6 Nations 2015

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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DJRC said:

If Lancaster sticks to defensive "stodgy" backs then England should hopefully be playing the 10man game steam roller Wales. If the AIs and European competition has told us anything lately it's that nobody can live with England up front when they play properly except the Boks. As it's away in Cardiff that should be the only game an in town. Which if course no doubt means the opposite tactic will be picked, Care, Cipriani, Faz and Joseph and the Welsh back line will bugger us senseless.

As it is I'm a big fan of Joseph and Eastmond, they are both game breakers and deserve to play for England. I just want to make sure we also have a BB or Burrell or Manu in there as a bricksthouse battering ram/defensive rock to hinge around.

I never want to see Faz play inside centre.

I don't think the English pack are quite good as you're making out DJRC although I'm happy to be proven wrong in the 6N but unlike the WC a 10 man game could win England the 6N. I do agree though that the way that the current coaching set up's game plan does require a crash ball type centre. Be interested to see in Tom Wood's injury put's him out of the 6N opener.

As an Englishman I'm sorry to see Adam Jones hang up his international boots, seemed like a genuine bloke and Lion. I expected him to make the WC squad TBH given the line up Wales have behind Samson Lee an experienced head to have around the squad and able replacement I thought would have seen him make it.

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DocJock said:

I feel sorry for AJ.

A prop who has gradually been sidelined by constant IRB tinkering with the laws to depower the scrum.
He has adapted admirably but it seems his destructive scrummaging is no longer as fashionable as mobility.

I was surprised he struggled to get to grips with the new laws, could be more to do with time catching up with him, lack of fitness/game time-he was training on his own for a while? I thought the new law generally favours those with better technique rather than those with better timing who could 'win' the hit.

Fazlet looks to have had a nasty injury in the CC, wouldn't wish an injury on any player but would be less of a problem for Lancaster having to put him anywhere just so he plays.

ETA

I see Hartley was binned, haven't seen the incident but he want's dropping till he sorts his temperament IMO.

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People said:

Farrell is out

Good, although I'd never wish injury on any player his form hasn't been great. I've said it before, on form he's a good if limited player. I expect Myler and Cips will battle it out for the bench position? I'd like to see Young Slade from Exeter get some time in the senior squad he can play in the centres but long term probably a 10.

I expect in Lancaster's mind Myler might just be above Cipriani as he's more in the Farrell mould i.e. dependable place kicker if somewhat limited in other areas. I've not seen the kicking stats for this season but suspect Cips is poorer than the rest in this respect.

Injuries are stacking up but strength in depth has at times been a blessing and a curse and in this case welcome.

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hornetrider said:

Not so sure about that one tbh. Weren't the new laws in place for the Lions when he marmalised the Crims?

I think his fitness has dropped off a fair bit this season.

Lion's Aus tour was about the test I can remember with the old laws i.e. touch, pause, engage.....

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Was an ugly game to watch that. No surprise really as the Saxons spend such little time together, and since the end of the Churchill cup never get a decent string of games. I'd quite like to see a mini comp with the home nations 2nd/3rd teams.

England's set piece was woeful but Garvey and an inexperienced Itoje aren't international quality locks. Itoje is one to watch in the future, he's bulked up a lot since lifting the WC with the U20's he might just be more suited to playing in the backrow.

Kvesic was one of the stand players for me, shown what an out and out 7 can bring to the senior squad. I think he'll soon be a much better all round player than Robshaw but at the top level is just too consistent to consider excluding from the side for the foreseeable future. Dave Ewers is a beast, tackles all night and carries really well. Shame for him that there's a lot of quality backrowers kicking around and Lancaster likes his utility/6.5 back rowers.

I thought Simpson played well and should IMO be tried out on the bench for the senior side, brings something totally different than the majority of the current crop of 9's and should a game need turned in a different direction he's the sort of player to do it. Slade's long term future is probably at 10 but get's little game time for the Chiefs who are quite rightly looking to develop him, he's a much better all round prospect than Fazlet, good rugby brain on him, distribution etc is way ahead.

Wade looked sharp, but the way the current England backline function you may as well have two props on the wing. I think May is a bit of a defensive liability but seems Ok to decent in the air an din broken play is dangerous. I'd honestly bring Banahan in who's looked handy from what I've seen of him playing for Bath.

Too much focus on Burgess, his RU career isn't in the double digits yet and sticking him in what is effectively an exhibition side didn't really help. I'd be far more upset if I was one of the Irish lads playing tonight, unlike the Saxons many were genuinely pushing for selection while others were getting game time after long lay offs but didn't play like it.

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Was an ugly game to watch that. No surprise really as the Saxons spend such little time together, and since the end of the Churchill cup never get a decent string of games. I'd quite like to see a mini comp with the home nations 2nd/3rd teams.

England's set piece was woeful but Garvey and an inexperienced Itoje aren't international quality locks. Itoje is one to watch in the future, he's bulked up a lot since lifting the WC with the U20's he might just be more suited to playing in the backrow.

Kvesic was one of the stand players for me, shown what an out and out 7 can bring to the senior squad. I think he'll soon be a much better all round player than Robshaw but at the top level is just too consistent to consider excluding from the side for the foreseeable future. Dave Ewers is a beast, tackles all night and carries really well. Shame for him that there's a lot of quality backrowers kicking around and Lancaster likes his utility/6.5 back rowers.

I thought Simpson played well and should IMO be tried out on the bench for the senior side, brings something totally different than the majority of the current crop of 9's and should a game need turned in a different direction he's the sort of player to do it. Slade's long term future is probably at 10 but get's little game time for the Chiefs who are quite rightly looking to develop him, he's a much better all round prospect than Fazlet, good rugby brain on him, distribution etc is way ahead.

Wade looked sharp, but the way the current England backline function you may as well have two props on the wing. I think May is a bit of a defensive liability but seems Ok to decent in the air an din broken play is dangerous. I'd honestly bring Banahan in who's looked handy from what I've seen of him playing for Bath.

Too much focus on Burgess, his RU career isn't in the double digits yet and sticking him in what is effectively an exhibition side didn't really help. I'd be far more upset if I was one of the Irish lads playing tonight, unlike the Saxons many were genuinely pushing for selection while others were getting game time after long lay offs but didn't play like it.

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First things first, I'm in a tiny Italian village and if I can't find somewhere showing it can anyone suggest a stream or a way round IPlayer? I pay my TV license.

At home I'd expect the Welsh experience to see them through to a win, whilst with new combinations, and lack of international experience in the backs division there's also the outside chance of a hammering.

Despite the injuries the English pack is still strong and I'd expect parity if not slight ascendency possibly. I've not see SW play for a while, I think Haskell is in better from than Lydiate at the moment although they're very different style of player. I'm not huge #6 of the Lydiate style TBH. He's a good player much in the mould of Joe Worsley IMO, but didn't want to see him in the Lions side.

Billy 36 is not going to cut it at international level-EVER and quite how he's made it into the match day squad I don't. I'm glad to see Joseph get a shot he's a very good player and has all the attributes required. Burrell's form isn't good and Roberts showed him up in the Champions cup but for me blows hot and cold so hope it's a night for the latter.

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Wow I did not expect that, particularly after the first half-what a performance.

A lot of players really stood up tonight, James Haskell was immense as was Dave Attwood.

I was becoming a little worried that George Ford's missed kicks were going to come back and bite us but overall had a good game, not my man of the match though. Show's you what a #10 who play flat with a bit of intelligence can do.

I'd take Burrell out and stick Eastmond in when fit, May's flakiness worries me.

Odd subs policy tonight, had me sweating but it somehow worked.

Players to come back, experience to be gained. Dream start to the 6N.

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Slaav said:

Chaps can we stop with the 'Eng 2nd XV'? Slightly disrespectful after a good win....

My RWC starting XV (injuries aside) would be something along the lines of:

Corbs
Hartley (unfortunately)
Cole
Laws
Launch
Hasks
Robshaw
Morgan
Care
Ford
? (Don't think May is a RWC winner)
? (Eastmond possibly)
?
Watson
Brown

As ever other Eng supporter, I have no idea of our best midfield. Watson is class but not convinced about May.

A lot of those started today

I thought Ben Youngs had his best game in an England shirt for sometime today. Care seems to be Lancaster (or someone else in the camps) st list and only seemed to be getting starts through injuries and some very good form. I'd go with the Bath Midfield.

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I'm not a huge Ben Youngs fan, after showing a lot of early promise he rode his luck keeping in the side when others could have been earning caps and experience. A strategy with Wigglesworth on the bench is an odd one as he's not an impact type player, but is a solid #9 and probably one of the most in form scrum halves at the moment. I guess the choice is to have an impact sub who can change the game if required or someone solid to close games out.

I watched the Saxons game and Simpson was very impressive, would definitely make an impact off the bench.

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Matt_N said:

How can a nation that produces some of the greatest football players not produce a fly half that can kick a goal?

We have our fair share but the Italians have a lot of non Italian born players including their starting #10 today-who's a Kiwi so you'd expect they learn good core skills all through the age groups. I'd wager it's a bit different kicking a round ball around a pitch then an egg from a tee, but ultimately the fact that rugby isn't played by many in Italy.

Odd game today. Italy came with a lot of intent but seemed to loose all their early momentum while Brown was getting treated/carried off. Some of England's defending today was shocking far too many missed tackles, and a rush defence is no good if you can't hold a line.

Some good and bad today.

We need to start better, and ultimately didn't feel so much of a smidgen of the intensity was brought as in the Wales game. A lot of players just took their eyes of the ball and were a gear down from last week too.

Despite his great cameo last week Billy 36 is still not international standard and never will be IMO. Lancaster seems to think he's required as a utility back but he's not.

Ben Youngs didn't push on from a good performance last week.

JJ excellent, when Tuilangi comes back we can either have a player who can go through or over people or who can use his feet and skill to make something happen.

May's defence was gash, in attack he needs to back himself a bit more. I'm of the opinion it wouldn't be too much of a loss to have a more solid replacement-Nowell.

Robshaw put in another consistent shift, again Haskell didn't really push on from last week and I personally want to see him stay in the side as he offers a lot more balance than Wood to the backrow. Binny had a good game IMO.

The balance on the bench needs to change for Ireland IMO, a specialist lock for one and although it won't happen Dave Ewers on the bench for Croft.

Nice to see Cipriani play, I fear it will be short lived in this tournament and Farrell will come back in regardless.

Ireland game will be huge, week off to regroup but will need to cut the errors out

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Ireland game will be an interesting one and being in Dublin Ireland should have the edge but look beatable certainly.

Both teams still have a lot of question marks after differing victories yesterday IMO.

Sexton/Ireland will kick for territory (a lot) and their kick chase is very good so Lancaster et el need to be drilling the squad on how to cope with that in addition to how to tackle and keep their shape defensively.

I thought Ireland's pack did pretty well against a strong French outfit, but felt they got away with a lot too when on another day may have been penalised heavily. I still think it will be the toughest test of the campaign for the English set piece and will be a long night if we don't get at least some of the upper hand at scrum time, as Ireland look to win kickable penalties when gaining territory.

I think it's an auto one week lay up for concussion? So I hope Brown is back as for the Ireland game we'll need a solid FB under the highball with a good boot when required. Burrell hasn't impressed me so far, he's been OK in defence and carrying but been quite flakey at times-his loose pass yesterday springs to mind. I don't think 36's form warrants him starting but Lancaster might look at him for Ireland due to him having more of a kicking game, I don't suspect if fit Eastmond will drop back in.

Looking forward to the game today. I expect Wales to bounce back strongly and win, but will be close.

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Brown is definitely out I’d like to see Pennel come in. Goode isn’t a bad player but doesn’t have any pace but is good in the air, decent boot (can place kick but not sure on his range?).

Going to be an interesting game on Sunday, looking at Ireland’s stats they’ve really strangled teams but not done much at all going forward, they’ve also conceded very few turnovers but won very few. I expect them to kick for territory or kick chase all night long, and try to win kickable penalties. If Lancaster and the players can combat that and look to get a half decent start to the game it will interesting to see if Ireland can adapt. Going to be the greatest examination of the English pack of the tournament, I really hope another specialist lock is brought in at the cost on Tom Croft on the bench. We’ve finally got a bit of balance in the backrow and would have much preferred to see a young carrying type 6 brought in to get some game time i.e. Ewers.

Good to see Cipriani has avoided the lure of the French top 14 and signed another deal to stay at Sale I really hope he’s rewarded by the international set up.

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People said:

May

I’d agree he’s a bit of a liability in my eyes. I could live with his flakiness if he did a bit more in attack he’s murdered a few chances in my eyes. He does have genuine pace but needs to back himself more often as he spends far too much time running across the field rather than forwards towards the try line. He also seems to dance on the spot a bit trying to step but is too big and lanky to sell it to the opposition.

There aren’t a great number of other options in my eyes that have at least some experience. Christian Wade has defensive question marks and a lack of international experience. I’d put Jack Nowell in, he doesn’t score that many but is overall a very solid all round player with a good boot. Pre –tournament I’d have said just to stick some solid defensive options for all the ball they were actually getting with Fazlet at #10. The Midfield seems to firing more these days though.

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iiyama said:

Has the starting fifteen been named yet?

Just the squad if you're talking England.

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Hoping for a good game and an England win, need to keep our discipline and not get a ste start to be in with a shout of winning.

Think Ireland know they'll have to do a bit more than choke the life out England to win, I also reckon we have enough players on the pitch to ask questions of the Irish defence but won't mean a thing unless we can win it up front. Ford's getting built up for a bit of a fall but I hope that's just the pessimist in me talking.