6 Nations 2015

[Welshbeef]

Greg66 said:

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?

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.

Thing is I've seen Wales lose so many times to England / fall apart I'd happily take a 1 point margin win against them.

That said 30-3 .

[SwissJonese]

Little BBC Wales Video (although major middle-lane driving)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ytfr5IychY

[hornetrider]

Greg66 said:

Weak = irony?

Greg66 said:

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.

I hope so. Watched the ScrumV 6N special last night, even Guscott picked Wales to prevail... feeling the hype now.

Jiffy was smiling at the thought of Faletau, Jaw, North and Cuthbert smashing it up the Sais 10 channel all night long... Ford is a good player but he's in for a long evening if we can get some ball from the set piece.

[irocfan]

hornetrider said:

I hope so. Watched the ScrumV 6N special last night, even Guscott picked Wales to prevail... feeling the hype now.

Jiffy was smiling at the thought of Faletau, Jaw, North and Cuthbert smashing it up the Sais 10 channel all night long... Ford is a good player but he's in for a long evening if we can get some ball from the set piece.

well is Guscott has picked Wales then be prepared for tears from the Taffs... he's not the best at his rugby predictions <grin> (TBH though I'd be happy to keep the Welsh within a 10 points)

[RussH91]

Teams been announced looks very low on experience really, Not always a bad thing..

England match-day 23 to face Wales
15. Mike Brown (Harlequins, 33 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 6 caps)
12. Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 11 caps)
10. George Ford (Bath Rugby, 6 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 42 caps)

1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 26 caps)
2. Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints, 61 caps)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 45 caps)
4. David Attwood (Bath Rugby, 16 caps)
5. George Kruis (Saracens, 4 caps)
6. James Haskell (Wasps, 53 caps)
7. Chris Robshaw (captain, Harlequins, 32 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 12 caps)

Replacements

16. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 15 caps)
18. Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons, 6 caps)
19. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers, 38 caps)
20. Nick Easter (Harlequins, 47 caps)
21. Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 16 caps)
22. Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks, 9 caps)
23. Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 16 caps)

Great bit of reporting by BBC

bbc said:

Only nine members of the England team which beat Australia in the autumn have been named in the starting XI to face Wales in Friday's Six Nations opener.

According to bbc were only fielding 11 players, Stuart Lancaster must have some big dangleys I'm not that confident that we can win with 4 players not on the pitch.

Edited by RussH91 on Wednesday 4th February 10:15

[hornetrider]

Hard to believe a man of Cipriani's talent only has 9 caps at his age.

[Welshbeef]

hornetrider said:

Hard to believe a man of Cipriani's talent only has 9 caps at his age.

Too much off the field noise surrounding him - need to be whiter than white as these players are icons to children.

[London424]

Welshbeef said:

hornetrider said:

Hard to believe a man of Cipriani's talent only has 9 caps at his age.

Too much off the field noise surrounding him - need to be whiter than white as these players are icons to children.

It wasn't just that, he got injured a few times and was in Oz for a bit as well...not to mention when he did play for England he as a bit rubbish.

[hornetrider]

London424 said:

...not to mention when he did play for England he as a bit rubbish.

Let's hope that form continues after Ford is smashed to bits

[irocfan]

Welshbeef said:

hornetrider said:

Hard to believe a man of Cipriani's talent only has 9 caps at his age.

Too much off the field noise surrounding him - need to be whiter than white as these players are icons to children.

oh please fk off!!! He's a (VERY) talented sportsman, that's it. Even if we follow the flawed 'role model' bks his misdemeanours are hardly of the Chad Evans variety. Hell Danny Care's done a lot worse and got a bucket-load more caps.


Back on topic - an interesting team and I'll look forward to seeing this on Friday (as I said earlier as much as I hope to stuff the Taffs I'll be happy to keep it under a double digit difference)

[Vocal Minority]

My comment would be he was elevated too far too young (both to England, and in the red tops as the proverbial second coming) and as most do at that age, he started believing the bullst about himself - and his attitude and game suffered. (The notable story of the time in 2008 when in training he challenged one Lieutenant J. Lewsey to 'put up or shut up' - and Josh Lewsey put up, and Danny ended up on his arse).

It has taken the firm hand of Steve Diamond to mould him into the player he always should have been - and in fairness he really seems to be knuckling down now and doing very well.

[LivingTheDream]

Vocal Minority said:

My comment would be he was elevated too far too young (both to England, and in the red tops as the proverbial second coming) and as most do at that age, he started believing the bullst about himself - and his attitude and game suffered. (The notable story of the time in 2008 when in training he challenged one Lieutenant J. Lewsey to 'put up or shut up' - and Josh Lewsey put up, and Danny ended up on his arse).

It has taken the firm hand of Steve Diamond to mould him into the player he always should have been - and in fairness he really seems to be knuckling down now and doing very well.

Spot on!

So thoughts on the England team?

Pack is pretty much the best we've got left - but I'm not too worried by what we have put out there - shows a good depth given current injuries! Will be interesting to see Haskell out there.

Back line has been forced by injuries - but I'm really pleased in a way (although I think this limits our chances against Wales - and possibly the 6N), it's nice to see some good contenders get a chance.

Joseph will be fascinating to watch - could be a game changer!
This game should give us a view as to our depth in the back line for the World Cup.

Shame that Billy 36 is effectively our back line utility replacement - not sure about that!

Looking forward to the game though - not convinced of a win though without something extraordinary from a relatively newly together team!

[Kermit power]

How are Wales doing on the injury front in comparison?

This England side looks not far off a second XV thanks to injury, barring a few positions, so I think the only thing being tested during this 6 Nations as far as England and the World Cup goes is England's strength in depth....

[hornetrider]

Wales are pretty much full strength, maybe a lock missing. Speaking of locks, bit short sighted of Lancaster not having one on the bench.

Edit: autocorrect typos

Edited by hornetrider on Thursday 5th February 08:11

[DocJock]

I agree. Croft may get away with the odd game at loick for Leicester but not at this level.

I'm surprised at Twelvetrees making the bench too. Cipriani covers ten and fifteen so he's covering centre and wing. Better to have a proper wing who can also plays centre such as Banahan. Cuthbert and North would burn him for pace.

[Welshbeef]

irocfan said:

oh please fk off!!! He's a (VERY) talented sportsman, that's it. Even if we follow the flawed 'role model' bks his misdemeanours are hardly of the Chad Evans variety. Hell Danny Care's done a lot worse and got a bucket-load more caps.


Back on topic - an interesting team and I'll look forward to seeing this on Friday (as I said earlier as much as I hope to stuff the Taffs I'll be happy to keep it under a double digit difference)

Christ touched a nerve - you normally simply tell people to fk off if they have a differing view to you? Xmas day and family BBQs must be great round yours.



























Only kidding

Edited by Welshbeef on Thursday 5th February 07:29

[hornetrider]

DocJock said:

I'm surprised at Twelvetrees making the bench too. Cipriani covers ten and fifteen so he's covering centre and wing. Better to have a proper wing who can also plays centre such as Banahan. Cuthbert and North would burn him for pace.

He wouldn't know which way Liam Williams went.

We can only hope these shortcomings get exploited tomorrow

[irocfan]

Welshbeef said:

Christ touched a nerve - you normally simply tell people to fk off if they have a differing view to you? Xmas day and family BBQs must be great round yours.



























Only kidding

Edited by Welshbeef on Thursday 5th February 07:29

yeah - in retrospect it is a little harsh... just get a little miffed with all this 'role model' crap relating to sportsmen (and women). There doesn't seem to be the same furore about acting or singing and that seems to influence us all in many more ways

[Cheib]

I think England play it tight personally and hop the pack can do it's stuff....if we had Lawes and Launchbury we might get away with it, not sure we will without them.

[Welshbeef]

So who will win and by how many scores?