6 Nations 2015
Discussion
hornetrider said:
steveT350C said:
Only his 6th Union game; he has a lot to learn.
He sure does, he's awful. I understand why they are trying to fasttrack him but he's been st for Bath as well. I don't think he's ready yet by a long chalk. despite having the worst line out I have ever seen, scrum not far behind, England, with ball in hand, rolling forward as usual do well. Ashton did ok, Pennell impressive and Slade OK.
Waldron strong at 8, Morgan needs to work on his posture in the Sky box.
Ksevic everywhere.
James Simpson, replacement scum half electric, one to watch.
stu1984 said:
Didn't see the game, but from the scorers list it looks like Slade had a solid game. He has to be knocking on the door of the senior squad surely. His versatility is useful too which is what Farrell also brings.
God, I hope not! Farrell seems to bring the ability to be not quite good enough in two positions.Was an ugly game to watch that. No surprise really as the Saxons spend such little time together, and since the end of the Churchill cup never get a decent string of games. I'd quite like to see a mini comp with the home nations 2nd/3rd teams.
England's set piece was woeful but Garvey and an inexperienced Itoje aren't international quality locks. Itoje is one to watch in the future, he's bulked up a lot since lifting the WC with the U20's he might just be more suited to playing in the backrow.
Kvesic was one of the stand players for me, shown what an out and out 7 can bring to the senior squad. I think he'll soon be a much better all round player than Robshaw but at the top level is just too consistent to consider excluding from the side for the foreseeable future. Dave Ewers is a beast, tackles all night and carries really well. Shame for him that there's a lot of quality backrowers kicking around and Lancaster likes his utility/6.5 back rowers.
I thought Simpson played well and should IMO be tried out on the bench for the senior side, brings something totally different than the majority of the current crop of 9's and should a game need turned in a different direction he's the sort of player to do it. Slade's long term future is probably at 10 but get's little game time for the Chiefs who are quite rightly looking to develop him, he's a much better all round prospect than Fazlet, good rugby brain on him, distribution etc is way ahead.
Wade looked sharp, but the way the current England backline function you may as well have two props on the wing. I think May is a bit of a defensive liability but seems Ok to decent in the air an din broken play is dangerous. I'd honestly bring Banahan in who's looked handy from what I've seen of him playing for Bath.
Too much focus on Burgess, his RU career isn't in the double digits yet and sticking him in what is effectively an exhibition side didn't really help. I'd be far more upset if I was one of the Irish lads playing tonight, unlike the Saxons many were genuinely pushing for selection while others were getting game time after long lay offs but didn't play like it.
England's set piece was woeful but Garvey and an inexperienced Itoje aren't international quality locks. Itoje is one to watch in the future, he's bulked up a lot since lifting the WC with the U20's he might just be more suited to playing in the backrow.
Kvesic was one of the stand players for me, shown what an out and out 7 can bring to the senior squad. I think he'll soon be a much better all round player than Robshaw but at the top level is just too consistent to consider excluding from the side for the foreseeable future. Dave Ewers is a beast, tackles all night and carries really well. Shame for him that there's a lot of quality backrowers kicking around and Lancaster likes his utility/6.5 back rowers.
I thought Simpson played well and should IMO be tried out on the bench for the senior side, brings something totally different than the majority of the current crop of 9's and should a game need turned in a different direction he's the sort of player to do it. Slade's long term future is probably at 10 but get's little game time for the Chiefs who are quite rightly looking to develop him, he's a much better all round prospect than Fazlet, good rugby brain on him, distribution etc is way ahead.
Wade looked sharp, but the way the current England backline function you may as well have two props on the wing. I think May is a bit of a defensive liability but seems Ok to decent in the air an din broken play is dangerous. I'd honestly bring Banahan in who's looked handy from what I've seen of him playing for Bath.
Too much focus on Burgess, his RU career isn't in the double digits yet and sticking him in what is effectively an exhibition side didn't really help. I'd be far more upset if I was one of the Irish lads playing tonight, unlike the Saxons many were genuinely pushing for selection while others were getting game time after long lay offs but didn't play like it.
Welshbeef said:
Why is the Wal v Eng on 8pm Friday night?
Cardiff wants and needs a full day of festivities only available on a Sat. Friday night loses the city a lot of £ from lower drinking grub etc.
Because TV pays the Rugby bills, not pubs.Cardiff wants and needs a full day of festivities only available on a Sat. Friday night loses the city a lot of £ from lower drinking grub etc.
And no union gives a st about the fans attending the match.
hornetrider said:
Because the WRU are pussies and will do anything for a few extra quid.
But a 4/5/6N European international championship should. Always be on a Sat proper all day drinking with friends family and opposition fans. No rushing beers - though no rules for not - loads of booze loads of laughs loads of singing loads of banter.
Plenty of time for those who need to catch the train home not 1 train back to London after the match else you are fecked
Was an ugly game to watch that. No surprise really as the Saxons spend such little time together, and since the end of the Churchill cup never get a decent string of games. I'd quite like to see a mini comp with the home nations 2nd/3rd teams.
England's set piece was woeful but Garvey and an inexperienced Itoje aren't international quality locks. Itoje is one to watch in the future, he's bulked up a lot since lifting the WC with the U20's he might just be more suited to playing in the backrow.
Kvesic was one of the stand players for me, shown what an out and out 7 can bring to the senior squad. I think he'll soon be a much better all round player than Robshaw but at the top level is just too consistent to consider excluding from the side for the foreseeable future. Dave Ewers is a beast, tackles all night and carries really well. Shame for him that there's a lot of quality backrowers kicking around and Lancaster likes his utility/6.5 back rowers.
I thought Simpson played well and should IMO be tried out on the bench for the senior side, brings something totally different than the majority of the current crop of 9's and should a game need turned in a different direction he's the sort of player to do it. Slade's long term future is probably at 10 but get's little game time for the Chiefs who are quite rightly looking to develop him, he's a much better all round prospect than Fazlet, good rugby brain on him, distribution etc is way ahead.
Wade looked sharp, but the way the current England backline function you may as well have two props on the wing. I think May is a bit of a defensive liability but seems Ok to decent in the air an din broken play is dangerous. I'd honestly bring Banahan in who's looked handy from what I've seen of him playing for Bath.
Too much focus on Burgess, his RU career isn't in the double digits yet and sticking him in what is effectively an exhibition side didn't really help. I'd be far more upset if I was one of the Irish lads playing tonight, unlike the Saxons many were genuinely pushing for selection while others were getting game time after long lay offs but didn't play like it.
England's set piece was woeful but Garvey and an inexperienced Itoje aren't international quality locks. Itoje is one to watch in the future, he's bulked up a lot since lifting the WC with the U20's he might just be more suited to playing in the backrow.
Kvesic was one of the stand players for me, shown what an out and out 7 can bring to the senior squad. I think he'll soon be a much better all round player than Robshaw but at the top level is just too consistent to consider excluding from the side for the foreseeable future. Dave Ewers is a beast, tackles all night and carries really well. Shame for him that there's a lot of quality backrowers kicking around and Lancaster likes his utility/6.5 back rowers.
I thought Simpson played well and should IMO be tried out on the bench for the senior side, brings something totally different than the majority of the current crop of 9's and should a game need turned in a different direction he's the sort of player to do it. Slade's long term future is probably at 10 but get's little game time for the Chiefs who are quite rightly looking to develop him, he's a much better all round prospect than Fazlet, good rugby brain on him, distribution etc is way ahead.
Wade looked sharp, but the way the current England backline function you may as well have two props on the wing. I think May is a bit of a defensive liability but seems Ok to decent in the air an din broken play is dangerous. I'd honestly bring Banahan in who's looked handy from what I've seen of him playing for Bath.
Too much focus on Burgess, his RU career isn't in the double digits yet and sticking him in what is effectively an exhibition side didn't really help. I'd be far more upset if I was one of the Irish lads playing tonight, unlike the Saxons many were genuinely pushing for selection while others were getting game time after long lay offs but didn't play like it.
hornetrider said:
steveT350C said:
Only his 6th Union game; he has a lot to learn.
He sure does, he's awful. I understand why they are trying to fasttrack him but he's been st for Bath as well. I don't think he's ready yet by a long chalk. Having said that, I won't write him off as he's an outstanding individual.
I agree that his position is debatable. I believe Bath and England had differing ideas of where he should play? My own view is 8. Bit of carry, offload, run some lines off a good pack, make a few yards, take out a few defenders. Don't need the honed instinct of a 7, the discipline of a 6, or the subtlety, guile and accuracy needed in the back line.
hornetrider said:
Gatland making an early statement by releasing the team a full 48 hours early. No surprises.
Looks weak.
I'm gutted Priestland is on the bench. Apart from that all good.
Weak?Looks weak.
I'm gutted Priestland is on the bench. Apart from that all good.
Essentially the same side which beat SA and OZ and Fiji not two months ago?
Arguably one of the most settled teams in N Hemi rugby and if all goes to plan 6N will be good and lead into RWC as European champions just like last RWC but this time we go to the final
Welshbeef said:
Weak?
Essentially the same side which beat SA and OZ and Fiji not two months ago?
Arguably one of the most settled teams in N Hemi rugby and if all goes to plan 6N will be good and lead into RWC as European champions just like last RWC but this time we go to the final
Weak = irony?Essentially the same side which beat SA and OZ and Fiji not two months ago?
Arguably one of the most settled teams in N Hemi rugby and if all goes to plan 6N will be good and lead into RWC as European champions just like last RWC but this time we go to the final
Anyway, England are going to struggle against that side. And probably would do even without their injuries. Looking forward to watching it, but not looking forward to the outcome.
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