Rugby Union Thread

[paul_e]

Farrell turns down coaching role with England. It'll be interesting to see who they go for now, I'd like to see Wayne Smith.

Smith will be a great choice as the attack coach but we still need a defence coach.  Edwards is the obvious one but the welsh got there first, I'd probably look for a league man though, they tend to make great defensive coaches.

[cheltenhamlion]

Dennis Betts.

Who is there Saturday by the way for the Newcastle relegation? We should grab a pint together.

[lovejoy]

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[paul_e]

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The rumours are Redpath is going to Sale in the summer, I guess a few on here won't be too upset.

As an aside, watched quins vs wasps today.  Christian Wade scored a great try and made a break in the buildup for their second that probably no one else in the league would've been able to do.  On top of pace, acceleration and a great change of direction he's also a tank, the amount of times he powers through tackles is amazing (for a strip of a winger).  He has to go to South Africa in the summer, he's too big a talent to not at least have him away with the squad.  Billy Vunipola came on at 8 as well, he's another young wasp who has a big big future, was bouncing through some very good players like they were tackle bags.

[Dave Summers]

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The rumours are Redpath is going to Sale in the summer, I guess a few on here won't be too upset.

As an aside, watched quins vs wasps today.  Christian Wade scored a great try and made a break in the buildup for their second that probably no one else in the league would've been able to do.  On top of pace, acceleration and a great change of direction he's also a tank, the amount of times he powers through tackles is amazing (for a strip of a winger).  He has to go to South Africa in the summer, he's too big a talent to not at least have him away with the squad.  Billy Vunipola came on at 8 as well, he's another young wasp who has a big big future, was bouncing through some very good players like they were tackle bags.

What the hell happened on Saturday then Cheltenham?.  It's made the match vs Sale a shoot out for the last spot in the Heineken hasn't it?.

In terms of Christian Wade, I see that Stuart Barnes has now transferred his allegiance from Sinbad to Wade to be picked by England.    I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing going on the career that Sinbad has had with England.   

We are taking a squad of 40 to South Africa in the summer and you would like to think that Wade, Jonny May and Sharples will all be ahead of the waste of space that is Strettle wouldn't you?.  I'm wondering whether they will try out Foden on the wing and put in Mike Brown at full back as well?.  Personally I don't think Brown has the "gas" for International Rugby, but he has had a hell of a season.   I would like to see Alex Goode picked ahead of him or the lad at Sale, Rob Miller, who looks a great prospect too.

I bet Wayne Smith is licking his lips at the prospect of working with this array of talent, presuming the RFU and Lancaster get hold of him and sign him up?

[paul_e]

******* ****

The rumours are Redpath is going to Sale in the summer, I guess a few on here won't be too upset.

As an aside, watched quins vs wasps today.  Christian Wade scored a great try and made a break in the buildup for their second that probably no one else in the league would've been able to do.  On top of pace, acceleration and a great change of direction he's also a tank, the amount of times he powers through tackles is amazing (for a strip of a winger).  He has to go to South Africa in the summer, he's too big a talent to not at least have him away with the squad.  Billy Vunipola came on at 8 as well, he's another young wasp who has a big big future, was bouncing through some very good players like they were tackle bags.

What the hell happened on Saturday then Cheltenham?.  It's made the match vs Sale a shoot out for the last spot in the Heineken hasn't it?.

In terms of Christian Wade, I see that Stuart Barnes has now transferred his allegiance from Sinbad to Wade to be picked by England.    I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing going on the career that Sinbad has had with England.   

We are taking a squad of 40 to South Africa in the summer and you would like to think that Wade, Jonny May and Sharples will all be ahead of the waste of space that is Strettle wouldn't you?.  I'm wondering whether they will try out Foden on the wing and put in Mike Brown at full back as well?.  Personally I don't think Brown has the "gas" for International Rugby, but he has had a hell of a season.   I would like to see Alex Goode picked ahead of him or the lad at Sale, Rob Miller, who looks a great prospect too.

I bet Wayne Smith is licking his lips at the prospect of working with this array of talent, presuming the RFU and Lancaster get hold of him and sign him up?

If he could stay fit my backup fullback would be olly morgan without doubt.  The problem with every other high profile fullback in the league is that they're a bit iffy under the high ball, even Foden suffers from this at times but he's a lot more reliable than most.

Wade has got to go to SA.  To have scored tries like he has in a poor side in his first season as a regular is impressive, but even more impressive is the defensive qualities he has, quick tricky wingers often come through but have to be protected defensively, Wade doesn't in the slightest, he tackles well, is happy to join the rough stuff on the floor and is very good positionally as well, for his age.

In a squad of 40 for me 7-8 of them would be picks for the future, with the intention of them getting maybe a 10min cameo at most.

Christian Wade
Matt Kvesic
George Ford
Tom Youngs

 All fit that category and are likely to be big players for us in a few years, I'd be tempted to take along Anthony Watson as well, despite him being so young he looks like the next big thing in rugby (worldwide) and getting him around players like Foden and Ashton will do him a world of good.

If you have no idea who Anthony Watson is watch out for him (have a look on youtube), he's the best young player I've ever seen and has everything to be a superstar.  He was phenomenal in the U20 6N this season.

[Dave Summers]

Is he the lad who scored in the first few mins in the Ireland match?

Absolutely no idea who he plays for or his position.  Embarrassing !!!!

I see Redpath has now gone then.  Who do the Glaws boys fancy as the new coach?

[cheltenhamlion]

They were shocking on Saturday. They turned up in sombrero's and surf shorts thinking they didn't have to put any effort in to win.

[PaulWinch again]

I see Lancaster has flown out to try and convince Wayne Smith to be our attack coach. That'd be great.

[paul_e]

I see Lancaster has flown out to try and convince Wayne Smith to be our attack coach. That'd be great.

Thumbs up from me, just need to sort a top class defence coach then.

[PaulWinch again]

So Mike Catt is going to be temporary backs coach for the tour of South Africa. Wayne Smith is expected to make a decision on whether to join the staff permanently in September within the next 24 hours.

[Dave Summers]

So Mike Catt is going to be temporary backs coach for the tour of South Africa. Wayne Smith is expected to make a decision on whether to join the staff permanently in September within the next 24 hours.

Lets hope he says yes then.  I have a horrible feeling that he will turn it down for some reason.   I do wish the RFU were as good as the WRU in getting the people they want.  It's hardly a bad place to ply your trade is it?.   Very impressed with the way the WRU after the World Cup in 2007 just went out and got Gatland and Edwards with no messing.   We could learn a thing or two from then.

Fingers crossed anyhow

[PaulWinch again]

Fingers crossed as well, but I have a similar feeling.

[Dave Summers]

Well as I guessed, Wayne Smith has turned England down for family reasons.   Have a feeling if Mallett had got the job then he would have been in situ by now.  Lancaster said last week on Radio that he was the stand out candidate and therefore whoever he picks is by definition going to feel as though he isn't rated.

Further news has been tweeted that Croft is out of the tour to South Africa and with Wood missing, not sure who will play Number 6 now, possibly Dowson?

And to put the tin hat on a great morning for English rugby, Mike Catt is going as Farrell's replacement.   Actually, that's a bit unfair on Catt I guess, we will see what he is like.

Weather sums up my mood regarding this now, dismal :-(

[paul_e]

Well as I guessed, Wayne Smith has turned England down for family reasons.   Have a feeling if Mallett had got the job then he would have been in situ by now.  Lancaster said last week on Radio that he was the stand out candidate and therefore whoever he picks is by definition going to feel as though he isn't rated.

Further news has been tweeted that Croft is out of the tour to South Africa and with Wood missing, not sure who will play Number 6 now, possibly Dowson?

And to put the tin hat on a great morning for English rugby, Mike Catt is going as Farrell's replacement.   Actually, that's a bit unfair on Catt I guess, we will see what he is like.

Weather sums up my mood regarding this now, dismal :-(

Gutted by this, he'd have been perfect.  Really need to find an attack coach who concentrates on something other than kicking for territory.  We have too many fantastic young backs in this country to play 10 man, kick to the corners, rugby, unfortunately, whilst Catt will do a good job of getting us organised defensively I doubt he'll get us playing exciting free flowing rugby.

The silver lining is that I wanted an attack coach separate from the forwards and backs coaches that are already in place so hopefully that's something that might still happen.

As for 6, I think we're safe there, I'd guess Dowson will go but We can take along James Gaskell as a true 6 and I'd take Matt Kvesic who could play 7 and push Robshaw to 6 (where I think he's better suited unfortunately).  Stefon Armitage is looking excellent for Toulon as well so he could easily go as a specialist 7, again freeing robshaw to cover 6.  James Scaysbrook and Tom Johnson have both been excellent for Exeter but are probably a bit too old to be just starting their international careers.  If we want experienced players they're good options though, and are bang on form.

I just wish we'd seen a little more of a couple of the youngsters to justify them going.  Billy Vunipola at wasps would be my choice for cover at 8 but he's probably short of game time, he's going to be excellent though.