Rugby Union Thread

[paul_e]

I did say this weekend was his 2nd try and that was the first

[Dave Summers]

I did say this weekend was his 2nd try and that was the first

Oops.  Apologies Paul, I really must try and read other posts properly before commenting on them.

I blame the fact I ran the Sport Relief mile yesterday without any headgear and the sun had a negative effect on my thinking.

Actually, I'm probably plain stupid 

[paul_e]

Nah don't worry, I did use a spurious link to post a video of a fantastic try.

From this weekend... how good was saints third try, great play from diggin to work it wide and then ashton in particular did magnificently to make the space out wide and then offload having drawn 2 men, then really good hands from dickson to put in foden for a classy finish.  It's play like that which shows why foden and ashton will always be in the england squad and why Dickson should rightfully cement his place in squad as well.

Paul Doran-Jones was excellent when he came on as well.  We're getting to a point where we have really good front row options for england now, with nick wood, doran-jones, maller, and a few oth3ers all closing up fast on the guys in the squad, a backup hooker would be useful as hartley is miles ahead of anyone else but Tom Youngs looked good the other week when he came on for tigers against saints (was badly let down by his props in the scrum though).

[Dante Lavelli]

Does anyone know where the highlights can be found online?

[paul_e]

try http://www.espnscrum.com/

[Dante Lavelli]

try http://www.espnscrum.com/

Thank you.  It works for the french stuff but the Prem appears blocked outside the UK.  Shame.

[Dante Lavelli]

try http://www.espnscrum.com/

Thank you.  It works for the french stuff but the Prem appears blocked outside the UK.  Shame.

Found this though...  http://www.premiershiprugby.tv/Home
You can watch whole matches if you're prepared to pay.

[Dave Summers]

Appears Lancaster is to get the job full time today.  Congratulations to him and lets hope he can build on the 6 Nations.   

I'm not entirely sure that it is the right appointment, but then again if they had picked Mallett, I wouldn't have been sure either.   The 6 Nations really put me on the fence.

I hope he can get the coaching team that he wants and can secure Farrell from Sarries.    We also need an attack coach and as Wayne Smith has said he is interested, there's yer man.

[paul_e]

Appears Lancaster is to get the job full time today.  Congratulations to him and lets hope he can build on the 6 Nations.   

I'm not entirely sure that it is the right appointment, but then again if they had picked Mallett, I wouldn't have been sure either.   The 6 Nations really put me on the fence.

I hope he can get the coaching team that he wants and can secure Farrell from Sarries.    We also need an attack coach and as Wayne Smith has said he is interested, there's yer man.

Agreed, same coaching team with Smith Added to make us a bit more dynamic would be superb.  As with yourself I am totally on fence about the appointment, I think Lancaster will do well but the farrell, barritt, tuilagi combo just makes me a little cautious, I'd really like to see someone a bit more creative in the 10 or 12 role, even if only as an option from the bench.  I'll also be very very disappointed if Hodgson goes on the summer tour.

[PaulWinch again]

Good luck to him, he deserves his chance.

[Dave Summers]

Saw his press conference and also his appearance on the Rugby club last night.   

Was amusing, that Stuart Barnes who has been one of the most vociferous critics of him being appointed was sat next to him and barely muttered a word, just a stupid question about conspiracy theories and do we need more creativity in midfield?.   No shit sherlock, everyone knows that we need more creativity, Lancaster probably more than most.    I guess if things go a little awry in South Africa, then Barnes will be leading the criticism when the coach isn't within ear shot.   Together with Stephen Jones in the Sunday Times no doubt.

Anyway, I was quietly impressed with him and if dedication, hard work, honesty and passion have anything to do with it, then he will be successful.     As we have said before, we need to move on and find more creativity and score more tries, but I'm sure he knows that anyway.    What is impressive is that last week in a presentation he apparently had lists of England players position by position with the first choice followed by the understudies and not just one understudy either.    He obviously likes bringing young players through, so I would hope the likes of Burns, Sharples, May, Wade, Joseph etc will be getting looked at fairly soon.

[PaulWinch again]

I agree with you on Barnes, he just looked like he was in a strop. I'm sure Lancaster appreciates more creativity is required, but the Six Nations was all about building foundations and from the noticeable improvement in each game he clearly showed that he knew what he's doing. The creativity will come in time, and as he's said he wants the players to have freedom to express themselves. He does come across as a very impressive and thoughtful person. Wade looks like an absolute cracker of a player to me as well.

[paul_e]

To move away from Lancaster....

I'd love to know what Callum Clark's defence said to keep it down to 32weeks, was expecting at least a year for him.  Horrible injury and look totally intentional, there must be a mitigating factor that hasn't been reported.

[cheltenhamlion]

As a Gloucester fan, I have long held the view that Stuart Barnes is an absolute cock socket.

[lovejoy]

Albeit Barnes does now seem to have a soft spot for Glos.