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

[lovejoy]

I think Burrell showed today against Roberts why he shouldn't be in the England team against Wales in a few weeks. Also Hartley is talented but frankly a mental liability on the pitch.

[peter w]

I've no problem with easter being recalled. As said he isn't ahead of Morgan or Vunipola but being in form he seems to be just a filler whilst injuries hopefully clear up. No point sticking someone else in their who may be considered a bit of a risk.

As for the Joseph try he did brilliantly well but, I think why I can't get over excited about it is that the ball bounced kindly for him which took the first defender out, he did well from there with the hitch kick to get a way from the full-back and don't get me wrong he turned nothing into something. but, without a very kind bounce it would have just been possession surrendered in a tricky place for a potential immediate counter attack.

[paul_e]

I think Burrell showed today against Roberts why he shouldn't be in the England team against Wales in a few weeks. Also Hartley is talented but frankly a mental liability on the pitch.

Are you slating Hartley for his yellow today?  Have you even seen it?  It was a professional foul of the likes that I'd expect anyone to make in that situation, a real 'taking one for the team' moment.  There's nothing in that was a liability, he probably saved a try.

I'm not sure what it says about Burrell or Roberts other than 1 was behind a pack that was dominating and the other wasn't.  The lack of field position, and poor handling when they did get anywhere was across the whole team, it's almost like they heard the results from the other games, knew they were qulified and just took their eyes off the ball, it was a totally un-saintslike performance.

peter - the JJ try does have a slightly luck bounce but that's why he's so important for England, 1-10 we're painfully predictable most of the time, a 13 who's willin gto take a risk is worth his weight on gold to us.

[lovejoy]

Not a comment on him today but more generally. England will lose a tight match if they have to play with 14 men due to his lack of discipline.

I must say I was shocked how poor Saints and Leicester were today. Both properly stuffed. Big challenge for as arrives later as well.

[peter w]

Paul I think that's more of a reflection on what has been in the centre rather than Joseph's ability and in particular this try. In all honesty i really hardly know anything about him so I'm in no position to comment. But if the ball bounces into the defenders hands for the 3rd, 4th, 5th time in a row he'd be called wasteful rather than exciting. The fine lines and all that I suppose.

[PaulWinch again]

I really hope we're getting our injuries out of the way before the World Cup, because we are getting decimated.

[Dante Lavelli]

Not a comment on him today but more generally. England will lose a tight match if they have to play with 14 men due to his lack of discipline.

I must say I was shocked how poor Saints and Leicester were today. Both properly stuffed. Big challenge for as arrives later as well.

A bloke at work who has a saints season ticket said, quite rightly, that the top players and teams play right on the edge of the laws.  That "edge" is where tight games are won and lost.  McCaw is a great example of this.  That's why I like Hartley, he plays the game to it's limits, which is quite a rare commodity in the current England team.

[paul_e]

Farrell out for the 6N so hopefully thats the chance for Ford and Cips to fight it out for the shirt.  I like Myler but those 2 have got to be ahead of him given their respective seasons.

[PaulWinch again]

I agree. 4 more players confirmed as out for the Wales game. It's really frustrating that we're being so hamstrung by injuries. I hope he goes with Burrell and Joseph in the centre now. I'd also like to see Croft in the second row.

[lovejoy]

I agree. 4 more players confirmed as out for the Wales game. It's really frustrating that we're being so hamstrung by injuries. I hope he goes with Burrell and Joseph in the centre now. I'd also like to see Croft in the second row.

It's more than just hamstring injuries, shoulder, leg, everything.

[PaulWinch again]

I really fear for us on Friday, we are potential really understrength.

[PaulWinch again]

Decent match day squad other than Wigglesworth. I'm glad Cipriani is in there.

[UK Redsox]

nice of them to move the England v Wales game to Friday do that it doesnt clash with Lydney's vital game away at Launceston

[paul_e]

Decent match day squad other than Wigglesworth. I'm glad Cipriani is in there.

Wigglesworth was a given once Dickson started last week and I'm happier with him and youngs as a pair than with Care and Youngs because I don't like having 2 9s who are both weak at passing from the floor and generating quick ball.

I think it's about the best squad we could pick and I'm very happy to see Brookes in there, I think he could have a massive impact for us, after Tigers tried their hardest to ruin him he's got back to his best and has had an excellent season in a very poor side.  The only player I'm not happy with is Twelvetrees but given Barritt was a viable alternative I'm ok with it.

[PaulWinch again]

Looking at the starting 15 I'm pretty happy with it. The backline looks genuinely exciting and it'll be really interesting to see Burrell and Joseph together.