6 Nations 2013

[PaulWinch again]

I'm really excited by where this England side are going there are just so many options. Also seeing Farrell develop so much over the last few months is great to see, he's on a new level now. My only concern really is the tight head. Cole is outstanding, but I don't rate Wilson at all really.

[paul_e]

No, Tighthead is a big big worry if Cole is missing.

I agree with Dave that we need to give Thomas a go from the bench and see if he can develop, Wilson isn't good enough, everyone can see that.

If you picked the squad on Form Billy Vunipola would definitely be on the bench with Morgan out, I hope they don't go with Haskell 6 and Wood 8 though, Wood needs to be at 6.  2nd row I'm pretty happy with, I like all 3 of them (and Kitchener at tigers) so I'm all for them all getting time but Parling is the senior one so him with either Lawes or Launchbury is the right call for now, I'd love to see the youngsters both finish a game though.

[Dave Summers]

I think Henry Thomas will prove more than capable and we may get to the point hopefully where he and Cole are swapping like Corbs/Marler and Vunipola do on the loose head side.

I think he will go with Wood at 8 and Haskell 6 if I am being honest.  But as I said before, we have to look at the long game and I think we can afford to try a couple of different combinations in these next two matches without necessarily risking losing the games.

[tomd2103]

For example can you think of any back row from scotland or wales who deserves to be picked other than maybe Faletau at 8?  Do either of them have a half back who can come close to challenging youngs/sexton/farrell?

It again all comes down to the game plan Gatland is going to implement.  If it is anything like the tactics he uses with Wales, then I can see a number of Welsh players featuring in the starting XV.  You mention the back row, well there is Dan Lydiate for a start (Six Nations player of the tournament last year but been injured recently) who is instrumental in the way Gatland plays and I would think he will be a definite starter if he is fit.  Playing against Australia and Pocock, the seven needs to be a natural in that position and do a lot of work on the floor.  Robshaw and O'Brien aren't really natural sevens so I think he could look elsewhere.  As for half back, I would expect Sexton and Farrell to battle it out for the fly-half spot, but think that Mike Phillips is nailed on to start at scrum half (I don't think he should start for Wales, but again he fits into Gatland's plans perfectly).  As for the rest of the backs, I would expect two big centres and two big wingers, with Leigh Halfpenny at full-back because of his goal-kicking.  Again, this probably wouldn't be my personal choice, but it could well be what Gatland goes with. 

 

If Mike Phillips is anywhere near the test team then I will be gutted.  Apart from his physicality I fail to see what else he brings to the party?.  His passing is ponderous, he always takes a step or two before passing and worse than all of that, he never bloody looks up. 

Agree somewhat on Phillips and I find him really frustrating at times when he plays for Wales (I would add his aimless box kicks to your list of weaknesses).  Despite that, the physicality he brings is a key part of Gatland's plans and he is used almost like an extra forward in that respect.  Because of that, he gets involved in far too much of the physical stuff though and spends a lot of time on the bottom of rucks as opposed to getting the ball out of them.   

[peter w]

Stupid Southern Hemisphere sod. He can't win now.

Well he can, but that's what it'll take.

[cheltenhamlion]

See I could understand taking Phillips to SA as it is all about strength there. But for the Aussies? No ta.

[Jon Crofts]

Agreed. Took the soft option of him missing the rest of the tournament. Dirty bastard.

And nothing for the cowardly punch either, there's nothing that says you can't be cited for 2 incidents at the same time is there?

[tomd2103]

Agreed. Took the soft option of him missing the rest of the tournament. Dirty bastard.

And nothing for the cowardly punch either, there's nothing that says you can't be cited for 2 incidents at the same time is there?

The citing process is an absolute joke and is a real blight on the game. Healy deliberately targeted Dan Cole's ankle which could have resulted in him being seriously injured and his 'punishment' is way too lenient (not the first time an Irish player has got off lightly I must add).

[paul_e]

Agreed. Took the soft option of him missing the rest of the tournament. Dirty bastard.

And nothing for the cowardly punch either, there's nothing that says you can't be cited for 2 incidents at the same time is there?

The citing process is an absolute joke and is a real blight on the game. Healy deliberately targeted Dan Cole's ankle which could have resulted in him being seriously injured and his 'punishment' is way too lenient (not the first time an Irish player has got off lightly I must add).

I disagree, I think the citing process is close to being a good system, the problem is the fact that they can reduce the ban based on character.  I don't care if healy spends the rest of his time saving kittens from trees, at that point in the match he was deliberately trying to cause a serious injury to Cole, there were no mitigating factors for me.  The original 5 week ban was soft, to reduce it because he'sa nice guy most of the time is taking the piss.

[lovejoy]

The system is also open to abuse. You'll find internationals, in the lead up to big matches, are given lighter sentences than other players.

[paul_e]

The system is also open to abuse. You'll find internationals, in the lead up to big matches, are given lighter sentences than other players.

Which all comes back to the ability to reduce bans, it should be that they have much more consistent lengths on the bans, so something like stamping or eye gouging has a minor, normal and serious level ban and everyone at every level serves the same suspensions.  The citing officers then have a choice from 4, the 3 above or to dismiss the citing, remove any possibility for them to control the period of the ban outside those stages.  You could also have a set appeals process from both sides where the 'victim' and the offender can both launch appeals about the categorisation and it goes to an independent panel.

[Dave Summers]

Same 23 for France I see.  Was hoping that Vunipola would take over from Waldrom but seen that he picked up a little injury in training today which is slightly disappointing.  Although I would like to see Twelvetrees and Manu start you wouldn't have Barritt on the bench so I would imagine exactly the same starting line up in the backs.  Up front it wouldn't surprise me to see Hartley start over Youngs.

If we win be interesting if he shakes it up a little, with a view to the future, for the Italy game and gives starts to the likes of Vunipola?

[paul_e]

Same 23 for France I see.  Was hoping that Vunipola would take over from Waldrom but seen that he picked up a little injury in training today which is slightly disappointing.  Although I would like to see Twelvetrees and Manu start you wouldn't have Barritt on the bench so I would imagine exactly the same starting line up in the backs.  Up front it wouldn't surprise me to see Hartley start over Youngs.

If we win be interesting if he shakes it up a little, with a view to the future, for the Italy game and gives starts to the likes of Vunipola?

It's difficult to argue too much with it but I hope he doesn't start haskell 6 and wood 8 again, if they both play then wood has to be 6 where he is world class rather than 8 where he's good but nothing special.

I think the hooker change has a good chance, Youngs struggled throwing in against Ireland at times and we really need to get the basics spot on early and put some scoreboard pressure on them.  Given that the other change that wouldn't surprise me would be Lawes starting ahead of Launchbury.  Lawes is probably the best tackler in the squad and he can put them under massive pressure with that.

[Dave Summers]

Well according to the trusty source that is Chris Foy on Twitter there are three likely changes to the starting XV for Saturday.  Looks like I got that wrong then :-)

He believes Hartley will come in for Youngs, which we kind of anticipated maybe the case and I like the idea of Youngs coming on to add some zest to it all after about 50 mins. 

The other two changes I didn't forsee as much if i am truthful.  He believes Manu is coming for Twelvetrees and restoring partnership with Barritt.  I can understand that but not sure why you would then have both 36 and Flood on the same bench?

Finally and intriguingly and almost fitting in with what Paul e said above, Lawes will be starting.  However he will be playing 6 and Wood will continue at 8 with Haskell and Waldrom on the bench. 

Looks like we are going for the power game up front to nullify the French pack.  Gives us a load of lineout options and good ball carriers and also forwards with good hands.

As I said above though, I think he could have been a little more creative with the bench as I see Haskell and Waldrom as being a little similar and certainly 36 and Flood.  Would have been nice to see for example someone like Wade/May covering outside backs and Kvesic as back row cover in the absence of Billy V?

That all said, who am I to argue with what Lancaster has done?.  England by 10 on Saturday

[PaulWinch again]

If that's true that's quite a flexible decision from Lancaster and could work well with plenty of options from the bench.