6N - 2023

[DodgyGeezer]

Someone said let's have 6N thread separate from the normal Rugby thread... here you go

[DodgyGeezer]

I do wonder - England's oppo must've been quite relieved that Tom Curry was out, and now there's his carbon copy called up

Edited by DodgyGeezer on Monday 16th January 22:26

[DodgyGeezer]

Smollet said:

Lawes and Mcguigan out of England squad

only the training squad - though word is Lawes is unlikely to be fit for the Calcutta Cup

[DodgyGeezer]

Just waiting for the French to announce their team...

[DodgyGeezer]

Gibson-Park out today (had him as my starting 9 so found out just in time!!)

[DodgyGeezer]

looks like a long day for Wales...

[DodgyGeezer]

I would say though that IMO the Irish subs should be carded there - on the field of play. I don't like it <shakes fist at cloud>

[DodgyGeezer]

and Wales manage to fk it up again

[DodgyGeezer]

what the fk was that?

[DodgyGeezer]

Stella Tortoise said:

DodgyGeezer said:

what the fk was that?

An awesome try?

absolutely, no question there. Well done VdM - the defense though was shocking

[DodgyGeezer]

nicely done there.

[DodgyGeezer]

well that's that then there are some good glimpses in attack (possibly Nick Evans' influence?) but Sinfield must be tearing his hair out, there have been some pretty soft tries (though Scotland have still had to have the wherewithal to take the opportunities)


ETA I'm not sure what Youngs brings these days

Edited by DodgyGeezer on Saturday 4th February 18:35

[DodgyGeezer]

FRA-ITA: not a bad match to be honest, and a warning for England next week! I don't think the Italians will win, but they have the potential to cause issues if we've not alert

[DodgyGeezer]

was I watching a different match against Scotland?


12 Owen Farrell (capt) A typical centre’s performance, allowing Smith to lead from fly-half. Fiercely physical in defence, levelling Russell twice. 8

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/feb/04/engl...

[DodgyGeezer]

LivingTheDream said:

Madness60 said:

LivingTheDream said:

Good job on the fantasy league folks

Worst I'm on top of the league boast............ever!

What!?! Really?!? Hadn’t noticed - honest.



It’ll be the only week - don’t worry. Downhill from here on in

well I've taken up my customary position towards the tail of the table

[DodgyGeezer]

LivingTheDream said:

Marcus Smith on the bench - didn't see that coming

Absolutely no chance of fazlet riding the pine - once he's capt you're stuck with him.

Be interesting to see if they sub faz for Smith - or if slade will be subbed instead ... sadly I think we know the answer

[DodgyGeezer]

The beeb's take on it is interesting...

Smith has struggled to recreate his club form with Harlequins at Test level and Borthwick will be hoping Farrell's move to his more comfortable position at fly-half and Lawrence's inclusion can give his side the edge in midfield.

But then they put fazlet outside him and it's suddenly Smith who's at fault...

[DodgyGeezer]

been reading player rating from the Eng/Ita match... somehow fazlet has been rated 7/10 on quite a few sites

[DodgyGeezer]

Unreal said:

We're all experts here but I'd rather see a clear out now, loads of new blood, and a 'let's just see what happens at the World Cup' rather than sticking with the old guard or a hotch potch in the certainty those second two options can't win it. Give all the new blood that fantastic experience of a World Cup and the opportunity to exceed all expectations and then build for 2027.

this ^^^ there is no way we're realistically going to be able to challenge for the 23 RWC, that being the case is there merit in the idea of a young(ish) team being given their head (aka nothing to lose)?

[DodgyGeezer]

Unreal said:

BlackWidow13 said:

DodgyGeezer said:

this ^^^ there is no way we're realistically going to be able to challenge for the 23 RWC, that being the case is there merit in the idea of a young(ish) team being given their head (aka nothing to lose)?

Doubtful. Generally transitions are managed by interleaving new players in with older experienced players. Fielding a scratch side with a handful of caps is more likely to result in some humbling losses and a collective loss of confidence.

I think some humbling losses are already nailed on based on the present set up. As for the collective loss of confidence, I'm not sure about that. It's not as if Borthwick would have to pick from park sides. There are some outstanding players out there amongst a massive pool of talent. In addition, I'm sure you know that when I say bring in new blood, I don't mean you get rid of players like Smith or Willis, so it would be a long way from a scratch side.

sadly it would appear that Willis is not going to be in the set-up after RWC 23 - apparently the RFU has stated that his dispensation expires at the end of this season. More short-termism from the ivory tower dwellers