Rugby Union Thread

[paul_e]

Plus Simpson-Daniel. Pretty happy with Wood and Big Jim in the front 5.

If I could have one wish it would be for a top 9 as we haven't had one since Gommersall. Jimmy Cowan has been mentioned. Either way next season is one to look forward to just need to get the HC qualification.

I love simpson-daniel, I left him off (and fuimano-sapolo who i also rate) to highlight the young and English aspect.  Of the 6 I listed Oliie Morgan is the oldest at 25-26 (can't be bothered to go look).

I agree on Hamilton and Wood and I quite like the look of Dawidiuk as an impact player from the bench but there are no other front 5 players that are good enough in the squad, the back row is a bit weak as well, Qera and Narraway are quality but there's nothing else there either.

As for 9 I like Dave Lewis, I think he deserves a run at some point to see if he can make it but he can pass off the floor from either hand which is what you want with that set of backs.  With a better 6 to help get quick ball the potential is there.

[cheltenhamlion]

We haven't had a decent hooker for years. That, a top class second row and a real leader of an eight would be my wish list.

[Dave Summers]

Ben Foden; Chris Ashton; Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell, David Strettle; Charlie Hodgson; Ben Youngs; Alex Corbisiero, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole; Mouritz Botha, Tom Palmer; Tom Croft, Chris Robshaw (captain), Phil Dowson.

Replacements: Rob Webber, Matt Stevens, Geoff Parling, Ben Morgan, Lee Dickson, Jordan Turner-Hall, Mike Brown.

Team I shall be supporting in the North Stand at Murrayfield on Saturday.   This will be my 4th visit to Edinburgh, always an absolute pleasure 2 wins, 1 draw so far and for the first time I am convinced will we lose.   Maybe the Villa have brought the glass half empty feel to me, I dunno, but I am not convinced by this side at all.   Not sure why Phil Dowson is being picked at 8 when he doesn't play there for Northampton, when we got hold of Morgan as quickly as possible to stop him being taken by the Welsh.    Back three looks quite tasty, albeit would have liked to have seen Sharples in, but will they get the ball?.  Not convinced myself.

If we are losing and needing to chase the game, god help us.   There is no pace or creativity from either Brown or Turner-Hall, just bish, bash, bosh.   Having said that, Brown is having an excellent season, but I don't see him as an impact substitute at all.  If he doesn't start, he shouldn't be in the 22 for me.

Either way, am looking forward to the long drive up there tomorrow and will enjoy either way.

[lovejoy]

My father in law has watch most England 6N games in the last 10 years (and he's Irish!) and reckons the Scottish crowd are very nice outside the ground but inside are the most racist he's ever come across (albeit he's never been to Anfield).

[cheltenhamlion]

Strettle? And that's a funny looking pack. And a shite bench.

[UK Redsox]

And a shite bench.

Are you including Dursley's finest, Ben Morgan in that assessment ?

[cheltenhamlion]

Don't know enough about him to judge but it smacks of a pick just so the Taffs can't.

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

Why is Botha playing for England?

[PaulWinch again]

Why is Botha playing for England?

This is becoming quite a theme across different sporting threads. He qualifies under the current criteria.

[Chris Smith]

Why is Botha playing for England?

Because he's qualified under the nationality rules and the coach thinks he's good enough. Couldn't you work that out for yourself?

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

Why are we putting foreign players in the team?

Glad this doesn't happen in football.

[PaulWinch again]

Again this was like your argument on the cricket thread with Pietersen, who has an English mother.

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

I don't mind if he has an English parent but what annoys me is people who only qualify on residency.

For example Arteta and Almunia being possible England players.

This seems to happen more in cricket and rugby though than it does in football.

[UK Redsox]

Don't know enough about him to judge but it smacks of a pick just so the Taffs can't.

Well, they've already nabbed Westbury-on-Severn's Alex Cuthbert

[PaulWinch again]

I'm excited by England's team, with the likes of Wood, Flood and Tuilagi to come back I think there is a really promising side if we choose to play expansive rugby. I'd like to see Sharples get a chance as well.