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

[richard moore]

Nowell needs to be dropped his handling is rubbish.

Nowell played really well, the issues today are the same as they've been for ages, we don't generate quick ball inside the 22, we don't have structure to the play in the backs and we don't do enough to slow down the ball under pressure.

I'd be somewhere between the two of you there. You can tell there is a great player in  him waiting to burst through but his lack of awareness and composure was alarming at times today. He wasn't alone in that though, seldom have I seen quite so many chances wasted. Our backs need a very stiff talk about precision, composure and being aware of where your team mates are.

[PaulWinch again]

I wish Nowell would get a haircut!

[paul_e]

I think it has a lot to do with a lack of precision.

I've said before (maybe not in this thread though) my biggest concern with Lancaster all along was that he seemed to have the very English mindset of focusing on getting things right from 1-10 and trusting the backs to 'do their thing'.  Too often the backs seem to do just that and beat their man and break the line but then the rest of the team either run poor lines or just dn't get there. Then they're trying to force offloads or risky passes which is where the imprecision comes from.

[lovejoy]

Nowell needs to be dropped his handling is rubbish.

Nowell played really well, the issues today are the same as they've been for ages, we don't generate quick ball inside the 22, we don't have structure to the play in the backs and we don't do enough to slow down the ball under pressure.

I'd be somewhere between the two of you there. You can tell there is a great player in  him waiting to burst through but his lack of awareness and composure was alarming at times today. He wasn't alone in that though, seldom have I seen quite so many chances wasted. Our backs need a very stiff talk about precision, composure and being aware of where your team mates are.

Nowell is a big lump, reasonable defensively and can crash through. He offers very little spark and invention which is what I want from a winger. He needs dropping.

[PaulWinch again]

I'm not a huge fan of Nowell, but he's anything but a 'big lump'.

[lovejoy]

I'm not a huge fan of Nowell, but he's anything but a 'big lump'.

Lump then.

[paul_e]

Whilst Nowell hasn't got the footwork and pace of May or Wade he runs very good support lines, which, as with Ashton, makes him a great weapon if he's used right.

I'm all for us trying out our options and Nowell is one who deserves a chance, he's had a superb season for Exeter.  That's why I find the insistence on Robshaw playing 80minutes every game regardless of how he plays so frustrating, we've seen no options at 7 in 4 years other than Kvesic getting a couple of games away in Argentina adn I still maintain that the reason we struggle in some games is because teams dominate us on the floor.

[lovejoy]

I agree, Robshaw his position, being captain, is protected. Funny how this always occurs when you play for an establishment club link HQuins, Wasps etc.

[paul_e]

I agree, Robshaw his position, being captain, is protected. Funny how this always occurs when you play for an establishment club link HQuins, Wasps etc.

Leicester and Sarries are the teams that England are built around right now, whenever things don't work out Lancaster falls back on adding more players from those pair.

[Colhint]

Sort of Rugby I suppose, but anyway. My lads team plays on Sundays, for weeks and weeks, I have been telling a few jokes to the Dads. All courtesy of H&V, a never ending supply or so it seemed. Well guess what, Villa win and win and win, then every bugger is talking football again. No bugger is off topic or posting jokes. I'm getting grief of the Dads

[PaulWinch again]

Italy have completely collapsed. Wales have a chance now, annoyingly.

[Dante Lavelli]

It's getting ridiculous.  Currently 16 points ahead of England.  20 for Ireland.
I think Wales have done it.

[Dante Lavelli]

England need 16, Ireland 20.
Italy scoring a converted try in the last minute.

Incredible stuff.

[Dante Lavelli]

FFS and a converted try for Ireland within 4 minutes.

[PaulWinch again]

Not sure that first Ireland try isn't the result of an obstruction. England are going to struggle now, but our new style does potentially mean we can score a lot of points.