Discussion
If you look back a few months on this thread you'll see I was bigging him up. Glad to hear he played well, unfortunately I couldn't watch the game as I was stuck on a plane
Nevertheless, if Lancaster doesn't take Slade, he needs his head examined.
Burgess? In what other top rugby nation would a player be at 6 for his club, and 12 for his country? A ludicrous situation.
Nevertheless, if Lancaster doesn't take Slade, he needs his head examined.
Burgess? In what other top rugby nation would a player be at 6 for his club, and 12 for his country? A ludicrous situation.
DocJock said:
That said, Burgess had a very good game.
Before the game it seemed very much like either/or in terms of Burgess & Slade but having watched that they actually looked like they complement each other very well. If the World Cup was in 12 months they'd be a realistic possibility as a partnership (if they can replicate today reliably)basherX said:
DocJock said:
That said, Burgess had a very good game.
Before the game it seemed very much like either/or in terms of Burgess & Slade but having watched that they actually looked like they complement each other very well. If the World Cup was in 12 months they'd be a realistic possibility as a partnership (if they can replicate today reliably)Can't comment on the pubs but recall there being about 63K in attendance.
It was almost like watching Australia last night, flair in the backs then getting smashed up front!
I know it was just a friendly but the ref did everything he could to keep a close contest, his reffing of the scrum was shocking. And the foul play on Care? Oh it's OK the ball was out of play-so it's OK to headbutt someone so long as the balls out? Awesome!
Thought Burgess did pretty well, he's only played 3 games at center for Bath. I starting thinking last night does he really bring anything less than Barrit or Burrell? At times he did play like a 6, but reckon we need a bit more physicality as it was lacking with Clarke and Wood last night. Think Wood is just too light weight, he does a lot of the dirty work but other than a line out option reckon you need more to your game than he brings. Got to live with what is in the squad now, thought Haskell made an impact when he came on all be it at 8. In true Lancaster style I'd think about using Launchburry at 6 for more physical encounters.
Slade should really have been getting his 5th or 6th cap last night, if JJ get's injured or needs rested I think he's ideal back up. I think he should go to the WC. I reckon both Slade and Burgess deserve a look behind a better pack, and particularity in Slades case playing with Ford.
Hooker and second row cover are a bit of worry. None of the back up locks putting their hands up, Parling was anonymous last night.
Cips coming on at FB rather than 10 was telling and I don't think he'll make the final squad based on that.
All in all bringing things into context, first game of the season, rustiness, new combinations, inexperience, thought they did pretty well. Felt like a full blooded test which is good.
It was almost like watching Australia last night, flair in the backs then getting smashed up front!
I know it was just a friendly but the ref did everything he could to keep a close contest, his reffing of the scrum was shocking. And the foul play on Care? Oh it's OK the ball was out of play-so it's OK to headbutt someone so long as the balls out? Awesome!
Thought Burgess did pretty well, he's only played 3 games at center for Bath. I starting thinking last night does he really bring anything less than Barrit or Burrell? At times he did play like a 6, but reckon we need a bit more physicality as it was lacking with Clarke and Wood last night. Think Wood is just too light weight, he does a lot of the dirty work but other than a line out option reckon you need more to your game than he brings. Got to live with what is in the squad now, thought Haskell made an impact when he came on all be it at 8. In true Lancaster style I'd think about using Launchburry at 6 for more physical encounters.
Slade should really have been getting his 5th or 6th cap last night, if JJ get's injured or needs rested I think he's ideal back up. I think he should go to the WC. I reckon both Slade and Burgess deserve a look behind a better pack, and particularity in Slades case playing with Ford.
Hooker and second row cover are a bit of worry. None of the back up locks putting their hands up, Parling was anonymous last night.
Cips coming on at FB rather than 10 was telling and I don't think he'll make the final squad based on that.
All in all bringing things into context, first game of the season, rustiness, new combinations, inexperience, thought they did pretty well. Felt like a full blooded test which is good.
a311 said:
his reffing of the scrum was shocking
Not just him. I don't recall a single hooker 'strike' in the entire Ireland v Scotland game. So many feeds it was ridiculous. Tactic seems for hookers to have their feet back behind the props feet, roll ball to him then all 3 drive over.Sort this s
t out RFU 
FUBAR said:
a311 said:
his reffing of the scrum was shocking
Not just him. I don't recall a single hooker 'strike' in the entire Ireland v Scotland game. So many feeds it was ridiculous. Tactic seems for hookers to have their feet back behind the props feet, roll ball to him then all 3 drive over.Sort this s
t out RFU However, even I don't think it extends to games between Ireland and Scotland.
Should do, mind.
Kendrik said:
I thought Goode did well too.
unfortunately I agree - I read on the Gruan that the #15 back-up slot was likely filled even before Cips got on the field and I think that, given the fact the SL has a stiffy for Goode, that is probably correct 
Feel sorry for Cips that now he's got his st together he's missed out, 2nd half for England was dire ... oh well c'est la viea311 said:
While we're at it, is it just acceptable now not to feed 'straight' into the scrum?!
Well the law is in the book so it's down to the refs to enforce it.It really annoys me that a difficult skill such as throwing to the back of the lineout is penalised for being even slightly not straight, but a simple action of putting the ball into the scrum straight is not policed.
We never got away with that at the lower levels I played at.
We're decided to put the first team out for the this Saturday's game against France.
England team to face France
Mike Brown; Jack Nowell, Jonathan Joseph, Luther Burrell, Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole; Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes; James Haskell, Chris Robshaw (capt), Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, David Wilson, Dave Attwood, Nick Easter, Danny Care, Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees.
England team to face France
Mike Brown; Jack Nowell, Jonathan Joseph, Luther Burrell, Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole; Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes; James Haskell, Chris Robshaw (capt), Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, David Wilson, Dave Attwood, Nick Easter, Danny Care, Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees.
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