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

[Dr Butler]

Farrell is unfit and off form, he shouldn't have been picked in the squad but his dad clearly has lots of influence and makes sure he first choice whenever he's available.

agreed, I reckon he is in as a son and kicker only and Ford looked a lot better at getting the ball away especially kicking in behind them as it allowed us to turn the Springboks round and running back towards their posts.

[PaulWinch again]

One thing I will say in Lancaster's defence is that come the end of the 6 Nations we looked a really good and developing side. Whoever decided to schedule our next five fixtures to be NZ, NZ, NZ, NZ ,and South Africa and the first of those games to be a week after the Premiership final was absolutely crazy. From a side who looked to be finding ourselves we now look shot.

[Jon Crofts]

Lancaster's response to the 'England in crisis' comments at a press conference today were refreshing to hear, in fact his response about what constituted a team in crisis rather ironically described Villa to a T.

I'm not going this weekend, I and my liver need a weekend off but I'm fully expecting a bruising but ultimately victorious encounter ready for the whingeing convicts.

[UK Redsox]

Did anyone watch the Wales v Fiji game on TV ?

I was at the Millennium and thought that it was the worst game of rugby I've ever seen (including some pretty dire Lydney Utd and 3rd XV games)

[dave.woodhall]

Our club helping out the city again. http://thebirminghampress.com/2014/11/rugby-set-to-boost-citys-economy/

[PaulWinch again]

Bit annoyed Burrell isn't in the match day squad.

[PaulWinch again]

I do hope it's the kick up the arse Billy V needs.

[paul_e]

Bit annoyed Burrell isn't in the match day squad.

How the fuck are wigglesworth and twelvetrees ahead of Dickson and Burrell on current form.  I don't mind chopping and changing for this game but if you are going to rest people rest fucking Farrell and Robshaw who you'd built a side that on rails around.

I didn't want Lancaster in the first place because I was worried he'd go the safe european route of building a big pack and playing 10man rugby and the more pressure comes on the further into the stereotype he's withdrawing. 

[lovejoy]

Twelvetrees gives an extra dimension and kicks, his club form justifies selection.

[paul_e]

Twelvetrees gives an extra dimension and kicks, his club form justifies selection.

It really doesn't.  I get that his kicking gives us an option, but he's been very hit and miss for glaws this year and his England performances haven't been good enough to earn him a place by rights.  In truth he's very lucky to be in the training squad right now.

What Burrell brings that we don't have without him is dangerous running angles.  England struggle to  break teams down because we're predictable and, until Burgess is up to speed, Burrell is the best option to address that in the midfield.

[Dante Lavelli]

They won't all get picked, but we have Ford at fly-half, Farrell at inside centre and potentially Twelvetrees at outside centre all selected with one eye on their kicking ability.  Doesn't that sum up English rugby?

[paul_e]

That's exactly what I mean by the stereotype, strong pack, kick for territory and get the forwards to trundle over for points.  With Watson, Wade, May, Yarde, Brown, Foden, Nowell , etc as the outside backs we have the pace, skill and desire to use our backs properly and get them exploiting space but whilst we insist on a 10 and usually 12 who, first and foremost, are there to kick for touch we're never going to make the most of those players.

[aev]

I'd persist with Eastmond too - his lines of running and flat passing are good.

But then we have hardly seen him with the ball in hand...........

[paul_e]

I'd persist with Eastmond too - his lines of running and flat passing are good.

But then we have hardly seen him with the ball in hand...........

Injured unfortunately, which gives the perfect excuse for Lancaster to give Ford the start he deserves but not actually drop Farrell.

[PaulWinch again]

I'm a bit concerned that it sounds like Bath are going to play Burgess in the back row.