Discussion
Pure talent wise I think and always have since I saw him that first season for Wasps that Cipriani is the most naturally talented English rugby player I've seen bar Billy. His attitude till this season had always sucked though but this season he had Sale purring and looked like he had finally grown up. Talent, mentality and maturity were looking in sync at last.
The Baa Baa match was a performance straight from the Sexton level of test match control and competence. The incident following it seems to be v strange, esp the last of news since.
The Baa Baa match was a performance straight from the Sexton level of test match control and competence. The incident following it seems to be v strange, esp the last of news since.
So, the authorities have bailed Danny Cipriani until 'mid-November' pending further enquiries. Quite what further enquiries are required when one has been arrested for drink driving I don't know, as I'm reasonably confident all the beer has left his bloodstream by now.
In entirely unrelated news, the World Cup runs from 18 Sep - 31 Oct. Oh look. This remarkable coincidence means that young Daniel is now available for selection to the England squad by Stuart Lancaster.
Marvellous. He must have great taste in biscuits.
In entirely unrelated news, the World Cup runs from 18 Sep - 31 Oct. Oh look. This remarkable coincidence means that young Daniel is now available for selection to the England squad by Stuart Lancaster.
Marvellous. He must have great taste in biscuits.
irocfan said:
Kermit power said:
DJRC said:
Pure talent wise I think and always have since I saw him that first season for Wasps that Cipriani is the most naturally talented English rugby player I've seen bar Billy.
Vunipola? Beaumont? Twelvetrees?My understanding is the training squad has to be reduced by the end of the week.
Rumor is that Burgess and Slade will start the first of the friendlies in the midfield. Lancaster seems to want to persevere with Burgess in the looking for a Manu type replacement and apparently has 'impressed in training'.
I don't expect any huge surprises when the final squad is announced. I expect Billy 36, Burrell and Goode to be there.
Hooker could be interesting, Cowan-Dickie Vs George to Provide back up to Tom Youngs.
Brookes I can see potentially edging out David Wilson for the tighthead bench spot.
Time will tell my impression is: minuses:
we don't have a settle style of play, lack of giving inform players a crack at least a season or two ago, injuries, lack of balance in the backrow
positives:
JL back and fit, usual depth in the pack, Ford and Joseph offering a bit more than route one when appropriate.
Billy V form and Ben Morgan to come back.
Rumor is that Burgess and Slade will start the first of the friendlies in the midfield. Lancaster seems to want to persevere with Burgess in the looking for a Manu type replacement and apparently has 'impressed in training'.
I don't expect any huge surprises when the final squad is announced. I expect Billy 36, Burrell and Goode to be there.
Hooker could be interesting, Cowan-Dickie Vs George to Provide back up to Tom Youngs.
Brookes I can see potentially edging out David Wilson for the tighthead bench spot.
Time will tell my impression is: minuses:
we don't have a settle style of play, lack of giving inform players a crack at least a season or two ago, injuries, lack of balance in the backrow
positives:
JL back and fit, usual depth in the pack, Ford and Joseph offering a bit more than route one when appropriate.
Billy V form and Ben Morgan to come back.
Stuart Lancaster flatters to deceive. Nice guy, but not top-rank. In charge for 4 odd years but an eternal runner-up in the 6 Nations. As said above, no distinct style of play and a lack of consistency from many of the players under him - Vunipola will blow hot, then cold. Gets replaced by Morgan who does the same. Ditto for a number of players. Johnny May, oh God...
This close into the World Cup and he still hasn't identified his 12. Absolutely unbelievable that he's considering Burgess in this role. I am a huge fan of 'Slammin' Sam', make no mistake, but he's not an international class Rugby Union inside centre. Flanker at some point, but not yet. 12? Nonu would dance past him. Slade, on the other hand... Skills of a 10, tackles like a much bigger man. Skilful enough to play 10,12,13,15. Great kicker of the ball, both in place and out of hand. Has time on the ball, like Ford. Great player.
Let's not forget that the two of the great revelations of the 6N (Joseph and BV) were forced on Lancaster by injury. He would have selected Morgan and Tuilagi if available.
The thing that will make that team tick, beyond all the usual blood and thunder, is Ford. He has the potential to be a great, great player. Probably one of the best 10's the game has seen. The way that kid operates in heavy traffic is mesmeric. But just by putting England in the right part of the pitch, at the right time, he could spare Lancaster's blushes.
This close into the World Cup and he still hasn't identified his 12. Absolutely unbelievable that he's considering Burgess in this role. I am a huge fan of 'Slammin' Sam', make no mistake, but he's not an international class Rugby Union inside centre. Flanker at some point, but not yet. 12? Nonu would dance past him. Slade, on the other hand... Skills of a 10, tackles like a much bigger man. Skilful enough to play 10,12,13,15. Great kicker of the ball, both in place and out of hand. Has time on the ball, like Ford. Great player.
Let's not forget that the two of the great revelations of the 6N (Joseph and BV) were forced on Lancaster by injury. He would have selected Morgan and Tuilagi if available.
The thing that will make that team tick, beyond all the usual blood and thunder, is Ford. He has the potential to be a great, great player. Probably one of the best 10's the game has seen. The way that kid operates in heavy traffic is mesmeric. But just by putting England in the right part of the pitch, at the right time, he could spare Lancaster's blushes.
a311 said:
I expect Billy 36, Burrell and Goode to be there.
36 has, IMO, had enough chances. He flatters to deceive and is, at international level, a flat-track bully which is a shame as I wanted him to make it for the longest time but now I honestly believe that he just hasn't got "it".Burrell is a curious one - had one cracking season in white and is now in that awkward 'second album/season' phase but he really does need to push on
Izno. Seriously? How the f
k he's still in contention is beyond me, he is a very good club player and (quite possibly) a great guy but IMO an international quality player he is not.For me the 2 15's should be Brown and (providing he has recovered) Foden (who could also, at a pinch, cover 9). You'd then also have the option of Watson, Slade and Cips to cover that position as well.
As per another poster on here I'd not pick May for the RWC - still too flakey I'd far rather have Ashton (cue howls of protest and derision).
The "non-problem position" 10 I do see a problem of sorts - Fazlet. Yes he has nerves of steel and a hugely accurate boot - BUT he is still too slow, rigid in his thinking and prone to petulant brain farts (how he didn't get carded in the prem final remains one of rugby's mysteries), I know he's not in the DH league.... yet, but he has to curb some of that attitude problem before it does get him into hot water
Joey Ramone said:
Stuart Lancaster flatters to deceive. Nice guy, but not top-rank. In charge for 4 odd years but an eternal runner-up in the 6 Nations. As said above, no distinct style of play and a lack of consistency from many of the players under him - Vunipola will blow hot, then cold. Gets replaced by Morgan who does the same. Ditto for a number of players. Johnny May, oh God...
This close into the World Cup and he still hasn't identified his 12. Absolutely unbelievable that he's considering Burgess in this role. I am a huge fan of 'Slammin' Sam', make no mistake, but he's not an international class Rugby Union inside centre. Flanker at some point, but not yet. 12? Nonu would dance past him. Slade, on the other hand... Skills of a 10, tackles like a much bigger man. Skilful enough to play 10,12,13,15. Great kicker of the ball, both in place and out of hand. Has time on the ball, like Ford. Great player.
Let's not forget that the two of the great revelations of the 6N (Joseph and BV) were forced on Lancaster by injury. He would have selected Morgan and Tuilagi if available.
The thing that will make that team tick, beyond all the usual blood and thunder, is Ford. He has the potential to be a great, great player. Probably one of the best 10's the game has seen. The way that kid operates in heavy traffic is mesmeric. But just by putting England in the right part of the pitch, at the right time, he could spare Lancaster's blushes.
I reckon Morgan's been consistent for England but been unlucky with injuries that it feels like he's never had a really long run. Billy V's problem was he looked burnt out with the route 1 stuff he was being used as England's main (only?) ball carrier, and the opposition were able to set themselves accordingly. This close into the World Cup and he still hasn't identified his 12. Absolutely unbelievable that he's considering Burgess in this role. I am a huge fan of 'Slammin' Sam', make no mistake, but he's not an international class Rugby Union inside centre. Flanker at some point, but not yet. 12? Nonu would dance past him. Slade, on the other hand... Skills of a 10, tackles like a much bigger man. Skilful enough to play 10,12,13,15. Great kicker of the ball, both in place and out of hand. Has time on the ball, like Ford. Great player.
Let's not forget that the two of the great revelations of the 6N (Joseph and BV) were forced on Lancaster by injury. He would have selected Morgan and Tuilagi if available.
The thing that will make that team tick, beyond all the usual blood and thunder, is Ford. He has the potential to be a great, great player. Probably one of the best 10's the game has seen. The way that kid operates in heavy traffic is mesmeric. But just by putting England in the right part of the pitch, at the right time, he could spare Lancaster's blushes.
Totally agree about Ford, my worry is he has the ability to implode in big games from what I've seen of him at Bath. He didn't implode in the Premiership final where Fazzlet had a good game, Bath's pack gave him sod all to work with. Said it before Fazlet is a good if limited player. He seems to work OK in attack when going through set patterns in the phases but if that's exceeded on broken he seems low of ideas. I'm not his biggest fan but he does have a big game mentality it seems and suited the brand of rugby SL seemed to be going for.
He's got slightly better at dropping those on poor form but still has his favorites- when asked the question who has preformed best in camp out of the full squad he answered Johnny May. He also has a raging hard on for Goode.
irocfan said:
36 has, IMO, had enough chances. He flatters to deceive and is, at international level, a flat-track bully which is a shame as I wanted him to make it for the longest time but now I honestly believe that he just hasn't got "it".
Burrell is a curious one - had one cracking season in white and is now in that awkward 'second album/season' phase but he really does need to push on
Izno. Seriously? How the fk he's still in contention is beyond me, he is a very good club player and (quite possibly) a great guy but IMO an international quality player he is not.
For me the 2 15's should be Brown and (providing he has recovered) Foden (who could also, at a pinch, cover 9). You'd then also have the option of Watson, Slade and Cips to cover that position as well.
As per another poster on here I'd not pick May for the RWC - still too flakey I'd far rather have Ashton (cue howls of protest and derision).
The "non-problem position" 10 I do see a problem of sorts - Fazlet. Yes he has nerves of steel and a hugely accurate boot - BUT he is still too slow, rigid in his thinking and prone to petulant brain farts (how he didn't get carded in the prem final remains one of rugby's mysteries), I know he's not in the DH league.... yet, but he has to curb some of that attitude problem before it does get him into hot water
I think Billy 36 best performance was his 5/10 minute cameo in this years 6N. There's plenty of good domestic players that don't seem to be able to cut it at international level and he's now firmly in that category for me. Shame as on paper at least he's a unit with skills but I've seen him rolled by much smaller blokes in the tackle too easy.Burrell is a curious one - had one cracking season in white and is now in that awkward 'second album/season' phase but he really does need to push on
Izno. Seriously? How the f
k he's still in contention is beyond me, he is a very good club player and (quite possibly) a great guy but IMO an international quality player he is not.For me the 2 15's should be Brown and (providing he has recovered) Foden (who could also, at a pinch, cover 9). You'd then also have the option of Watson, Slade and Cips to cover that position as well.
As per another poster on here I'd not pick May for the RWC - still too flakey I'd far rather have Ashton (cue howls of protest and derision).
The "non-problem position" 10 I do see a problem of sorts - Fazlet. Yes he has nerves of steel and a hugely accurate boot - BUT he is still too slow, rigid in his thinking and prone to petulant brain farts (how he didn't get carded in the prem final remains one of rugby's mysteries), I know he's not in the DH league.... yet, but he has to curb some of that attitude problem before it does get him into hot water
SL seems to like 'utility players' just pick the pick players based on how well they do their primary role. Lots of talk it seems about picking props who can cover both sides of the scrum-surely we've enough depth in the front row to cover? Matt Stevens was always liked for this.......
I expect to see Wood at 6, the lineout is more important to the coaching set up than a carrying 6. Haskell has never really shone when he's had the chance but he's more of a 6.5 I reckon.
Kermit power said:
irocfan said:
Kermit power said:
DJRC said:
Pure talent wise I think and always have since I saw him that first season for Wasps that Cipriani is the most naturally talented English rugby player I've seen bar Billy.
Vunipola? Beaumont? Twelvetrees?DJRC said:
Kermit power said:
irocfan said:
Kermit power said:
DJRC said:
Pure talent wise I think and always have since I saw him that first season for Wasps that Cipriani is the most naturally talented English rugby player I've seen bar Billy.
Vunipola? Beaumont? Twelvetrees?Slaav said:
Chaps,
Can we all play nicely please???
I have to admit, even though I follow rugby quite closely, i often get baffled by some of the nicknames people come up with for players. I remember someone talking about someone I eventually worked out was Henry Paul as 'sauce' (as in the HP variety) and bizarrely someone calling Wilkinson 'Wilkey'. It irritates me as it makes it harder to read peoples often very well thought out posts.Can we all play nicely please???
Anyway, that Cipriani is bailed till just after the WC is a strange one, what a coincidence, and smells very fishy! What complexity or mitigating circumstances would delay a drink driving charge for so long. Anyone I know involved in similar has been charged, in court, and banned in only a few weeks.
Given that he's clearly third in the pecking order, despite being reported as playing out of his skin at camp (plus no reports of being in punchups with other players either!). So i find it hard that whoever is pulling strings to keep him playing is wasting their time somewhat. Perhaps he's paying for a canny lawyer who manages to get the charges deferred (how that's even possible?).
The Mad Monk said:
basherX said:
Any advice on how to watch the Wales-Ireland game if you're outside of Wales? Still in UK mind, just don't have access to BBC Wales
On my Freesat box it seems to be channel 964.Fingers crossed.
Ash the splash has been cut also cut:Marland Yarde, Semesa Rokoduguni, Lee Dickson and center Kyle Eastmond.
Nowell, Watson and May it seem will be fighting it out for a start then on the wings.
Prop Matt Mullan and flanker Matt Kvesic are the two forwards dropped. There's another 8 to go I thin before the WC.
In other news Australia have beat the All Blacks to win the shortened Rugby Championship. Australia hitting decent form at the right time. Never seen NZ drop off and miss so many tackles....
Nowell, Watson and May it seem will be fighting it out for a start then on the wings.
Prop Matt Mullan and flanker Matt Kvesic are the two forwards dropped. There's another 8 to go I thin before the WC.
In other news Australia have beat the All Blacks to win the shortened Rugby Championship. Australia hitting decent form at the right time. Never seen NZ drop off and miss so many tackles....
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