Rugby Union 2013-14

[paul_e]

Lawes is playing like a man possessed right now, he was brilliant first half and he's gone up a level since half time.

[PaulWinch again]

This is a hell of a game.

[PaulWinch again]

Youngs line out is letting us down.

[PaulWinch again]

It's killed us there, that'll be the game I imagine. Piss poor from Youngs.

[PaulWinch again]

Tom Youngs has lost this game.

[PaulWinch again]

It was a very gutsy display, but the Youngs brothers coming on cost us the game. Hartley's line outs were brilliant and Youngs were awful, and Ben Youngs has been rubbish. Lawes, Vunipola, Wood were all magnificent and it was a very credible performance. Tomkins is not an international centre.

[paul_e]

I think both of the Youngs have come on and failed to match the level of the players they replaced to be honest, but largely losing Hartley cost us the chance at the game.

[PaulWinch again]

I think both of the Youngs have come on and failed to match the level of the players they replaced to be honest, but largely losing Hartley cost us the chance at the game.

Yep basically I agree. Overall the pack was excellent and with Vunipola and Corbs coming back it'll only get stronger and we played with great character. Issues to address the Youngs brothers can't come on and play that poorly, they were rubbish. Tomkins offers absolutely nothing defensively or in attack. Ashton actually did better in this game and still has a future. Overall though if we can build on that it's a really good showing.

[taylorsworkrate]

Building blocks of an excellent side are definitely there. 3 changes in the backs and we'll have a real shot at winning the WC.

[PaulWinch again]

Building blocks of an excellent side are definitely there. 3 changes in the backs and we'll have a real shot at winning the WC.

Well I'd say a back line of Dixon, Farrell, Burrell/Eastmond, Tuilagi, Wade, Brown and Yarde has a good shout of that. Combine them with the forwards we'd be in with a shout.

[paul_e]

Building blocks of an excellent side are definitely there. 3 changes in the backs and we'll have a real shot at winning the WC.

Well I'd say a back line of Dixon, Farrell, Burrell/Eastmond, Tuilagi, Wade, Brown and Yarde has a good shout of that. Combine them with the forwards we'd be in with a shout.

I agree with that, add a bench of Youngs/Care, Burns and Foden and we'd carry a threat.

the pack just needs to be kept fit, in 2 years time I guarantee every team in the world will be shit scared of facing us, corbs, hartley, cole, lawes, launchbury, wood, robshaw and billy V will go down down as one of the greatest packs of all time, the best bit is that all of that pack could still be playing in 10years (well, probably not Corbs who clearly has major injury problems, but Mako V is a very able replacement).

[PaulWinch again]

Building blocks of an excellent side are definitely there. 3 changes in the backs and we'll have a real shot at winning the WC.

Well I'd say a back line of Dixon, Farrell, Burrell/Eastmond, Tuilagi, Wade, Brown and Yarde has a good shout of that. Combine them with the forwards we'd be in with a shout.

I agree with that, add a bench of Youngs/Care, Burns and Foden and we'd carry a threat.

the pack just needs to be kept fit, in 2 years time I guarantee every team in the world will be shit scared of facing us, corbs, hartley, cole, lawes, launchbury, wood, robshaw and billy V will go down down as one of the greatest packs of all time, the best bit is that all of that pack could still be playing in 10years (well, probably not Corbs who clearly has major injury problems, but Mako V is a very able replacement).

Yeah I think there is plenty more to come from this team and almost in some ways I take more from today's game than the win last year. There is so much more potential for growth. Also Robshaw was pretty bold as a captain today which bodes very well. Morgan's impact off the bench was excellent.

[lovejoy]

It was a great atmosphere at Twickenham for a change as well.

[andyaston]

Two good number 8's going for the same jersey is promising. Hartley was out cold, shame really if he stayed on the pitch it would of gone to the wire.

[paul_e]

Bath vs Exeter has been a good game so far today, Bath were 14-0 within 4 minutes with 2 really good tries, 24-3 at half time.

Nowell for Exeter is a very exciting winger, he's got really quick feet so he sneaks through gaps that aren't really there, i think he'll be a top player.

Watson has had a bit of a mixed game, choked when he could've been away and dropped the pass but he's also had a lot of shit thrown out to him where he's had to battle with scraps, late in the half he got it out wide with 10m to go and beat his first man easily but couldn't quite get away from the next tackler, once he gets in the tries and realises how easy it can be for him he'll be a superb player.

George Ford looks every inch an international 10, he's been superb.