6 Nations 2015

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a311

Original Poster:

5,789 posts

176 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
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Haven't seen a thread posted yet, with the autumn internationals out the way in the New Year thoughts will be occupied with the 6N.

Fixture list

Friday, 6 February – Wales v England 8.05pm

Saturday, 7 February – Italy v Ireland 2.30pm; France v Scotland 5pm

Saturday, 14 February – England v Italy 2.30pm; Ireland v France 5pm

Sunday, 15 February – Scotland v Wales 3pm

Saturday, 28 February – Scotland v Italy 2.30pm, France v Wales 5pm

Sunday, 1 March – Ireland v England 3pm

Saturday, 14 March – Wales v Ireland 2.30pm; England v Scotland 5pm

Sunday, 15 March – Italy v France 3pm

Saturday, 21 March – Italy v Wales 12.30pm; Scotland v Ireland 2.30pm; England v France 5pm

Ireland Were a lot of people dark horses last season and this year should be firm favourites. Most impressive team/performances in the Autumn Internationals IMO. They could potentially become victims of the favourites tag, but the draw has been kind to them IMO, starting off away you'd take Italy to work out any rustiness, big games are at home, minus Wales who Ireland have a decent record against at Cardiff.

England Are they any further ahead than they were at this stage last season? IMO no. There's been injuries but I reckon once England come up against a pack they can't dominate (and they will) The imbalance in the backrow will continue to be exposed. Launchburry has been a big miss in this area and has highlighted the shortfalls of having two 6.5's in the starting team. Tom Wood just doesn't do enough for me so I'd either look at moving Robshaw to 6 and bringing Kvesic in, in fact I wouldn't mind if Robshaw was kept at 7 if a better ball carrier came in at 6, Haskell doesn't seem to be able to take his chances when he's had them recently. Lancaster seems to like utility backrowers and Calum Clarke seems closer than anyone else to getting a go? There's fundamentally a lack of a plan B.

That's not to say England couldn't win it. Go to Wales and get a result and confidence will be high, but going to the Aviva and winning is going to be a big ask.

Wales Similarly if they beat England at home will have a lot of confidence and could be a dark horse. All in all though I think Wales are experiencing something of a trough at the moment.

France A lot of chopping and changing no consistency in the starting 15. Will beat anyone on their day but don't think they'll string enough performances together to win the tournament.

Scotland Looks like Verne Cotter has Scotland playing well and heading up. The Core of the team is based on the Glasgow Warriors who have been going well. Could quite easily take one or two big scalps or buckle and be fighting out the wooden spoon with the Italians.

Italy Wooden spoon. Probably.

In conclusion I don't have a clue who'll win it, if I had to put money on it Ireland although not with a slam.




DJRC

23,563 posts

235 months

Wednesday 24th December 2014
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If England meet a Pack they can't dominate? Well it got tested against the best in the world and the Pack passed with flying colours. Eng's problem is the half back pairing, just make sure it isn't Care/OF and we are halfway to being useful. Burrell and Manu (if fit) in the midfield and lets see what happens.

Ireland impressed in the AI series, so I see this 6N as being Eng v Ireland, but Ireland have a kinder fixture list.

Cheib

23,112 posts

174 months

Wednesday 24th December 2014
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DJRC said:
If England meet a Pack they can't dominate? Well it got tested against the best in the world and the Pack passed with flying colours. Eng's problem is the half back pairing, just make sure it isn't Care/OF and we are halfway to being useful. Burrell and Manu (if fit) in the midfield and lets see what happens.

Ireland impressed in the AI series, so I see this 6N as being Eng v Ireland, but Ireland have a kinder fixture list.
I agree about England...back row blend is an issue but half backs and midfield are in much worse state. Injuries have been very unkind to Lancaster. Robshaw might not be a classic No 7 but he very rarely gets totally dominated in the loose.

I think it's too late for England to suddenly find a back line that will threaten the major teams between now and RWC 2015...just not enough time. If Ford is fit and doesn't start the Wales game that means we're playing ten man rugby in 2015. ...best chance of progressing.

DJRC

23,563 posts

235 months

Thursday 25th December 2014
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I don't want an England back division to beat the world, they aren't there for that! They are there to be a defensively competent unit and moving the point of attack about the field before the Pack roll over the opposition again. That's w England play their best rugby, not trying to tart about in the midfield.

steveT350C

6,728 posts

160 months

Friday 9th January 2015
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bks!!

No sound where I am watching Gloucester V Saracens but looks like Ben Morgan has done a cruciate. Stretchered off.

DJRC

23,563 posts

235 months

Saturday 10th January 2015
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Rumour has it we are activating the "Toulon" clause though...

LY99

152 posts

187 months

Saturday 10th January 2015
quotequote all
steveT350C said:
bks!!

No sound where I am watching Gloucester V Saracens but looks like Ben Morgan has done a cruciate. Stretchered off.
I was at Kingsholm last night and it didnt look good at all. They were treating him on the pitch for 10 minutes or so. Hoping its not as serious as it first appears not only for the 6N but also World Cup

DocJock

8,341 posts

239 months

Saturday 10th January 2015
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DJRC said:
I don't want an England back division to beat the world, they aren't there for that! They are there to be a defensively competent unit and moving the point of attack about the field before the Pack roll over the opposition again. That's w England play their best rugby, not trying to tart about in the midfield.
That's like fighting with one hand tied behind your back.

You will never consistently beat the top teams that way because you will simply never have consistent forward superiority of the level required over NZ or SA.

(Even if you do, NZ\AUS will get the laws changed again wink )

ETA: shame about Ben Morgan, he really showed his stuff when he got a consistent run as a starter.

a311

Original Poster:

5,789 posts

176 months

Saturday 10th January 2015
quotequote all
Morgan will be a big loss, Billy Vunipola seems to have turned in some decent performances since being dropped. I'd rather not see it but Thomas Waldrom has been playing very well for Exeter since leaving the Tigers, in reality minus Morgan he and Nick Easter are the form 8's IMO in the GP.

Don't be surprised if Lacaster puts Wood at #8 again.........

I'd like to see Ewers from Exeter get a run out, he could play 8 play but is a 6. I can't see Lancaster bringing many if any players in from outside the current EPS. I'd like to see Robshaw switch to 6 and bring Kvesic in if only for an experiment to see how and out and out 7 would go in this team. Kvesic has been very good this season and it's incredible how strong he is and difficult to shift over the ball.


Not too long to go now, I'll be Italy for the opening game so will hopefully be able to find somewhere to watch it.

DJRC

23,563 posts

235 months

Saturday 10th January 2015
quotequote all
DocJock said:
DJRC said:
I don't want an England back division to beat the world, they aren't there for that! They are there to be a defensively competent unit and moving the point of attack about the field before the Pack roll over the opposition again. That's w England play their best rugby, not trying to tart about in the midfield.
That's like fighting with one hand tied behind your back.

You will never consistently beat the top teams that way because you will simply never have consistent forward superiority of the level required over NZ or SA.

(Even if you do, NZ\AUS will get the laws changed again wink )

ETA: shame about Ben Morgan, he really showed his stuff when he got a consistent run as a starter.
Not really. Its exactly how England have taken the game to and beaten the Southern Hemisphere boys. Then every time we have done that we think "ooh, now lets try and play like them". Every time. And every time it goes tits up. Every time.

Spot the recurring theme here? Every time. Every time. Every time. Just so the daft the tarts who want to be "entertained" can get it through their thick skulls...every time!

And then we start the cycle all over again before coming to the startling conclusion that...lo and behold, shock and bloody horror, how does England compete and beat the southern hemisphere boys? Through the bloody Pack!!! Well Jesus fk me Christ...who would have expected that eh? Not to mention getting us to three World Cup finals and winning one. And lets be honest about this it would have won us two if WE HADNT FALLEN FOR THIS VERY BLOODY LINE ABOUT ENTERTAINING fkING BACKS DANGLED ON A GODDAM HOOK FROM CAMPESE BECAUSE HE KNEW WE WOULD FALL FOR IT!!!!

I don't mind the Celtic mob being back biased, they don't get to World Cup finals and are never going to win the thing. England are different. They are meant to be hard nosed s who only care about winning.

Cheib

23,112 posts

174 months

Sunday 11th January 2015
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DJRC said:
Rumour has it we are activating the "Toulon" clause though...
Was in The Times last week . He's going to be in the 40 man squad that gets announced in May that will prepare for the RWC over the summer. As it said in the article "a home World Cup is judged to be exceptional circumstances"...Burgess will be picked in the same squad apparently.

Massive shame about Morgan....Lancaster has no luck with injuries.

a311

Original Poster:

5,789 posts

176 months

Sunday 11th January 2015
quotequote all
Cheib said:
Burgess will be picked in the same squad apparently.
Had his best game since joining the 15 man code against Wasps yesterday and scoring his first try. He's got a lot of expectation on him but he's learning fast and 'might' be ready.

Totally agree about Morgan. Billy Vunipola is still a young (big) man, but after watching a few Sarries and England's games I'm starting to think he's a bit of a flat track bully? Able to walk over/get break against weaker teams but struggles if the pack isn't on top. In the England context in his defence he's been asked to do too much carrying and well set defensive teams can afford to commit 2 tacklers to stopping him on the gain line. Robshaw carries very well in the tight but isn't what you'd call an explosive runner/line breaker, he's still very much worth his place though IMO from everything else he brings. Wonder if Croft will make it back into the squad?

Kermit power

28,634 posts

212 months

Sunday 11th January 2015
quotequote all
LY99 said:
steveT350C said:
bks!!

No sound where I am watching Gloucester V Saracens but looks like Ben Morgan has done a cruciate. Stretchered off.
I was at Kingsholm last night and it didnt look good at all. They were treating him on the pitch for 10 minutes or so. Hoping its not as serious as it first appears not only for the 6N but also World Cup
I was at the Stoop last night. The sensible thing would be to bring Nick Easter back in, but I really hope they don't, as I'd be much happier watching him batter Quins' opponents during the 6N matches! smile

steveT350C

6,728 posts

160 months

Monday 12th January 2015
quotequote all
Kermit power said:
LY99 said:
steveT350C said:
bks!!

No sound where I am watching Gloucester V Saracens but looks like Ben Morgan has done a cruciate. Stretchered off.
I was at Kingsholm last night and it didnt look good at all. They were treating him on the pitch for 10 minutes or so. Hoping its not as serious as it first appears not only for the 6N but also World Cup
I was at the Stoop last night. The sensible thing would be to bring Nick Easter back in, but I really hope they don't, as I'd be much happier watching him batter Quins' opponents during the 6N matches! smile
Morgan may not make RWC.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/articl...

DJRC

23,563 posts

235 months

Tuesday 13th January 2015
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Don't think Morgan will. Billy V I think makes a superb impact sub. Steffan in the mix would be a very positive move as far as Im concerned. Having one chap who clearly has the absolute respect of his peer group in the squad under exceptional circumstances ruling I think lends it an air of gravitas and big game experience. Its not as if Lancaster doesn't have a track record of introducing new blood and giving them their chances anyway instead of just going with a bunch of big name mercenaries. It would be a pragmatic approach from England.

steveT350C

6,728 posts

160 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
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Easter and Cipriani are in training squad.

Burgess in Saxons squad

a311

Original Poster:

5,789 posts

176 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
quotequote all
steveT350C said:
Easter and Cipriani are in training squad.

Burgess in Saxons squad
Pending injury I'd expect both to be released back to their clubs, which will be a shame particularly in Cipriani's case. Haskell is in good form so can/will cover the backrow. @ 10 you'd 'expect' Ford to start in Cardiff but Lancaster's already chirping about hoe well Fazlet has been playing recently....... Won't be shocked if Lancaster plays him in the centres, at which point I'll spit the dummy out and not watch them play.

Rob Webber can feel hard done by, Matt Kvesic should be in the senior squad to get game time against Italy and possibly Scotland IMO. Coupled of returning from injury players who didn't feature in the AI's walk straight back in.

He won't do it as the style of play Lancaster wants to play and his anticipated 15 requires a crash ball centre, but I'd like to see Eastmond and Joseph start with Ford at 10 with Cips on the bench.

I'm much more excited by the Saxons squad, some dynamic and hard ball carrying forwards with some exciting backs.

DJRC

23,563 posts

235 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
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KE or JJ to play alongside Brad works for me.
Just so long as we have stopped that bloody stupid Billy 12 experiment.

Cheib

23,112 posts

174 months

Thursday 22nd January 2015
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I'd be surprised if he's called Easter up not to include him in matchday squad.

hornetrider

63,161 posts

204 months

Thursday 22nd January 2015
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No Adam frown

Sad times.