Rugby Union (was 2014-15, now an ongoing thread)

[UK Redsox]

Johnny May is a bit quick

[paul_e]

Johnny May is a bit quick

easily the quickest player in the squad

[UK Redsox]

13 man line out by Samoa

[lovejoy]

Faintly disappointing yet again the crowd reacts rather than lifts the team.

[PaulWinch again]

So what are people's assessments of the game?

[Jon Crofts]

Where do you start?
What does Burrell need to do to start at centre?
Where is the expansive game we hear so much about?
Where is the intensity?
Why is Farrell first on the team sheet?

[UK Redsox]

Why is Farrell first on the team sheet?

His dad owns the only pen at the RFU ?

[peter w]

I can see why farrell started as Lancaster wanted to keep him in because should Ford fail with either boot or ball he could go back to Farrell, with the added bonus that Ford and Farrell play together at 10-12 at Saracens. As it was Farrell was poor and has been so far and given the opposition I think it was worth having a look at the partnership.

As for the game it was simply too error strewn with the forwards not covering themselves with too much glory by spilling it far too often. Last week I thought there was a lack of zip from the forwards when taking the ball into the contact area and around the breakdown. It was almost like playing by numbers with little purpose.

That's where I see us right now. Stuck in a spiral of not knowing what to do next. Too much chopping and changing doesn't help but the right players in the right positions is a start, as is continuity and form. The centres need to be different for Australia and I'm not sure that Ford's kicking will persuade Lancaster that he should start ahead of Farrell, however well he played with the ball at hand.

We've had a difficult and disappointing autumn series to date but I stilll think that if we win we'll gain momentum quickly and will be very close to the World Cup. I'm going to stick my hea don the line here and say we'll win it.

[paul_e]

decided to give it a bit of time before posting.

The Brown try shows why Farrell shouldn't be at 10, he has neither the skill or vision to pulll something like that off.
Robshaw was man of the match because of his tackling and work in the loose, which is all good, we know he can do that against a weak openside, but in context with the previous 2 matches it shows that, when the opposition suits, he's a great option there but he shouldn't be the only option.
May is quick as fuck if we get the ball to him with space to run at.
Watson is the real deal, the offload for Brown was special.
Hartley and Wood should be restored for tougher games, the repalcements were ok but nothing more.

I think he'll pick the same backline next week, which will be a huge error, both centres deserve to be dropped, Eastmond and Burrell if both are fit.  I get the argument about kicking but to me it's just really negative to pick an extra 10 just in case your first one fails with the boot, surely the bench is for that.

Peter - Ford and Farrell played together in age group rugby not club level (Ford plays for Bath) which doesn't really mean much. It's like saying Clark and Baker were a good pairing for Villa at all age groups so they're automatically going to good together in the first team, the step up in quality of opposition makes a big difference.

[Colhint]

Brilliant day today. Ionians under 12's are on a roll. Today we had Beverley won 6 tries to nil, my Lad scoring the first, a drive from the back of a ruck, taking 3 of their lads over with him.

Second game close game with Rotherham, good club well supported, but our forwards out tackled them and we won 2 tries to 1.

Third game against York, now this was a bit of a grudge match, they don't like us because we knocked them out of the cup last season. Anyway, with the run of play they scored the first try. Half time one nil. Second half was played 80% in their half. On pressing their line we managed to charge down the ball, my lad bundled 2 out of the way to fall on the ball. one all. Soon after a a quick ball from the scrum , through the backs for us to score on the wing.

Last minute a big kick from them gets a favourable bounce on our five metre line into touch. They win the lineout, then ruck and drive, almost to the line. One more drive from them, and then the ball is over the line. Is it a try, NO, three of our lads are under the ball. Ref calls 5 metre scrum, huge push from the forwards, our scrumhalf then clears into touch. Game over.

The lads deservedly elated. Next week were in the last 16 of the Yorkshire cup

[PaulWinch again]

I get the impression yesterday was an experiment and I think Ford will start Saturday from what Lancaster says. I actually like Farrell and think he's been really good in the past, but he isn't playing well enough to start at the moment and he's not a centre. The centre pairing next week should be Eastmond and Burrell.

[PaulWinch again]

Watching the tries there were some encouraging signs.

[aev]

Farrell should be cover on the bench for Ford and no more.

[PaulWinch again]

I think it might be a bit early to say that. Ford did well, but he needs to do it over a pre-longed period.

[aev]

I think it might be a bit early to say that. Ford did well, but he needs to do it over a pre-longed period.

I meant for Saturday.