Discussion
Wales at home to this France team? And with the roof closed? They always get stronger both in terms of better cohesion and general fitness as the tournament goes on. Wales to absolutely batter them.
England vs Ireland. Hmm. I want to follow the Jones lead in being bullish but, injuries notwithstanding, Ireland are still a good side. I think it might be squeaky bum time, at least for the first 60-70 mins. England, just. And a close run thing might be to their benefit pre-Wales to prevent any stupid complacency
Italy vs Scotland. Could be epic, could be dire, could even be the game of the weekend strangely enough. Anybody's guess.
England vs Ireland. Hmm. I want to follow the Jones lead in being bullish but, injuries notwithstanding, Ireland are still a good side. I think it might be squeaky bum time, at least for the first 60-70 mins. England, just. And a close run thing might be to their benefit pre-Wales to prevent any stupid complacency
Italy vs Scotland. Could be epic, could be dire, could even be the game of the weekend strangely enough. Anybody's guess.
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.
I'm hoping that we'll see some better games this weekend, starting Friday. The tournament has been pretty low quality so far.
As good as Tipuric is I don't think Warburton has ever looked particularly comfortable at 6, so agree with Lydiate in the backrow is better balanced. Got to admit I'm not a huge fan of Lydiate or that style of 6, always reminded me of Joe Worsley. But against a big physical side like France it's the smart move IMO.I'm hoping that we'll see some better games this weekend, starting Friday. The tournament has been pretty low quality so far.
I think Wales are 3 points better. I think the 'it depends if France turn up' is 5-10 years out of date, they're just average at best these days and don't see it improving. The amount of cash and poor relationship between the clubs and French union has been slowly eroding their chances of success for a number of years and Noves certainly wasn't the man to select to bring in a 'new dawn' for French rugby. (Now I've said that they'll probably go one to win the slam!)
It's not been the greatest, perhaps the 6N that follows a World Cup is never going to be the best? New coaches, retirements etc.
Greg66 said:
This is England's best chance at a Grand Slam for a while (and no, saying it won't jinx it).
Well they can still win the slam it's true and are hopefully show further progress this weekend. For me it's going as expected, ugly unconvincing win in the first game, flattering score line in the last. They could go on to win the title but can see them getting beat at least once.A convincing win over Ireland and you'll maybe find me a little more bullish. As others have said Wales usually get more cohesive as the tournament progresses and are the team to beat.
a311 said:
Well they can still win the slam it's true and are hopefully show further progress this weekend. For me it's going as expected, ugly unconvincing win in the first game, flattering score line in the last. They could go on to win the title but can see them getting beat at least once.
A convincing win over Ireland and you'll maybe find me a little more bullish. As others have said Wales usually get more cohesive as the tournament progresses and are the team to beat.
After the first weekend my view was: A convincing win over Ireland and you'll maybe find me a little more bullish. As others have said Wales usually get more cohesive as the tournament progresses and are the team to beat.
- Italy won't detain us
- Ireland are a transition team and we should beat them
- France can't decide whether to play like France or like someone else. We should beat them.
- Wales is the tough game, but a bit of RWC payback mentality I think will see us through it.
I admit that this was all looking slightly bonkers at times against Italy, before we broke through...
irocfan said:
So Itoje starts - at 2nd row
Am I the only one who thinks the clamor for Itoje in the media is slightly overdone? Of course he's a good player who's going well at Sarries and of course he has a great CV in terms of his youth and club rugby so far. But I remember similar hyperbole about Lawes when he first came on the scene: how he was the epitome of the modern athletic forward who could play anywhere in the back 5 and dominate for a decade etc etc. And that hasn't exactly turned out as planned.
When people were suggesting he should be England captain after the RWC I thought the whole world had gone mad.
I hope this isn't the old build him up just to knock him down later when there are (the inevitable) problems later on. I'd like to see the hype tuned down a few notches.
Nonetheless, very interested to see how he goes on Sunday. Starting against Ireland is a very much bigger proposition than coming on against an already tired Italian team so I guess I'll know if I'm just a grumpy old b
d by Sunday evening.....I'm excited to see how Itoje does.....fk me does he have a lot of hype to live up to! Engladn are really starting to have some good options in the tight fie...and lets face you need it given the attrition. Back row is definitely the problem area in the pack. But that's nothing knew...
One thing is for sure until Jones finds an open side of genuine class this England side will only ever be so good.
k me does he have a lot of hype to live up to! Engladn are really starting to have some good options in the tight fie...and lets face you need it given the attrition. Back row is definitely the problem area in the pack. But that's nothing knew...One thing is for sure until Jones finds an open side of genuine class this England side will only ever be so good.
Smollet said:
I'm surprised that neither Kvesic or Wallace haven't been included in the squad so far. Hopefully that will change
The rumours are that Kvesic didn't show enough in camp to impress Jones, sighting his apparent lack of carrying. I wish they'd just try him or A.N. Other at open side who's a specialist to see what it brings to the side. I don't think either Haskell or Robshaw bring much dynamism to the backrow, both do a lot of unglamorous carrying (into heavy traffic not making much ground) which you need but seldom make line breaks, they're also both st slow at getting to the breakdown.Apparently Sam Underhill at Ospreys is one to watch, played for England at U18 level but is only 19. As I've said before I'm hoping quite a few in this side are a stop gap until a) people come back from injury and b) EJ can introduce some younger players in a staggered/controlled way. If he think Haskell and Robshaw are his his first choice flankers by time the next world cup comes around we're f
ked.On Itoje, he captained the U20 to a World Cup victor,y I followed that tournament and he's bulked up a lot since then makes him look shorter..... He's a form lock in the GP and his performances and injuries/form of others has probably forced EJ's hand earlier than he might have wanted to. A lot of pundits and arm chair coaches alike are suggesting he's too small to be an international lock and #6 will be a better position for him long term. I don't really buy this, with lifting in the lineout you don't need to be 6'9" and there's not much in it dimensions wise between him and Kruis.
Completely agree over comments about Lawes who's turning out to be a bit of a flat track bully. I think Itoje will do well and hope once in the side stays there for the long term.
Glad to see Daly in there, He can cover a lot of positions but if Joseph's form remains and stay injury free I'd like to see him get some time at FB, drop Goode out completely.
Edited by a311 on Friday 26th February 11:22
a311 said:
Apparently Sam Underhill at Ospreys is one to watch, played for England at U18 level but is only 19. As I've said before I'm hoping quite a few in this side are a stop gap until a) people come back from injury and b) EJ can introduce some younger players in a staggered/controlled way. If he think Haskell and Robshaw are his his first choice flankers by time the next world cup comes around we're fked.
I've seen Underhill play for the Ospreys a few times and he looks like an outstanding prospect. Hopefully England will ignore him for long enough for him to qualify for Wales! ked.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-new...
TheGreatSoprendo said:
I've seen Underhill play for the Ospreys a few times and he looks like an outstanding prospect. Hopefully England will ignore him for long enough for him to qualify for Wales!
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-new...
No boyo grandad down the back of the sofa unfortunately bud http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-new...
hornetrider said:
Technical issue with the stadium roof means it remains open tonight. I'm happy about that actually I think they shut it far too often these days. As it goes the weather is perfect tonight, dry, crisp and 6 degrees. Lovely.
Personally, I'd prefer it if they were only allowed to close it if it was actually raining whenever it is that they need to take the final decision.I don't think many people would argue that rugby in the rain isn't the greatest of spectacles, but I really like, for example, the added intrigue of "have they done enough playing with the wind behind them in the first half".
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff