Summer Rugby International Tours
Discussion
So we have the 6N champions in Australia, despite the huge amount of games the top players are expected to play these days it's nice to see a proper 3 match tour taking place.
The Welsh are in NZ-can't see them getting any joy so a series whitewash
The Scots are in Japan. See how Japan are getting on without Jones. Scotland should win if they take a full strength squad but wouldn't be surprised to see Japan win a test.
Ireland are in South Africa. Hard place to go at the best of times and Ireland are on a downward curve at the moment looking to rebuild. Connacht are going well domestically and their team is full of home grown players. South Africa will bully them and will get whitewashed.
The French are in Argentina (if they can find the fuel for the planes)
For England I think anything less than at least a win would be seen as failure. I can see the Aussies taking it 2-1. Nice to see Ash the Splash refusing to go with the Saxon's (despite what his Saracens coach is saying). Hopefully that's put a final nail in the coffin of the petulant little child's international career. His from has been good but at least Jones is recognizing that with 3.5 years until the next WC it's time to give younger lads the experience.
The Welsh are in NZ-can't see them getting any joy so a series whitewash
The Scots are in Japan. See how Japan are getting on without Jones. Scotland should win if they take a full strength squad but wouldn't be surprised to see Japan win a test.
Ireland are in South Africa. Hard place to go at the best of times and Ireland are on a downward curve at the moment looking to rebuild. Connacht are going well domestically and their team is full of home grown players. South Africa will bully them and will get whitewashed.
The French are in Argentina (if they can find the fuel for the planes)
For England I think anything less than at least a win would be seen as failure. I can see the Aussies taking it 2-1. Nice to see Ash the Splash refusing to go with the Saxon's (despite what his Saracens coach is saying). Hopefully that's put a final nail in the coffin of the petulant little child's international career. His from has been good but at least Jones is recognizing that with 3.5 years until the next WC it's time to give younger lads the experience.
Having just seen the starting lineups for the England vs Wales warm up, I'm quite surprised at the difference in approach.
Eddie Jones seems to be treating it like a mid week tour game and giving a lot of his very new players a run out, whereas Gatland looks to be going with almost full strength - Lee, AWJ, Lydiate, Faletau, Webb, Biggar, Roberts, North...
I know Jones is missing the Sarries and Exeter guys, but even so, I'm looking forward to seeing how the likes of Genge get on. Is he still officially a Championship player until the start of the next season, btw?
Eddie Jones seems to be treating it like a mid week tour game and giving a lot of his very new players a run out, whereas Gatland looks to be going with almost full strength - Lee, AWJ, Lydiate, Faletau, Webb, Biggar, Roberts, North...
I know Jones is missing the Sarries and Exeter guys, but even so, I'm looking forward to seeing how the likes of Genge get on. Is he still officially a Championship player until the start of the next season, btw?
GravelBen said:
The first game will be the best chance for Wales to pull something out of the bag I think, the All Blacks are usually a bit wobbly their first game of the season and a bunch of senior players have recently retired from international rugby.
Such is constant conveyor belt of talent in NZ I can't see them struggling to fill the gaps left after the retirements. a311 said:
Such is constant conveyor belt of talent in NZ I can't see them struggling to fill the gaps left after the retirements.
It will just take a few games for them all to gel together properly, I agree we have no shortage of rugby talent!McCaw -> Cane
Carter -> Sopoaga, Cruden, Barrett options
Mealamu -> Coles
Nonu, Smith -> Fekitoa, Crotty, Ngatai
Not long to go now. What are your predictions for the series? England I'll stick with 2-1 TO ENGLAND 
History is against England to win a series in the Southern hemisphere, I think there's a team that could be put together a very strong challenge but I'm just not sure Jones will pick it yet or the experience is there. There are rumbles that Jones could be ready to drop Robshaw in favour of starting Itoje at 6, but if Haskell is starting at 7 then we're still short at least one man who can compete at the breakdown against Pocock and Hooper.
Will be interesting to see how the scrum goes after the annihilation in the WC. The England front row with Hartley over Youngs is a different prospect though. You'd expect Vunipola to start with Marler no longer involved. His scrummaging has come a long way but I think he's always been better off the bench. You've got to admire EJ's approach since becoming coach. Tom Youngs is a good player but too deficient in the set piece so Jones has just cut him loose.
Assuming Australia go with Hooper and Pocock at 7 and 8 respectively as seen in the WC final what they gain at the breakdown they loose in the lineout and England's lineout has functioned almost immaculately since EJ took over.
I'm loathed to say it but Alex Goode's form has been way better than Mike Brown's. I hope Farrell starts at 10 but can see a 6N repeat of Farrell at 12 and Ford 10 although rumours seem to be Ben Te'o could start at 12 despite never playing a game in England domestically, I'd take him over Burrell though.
Head says 2-1 Australia. I can see them taking the first 2 and then having an experimental side in the last test which England will take.
Heart says England will go out and dominate the set piece, with our backs firing and winning it 2-1
History is against England to win a series in the Southern hemisphere, I think there's a team that could be put together a very strong challenge but I'm just not sure Jones will pick it yet or the experience is there. There are rumbles that Jones could be ready to drop Robshaw in favour of starting Itoje at 6, but if Haskell is starting at 7 then we're still short at least one man who can compete at the breakdown against Pocock and Hooper.
Will be interesting to see how the scrum goes after the annihilation in the WC. The England front row with Hartley over Youngs is a different prospect though. You'd expect Vunipola to start with Marler no longer involved. His scrummaging has come a long way but I think he's always been better off the bench. You've got to admire EJ's approach since becoming coach. Tom Youngs is a good player but too deficient in the set piece so Jones has just cut him loose.
Assuming Australia go with Hooper and Pocock at 7 and 8 respectively as seen in the WC final what they gain at the breakdown they loose in the lineout and England's lineout has functioned almost immaculately since EJ took over.
I'm loathed to say it but Alex Goode's form has been way better than Mike Brown's. I hope Farrell starts at 10 but can see a 6N repeat of Farrell at 12 and Ford 10 although rumours seem to be Ben Te'o could start at 12 despite never playing a game in England domestically, I'd take him over Burrell though.
Head says 2-1 Australia. I can see them taking the first 2 and then having an experimental side in the last test which England will take.
Heart says England will go out and dominate the set piece, with our backs firing and winning it 2-1
GravelBen said:
It will just take a few games for them all to gel together properly, I agree we have no shortage of rugby talent!
McCaw -> Cane
Carter -> Sopoaga, Cruden, Barrett options
Mealamu -> Coles
Nonu, Smith -> Fekitoa, Crotty, Ngatai
McCaw -> Cane
Carter -> Sopoaga, Cruden, Barrett options
Mealamu -> Coles
Nonu, Smith -> Fekitoa, Crotty, Ngatai
- cough* Savea in with Cane too.
London424 said:
Kermit power said:
Meanwhile, Farrell confirmed at 10, Ford on the bench, Burrell at 12, Itoje at 4, Robshaw at 6 & Launchbury on the bench.
Pretty sensible all round I think. Keep the pack the same and re-jig the backs to form players in their natural positions.
Kermit power said:
Quite surprised Clifford wasn't even on the bench. Is he injured?
Will have to do some digging on this. Two locks on the bench suggests Itoje might cover the back row if needed?Ultimately I wouldn't break a partnership that is working well and so familiar with each other at clunb level. Lauchbury was excellent against Wales and Lawes who I'd all but written off was also impressive.
Agree with Farrell at 10.
Nowell can feel hard done by BUT i think he's short of a pace for a top class/world class winger. Makes up for it in other areas and can cover 12-15 if required.
Not a fan of Burrell, confidence player and goes missing when too often but 12 is still a problem.
I'd have Care over Youngs, just my preference. They're both 50% very good scrummies and 50% s
te. If only they could be moulded into one player.Don't like Haskell and Robshaw, too much responsibility put on Billy to do all the carrying. Neither is great in the lineout either which is one area I saw England having a clear edge in their favour.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff