Rugby Union 2013-14

[paul_e]

That's fair, the whole thing has been pretty shitty for glaws, the worst thing is I think the front 5 will work next year and whoever plays 10 will have a much better platform, and with the options outside it could be a really good team to be the 10 for next season.

[PaulWinch again]

Cole out until November, our tour to NZ is looking quite worrying at the moment.

[paul_e]

Better this summer than next.  I have no problem with Thomas and Wilson sharing the duties for the summer and autumn.  We really need to get to the point where we have 2-3 players we trust in every position so we can have some actual selection headaches for the world cup.  It's the same reason why I'd give Robshaw a rest for at least one of the games and why I don't mind Hartley being out.  An injury to Farrell at some point to give him the summer off wouldn't be a bad thing either.

[paul_e]

Yay, first half of the double complete, Saints win the Amlin cup, excellent 2nd half again.

[lovejoy]

So, over to Jonny to do the business tonight.

[PaulWinch again]

I hope Barnes isn't right and Barritt will be battling Burrell for the jersey in NZ. Burrell offers so so so much more than him.

[villan1975]

What an absolute top class professional Jonny Wilkinson is. A rare breed, an Englishman who always performs on the top stage.

[PaulWinch again]

Indeed and interestingly you can see his successor Farrell is developing his game as he matures.

[PaulWinch again]

This will be some finale to Wilkinson's incredible career, obviously there's a game next week but he's just an incredible player.

[villan1975]

This will be some finale to Wilkinson's incredible career, obviously there's a game next week but he's just an incredible player.

Absolute legend. Shame he had the injuries he did because he could have challenged Carter for top international points scorer. The injuries he had were predominantly from being over committed in the tackle.

[paul_e]

Wilkinson was exceptional today, fantastic player.

Farrell showed why he's not world class right now, he's just not got that extra bit of quality that you need to break down a top defence.

More importantly though, Steffon Armitage showed why he needs to given a chance for England, he was easily the best player on the pitch, truly brilliant performance.

[PaulWinch again]

I think Farrell is getting there, he improves and most importantly learns every time I see him. We need Armitage in the England squad, he's a fantastic player.

[villan1975]

I think Farrell is getting there, he improves and most importantly learns every time I see him. We need Armitage in the England squad, he's a fantastic player.

Farrel will get there and has all the attributes to be world class. He should have had a yellow though today and can be pretty petulant which he really needs to cut it out.

[PaulWinch again]

I do think we need to make an exception on the rule of playing outside England for Steffon Armitage. He is a hell of a player and he needs to be involved.

[villan1975]

I do think we need to make an exception on the rule of playing outside England for Steffon Armitage. He is a hell of a player and he needs to be involved.

Don't watch a lot of club rugby though Armitage was different class today. He bossed our "English" no.8 which is bloody ridiculous that we are poaching players from abroad when we have quality home grown talent already in those positions.