. Farrell has to play, his kicking has been superb, which means manu in for barritt. I'd be tempted to swap in sharples or may to replace strettle as well.
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The performance of Dickson when he came on makes me feel quite vindicated for saying I thing Youngs is holding us back. The difference when we had someone organising the big guys and generating quick ball was huge, Morgan was also part of that.
I thought hodgson had a really poor first half. He did get better in the 2nd half but I'd still replace him with Flood. Farrell has to play, his kicking has been superb, which means manu in for barritt. I'd be tempted to swap in sharples or may to replace strettle as well.
I'd definitely have Manu in, I'd also bring in Lawes for Botha.
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England team to face Wales: 15 Ben Foden (Northampton Saints), 14 Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints), 13 Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), 12 Brad Barritt (Saracens), 11 David Strettle (Saracens); 10 Owen Farrell (Saracens), 9 Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints). 1 Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), 2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), 3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), 4 Mouritz Botha (Saracens), 5 Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), 6 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers), 7 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), 8 Ben Morgan (Scarlets)
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber (London Wasps), 17 Matt Stevens (Saracens), 18 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), 19 Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints), 20 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), 21 Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers), 22 Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Well I think the injury to Hodgson is a blessing because they have now got the centre pairing they should have picked all along. I don't think that Lancaster would have dropped Charlie if he hadn't been injured and that's probably why he shouldn't get the job full time. Contrast that with Gatland who has whipped out one of the star performers in Ryan Jones and brought Alan Wynn-Jones back in. Hard decision, but right decision.
Don't anticipate Roberts and Davies running over our midfield now, so that is one aspect that has been null and voided in my eyes.
Can't wait for this, Wales must be favs but playing at Twickenham balances it out. if the weather is dry, then can England play a faster and more expansive game than we have seen?.
Just wish I had a ticket :-(. Anyone got any spares !!! :-)
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I'm going but suspect Wales will win. That half back pairing looks like a ballsy selection!
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There's a feature on Da Beeb's website today about the Forest's** own Alex Cuthbert
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17120949
** Well, he's from Westbury-On-Severn, so we're claiming him.
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I am going to Wigan so won't get to see the game. Is there a highlights programme?
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I am going to Wigan so won't get to see the game. Is there a highlights programme?
There has been a Six Nations highlights programme late on a Sunday night for the first two rounds and presuming there will be one again?. On the red button, they run highlights of the games for the following week I believe.
For a more "Welsh balance" on things, if you have Sky then you can get BBC2 Wales on channel 991 for the "Scrum V Six Nations Special on Sunday evening too. This is presented by a chap called Jason Mohammed who I met in the Marriot hotel at Twickenham stadium when I stayed there in the Autumn of 2010. I'll just pick that name up I have dropped now :-). In all seriousness I thought he was a bit of a wassuck before I met him, but a nicer person you couldn't wish to meet and he was keen to talk Rugby and Football with me.
Hopefully you will be able to pick the highlights up from at least one of those sources over the weekend?.
Be nice if you could bring back 3 pts from Wigan tomorrow as well, while you are at it.
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Really looking forward to the game tomorrow, I don't think they'll be much in it at all, wouldn't risk anything on predicting a winner, Wales have to be the favourite butbeing our first game at home for the tournament will close the gap and with Morgan, Dickson and Tuilagi we've got a lot more dangermen starting than we've had so far this tournament.
I predict a great game and some big defensive displays in the england midfield, getting on top of priestland is the key as he is very good at hanging kicks up for the big backs to hit at pace, if we can pressure him into mistakes it takes away one of their big weapons. I think we'll go all out to challenge them in the lineout as well as that looks a real weakness for them.
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I'm hoping Youngs being dropped will regain his focus and he'll come back, because I think he's a top player.
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I'm hoping Youngs being dropped will regain his focus and he'll come back, because I think he's a top player.
I prefer Dickson for the style we're wanting to play, but the reality is it's a position you pick based on the game plan and between the 2 of them we have great options.
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England were really unlucky there, played really well.
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We paid the price there!
Thought we played but you have to give credit to the Welsh defence who kept us out on several occasions.
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What went on with the non try at the end?
I thought the directive for the officials was to give the benefit of the doubt to the attacking team? Surely when the video ref stated it was inconclusive a try should have been awarded.
Anyway we didn't deserve to lose that. Unfortunate that the kick Farrell missed at 12-9 looks critical now, considering how well he played.
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I've seen enough improvement from game to game, Lancaster should get the job permanently.
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I'm hoping Youngs being dropped will regain his focus and he'll come back, because I think he's a top player.
I don't think he should get anywhere near any England rugby squad. He was dire yet again today - more of his usual headless chicken antics and woeful decision making - when he came on. Ashton and Foden need to take a serious look at themselves too, I would be very tempted to make changes in both positions, certainly Ashton's.
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I've seen enough improvement from game to game, Lancaster should get the job permanently.
Two wins against Italy and Scotland away should not get him the job. We played well today, bloody well, but ultimately I think the use of our bench cost us. As Richard said above, Youngs was dire when he came on and in hindsight (I know a great science) he is playing so poorly he shouldn't have even been on the bench. Same with Flood, bottled the situation at the end of Leicester's game with Sarries last week and his captain bailed him out. Both of these characters need to go back to Leicester and play themselves back into form and come again in the summer in South Africa. They are both world class players, they will come again, but no harm in taking the out of the firing line.
Contrast this with Gatland, first time I can remember Jones and Jenkins completing 80 mins, because he knew if he took one of them off, then we may get an upper hand in thr scrums.
I also agree about Ashton, again he needs to play himself into form. There are a number of back three players who can take the place of both wingers, May, Sharples and Sinbad from Gloucester alone. I don't believe Lancaster has done that much that has been radical and that different to what Johnno would have done. Easy to drop Tindall and Cueto and make yourself look good, bit harder to leave players out who aren't on form and are younger.
Sorry if I appear harsh, but I want England to be number 1 in the world, standing toe to toe with NZ and beating all three Tri Nations on a regular basis and winning Six Nations titles regularly. In my opinion the stand out candidate is Nick Mallett and we should pay whatever it takes to get him in. Lancaster is a nice man and well suited to the Saxons and Development post that he used to do.
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Completely agree Dave, Mallett is the man to take us forward. I would drop Ashton until he has moved to Saracens next season and then see what impact that has on him. He has reached a plateau for now and need to get off it. I would like to see Brown get a decent slice of action at full back. Not too sure about Strettle too, again some poor decision making yesterday
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Completely agree Dave, Mallett is the man to take us forward. I would drop Ashton until he has moved to Saracens next season and then see what impact that has on him. He has reached a plateau for now and need to get off it. I would like to see Brown get a decent slice of action at full back. Not too sure about Strettle too, again some poor decision making yesterday
Ashton and Foden probably need to be put under more pressure but I don't think Brown is the answer, he's very good against poor defenses but I've never seen him play a big part in a close game. Johnny May would be my choice to have a stint either wing or full-back. He's clearly the form player in the league, we need to be seen to award good performance. The other player who should be there is christian wade, really unfortunate he got his injury when he did.
I think the key for backs is you want players who have a good change of pace, either to step beyond the tackle or to barge through the man. Manu does the latter as well as anyone in the world and Foden is capable of the former but the rest of the backs don't do it. May uses his pace superbly as does Wade, both deserve a chance at the highest level. I'd also like a little more dynamism at 10 and/or 12. Personally I'd give Burns a few games with Farrell outside him.
Oh and Dickson has to tstart the next 2. Our game fell to pieces as soon as Youngs came on. Youngs is a good player and will be a great option but his passing and general awareness is miles off being good enough at the minute. Watch the highlights, every pass he threw on quick ball was off target, meaning the reciever was basically stationary when the tackler hit them. Contrast with Dickson who was bringing the man onto the ball and we were hit the tackle at pace, the change totally nullified our fringe forwards. It's the first major error Lancaster has made and I hope he's learned from it.
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It's interesting those who criticised us against Scotland should watch them against France, they're playing well.
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May scored a stonking try for Gloucester this weekend, what pace he has. And talking of bringing players on to a good pass, Myler at Northampton was superb at that this weekend too. He threw some superb passes against Irish
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May scored a stonking try for Gloucester this weekend, what pace he has. And talking of bringing players on to a good pass, Myler at Northampton was superb at that this weekend too. He threw some superb passes against Irish
Didn't he just?. Saw it on the Irish v Northampton game yesterday. Myself and I think Cheltenham Lion have been banging on about May for a couple of months now. Not sure what his best position is, but he has to be in the Senior squad quickly. As I said above, I think if he was Welsh then Gatland would have had him in, but being English he is nowhere to be seen at the moment. Alex Cuthbert being the obvious example of someone thrown in after a handful of games.
I think that he would be the perfect outside back on the bench able to cover centre, wing and full back with equal ability.
When all is said and done though, unless there are injuries I don't think he is allowed to bring in players from outside the EPS, so we are stuck with what we have. I would be picking Sharples for France away, but probably in place of Strettle rather than Ashton, as I just don't rate the guy at all. If I could have carte blanche to pick anyone though, I would be having Sharples and May as wings with Foden at full back and Sinbad on the bench.
The Villa are so dire at the moment that I think with all this Glaws bias I am going to have to go and sample the delights of "the shed". Only about an hour from Northfield too :-). That's the plan. If McClueless is manager next year, off to see a bit of rugby for me !!!
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May scored a stonking try for Gloucester this weekend, what pace he has. And talking of bringing players on to a good pass, Myler at Northampton was superb at that this weekend too. He threw some superb passes against Irish
Didn't he just?. Saw it on the Irish v Northampton game yesterday. Myself and I think Cheltenham Lion have been banging on about May for a couple of months now. Not sure what his best position is, but he has to be in the Senior squad quickly. As I said above, I think if he was Welsh then Gatland would have had him in, but being English he is nowhere to be seen at the moment. Alex Cuthbert being the obvious example of someone thrown in after a handful of games.
I think that he would be the perfect outside back on the bench able to cover centre, wing and full back with equal ability.
When all is said and done though, unless there are injuries I don't think he is allowed to bring in players from outside the EPS, so we are stuck with what we have. I would be picking Sharples for France away, but probably in place of Strettle rather than Ashton, as I just don't rate the guy at all. If I could have carte blanche to pick anyone though, I would be having Sharples and May as wings with Foden at full back and Sinbad on the bench.
The Villa are so dire at the moment that I think with all this Glaws bias I am going to have to go and sample the delights of "the shed". Only about an hour from Northfield too :-). That's the plan. If McClueless is manager next year, off to see a bit of rugby for me !!!
If you do you'll love it. The atmosphere at glaws is awesome and they're a genuinely exciting side who are just going to get better. I firmly believe Burns is going to be the best 10 in the country within the next couple of years. With lots of pace and skill outside him and the best defensive full back in the league in Ollie Morgan they're going to be a great side. They just need to get the forward balance right as the front 5 seems weak other than Wood and Hamilton and the backrow is a bit hit and miss (if they do end up with Ben Morgan he'll help out a lot with that).
Back on topic, Johnny May is the form player in the country (and probably as good as anyone in europe at the minute) and he should be in the squad, I think Lancaster wants to show some loyalty and give everyone in the squad a fair shot but in this he's wrong, when you have someone playing on that level you have to back them, I'd definitely have him on the bench in place of Brown at the minute.
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Shall we organise a day out at the rugby? I will have a nosey at Gloucester's fixture list later and chuck up some suggestions. If you like your rugby, and have never experienced The Shed, then its a must do.
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Shall we organise a day out at the rugby? I will have a nosey at Gloucester's fixture list later and chuck up some suggestions. If you like your rugby, and have never experienced The Shed, then its a must do.
Sounds good to me, I'll have to practice my Glaws burrrrr of course, but I am up for that. I did a little reccy myself yesterday and saw that there were a couple of games, think one was Newcastle that didn't clash with a Villa home game.
I have been to Kingsholm on a few occasions over the years. I remember on one memorable occasion I saw the man mountain that is Mike Teague walking into the ground having scored the only try for England in Cardiff the day before. By god he was big. Always enjoyed my trips there and definitely up for another.
Glaaaaaaaaarsturrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. That any good?
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Don't ask me on accents. I have some garbled mixture of cockney-brummie-plummy-bumpkin thing going on!
Teaguey is a legend in those parts. Surprisingly given his size, if you get close to Sinbad he has thighs like a bloody horse.
Get close to Will James and you just feel inadequate!
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Exeter 24 March (we're at Arse)
Newcastle 14 April (we're at Old Trafford the next day)
Sale 21 April (clashes with the Sunderland game).
In all fairness they are 3 reasonably unispiring fixtures and should be quite easy home wins.
if you're going you can walk from the train station in 10 minutes. I'd go to the Deans Walk pub first (it has a twenty foot rugby ball in the roof) and enter the ground from that end rather than the main entrance as the shed is always busier near the main entrance.
It's "Gwaaan Glawsterrrr".
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Exeter 24 March (we're at Arse)
Newcastle 14 April (we're at Old Trafford the next day)
Sale 21 April (clashes with the Sunderland game).
In all fairness they are 3 reasonably unispiring fixtures and should be quite easy home wins.
if you're going you can walk from the train station in 10 minutes. I'd go to the Deans Walk pub first (it has a twenty foot rugby ball in the roof) and enter the ground from that end rather than the main entrance as the shed is always busier near the main entrance.
It's "Gwaaan Glawsterrrr".
Got it !!!
Glad you think Exeter will be a comfortable home win. They have had a heck of a season and their pack can match most if memory serves.
I'm up for the Newcastle game, as it won't clash with any Villa games home or away that day.
As someone who works in town and has to bear the brunt of the cross city line, I do not intend taking any trains anywhere on any weekend. Absolutely despise the things I do, never on time and prices are far too steep for the service provided. Rant over :-)
In all seriousness I will be driving to Kingsholm when I next go. Think there is a large pub on the main drag from the M/Way to the town centre and Kingsholm that I normally go in. Not a scooby what it is called mind.
Embarrasingly for a Rugby fan, I am tee-total so don't have to worry about driving anywhere. Hope that doesn't preclude me from standing in the Shed mind?
Gwaaan Glawsterrrr
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I normally train it down. Rugby and beer go together like fish and chips for me. Not drinking doesn't preclude anyone from the shed of course. The Newcastle game might be a good shout. I will see what my usual troops up here think to it.
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Stuart Lancaster to get England interview before Six Nations ends
Interim England coach Stuart Lancaster will be interviewed to become Martin Johnson's permanent successor before the end of the Six Nations.
New Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie confirmed he wants to formally meet with Lancaster and underlined his desire to appoint a new coach by 17 March.
Ritchie also revealed the five-man panel which will advise the RFU board.
Ian McGeechan, Conor O'Shea and Richard Hill will join Ritchie and Rob Andrew.
This sounds worryingly like they are going to give the job to Lancaster now. I can't see them appointing Nick Mallett, who should get it and then saying to Lancaster can you see us through the France and or Ireland matches please?.
Please use your common and make sure this is a throrough process with the very best man chosen. If they deem that to be Lancaster, then so be it, but can't see it myself.
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I agree that we should be looking to get the best man for the job, but at this stage I haven't seen anything to rule Lancaster out from that. There upward curve of performances has been quite clear, and if they do select him good luck to him.
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Why rush? Defeats aganst Ireland and France would leave a 2-3 record which, in my opinion, is not good enough.
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I agree that we should be looking to get the best man for the job, but at this stage I haven't seen anything to rule Lancaster out from that. There upward curve of performances has been quite clear, and if they do select him good luck to him.
To turn it around from that, I haven't seen anything from him yet that rules him in as the best choice for the job?.
Anyway, I am sure they know what they are doing. If reports of McGeechan being on the panel to recommend the coach, then they have some seriously good Rugby experience there.
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I agree that we should be looking to get the best man for the job, but at this stage I haven't seen anything to rule Lancaster out from that. There upward curve of performances has been quite clear, and if they do select him good luck to him.
To turn it around from that, I haven't seen anything from him yet that rules him in as the best choice for the job?.
Anyway, I am sure they know what they are doing. If reports of McGeechan being on the panel to recommend the coach, then they have some seriously good Rugby experience there.
Well quite I'd hope that by the end of the interviewing process who ever they select has been selected for a good reason. Who ever it is I will fully support of course.
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I agree that we should be looking to get the best man for the job, but at this stage I haven't seen anything to rule Lancaster out from that. There upward curve of performances has been quite clear, and if they do select him good luck to him.
To turn it around from that, I haven't seen anything from him yet that rules him in as the best choice for the job?.
Anyway, I am sure they know what they are doing. If reports of McGeechan being on the panel to recommend the coach, then they have some seriously good Rugby experience there.
Well quite I'd hope that by the end of the interviewing process who ever they select has been selected for a good reason. Who ever it is I will fully support of course.
Unless it's McLeish?. :-)
I will support whoever they pick as well. It's a terrific job to have, bringing England back from a low ebb in recent history. Pick of the largest player base in the world and some of the best young talent anywhere. A successful age group set up, particularly the U20's and there is much to be optimistic about.
All it needs is just pointing everyone and everything, in the same direction.
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I don't want Lancaster to get the gig full time right now, mainly because he'd been doing a great job at the lower levels and I'd really like him to get a development role instead. Some kind of head of youth development, encompassing everything up to and including the saxons. Then give the senior team role to someone like Mallett who has experienced everything at the very highest level and could use that experience to build up the younger players in the squad to make a real go of the 2015 RWC and then see where we're at.
The importnat thing is I think we're on the brink of a golden generation and really hope the choice is the right one to make the most of it.
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England: Ben Foden; Chris Ashton, Manu Tuilagi, Brad Barritt, David Strettle; Owen Farrell, Lee Dickson; Alex Corbisiero, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole; Mouritz Botha, Geoff Parling; Tom Croft, Chris Robshaw, Ben Morgan.
Replacements: Rob Webber, Matt Stevens, Tom Palmer, Phil Dowson, Ben Youngs, Charlie Hodgson, Mike Brown.
Same team as the Wales game, which I guess was always going to be the case.
If we are behind though, I worry about a lack of pace coming off the bench to try and change the game. Having said that, I thought that Lancaster made some unnecessary substitutions in the Wales game that contributed to our defeat. I can't understand this fixation of seemingly having pre-determined changes whatever the score is. If it isn't broken on Sunday, then don't fix it.
Quietly fancy England to sneak it on Sunday by around 5/6 points.
I see in other news that Jake White has "turned down" the chance of coaching England. Amazes me how Wales can go and get Gatland within a few weeks of going out of the World Cup and we are still messing around nearly 5 months later. Pick your man and go and get him, whatever the cost. Not hard is it?
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I think Jake White has been slightly out of order here, if you've been approached but you're going to turn it down why bother announcing you've been approached in the first place.
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I think Jake White has been slightly out of order here, if you've been approached but you're going to turn it down why bother announcing you've been approached in the first place.
Quite. It's like announcing that you've turned down an MBE.
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I have just approached White with a gun. He hasn't had a press conference about it yet...
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Sharples gets his chance as Strettle is injured, hope he does well.
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Sharples gets his chance as Strettle is injured, hope he does well.
The rugby Gods are smiling. Can't believe Strettle and Ashton are in the team in the first place.
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Ashton is world class but out of form, I've got no problem persevering with him.
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I love listening to Gavin Hastings commentate on Scotland games. He sounds like he's having surgery without anaesthetic
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Great opportunist try Manu.
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England score a second goal. 2-0.
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This is great stuff.
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Yellow card for Sharples, shocking decision.
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Great third try.
The ref is trying his utmost to win this game for France. Thankfully not working so far.
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Why the hell was that a French scrum?
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The ref has been bloody shocking.
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If France win this game it will be a disgrace.
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Ahhh he missed.
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That tackle from Farrell was immense. Thoroughly deserved win, referee was absolutely terrible and the margin should have been much bigger if it weren't for him. Lancaster should get the job, we have improved every week.
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That tackle from Farrell was immense. Thoroughly deserved win, referee was absolutely terrible and the margin should have been much bigger if it weren't for him. Lancaster should get the job, we have improved every week.
Yep agreed.
I don't think many would have thought this England team would be so far along so early.
An excellent performance today, plenty of fire and no little skill.
As a side note, surely that should be the last game involving France that Alain Rolland is allowed to referee.
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Under Lancaster we have improved every game and I can't see any reason why he shouldn't be given the chance.
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That tackle from Farrell was immense. Thoroughly deserved win, referee was absolutely terrible and the margin should have been much bigger if it weren't for him. Lancaster should get the job, we have improved every week.
Yep agreed.
I don't think many would have thought this England team would be so far along so early.
An excellent performance today, plenty of fire and no little skill.
As a side note, surely that should be the last game involving France that Alain Rolland is allowed to referee.
Wrong way round on Rolland, it's england and english teams that he has a problem with. I've never seen him put in an unbiased performance when an english team have been involved.
Great performance today. Took our chances well and could've won by a lot more. Dickson was phenomenal at 9. Completely controlled the game got and used quick ball whenever there was a sniff of a chance, passed well to get the runners hitting the line at pace and put in a great shift defensively. He's light years ahead of Youngs at the minute.
Also seeing as he's had a bit of stick on here, the hit from Ashton that led to the manu try was fantastic, great judgement to step in and perfect technique to knock the ball clear as well. Then we got that little bit of luck for it to bounce nicely for farrell. I thought 8 out of 10 all round except Morgan and Dickson who get 9s for me.
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Excellent, really enjoyed it despite the referee's attempts to spoil it completely. One of the things though that I love about rugby is that everyone just got on with it and it was quickly forgotten. Had something like that happened in the football, it would have been analysed to death, the manager would have been effing and blinding at all the officials, the players would have surrounded the ref etc etc. Still didn't think Ashton had a great game despite his hit to set up the first try and I thought Foden made some poor decisions on occasions today too. Farrell was a little bit in and out but he is young and learning and has a great future. I get the sort of buzz out of watching these young men play rugby for England which I never get these days from their footballing peers. In fact, rugby is fast becoming a far superior game for all sorts of reasons
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That tackle from Farrell was immense. Thoroughly deserved win, referee was absolutely terrible and the margin should have been much bigger if it weren't for him. Lancaster should get the job, we have improved every week.
Yep agreed.
I don't think many would have thought this England team would be so far along so early.
An excellent performance today, plenty of fire and no little skill.
As a side note, surely that should be the last game involving France that Alain Rolland is allowed to referee.
Wrong way round on Rolland, it's england and english teams that he has a problem with. I've never seen him put in an unbiased performance when an english team have been involved.
Great performance today. Took our chances well and could've won by a lot more. Dickson was phenomenal at 9. Completely controlled the game got and used quick ball whenever there was a sniff of a chance, passed well to get the runners hitting the line at pace and put in a great shift defensively. He's light years ahead of Youngs at the minute.
Also seeing as he's had a bit of stick on here, the hit from Ashton that led to the manu try was fantastic, great judgement to step in and perfect technique to knock the ball clear as well. Then we got that little bit of luck for it to bounce nicely for farrell. I thought 8 out of 10 all round except Morgan and Dickson who get 9s for me.
Spot on, a quite dreadful performance by Rolland, as per. However I am sure that the Welsh wouldn't agree he is just biased against England and English teams?
Ahh Lancaster. Sorry, still shouldn't be coach for me. It may sound harsh, but as with the Wales game I felt he made some unnecessary substitutions that could have cost us. Why take Morgan off??. Senseless!!. Dowson comes on, gets injured and has to go off and we have Webber on in the back row?. Result, a French try. It's not only him, but I can't understand these pre-ordained substitutions.
Anyway, I'm a fair man, so I would say that he has done very very well and we have some pride back in the shirt now. We have played some great rugby and it's nice to see a few kids getting a run.
For me though, as said before, Nick Mallett is the man for the next four years. No problem with Lancaster being alongside him in some role however.
Shame Charlie got a yellow, shocking decision and didn't get much ball. Hope he stays in next week and we use him a bit more. Very pleased with how the front five played and thought we had the Upper Hand in the scrums. Back row were great and we finally have a No 8 to take over from Dallaglio. That's Croft's best game for England and a throw back to the Lions in South Africa.
Dickson played well, but not convinced that Farrell is yet an International 10. He seemed a tad slow and ponderous at times for me today. His defence was immense though. Barritt was quiet, but Manu was his usual destructive self, however I wish that he would pass a little more.
All in all, especially with the Villa, a great sporting weekend. Not said that much recently?
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Just said that to my Dad on the phone Dave, a great sporting weekend for a change. Just recently, I have been cursing him for ever getting me interested in sport and in particular, for inheriting his family's love of the Villa!
Croft was superb as you say and I agree with you about Farrell, really need to see what he can do on the attacking front but hopefully that will come
And you are right, Mallett is the man for England, well as Lancaster has done
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Excellent, really enjoyed it despite the referee's attempts to spoil it completely. One of the things though that I love about rugby is that everyone just got on with it and it was quickly forgotten. Had something like that happened in the football, it would have been analysed to death, the manager would have been effing and blinding at all the officials, the players would have surrounded the ref etc etc. Still didn't think Ashton had a great game despite his hit to set up the first try and I thought Foden made some poor decisions on occasions today too. Farrell was a little bit in and out but he is young and learning and has a great future. I get the sort of buzz out of watching these young men play rugby for England which I never get these days from their footballing peers. In fact, rugby is fast becoming a far superior game for all sorts of reasons
The bold bit 100% for me. I haven't been interested in international football for a long time and at club level I watch villa and that's about it. Can't remember the last time I watched a random game or even Motd. I watch at least a couple of rugby matches every weekend and for the last couple of years I've missed it a lot more than the football come the summer.
A big part of it is the finances, it's a lot easier to feel connected to the rugby players, yes they're well paid but not silly. For example Ben Morgan is moving to Gloucs on 180k a year (a massive payrise), I bet we've got reserves at villa who earn more than that.
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I go to Bath on the odd occassion and its a good day out. The players are very much more grounded than what many Rugby fans call Wendyball players.
I thought that drop goal attempt was going over thankfully it didn't because it would of been criminal to let that lead 9 point lead slip in the last 9 minutes.
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Excellent, really enjoyed it despite the referee's attempts to spoil it completely. One of the things though that I love about rugby is that everyone just got on with it and it was quickly forgotten. Had something like that happened in the football, it would have been analysed to death, the manager would have been effing and blinding at all the officials, the players would have surrounded the ref etc etc. Still didn't think Ashton had a great game despite his hit to set up the first try and I thought Foden made some poor decisions on occasions today too. Farrell was a little bit in and out but he is young and learning and has a great future. I get the sort of buzz out of watching these young men play rugby for England which I never get these days from their footballing peers. In fact, rugby is fast becoming a far superior game for all sorts of reasons
The bold bit 100% for me. I haven't been interested in international football for a long time and at club level I watch villa and that's about it. Can't remember the last time I watched a random game or even Motd. I watch at least a couple of rugby matches every weekend and for the last couple of years I've missed it a lot more than the football come the summer.
A big part of it is the finances, it's a lot easier to feel connected to the rugby players, yes they're well paid but not silly. For example Ben Morgan is moving to Gloucs on 180k a year (a massive payrise), I bet we've got reserves at villa who earn more than that.
I agree Paul. I got rid of Sky Sports last summer and the only thing I missed was the rugby, especially the Heineken Cup. I signed back to to Sky Sports recently as they sent me a deal for sport and movies for £3.25 a week for 6 months and about the only live sport I have watched in full to date has been the rugby, including both LV matches this weekend
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Excellent, really enjoyed it despite the referee's attempts to spoil it completely. One of the things though that I love about rugby is that everyone just got on with it and it was quickly forgotten. Had something like that happened in the football, it would have been analysed to death, the manager would have been effing and blinding at all the officials, the players would have surrounded the ref etc etc. Still didn't think Ashton had a great game despite his hit to set up the first try and I thought Foden made some poor decisions on occasions today too. Farrell was a little bit in and out but he is young and learning and has a great future. I get the sort of buzz out of watching these young men play rugby for England which I never get these days from their footballing peers. In fact, rugby is fast becoming a far superior game for all sorts of reasons
The bold bit 100% for me. I haven't been interested in international football for a long time and at club level I watch villa and that's about it. Can't remember the last time I watched a random game or even Motd. I watch at least a couple of rugby matches every weekend and for the last couple of years I've missed it a lot more than the football come the summer.
A big part of it is the finances, it's a lot easier to feel connected to the rugby players, yes they're well paid but not silly. For example Ben Morgan is moving to Gloucs on 180k a year (a massive payrise), I bet we've got reserves at villa who earn more than that.
I agree Paul. I got rid of Sky Sports last summer and the only thing I missed was the rugby, especially the Heineken Cup. I signed back to to Sky Sports recently as they sent me a deal for sport and movies for £3.25 a week for 6 months and about the only live sport I have watched in full to date has been the rugby, including both LV matches this weekend
The saints vs scarlets match was pretty good as a warm up to england, showed that Tom Wood was clearly on the wrong side of the channel this weekend though, absolutely fantastic performance, totally dominated in the tight and carried and tackled well in the loose. For me Robshaw has been anonymous so far so I'd give Wood the captaincy and the 7 shirt for the summer matches and let him have a shot at it, he's too good a player (and leader) to not be given a shout and he should probably be a regular, just a shame he's better at 6 where Croft is already doing a good job.
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The saints vs scarlets match was pretty good as a warm up to england, showed that Tom Wood was clearly on the wrong side of the channel this weekend though, absolutely fantastic performance, totally dominated in the tight and carried and tackled well in the loose. For me Robshaw has been anonymous so far so I'd give Wood the captaincy and the 7 shirt for the summer matches and let him have a shot at it, he's too good a player (and leader) to not be given a shout and he should probably be a regular, just a shame he's better at 6 where Croft is already doing a good job.
I was hoping to catch this yesterday but other things came up and I missed it. Did he play 6 or 7 yesterday Paul?. I notice that Calum Clark was also in their back row and is another who is getting rave notices. Yet another one from the fantastic production line that is the U20's.
With Robshaw, it's a bit like Lancaster in that it would be very harsh to drop either or both of them from their current jobs, but certainly in the case of Robshaw we are crying out for an out and out number 7. With Croft and Morgan our back row would then have the perfect balance. Shame that Tom Rees has retired today, because he would have been that man had his body held up.
Great time to be an England fan at the moment, there is so much talent and ability out there and if it can be harnassed in the right way, then who knows where it may lead?
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Wood is top class and I'd like him to be back involved asap.
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Yes, good point about Robshaw I think, he just doesn't quite have the look of a natural leader to me and also perhaps isn't quite enough of a cool head in a pressure situation
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If Ben Morgan plays like that all the time he will be a cult hero at Kingsholm very quickly.
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Wood played 7 with Clarke at 6, both played very very well.
Wood isn't a classic 7 but he's such a good player that he does very well there regardless. Whoever plays there for the next few years is only keeping the shirt warm anyway, Kvesic (from Worcester) is almost certainly going to be the long term solution there, great player already and only 19. He needs a couple more seasons at club level and then he'll be ready and should be a big part of the squad for the next world cup.
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Thanks Paul.
It's going to be a tricky call for whoever is the new coach/manager (I have to say I have over the last two days since I posted after the France game, I am getting more and more swayed towards Lancaster) to decide who the new captain is. I think, as you say, that Wood is such a good player that he has to be in. Croft again, I don't feel can be left out. This leaves the matter of who is going to be number 8 and again, I feel we have to go with Morgan. Croft, Wood and Morgan has a nice balance to it for me.
It will be desperate for Robshaw, but I think he suffers a little from the Austin Healey and Mike Catt syndrome of being a jack of all trades and not quite master of any of them. I think he has led tremendously well this past month or so, but is he one of the best three back row players in England?, probably not.
This is where the coach has to be hard nosed about this and pick the best balanced back row and not try and accomodate players. To bring it on to Villa, I think Mcleish was guilty of this with Keane and Ireland in the same team. One of them should have played in the hole, the other on the bench. He accomodated them both, to the detriment of the balance of the team. This could be a similar scenario.
Of course the new coach may think that Robshaw is the best man for number 7 and captain and that Dave Summers knows diddly squat. Wouldn't be the first time :-)
I will look out for Kvesic in the Under 20's on Friday night. Interestingly I see he is playing at 6 in that team with Chris Walker of Leeds captaining at 7. Seems like we have a plethora of back rowers coming through?
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Thanks Paul.
It's going to be a tricky call for whoever is the new coach/manager (I have to say I have over the last two days since I posted after the France game, I am getting more and more swayed towards Lancaster) to decide who the new captain is. I think, as you say, that Wood is such a good player that he has to be in. Croft again, I don't feel can be left out. This leaves the matter of who is going to be number 8 and again, I feel we have to go with Morgan. Croft, Wood and Morgan has a nice balance to it for me.
It will be desperate for Robshaw, but I think he suffers a little from the Austin Healey and Mike Catt syndrome of being a jack of all trades and not quite master of any of them. I think he has led tremendously well this past month or so, but is he one of the best three back row players in England?, probably not.
This is where the coach has to be hard nosed about this and pick the best balanced back row and not try and accomodate players. To bring it on to Villa, I think Mcleish was guilty of this with Keane and Ireland in the same team. One of them should have played in the hole, the other on the bench. He accomodated them both, to the detriment of the balance of the team. This could be a similar scenario.
Of course the new coach may think that Robshaw is the best man for number 7 and captain and that Dave Summers knows diddly squat. Wouldn't be the first time :-)
I will look out for Kvesic in the Under 20's on Friday night. Interestingly I see he is playing at 6 in that team with Chris Walker of Leeds captaining at 7. Seems like we have a plethora of back rowers coming through?
I'm curious Dave what's swaying you towards Lancaster. In my case I'm mightily impressed and they have improved with every game, that result at the weekend should not be underestimated and they are also showing more attacking ambition. As far as the back row goes, I'd definitely have Wood in there. It would be harsh on Robshaw, but he's probably a first reserve even though I do rate him.
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I'm curious Dave what's swaying you towards Lancaster. In my case I'm mightily impressed and they have improved with every game, that result at the weekend should not be underestimated and they are also showing more attacking ambition. As far as the back row goes, I'd definitely have Wood in there. It would be harsh on Robshaw, but he's probably a first reserve even though I do rate him.
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Embarrassingly I guess it's the "Meeja" in many ways. I have heard a lot of players/pundits past and present over the last few days saying that he should be given the job and it's hard not to be swayed by their comments. I've read Jerry Guscott's piece on the BBC today and he has changed his mind since last week and declared that he should have the job over Mallett.
I'm a little 50/50 on it. On the one hand he has obviously got every player playing for him and having pride in the shirt, that's a big plus point for me. We are playing reasonably attractive rugby, when conditions allow. We have dug out attritional wins when they don't allow. Finally, although I don't think anything has been too radical, he has given some of the young players long overdue chances.
Against that, I worry is he hard nosed enough to make some tricky selection decisions, see post above and I can't help but feel we will have missed the boat if we don't appoint a Mallett or a an Eddie Jones or Wayne Smith.
I guess a happy half way would be both involved, but we don't know if they would want to do that.
Put it this way, I am a lot more relaxed about his appointment than I was two days ago.
I could give Trevor Brooking a run in the fence sitting stakes with this post :-)
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Ha ha yeah fair enough. I find it very odd that the RFU say the results in the 6 Nations won't have an impact on the appointment, I think they really should. They are evidence that he can get the team performing at a top level and also they show he knows how to improve the team.
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I'm very undecided about Lancaster still. I think his loyalty to players might end being a block. I think the next england coach needs to be willing to bench players who have done nothing wrong if there's someone playing better in that position. Keeping Hodgson in place of Flood is the thing that makes me a little uneasy.
At the moment our u20s seem to get better every year, given that we need to be willing to drop good players to bring these great players through, I know Mallett has the balls to do that, I don't know if Lancaster does.
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At the moment our u20s seem to get better every year, given that we need to be willing to drop good players to bring these great players through, I know Mallett has the balls to do that, I don't know if Lancaster does.
This is my main concern with Lancaster as well.
We will know soon enough anyway, I read that they are looking to make a decision next week on the new Head Coach.
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Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris has accused England of being "bad losers" ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash at Twickenham.
The Irish have won seven of the previous eight meetings in the Six Nations but Ferris insists that the England game remains the prize scalp.
"They're a good side and are full of winners, but when they lose they don't like it," said Ferris.
"They're bad losers and hopefully they'll be bad losers on Saturday."
Ferris believes that a series of defeats against the English during his youth international days has led to his huge motivation for the fixture.
"We took so many beatings from England at under-age level.
"Any time we played Under-18s, -19s or -20s we always received a thumping. I never beat them.
"They come with bit of a tag about being arrogant and if you asked any team they'd probably say the same thing."
Ferris stresses that he is on good terms with those England players he met while on the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa and admires what they have achieved in this Six Nations under interim head coach Stuart Lancaster.
Under Lancaster's guidance, England have beaten France in Paris, narrowly lost to Grand Slam-chasing Wales and retain an outside chance of winning the title.
"I went on the Lions tour and got to know a few of England's players," said Ferris.
"I got on so well with them and had an awful lot of respect for them. I became good friends with some of them.
"England are a good side at the moment and are very hard to break down.
"Saturday will be two good teams going against each other, but we're also looking forward to getting that result."
Thanks Stephen, that's Stuart Lancaster's team talk done nicely. It really gets to me, this constant accusation of England being arrogant when if anything, we go too far the other way in an effort to be seen as anything but arrogant. Take you back to Saturday and Jamie Roberts try for Wales, did I not see a Chris Ashton style arm in the air before diving down?. Not been mentioned that has it???. It's like the tired cliche spouted out year after year, about England being a set piece team and the Premiership being dull and all things Celtic are wonderful. WRONG WRONG WRONG !!!!
Come on England, lets stuff em on Saturday :-)
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The Welsh are by far the most arrogant Northern Hemisphere side is my opinion. They try to claim the moral high ground through the rugby they play, but their more aggro than most teams.
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Wales are the most arrogant side in the northern hemi rugby!?!? Are you on drugs? Phillips is a bit in your face but apart from that I can't think of any arrogance. And as for Roberts doing an Ashton style arm wave well watch it again. He salutes the crowd, he doesn't do a pathetic splash like Ashton.
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Wales are the most arrogant side in the northern hemi rugby!?!? Are you on drugs? Phillips is a bit in your face but apart from that I can't think of any arrogance. And as for Roberts doing an Ashton style arm wave well watch it again. He salutes the crowd, he doesn't do a pathetic splash like Ashton.
So saluting the crowd before you put the ball down isn't arrogance, but "a pathetic splash" is??. I can't see any difference myself, but there we are.
Oh and of course I have never seen "Shane" do a splash either have I? :-)
Talking of arrogance, why is it only Welsh players that are referred to by their christian names?. Shane, Barry, Gareth, Phil, Sam, as though we should all know who they are talking about. Not much arrogance there either?.
By the way, I'm half Welsh so I have a foot in both camps so to speak :-)
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Sharples dropped out of squad, seems a bit harsh but I suppose he didn't do a great deal against France. I really hope we beat Ireland. And agreed Dave those are prime examples of arrogance.
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Sharples dropped out of squad, seems a bit harsh but I suppose he didn't do a great deal against France. I really hope we beat Ireland. And agreed Dave those are prime examples of arrogance.
Lancaster out !!!!! :-)
Very unlucky, don't think Strettle has dome much at all in the three games before, so was hoping Sharples would get another go. Hope he doesn't have a Sinbad type career of not getting his opportunities.
Sorry, that's erm Dave, Charlie and James I am referring too :-)
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In fairness Lancaster said he got good experience from the French game, so he clearly has him in mind if he keeps the job.
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I have no problems with the welsh being arrogant but what does annoy me is the hypocrisy of the welsh and the irish when it comes to rugby. An englishman does something illegal but gets away with it and they mark it down as typical english arrogance, the welsh and irish do it and they're just being smart and 'playing the game'. The problem is, they've become so vociferous about it that crowds and officials are buying in to it as well. Watch the games with them playing and look for: hands in the ruck, not letting go of the tackled player, pulling players into the ruck and closing off the ball. Both teams have become experts at all 4, and they're all illegal but for some reason they're allowed to do it and england (and english sides) are punished far more readily.
New zealand are similar, watch a NZ scrum and see how often the backrow are 'attached' when the ball comes live, they have a reputation for having really sharp backrows who are in your face, it's fairly easy to do that if you don't have to worry about being bound to the scrum.
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Meh. I don't see them as arrogant! Sounds like sour grapes from England fans! ;-)Roll on tomorrow, we are Cardiff bound for what should be a great game.
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Meh. I don't see them as arrogant! Sounds like sour grapes from England fans! ;-)Roll on tomorrow, we are Cardiff bound for what should be a great game.
arrogance in welsh rugby can be summed up with one name: Gavin Henson (or overrated, annoying, orange pretty boy if you prefer).
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Congratulations Scotland. Its not every day you see their rugby team win something.
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Shouldn't really have had Butler and Davies commentating on this, shamelessly biased.
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Davies gets right on my tits I have to say.
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It's very irritating, I hope the French win.
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Davies's laughing is doing my head in.
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It's very irritating, I hope the French win.
Amen...I am French for the next 30 minutes.
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Balls oh well come on England.
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Right England let's sign off with a great win.
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What is Dickson doing.................
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I don't mind box kicks as an occasional surprise option, but not as the standard tactic.
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I don't mind box kicks as an occasional surprise option, but not as the standard tactic.
Why take so much time then...........
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Botha consistently drops the ball, he would be the one I would replace.
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Dickson needs to be subbed........having a mare
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Dickson is not having a bit of a nightmare, the ref said 'use it' repeatedly. Use it!
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We're lacking a bit of precision here, not too bad but need to just be a bit more clinical.
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Tuilagi and Morgan are great.
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England scrum is excellent...........
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Dickson is having a really poor game and just cost us 3 points.
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I have never rated Botha. Morgan is playing well again. Dickson, not so much...
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I have a bad feeling about this game..........
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We are completely crushing the scrum.
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Youngs really needs to perform here.
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Stop dropping the fucking ball.
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Penalty try get over.
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Youngs goes over, give Lancaster the job. I'd be enjoying this without the Muamba situation.
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Youngs goes over, give Lancaster the job. I'd be enjoying this without the Muamba situation.
Same here mate..........very sad
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The muamba thing overshadows it a little but I think today shows just how right we were to go for Morgan, fantastic performance.
However, Corbisiero was our best player, he absolutely destroyed Court (after being on top against a very good experienced scrummager in Ross), back row, and in particular 8 is a great position to play when the scrum is dominating, you have so many options, Morgan showed that he has the brains to use those.
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I repeat my calls for Lancaster to get the job, he could've done no more. England can be respected as a team again, and we will only improve. He deserves to be given the chance to continue his work, and the team clearly want him. Let's not forget Mallett didn't fancy the job for the 6 Nations, so let's see how Lancaster can do.
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I was at Twickenham today, seeing the Irish scrum get dismantled was very pleasing indeed esp as I was sat amongst the Micks on Paddys Day.
I thought Tom Croft was immense again today, shame he dropped the ball.
Tom Palmer came in and did a great job again as did Youngs, good boost for his confidence he's a great player.
Disappointed Ashton didn't really see the ball, I think England need to be a little more expansive & adventurous if we are to see his best again.
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I was at Twickenham today, seeing the Irish scrum get dismantled was very pleasing indeed esp as I was sat amongst the Micks on Paddys Day.
I thought Tom Croft was immense again today, shame he dropped the ball.
Tom Palmer came in and did a great job again as did Youngs, good boost for his confidence he's a great player.
Disappointed Ashton didn't really see the ball, I think England need to be a little more expansive & adventurous if we are to see his best again.
This is my only worry with lancaster, the current 10, 12 and 13 are all very structured defensive choices but they don't give the wingers or full back much ball.
With the talent we have coming through (anthony watson, christian wade and johnny may) it would be criminal to not make the most of them, maybe when Burns and Ford are ready for a call up we'll see a more progressive side but, whilst I'm really happy with how things are at the minute I'm not sure Lancaster is the right person for the next world cup.
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I see Mallett has said he doesn't expect the RFU to change the coach as the team looks so happy.
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Youngs' try yesterday was very much more like him at his best, quick instinctual play.
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I think today shows just how right we were to go for Morgan, fantastic performance.
Ben Morgan for England and Alex Cuthbert for Wales; Gloucestershire rules the rugby world !