6 Nations 2015
Discussion
Lets not get too carried away chaps I say.
We're a side dogged by injuries short on caps with several question marks on selection still and today we showed it. We were up against a well drilled and experienced side who had an effective game plan and stuck to it (oh yeah and they were at home). Ultimately in terms of potential I truly believe this current crop of England players has a higher ceiling than Ireland.
I thought the game was quite bizarre, I know England were bad but I can't really decide if Ireland were good, just less bad or quite poor?! Defensively Ireland were very strong, their line speed was very good not giving the English play makers much time and bossed the breakdown, ball in hand I don't feel they're enough of a threat. A marginal increase in decision making, and discipline and it could have been a win despite a s
te performance.
Our lineout rocked and was close to imploding, when it's been a source of assurance in the recent past. If Hartley isn't hitting >95% of his throws he doesn't bring a lot else to the party IMO.
First game for a long time I can attribute Robshaw with some individual errors, therefore his worst game for a long time in an England shirt. I'm a bit disappointed as Haskell hasn't pushed on from that Wales game (this has happened before more than once), but ultimately it was a team failure today. I thought Billy V was decent today but needs to do a bit more at the breakdown when required. Tom Wood isn't the answer but reckon he'll come back in. Lack of grunt and intensity form the forwards today IMO, Attwood had his worst game in his short test career to date.
Goode, I think wasn't as bad as people are making out but he's not someone I want even as #2 cover at FB. Could have prevented the try but found him generally composed. Burrell I don't find he's international class and ever will be.
YOUNGS IS ABSOLUTE DOG stE. Show me an international 9 that doesn't look good when his pack are on the front foot? I don't think Wigglesworth is a good bench 9 but does all the basics you want in a 9 well.
Overall I'm mostly frustrated by the lack of game plan and the resistance from the players and coaching staff to make tactical changes. WTF was the kicking strategy on re-starts and in general?! Cipriani should have came on at the 60 min mark max, I'll eat my own knackers though if Fazzlet doesn't saunter straight back in at Cips expense once fit again.
We're a side dogged by injuries short on caps with several question marks on selection still and today we showed it. We were up against a well drilled and experienced side who had an effective game plan and stuck to it (oh yeah and they were at home). Ultimately in terms of potential I truly believe this current crop of England players has a higher ceiling than Ireland.
I thought the game was quite bizarre, I know England were bad but I can't really decide if Ireland were good, just less bad or quite poor?! Defensively Ireland were very strong, their line speed was very good not giving the English play makers much time and bossed the breakdown, ball in hand I don't feel they're enough of a threat. A marginal increase in decision making, and discipline and it could have been a win despite a s
te performance.Our lineout rocked and was close to imploding, when it's been a source of assurance in the recent past. If Hartley isn't hitting >95% of his throws he doesn't bring a lot else to the party IMO.
First game for a long time I can attribute Robshaw with some individual errors, therefore his worst game for a long time in an England shirt. I'm a bit disappointed as Haskell hasn't pushed on from that Wales game (this has happened before more than once), but ultimately it was a team failure today. I thought Billy V was decent today but needs to do a bit more at the breakdown when required. Tom Wood isn't the answer but reckon he'll come back in. Lack of grunt and intensity form the forwards today IMO, Attwood had his worst game in his short test career to date.
Goode, I think wasn't as bad as people are making out but he's not someone I want even as #2 cover at FB. Could have prevented the try but found him generally composed. Burrell I don't find he's international class and ever will be.
YOUNGS IS ABSOLUTE DOG s
tE. Show me an international 9 that doesn't look good when his pack are on the front foot? I don't think Wigglesworth is a good bench 9 but does all the basics you want in a 9 well.Overall I'm mostly frustrated by the lack of game plan and the resistance from the players and coaching staff to make tactical changes. WTF was the kicking strategy on re-starts and in general?! Cipriani should have came on at the 60 min mark max, I'll eat my own knackers though if Fazzlet doesn't saunter straight back in at Cips expense once fit again.
I see Barritt is out (wouldn't have seen him making a start anyhow plus his defensive capability is required in the 6N IMO). Also Tom Croft which means we should get a specialist lock on the bench, possibly in the form of Lawes or Parling on the bench. I don't expect Wood will come straight back in, but then again our lineout was ste last time out.
Shame Haskell hasn't pushed on since the Wales game, seems to have been history repeating itself, gets a chance and doesn't quite show enough to take it. Still reckon a backrow with Robshaw and Wood in it is totally unbalanced.
Will be interesting to see if and how England bounce back. Scotland are capable of an upset and tend to get fired up for the England game above all others.
With the 6N still up for grabs I don't see Lancaster making any huge changes, Wales could do us a favor but what I've seen of them so far doesn't suggest it. It would take some effort though for Wales to be as poor as England were though.....
Slade's been brought into the squad for Barritt, def warrants being looked at over bloody Twelvetrees at least.
te last time out. Shame Haskell hasn't pushed on since the Wales game, seems to have been history repeating itself, gets a chance and doesn't quite show enough to take it. Still reckon a backrow with Robshaw and Wood in it is totally unbalanced.
Will be interesting to see if and how England bounce back. Scotland are capable of an upset and tend to get fired up for the England game above all others.
With the 6N still up for grabs I don't see Lancaster making any huge changes, Wales could do us a favor but what I've seen of them so far doesn't suggest it. It would take some effort though for Wales to be as poor as England were though.....
Slade's been brought into the squad for Barritt, def warrants being looked at over bloody Twelvetrees at least.
Feel sorry for Kruis and to a lesser extent Easter-not because he was cr@p but because that's surely it for his international career and as mentioned did very well in his appearances too.
I've given up on trying to fathom Lancaster's selection policy. Eye on the world cup Easter made sense, covered lock better than I'd imagined, loads of experience and probably in the best form of his career. If he was just a place holder why not give a young player some experience? Shift the backrow about to look at some options, Robshaw to 6 and have a look at what having a proper fetcher at 7 could bring to the team? Or stick another hard running ball carrier at 6?
Parling is a solid lock, not sure he's much of a bench type player though in terms of impact, so would rather see him start and Attwood come on after 60. Steady sort of bloke (underrated IMO) that won't let you down, at best close a game out as a sub. Surprised Wood didn't come straight back in, not as it's necessarily right just on the back of Kruis going straight out and he seems a Lancaster favorite.
I've given up on trying to fathom Lancaster's selection policy. Eye on the world cup Easter made sense, covered lock better than I'd imagined, loads of experience and probably in the best form of his career. If he was just a place holder why not give a young player some experience? Shift the backrow about to look at some options, Robshaw to 6 and have a look at what having a proper fetcher at 7 could bring to the team? Or stick another hard running ball carrier at 6?
Parling is a solid lock, not sure he's much of a bench type player though in terms of impact, so would rather see him start and Attwood come on after 60. Steady sort of bloke (underrated IMO) that won't let you down, at best close a game out as a sub. Surprised Wood didn't come straight back in, not as it's necessarily right just on the back of Kruis going straight out and he seems a Lancaster favorite.
Interesting weekend.
Of the teams left in with a shot of winning (minus France) IMO the team who deserve to win is still Ireland. They've been the most consistent while at times Wales and England have been woeful. I'd love England to win it but reckon it would just paper over quite a few obvious cracks. I can see the French turning up next weekend too, they normally put in at least one half decent performance per tournament. To win we'd have to bully them up front and I just don't see it along with the management lack of a plan B. I'm maybe just in a pessimistic mood today.
Some observations on England:
George Ford-there shouldn't be any room to even consider bring Fazlet back in. For what he looses to Farrell in defense is more than made up for in the rest of his skill set.
Dylan Hartely wants dropped, he's started for his lineout capability and if that isn't 100% he's not bringing a lot else to the party this tournament, Youngs popped up quite a few times during his appearance on Saturday. I'd start him against France.
Burrell was OK on Saturday, we're still short a 12. I'd give Eastmond a go with his team mates, we'd be short a carrier in midfield so would need to look at bring in a carrying 6 or possibly change up the wings to offer some carrying.
Attwood hasn't really pressed his case to challenge for a starting place at lock if/when Lawes and Launchbury are fit. Parling looked very good on Saturday and looks far more dynamic. I do wonder though if an inform Attwood is a better impact sub and needed for some extra grunt when required.
Thought Nowell was pretty decent, sharp, looks for work. All round a much more solid prospect than May.
Decision making was appalling across the pitch at times.
Of the teams left in with a shot of winning (minus France) IMO the team who deserve to win is still Ireland. They've been the most consistent while at times Wales and England have been woeful. I'd love England to win it but reckon it would just paper over quite a few obvious cracks. I can see the French turning up next weekend too, they normally put in at least one half decent performance per tournament. To win we'd have to bully them up front and I just don't see it along with the management lack of a plan B. I'm maybe just in a pessimistic mood today.
Some observations on England:
George Ford-there shouldn't be any room to even consider bring Fazlet back in. For what he looses to Farrell in defense is more than made up for in the rest of his skill set.
Dylan Hartely wants dropped, he's started for his lineout capability and if that isn't 100% he's not bringing a lot else to the party this tournament, Youngs popped up quite a few times during his appearance on Saturday. I'd start him against France.
Burrell was OK on Saturday, we're still short a 12. I'd give Eastmond a go with his team mates, we'd be short a carrier in midfield so would need to look at bring in a carrying 6 or possibly change up the wings to offer some carrying.
Attwood hasn't really pressed his case to challenge for a starting place at lock if/when Lawes and Launchbury are fit. Parling looked very good on Saturday and looks far more dynamic. I do wonder though if an inform Attwood is a better impact sub and needed for some extra grunt when required.
Thought Nowell was pretty decent, sharp, looks for work. All round a much more solid prospect than May.
Decision making was appalling across the pitch at times.
Harding91 said:
a311 said:
Win or loose this game Jonathan Joseph is fking class.
All of the Bath boys in the England squad are king class.
I think Ford might've taken Farrels spot when hes fit again, Fords smarter and plays better in my opinion, just lacks the strength that Farrel brings.But Joseph is a wizard, unbelievable ability to change direction with such little loss of pace/strength
Joseph just glides, a center that isn't just a huge lump and has skills. Love it.
I have no particular alligence to any one domestic side, but you'll like this. I'd love to see Ford, Joseph, Eastmond.
ETA Shame Lancaster have only given Cips cameos in the tournament I think this game is made for at least 30 mins of him.
Edited by a311 on Saturday 21st March 18:09
Harding91 said:
If you ever watch Bath play Joseph does the same thing, he runs off of Ford very well, and tbh 'Fazzlet' Isnt a bad player, its just a case of EVERYONE knows if you wind him up, he reacts, tilts and plays badly, cant keep a cool head. But from a defensive point of view you want Farrels size 
And yeah Ford just plays very smart, but you find that a lot with smaller plays, like Halfpenny for wales, cant match everyone with his size, admittedly he's bigger now than he was, but he's a smart little bd 
He is just a young lad still though so could chose to beef up a bit if he/coaches thought it would help. I'm not a big Farell fan, in form he's a very good if somewhat limited #10 IMO.And yeah Ford just plays very smart, but you find that a lot with smaller plays, like Halfpenny for wales, cant match everyone with his size, admittedly he's bigger now than he was, but he's a smart little b
d irocfan said:
I'm probably going to get caned for saying this but.... given how loose this game is I'd love to see Cips have a crack
Fords kicking from hand has been poor to the point it could be a big contributing factor in the final outcome of this game. Lacked composure at times today.I'd give Cips a go but he won't until there's only seconds left.
I said it somewhere back that as an England fan I think Ireland deserve the championship IMO. It would have been something very special to have won by 26 points today.
England were very good in game one, then a case of being schooled by Ireland and a tale of inconsistency over 80 minutes.
England were very good in game one, then a case of being schooled by Ireland and a tale of inconsistency over 80 minutes.
Congratulations to Ireland. Very good tournament this time round.
Slams are difficult these days it seems. I think this England team can go on a get a few titles over the next few year
I'm a bit annoyed that IMO the coaching team have not looked to play some in form players until forced to (in general) and this close to the WC this crop is relatively green. Nothing has changed though, it's at the very least a year too early to be credible challengers.
Said it before but I think in terms of potential the ceiling is higher for England than either Ireland or Wales.
Previous Lancaster teams have been more solid but lacked any creativity to score trys.
Notes
Dan Cole was unlucky to get pinged at least twice I saw-He's like having another backrow and is needed due to backrow imbalance.
JJ class, class, class. I can see MT playing 12 if he comes back and plays well, not like Burrell does much other than tackle and crash it up. I also think there's room for Brad Barritt, in tight games his organizing the defense, and won't let you down. I don't think Lancaster will go for a midfield that has JJ, Ford, and Eastmond but I'd like to have seen it.
Ford should be England's first choice #10. Fazzlet will be back I'm in no doubt. Cipriani should have had the Italy game and more in other games. Flashes that Lancaster might consider him as utility bench cover??
I'm a broken record on this but the backrow remains a point of concern. Binny has had a good tournament, due to him not having to carry quite as much. I don't think this is really much to do with having Haskell, Ford has moved the ball around so the point of attack has been varied. Lancaster likes utility back rowers I expect baring injury Wood will be back in. With Launchbury back in and Cole fit I don't think we need an out and out fetcher as much, Robshaw stays in at 7 but give Ewers a game at 6. Morgan and Ewers would be awesome.
Youngs did a lot very well to do but like Ford kicking was aimless-need to sort this out or just keep hold of the pill. We seemed to be the only team that don't seem to have got the restart down.
We're a couple of injuries and selections away from having a very good team. Probably 5-10% short of being world beaters, reckon our WC pool could go either way but home advantage will help no end.
Slams are difficult these days it seems. I think this England team can go on a get a few titles over the next few year
I'm a bit annoyed that IMO the coaching team have not looked to play some in form players until forced to (in general) and this close to the WC this crop is relatively green. Nothing has changed though, it's at the very least a year too early to be credible challengers.
Said it before but I think in terms of potential the ceiling is higher for England than either Ireland or Wales.
Previous Lancaster teams have been more solid but lacked any creativity to score trys.
Notes
Dan Cole was unlucky to get pinged at least twice I saw-He's like having another backrow and is needed due to backrow imbalance.
JJ class, class, class. I can see MT playing 12 if he comes back and plays well, not like Burrell does much other than tackle and crash it up. I also think there's room for Brad Barritt, in tight games his organizing the defense, and won't let you down. I don't think Lancaster will go for a midfield that has JJ, Ford, and Eastmond but I'd like to have seen it.
Ford should be England's first choice #10. Fazzlet will be back I'm in no doubt. Cipriani should have had the Italy game and more in other games. Flashes that Lancaster might consider him as utility bench cover??
I'm a broken record on this but the backrow remains a point of concern. Binny has had a good tournament, due to him not having to carry quite as much. I don't think this is really much to do with having Haskell, Ford has moved the ball around so the point of attack has been varied. Lancaster likes utility back rowers I expect baring injury Wood will be back in. With Launchbury back in and Cole fit I don't think we need an out and out fetcher as much, Robshaw stays in at 7 but give Ewers a game at 6. Morgan and Ewers would be awesome.
Youngs did a lot very well to do but like Ford kicking was aimless-need to sort this out or just keep hold of the pill. We seemed to be the only team that don't seem to have got the restart down.
We're a couple of injuries and selections away from having a very good team. Probably 5-10% short of being world beaters, reckon our WC pool could go either way but home advantage will help no end.
budfox said:
I'm not really a rugby fan but I enjoyed that.
Perhaps someone can tell me why France kicked it into touch to end the game, and therefore gave the overall win to Ireland? Presumably this is what etiquette dictates, but I can't help thinking that they object of the game is to score points, and although they couldn't win, attempting to reduce the margin would have given England hope of a turnover and that elusive try.
This is a serious question, I'm not some kind of troll.
In rugby after 80 mins you keep playing until the ball goes dead (among other scenarios)Perhaps someone can tell me why France kicked it into touch to end the game, and therefore gave the overall win to Ireland? Presumably this is what etiquette dictates, but I can't help thinking that they object of the game is to score points, and although they couldn't win, attempting to reduce the margin would have given England hope of a turnover and that elusive try.
This is a serious question, I'm not some kind of troll.
Unless you're the team trying to win the done thing is usually to bring a game to it's conclusion by kicking the ball out of play.
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