Rugby Union 2013-14

[onje_villa]

Interesting watching the match vs the Baa Baas the other day how well Slade played at 10. I'm quite surprised he didn't get a ticket to NZ, though maybe they're holding him back for the future.

Have to say that whatever NZ and the WC throw up, the future beyond is looking very bright indeed, a lot of quality players. Elliot Daly is another one who should be near the squad.

[paul_e]

Slade's an excellent player, but then so are Farrell, Ford, Myler and Burns (Burns had a poor season behind a weak pack and with all the unrest over his move but he had a superb tour in Argentina) who are all in front of him.  I'm surprised Daly didn't go though, fantastic player, he's probably the most skillful player in English rugby right now, just a bit suspect in defence at times.  Him and Anthony Watson will breakthrough fully after the world cup and will both be mainstays in the team for years once they do.

[onje_villa]

Yep, exciting times now that we have some proper young flyers around the squad. If you think of how many injuries we have you begin to see just how much strength in depth there is.

Where would you put Slade in that list Paul?

[lovejoy]

Well Glos have signed Hook as fly half who along with Laidlaw, Afoa, Hibbard, Tom Palmer makes for an exciting next season. Just need a coach now.
To be honest I think Hook will be a cracking player. Apparently Davies wanted Laidlaw to play 10, and the owners didn't think that was a good idea and hastened his departure.

[paul_e]

6th because I missed out Cipriani.

For me, on form currently:

Cipriani (h'es looked the special talent everyone knew he was this season and deserves a shot)
Farrell/Ford (I really can't pick between them, both classy kickers, both have great game management, Ford is more of a gainline threat but Farrell spots things very quickly and is willing to put some air on the ball)
Myler (not the most creative but is the best kicker in the country right now)
Burns (needs to work on his game management and kicking but easily the most exciting 10 we have)
Slade (has all the talent but is still very young and has as many bad games as good)

Our strength in depth is phenomenal right now, that team on saturday was 5th and 6th choices in almost every position and only the brilliance of Gear out wide made a difference.

The best thing is, we have some special talent in the youth age groups as well, for the U20 we have Itoje in the 2nd row and Nathan Earle at wing/fullback who will both break-through in the next few years (Itoje in particular is going to be special, 6'5 built like a shed at 18 but very quick and with great skills*).

* note the lack of a "for a forward" qualifier, it's not needed.

[paul_e]

Well Glos have signed Hook as fly half who along with Laidlaw, Afoa, Hibbard, Tom Palmer makes for an exciting next season. Just need a coach now.
To be honest I think Hook will be a cracking player. Apparently Davies wanted Laidlaw to play 10, and the owners didn't think that was a good idea and hastened his departure.

Good signing, not sure about laidlaw though.  I understand the need to replace Cowan but I think Robson could've done that easily enough, I hope whoever they get in rotates them properly because it would be a huge shame to see Robson starved of gametime.

To save having to quote myself, I've just noticed Nathan Earle got a hattrickin the JWC game against Italy, no surprise there, he's rapid and a very good finisher.

[peter w]

I agree, they were the 2 that were easily 'spotted' by the casual fans, just pointing out the other 2 as being just as important, the rest of that side was excellent as well but those 4 were a level above.

Disagree. I think the casual fans were all too aware of Greenwood and Hill.

[paul_e]

I agree, they were the 2 that were easily 'spotted' by the casual fans, just pointing out the other 2 as being just as important, the rest of that side was excellent as well but those 4 were a level above.

Disagree. I think the casual fans were all too aware of Greenwood and Hill.

Depends how casual I guess.  I know a lot of guys I used to play football with who'd have been able to name Johnson, Wilkinson and Robinson but wouldn't have a clue about anyone else, despite watching the whole of that tournament with me.

Seeing as we're talking about greenwood, I can't miss an opportunity to link this:

19 seconds in, easily my favourite try of all time, there's only a handful of players ever who'd have even considered that.

[PaulWinch again]

Sounds like Burns and Eastmond will start. I'm quite excited to see Eastmond given a chance, but not sure about Burns due to form.

[nigel]

I agree, they were the 2 that were easily 'spotted' by the casual fans, just pointing out the other 2 as being just as important, the rest of that side was excellent as well but those 4 were a level above.

Disagree. I think the casual fans were all too aware of Greenwood and Hill.

Depends how casual I guess.  I know a lot of guys I used to play football with who'd have been able to name Johnson, Wilkinson and Robinson but wouldn't have a clue about anyone else, despite watching the whole of that tournament with me.

Seeing as we're talking about greenwood, I can't miss an opportunity to link this:

19 seconds in, easily my favourite try of all time, there's only a handful of players ever who'd have even considered that.

5:32 - How f**kin' fast is Jason Robinson?

[UK Redsox]

Bloody hell, the rugby season is still going on. It's the second leg of the Bristol v Oxford Welsh playoff tonight.

It's June fer fecks sake.

When I used to arrange the fixtures for The Mighty Lyd (back in the pre-league days), the season ran Sep through Apr and that was it.

[UK Redsox]

Oxford Welsh are back in the Premiership

[PaulWinch again]

Hope Care is fit, it's going to be a real struggle this game. I'm quite surprised that Burns is starting.

[paul_e]

Hope Care is fit, it's going to be a real struggle this game. I'm quite surprised that Burns is starting.

I'm not, Lancaster has shown that he's willing to be loyal to people who've had a dip in form, particularly when it's related to off field stuff (he stuck with Ashton through the move to sarries where he was struggling).  I expect Cipriani to get about half an hour regardless.

Care will be a big blow, I'm really unconvinced by Ben Youngs and to expect Dickson to come on and have an impact 3 days after he arrives is a massive ask.  I'm not sure how it could've been done otherwise but having 2 scrum halves there for the first test and then 4 joining the squad seems a big risks, maybe they should have started Robson and had another option on the bench for the barbarians game so Simpson could travel as cover.

Either way, for me the first test is about damage limitation. Looking at it objectively there are 9 players in our squad who would make our strongest 23man squad. 2-3 of the other 14 probably wouldn't make the world cup squad right now with them being down at 4th or 5th choice in their position.  If we can stay within 2 converted tries of them it's a good performance for me.  With our best 23 and their best 23 I think it's a close game though and I think we can make up for this first match in the next 2 but we'll need to keep people fit and have a few top performers.

[nordenvillain]

Hope Care is fit, it's going to be a real struggle this game. I'm quite surprised that Burns is starting.

I'm not, Lancaster has shown that he's willing to be loyal to people who've had a dip in form, particularly when it's related to off field stuff (he stuck with Ashton through the move to sarries where he was struggling).  I expect Cipriani to get about half an hour regardless.

Care will be a big blow, I'm really unconvinced by Ben Youngs and to expect Dickson to come on and have an impact 3 days after he arrives is a massive ask.  I'm not sure how it could've been done otherwise but having 2 scrum halves there for the first test and then 4 joining the squad seems a big risks, maybe they should have started Robson and had another option on the bench for the barbarians game so Simpson could travel as cover.

Either way, for me the first test is about damage limitation. Looking at it objectively there are 9 players in our squad who would make our strongest 23man squad. 2-3 of the other 14 probably wouldn't make the world cup squad right now with them being down at 4th or 5th choice in their position.  If we can stay within 2 converted tries of them it's a good performance for me.  With our best 23 and their best 23 I think it's a close game though and I think we can make up for this first match in the next 2 but we'll need to keep people fit and have a few top performers.

I'm staggered Burns is starting. Cipriani has been one of the main reasons that Sale improved last season over the previous season. It bodes poorly for Cipriani's chances of staying in the squad next season - Farrell & Ford are nailed on with now Myler & Burns fighting to be 3rd choice in my opinion. I would have started Cipriani and given Burns time off the bench.