Rugby 2016 6N

[Derek Smith]

NRS said:

Since Wales have not played Italy yet then it presumably was France you were referring to...?

I made a mistake. Two in fact.

[Cheib]

a311 said:

Cheib said:

Victor Matfield was on Rugby Special (or whatever thay call it now) with Jonathan Davies and Lewis Moody...he made the point that England's lineout really lacks options, they have two jumpers with none of the starting back row being a realistic option. Makes you wonder if Itoje might get the start in the next match.

I recall Haskell taking one yesterday, he's probably as heavy as a lock so while lift-able you'd expect he lacks the athleticism and experience to be a viable option. When you've only really got 2 options and George Kruis calling for a lot of ball to himself it's pretty easy for the defensive line to get a man up.

I think at least one of Haskell or Robshaw need to go sharpish. I can understand Jone's reasoning with limited time to asses what he had went with more experienced options. You'd have to look at the stats but Haskell seems to have popped up more making tackles in the two games so far.

If Haskell and Robshaw are the two flankers by the time of the summer tour I'll be stunned. Australia on hard grounds with those two?! As someone said on this thread before Haskell looks like he has no drive in his legs/pace.

[irocfan]

Cheib said:

If Haskell and Robshaw are the two flankers by the time of the summer tour I'll be stunned. Australia on hard grounds with those two?! As someone said on this thread before Haskell looks like he has no drive in his legs/pace.

I think that of the 2 Robshaw is the better and, penalty decisions aside (<smile> that said, and I yes I'm likely in the minority, I agree with his call), seems far more able to think on the field

[a311]

Cheib said:

If Haskell and Robshaw are the two flankers by the time of the summer tour I'll be stunned. Australia on hard grounds with those two?! As someone said on this thread before Haskell looks like he has no drive in his legs/pace.

Twas me! Love checking out blokes legs.........

I've seen him have a decent turn of pace when he's got open space but that was a bit back. He's a very destructive tackler, doesn't give a millimetre in the tackle usually.

Agreed over the Australia comment, there have been a few that have been unlucky with injuries I've been saying for ages I'd like to see Dave Ewers get his shot, but anyone who can share the load with Billy Vunipola in the carrying department will be a big help. Josh Beaumont is another I'd like to see but is ore of and 8 come lock.

I see Danny Cipriani is going (back) to Wasps at the end of the season? Good on him for staying in England hopefully he shines even more in what looks like a very handy side.

[Kermit power]

I'm somewhat bemused by Jeremy Guscott's punditry...

I've just been reading his review of the weekend on the BBC Sport website, including this...

Jeremy Guscott said:

I'm staggered by the French forwards and their lack of intensity and enthusiasm. They look like a pack of forwards that have been picked from the stands.

This is the same Guscott who, in the very same article, picks four French forwards for his combined XV of the weekend!

[irocfan]

a311 said:

I see Danny Cipriani is going (back) to Wasps at the end of the season? Good on him for staying in England hopefully he shines even more in what looks like a very handy side.

I hope that he remains on good terms with S.Diamond over this (though to be fair he seems to have given plenty of notice so they've already got his replacement) since Sale and SD seem to have really turned him around attitude-wise (and cured some of his more flaky/Cooperesque brain-fart moments).

It is a massive statement of intent from him though (and one wonders if Eddie J has had a little say in this? ie "you're frequently a standout in an average team, let's see how you feature in a good team"?)

Kermit power said:

This is the same Guscott who, in the very same article, picks four French forwards for his combined XV of the weekend!

that's coz Guscott is a tt

[basherX]

irocfan said:

Kermit power said:

This is the same Guscott who, in the very same article, picks four French forwards for his combined XV of the weekend!

that's coz Guscott is a tt

Just as Wilkinson and Greenwood prove that it's possible to go successfully from top-level rugby to top-level punditry, Guscott (and I'd respectfully suggest Dallaglio) prove that it's not universally the case. AND don't even get me started on Stuart "I hate England" Barnes. He's a prize-winning tt in a very packed field.

[irocfan]

basherX said:

irocfan said:

Kermit power said:

This is the same Guscott who, in the very same article, picks four French forwards for his combined XV of the weekend!

that's coz Guscott is a tt

Just as Wilkinson and Greenwood prove that it's possible to go successfully from top-level rugby to top-level punditry, Guscott (and I'd respectfully suggest Dallaglio) prove that it's not universally the case. AND don't even get me started on Stuart "I hate England" Barnes. He's a prize-winning tt in a very packed field.

The funny thing is I do like Barnes - not unconditionally I know some of his utterances make you think WTF have you been smoking??? Bayfield is another very good pundit (as is Brian Moore)

[hornetrider]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who dislikes Guscott - he adds nothing. At least Jonathon Davies give you a bit of patriotic jingoism to laugh at. Guscott is like cardboard.

[Europa1]

irocfan said:

The funny thing is I do like Barnes - not unconditionally I know some of his utterances make you think WTF have you been smoking??? Bayfield is another very good pundit (as is Brian Moore)

Brian Moore may be a good pundit but as a commentator he winds me up.

[basherX]

irocfan said:

The funny thing is I do like Barnes - not unconditionally I know some of his utterances make you think WTF have you been smoking??? Bayfield is another very good pundit (as is Brian Moore)

You can get pills for that Although, in fairness, he does have some good insights. Just only when he's not banging on about England or re-living his own non-selection by banging on about how this "mercurial" (but flaky) fly half is so much better than the (steady) incumbent

[Kermit power]

It certainly won't do Cipriani any harm to be playing behind quite possibly England's starting No 8 every week next year...

[basherX]

Europa1 said:

irocfan said:

The funny thing is I do like Barnes - not unconditionally I know some of his utterances make you think WTF have you been smoking??? Bayfield is another very good pundit (as is Brian Moore)

Brian Moore may be a good pundit but as a commentator he winds me up.

His commentary's a bit off the wall at times but it's amusing listening to him trying (and failing) to be balanced. And at least he tries.

A mate of mine lived with him in a house whilst they broadcast the NZ world cup. He sounds like a laugh, but completely unhinged.

[basherX]

Kermit power said:

It certainly won't do Cipriani any harm to be playing behind quite possibly England's starting No 8 every week next year...

Think irocfan nailed it above. Showing that he can stand out in a high performing team week in/week out and in Europe as well as in the Premiership is the only way he can get back in the England side. I'm also sure that Jones has had a word. At 28 he still has time but it

[irocfan]

basherX said:

irocfan said:

The funny thing is I do like Barnes - not unconditionally I know some of his utterances make you think WTF have you been smoking??? Bayfield is another very good pundit (as is Brian Moore)

You can get pills for that Although, in fairness, he does have some good insights. Just only when he's not banging on about England or re-living his own non-selection by banging on about how this "mercurial" (but flaky) fly half is so much better than the (steady) incumbent

I think that's possibly why I've got more time for him - back in the day I was always anti RA (some things don't change) and pro SB (I just preferred his style of play)

[a311]

Kermit power said:

It certainly won't do Cipriani any harm to be playing behind quite possibly England's starting No 8 every week next year...

Shame Hughes won't be eligible until after the Australia tour-don't think he has his 3 years until the end of June. He's an impressive player, only came to rugby in his later teens. Very versatile too can cover lock, 8, or 6, Billy Vunipola could shift to 6.

Looking forward to the Australia tour, 3 tests must be a while since England have had a 3 test series in Australia.

[a311]

Predictions for the weekend?

Wales Vs France

France are very lucky to be 2 from 2. Wales should show France up and like the look of their stating XV almost looking full strength. Always a chance of France pulling of a blinder of a performance but I don't see it.

Italy Vs Scotland

Despite the scoreline against England Italy looked a good side for periods of the game, brain fart moment let them down so will need an 'accurate' 80 minutes. It's likely to be the wooden-spoon decider it will be Scotland's 10th defeat on the bounce should they be beaten. I'm going with home advantage in a tight game but will be cheering the jocks on as I'm up visiting family this weekend north of the border.

England Vs Ireland

Lots of people writing Ireland off and will like the under dog label. They've enough experience still to win it but I don't think they have the personnel to choke the life out of England like they did in Ireland. I think a lot of Irish fans would have liked to have seen some experimentation with some young inform players getting their chance now that the Championship has pretty much gone for them.

England's success will be dependant on dealing with Ireland's aerial game and getting the better of Ireland at the breakdown. Eliot Daly is on the 23 with Lawes dropping out, I hope he gets some game time he's a very versatile player-can pretty much cover 11-15 although I don't expect Jones is considering him to start at 12. Moving forward I think he's a much better bench option than Goode, He's played a lot at Full Back and if Joseph continues his form and fitness would be a good way of keeping him involved.

I don't expect we'll see any huge changes in the starting XV over the Italy game. Expectation is a 5:3 bench split with Lawes out of the 23. Marler and Care could start over Vunipola and Youngs, Launchbury I expect to replace Lawes starting with Itoje on the bench. I'd like to have seen Clifford and Itoje start on the flanks the pair of them look a far more dynamic paring than Haskell and Robshaw but guess they were up against a tiring Italian side.

I think England will edge it by a score.

[hornetrider]

Wales by 3 - if we're lucky. We've not been convincing... yet. Good to have 6,7,8 restored to normal which hopefully will give us back our edge at the breakdown. Although... I can't believe we've recalled ol' wooden hands out wide. Sigh.

Italy by 5 - clash of the spoons - what's happened to the Scots after Australia? Back to looking like ste. Home advantage to tell.

England by 15 - Ireland are awful, we should have humped them. England to break free in the second half and run in a couple of tries.

I'm hoping that we'll see some better games this weekend, starting Friday. The tournament has been pretty low quality so far.

[anonymous-user]

^ those are the winners. Think Wales do better than +3 though.

This is England's best chance at a Grand Slam for a while (and no, saying it won't jinx it).

[skahigh]

hornetrider said:

Wales by 3 - if we're lucky. We've not been convincing... yet. Good to have 6,7,8 restored to normal which hopefully will give us back our edge at the breakdown. Although... I can't believe we've recalled ol' wooden hands out wide. Sigh.

Italy by 5 - clash of the spoons - what's happened to the Scots after Australia? Back to looking like ste. Home advantage to tell.

England by 15 - Ireland are awful, we should have humped them. England to break free in the second half and run in a couple of tries.

I'm hoping that we'll see some better games this weekend, starting Friday. The tournament has been pretty low quality so far.

+1 on Wales/France and England/Ireland, I'm not so sure about Italy beating the Scots, I still think Scotland have something extra in them over the Italians.

Cuthbert is cack, but then so is James. Amos should have gotten the nod imo (as a biased Dragons fan).