International Rugby

[paul_e]

My biggest problem isn't around the style of play, although that is an issue. It's that it completely flies in the face of what has been preached for the last few years about consistency. Ford didn't have the best game on Friday, but it was far from awful. He doesn't deserve to be dropped at all.

Consistency of selection only applies if you're one his favourites, Wood, Lawes and Launchbury have all been given similar treatment.

[PaulWinch again]

I do think Lancaster has panicked and tried to front up to Wales rather than out play them. Let's hope it's not a fatal mistake.

[PaulWinch again]

So Ford has been dropped for Farrell, let's hope we don't live to regret that. Billy V coming in is the right decision, but we don't even have Slade on the bench. Why bother including Slade in the squad if there's absolutely no chance of him being involved in any role of importance.

[paul_e]

Yay, Farrell, Burgess and Barritt with Goode as cover for the back 5 on the bench, the guy is a fucking clown.

[PaulWinch again]

I want us to win the World Cup, but it seems like decisions are being made that will make that extremely unlikely. I just don't understand why we're trying to match Wales at their own game plan. You wouldn't do that against the All Blacks would you? We showed in Cardiff earlier this year the way to beat them is to play around them. That's why Australia beat them everytime. If we had a back line with Ford and Slade in we'd have a much better chance. We might still win on Saturday, but we're making it needlessly difficult for ourselves.

[aev]

I was going to comment but you have all summed up my thoughts nicely.

Attritional, no flair rugby.

[PaulWinch again]

I don't necessarily have a problem with Burgess playing, as I don't think he's a particularly negative pick. He showed good quality last week and made plenty of yards. It's just having him and Barritt that I don't like.

[aev]

The shame is that Burgess in a year or 2 could do everything that Barritt offers and more, allowing him to be paired with a more creative centre.

[PaulWinch again]

Well let's hope this experience proves useful to him then.

[UK Redsox]

if this RWC is going to produce a 100 pointer, tonight's the night

[cdbearsfan]

You think Namibia will score that many?

[taylorsworkrate]

Yay, Farrell, Burgess and Barritt with Goode as cover for the back 5 on the bench, the guy is a fucking clown.

I think with the talent that is within the English game, anything less than reaching the final should mean a p45 for Mr Lancaster.

With the players left out of the squad originally, and with these changes I just can't see that happening.

[paul_e]

Yay, Farrell, Burgess and Barritt with Goode as cover for the back 5 on the bench, the guy is a fucking clown.

I think with the talent that is within the English game, anything less than reaching the final should mean a p45 for Mr Lancaster.

With the players left out of the squad originally, and with these changes I just can't see that happening.

Shame it will come too late for us to see the trophy lifted on home soil.

[PaulWinch again]

To be honest if we win the World Cup I'll forgive for these decisions.

[cdbearsfan]

On the basis of what I've seen so far, still can't see anyone stopping Scotland.