[Closed] 2015-16 rugby, world cup year

As a neutral, I thought that Moriarty card was fair and even jiffy agreed. Dunno how many times I saw Hook bumped onto his arse but it was a few. Mind you if I were an Ireland fan, I 'd wanting Sexton wrapped in cotton wool as Jackson was shit. Earls was crap for the vast majority of the game too. Madigan looked very sharp when he came on though.

I've just realised England and Ireland's last warm up game is vs each other. What a game that could be...

Latest IRB Rankings have Ireland as the number 2 team in the world.

Folk slag off the Auusie front row,but what has happened to the AB's? I think they are creaky in the front five,don't know their best team and that best team now has question marks over both McCaw and Carter.

Indeed. Until last year the AB's tended to creak a bit in world cup year but blimey, this weekends match wasn't good.

I'm not necessarily wanting to harp on about England but they remain the question mark now. How much better if any are they than the Aus pack? Are we able to defend against NZ's backs, and do we have a total game to take it to Ireland? Would Ireland beat SA?

On current viewing - and I stress those words - we'll beat Wales and Fiji, England/Ireland warm up will be close and that will give us a true indication of where we are.

Having said that, I think performances to date are going to make for edge-of-your-seat RWC viewing no matter who you support.

Sad news for Tommy O'Donnell - confirmed hip dislocation and out of WC.
Was looking like one of the better players on the pitch on Saturday, really making a decent challenge for going.

Indeed, that's pretty disappointing for the Munsterman. 🙁

I'm not necessarily wanting to harp on about England but they remain the question mark now. How much better if any are they than the Aus pack?

Are we able to defend against NZ's backs,

Would Ireland beat SA?

What do I win? 😀

Apart from TOD, good game for Ireland.
Whole squad now playing more like Joe's style, not just "first teamers".
Could easily have had two or three more tries in the first half hour, if being critical then maybe should have been 40 nil up by 30 minutes in.
Can put that down to a bit of rustiness and some new combinations bedding in, but realistically the game was won by then anyway.
After that they seemed to take a foot off the gas and lower their game to match the opponents, but that's the nature of an away "friendly" with nothing riding on it.
Nothing "phoney" about it though - every game's a step closer towards playing how Joe wants the squad to.

Likewise for Oz. Cheika hasn't been there long enough to be indulging in "phoney war" crap. Could maybe believe of an established coaching set-up- more like Gatland or Lancaster's teams who've been in place for donkeys years, but not Oz or Ireland at the moment.
Every game counts towards imprinting the coach's plan on that set of players; wouldn't think it was his style anyway. Reminds me a lot of when he came into Leinster - a load of attacking talent but not enough dog to actually win things. Three Heineken cups later and most of the pack going onto better things with Ireland and it looks like he's doing something similar down under. Joe's deservedly getting a lot of credit for Ireland's recent results, but shouldn't be forgotten how much influence Cheika had on all the forwards coming through the Leinster set up.
Looking forward to how this "weak Ozzie pack" goes against the greats of England and Wales this autumn.

Based on today Ireland are up to 2nd in world rankings ...
Ireland played it smart each autumn and only played 1 top team so were able to bank more wins.

Guess it's nothing to do with those back to back Six nations wins.

Sandwiched round Back to back wins over Oz and South Africa in the autumn.

Looking forward to how this "weak Ozzie pack" goes against the greats of England and Wales this autumn.

For old times sake then:

😀

Touche

🙂

Bloody glad Steve Walsh has gone.

Oh yes I forgot everything was his fault and his names Walsh he must be a cheat!
I like this one too. Check out Healey's back!
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Announced early - the England B team to prove themselves V France:

15 Alex Goode
14 Anthony Watson
13 Henry Slade
12 Sam Burgess
11 Jonny May
10 Owen Farrell
9 Richard Wigglesworth
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Rob Webber
3 Kieran Brookes
4 George Kruis
5 Geoff Parling
6 Tom Wood (c)
7 Calum Clark
8 Ben Morgan.

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Alex Corbisiero, 18 David Wilson, 19 Dave Attwood, 20 James Haskell, 21 Danny Care, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 Billy Twelvetrees.

Strong looking side that.

Kryton, I think Goode is starting not brown.

You are correct - I copied it from Sky's web page but I see its been updated. Just in time for a stealth edit.

I knew that retort from AA was coming, sure as yellow follows Hartley.

Ah it's find-a-YouTube-video-and-masturbate time is it? 🙂

Just for you DD see you in five!

I'll be sticking with my policy of [i]never[/i] clicking on your YouTube links a_a (or any on the rugby thread to be honest), so wasted on me I'm afraid. 🙂

Yeah hou wouldnt want to spoil your w***bank memories of BOD!!!

I can do you some gifs though, save the clicking
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What was the Walsh thing AA?

Steve Walsh ref. Cheated to make England lose evenvwhen everyone knows england should win.

Now thats a shit piece of luck!

Incredible that he is even playing, let alone at the highest level. I guess we can be confident he'll bounce back in time 😀 The amount of duct tape holding JdV together must be staggering 😆

Never seen the BOD going at "our Gav" before. Naughty naughty maybe 2 kiwi's were exacting a bit of revenge 😉

I am sure there are some Gifs of Welsh players being just as bad, Garin Jenkins having a word with Scotland springs to mind.

I still think Gav pole axing Moreno is a work of genius.

Shame on Lancaster and england for picking Clarke. That scum bag has no right to be playing the game.

Never seen the BOD going at "our Gav" before.

I think that's actually legal. There's special dispensation in the regs for roughing up Gav. Having said that, a friend of mine got sent off for punching him once so that's not allowed.

anagallis_arvensis - Member
Steve Walsh ref. Cheated to make England lose evenvwhen everyone knows england should win.

I couldn't have out that better myself.

couldn't have out that better myself.

Wonder how Ben Morgan will go. Starting an international straight off such a nasty injury and long lay off is a big ask. Anyone know if its on the telebox?

Sky innit?

Samoa squad:

Props: Viliamu Afatia, Jake Grey, Logovii Mulipola, Anthony Perenise, Sakaria Taulafo

Hookers: Wayne Ole Avei, Manu Leiataua, Motu Matu'u

Locks: Faatiga Lemalu, Filo Paulo, Kane Thompson, Joe Tekori

Loose Forwards: Maurie Faasavalu, Alafoti Faosiliva, TJ Ioane, Jack Lam, Vavae Tuilagi, Ofisa Treviranus (Captain)

Halfbacks: Vavao Afemai, Kahn Fotualii

First five-eighths: Patrick Faapale, Tusiata Pisi, Mike Stanley

Midfielders: Rey Lee Lo, Johnny Leota, George Pisi, Paul Perez

Outside backs: Faatoina Autagavaia, Ken Pisi, Tim Nanai Williams, Alesana Tuilagi (Vice Captain)

Samoa squad announced 1st. 18 forwards - only 4 back 3 players.
On current form, could be them and the jocks going through in group B.

Interesting to see how other squads take shape to cover all positions

Wales coach Warren Gatland has dropped British and Irish Lions trio Mike Phillips, James Hook and Richard Hibbard from his 2015 World Cup training squad.

They are joined by less experienced players Nicky Smith, Rory Thornton, Dan Baker, Rhys Patchell and Jack Dixon in having their tournament hopes dashed.

Surprised at Hibberd, Not Hook or Phillips, they have had their time.

Hibbard was massively fatigued towards the end of the season. He's had so much rugby under his belt and has taken some big knocks over that time so he's probably due a rest. Plus his recent barnstorming performances kind of set a very high standard of expectation of him which is probably hard to sustain.

I didn't keep up with the Scarlets as I should have done recently- is Ken Owens looking like a decent bet for the WC squad?

Ken Owens was injured most of the season but was starting to look pretty good towards the end of the season. If fit and on form he's first choice. I'd rather Hibbard than Dacy though. Phillips is a tough one, he's not the player he was but if you wanted a 9 to come on and see a match out he's your man. I guess Cementhead wants someone to come on and save a game. Cant believe Patchel has been got rid of and Morgan is still there! They also seem to have a squad full of injured props!

I agree- I'd rather Owens and Hibbard on 90% form but Gatland and co seem to have a masterplan. A complacent Phillips isn't much use to anyone but he does alright when he gets a decent kick up the arse 🙂

Who is the Irish hooker who just kicks the Frenchman in that clip above. What was the sanction for that bit of headlessness?

That was Ireland & Munster hooker, Jerry Flannery Piggie. Can't remember when it happened...maybe 09/10 season or 10/11...he got a month or two or somewhere in between. Shocking challenge and he was probably lucky to have got away with what he did...I remember the frothing tumescent outrage (particularly here) well.

Anyone know who Tonks is and why is Jackson playing 15?

Thanks Darcy, I can see why it might of provoked some frothing 😆

AA Greg Tonks is the Edinburgh 10 who can play Full Back too. I think Jackson at FB is experimental - Duncan Weir is on the bench to cover 10 if needed.

So a ten at fullback and a fullback at 10? Is a scotsmen playing a Spainard too?

Jackson has just come back from a bad knee injury,very handy 10,and very rapid. Worth a look,and Tonks has a cap at 10.

XV de départ contre l'Angleterre : Spedding ; Guitoune, Lamerat, Dumoulin, Dulin ; (o) Trinh-Duc, (m) Parra ; Ouedraogo, Picamoles, Nyanga ; Flanquart, Maestri ; Mas, Szarzewski (cap), Debaty.

Les remplaçants: Guirado, Chiocci, Atonio, Vahaamahina, Goujon, Kockott, Tales, Fickou.

Not full strength IMHO, but a flipping potent team! It'll be interesting up front!

Yeah it looks strong but then France always look stronger on paper than the pitch these days!

Trinh duc has been their best FH for a while now but they don't seem to select him. Nowt wrong with that pack. Nyanga, Picamoles and Ouedraogo? Sheesh.

-anyone aware of a a viewing link to he Englang game?

NZ bounce back big

Try cricfree Kryton

sky Spurts St Johnny sweepstake, virtual pint to the winner

the 22nd min I reckon

I can't log in, so I'm reliant on the STw commentary.

Cricfree is your friend.

Great finish from Watson. Very much againstvrun of play though.

Great try

Twice. And this is the guy A A doesn't rate 😛

I'm far too pissed to work out the cricfree login process.

Damn it was sir clive at 22 mins

You dont need to login. Slade is a lucky boy

What cricfree log in process? you don't need an account to watch,even when pissed 🙂

Much asci hate Clark that was harsh

So many pop ups on croc free i can't work out what's going on.

You only usually need to kill two pop ups on cricfree by clicking on the x in the gray box and then you are into a fantastic world of free sport that looks like you are watching it through frosted glass,and that's before the alcohol.

Just spotted this re Criminal Clark on the Beeb text commentary;

Calum Clark has been binned for a dangerous tackle at a ruck, judo rolling an opposition player. That's not good, he's waited so long for his England debut...

And then, from a gobby 9 (Is there any other sort?);

Matt Dawson
Former England Scrum Half

"Calum Clark knows one of his problems is discipline. The coaching staff will have a meeting with him and say 'you can't afford to do that'. You cannot hold a player's neck like a reverse choke - it is very, very dangerous."

Clark showing his class again, I see. (Haven't seen the incident myself, I should say, but I have a very clouded opinion of the man because of this;
http://rugbylaw.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/calum-clark-citing-decision.html )

Good win for England. Clark was unlucky, Slade lucky. Notvsure about Burgess, will make a good cheer leader but not convinced he's a 12.

2 yellows cards would cost 10+ points add the missed tackles. I know it's not the final squad but.

Burgess is another prime example of a league convert being rushed into top level Union, this RWC is 2 years too early for him.

Trinh Duc, have always had a soft spot for him but he's never really cemented his position in the team, fabulously difficult to do that for the 10 jersey for les Blues - I mean even Castignede didn't manage it.

Question for the coaches / tacticians. Eng were getting battered after losing a flanker on the second yellow and were on the verge of conceding points big time. Why not temporarily switch up burgess to no.7 role to steady the ship, or is that not the done thing??

.

Well we found out some stuff, which was the entire point. I thought burgess had a good game, england know how to use him in the centre better than bath did (who wanted him to play like eastmond). Slade is every inch as good as billed; fantastic. Care is the best 9 we have, haskell should easily get the spot ahead of Clark. And I told you all about watson 3 odd years ago.
Undecided; LCD; errant throwing, May; in and out, Webber; seems a passenger, Kruis; not quite there yet.
Out; Goode; shit, 12trees; nonsense bloke,

I think you're right Jamba. He needs time to get used to the way RU 3/4 lines move (ie sideways). That said, England could really do with someone who can regularly straighten the angle and cross the gain line.

He's a superb player, but won't get enough pitch time to warrant his inclusion.

But England have bigger worries - almost all of them in the forwards.....

Clark's manoeuvre clearly warranted the yellow. That would be enough to drop him IMO - there's no need to risk that level of liability when the forwards need all the stability they can get.

just seen England game, looks like Lancaster is trying to choose between Goode and Cips as 3rd choice 10 and second choice 15.
Would be better to ditch them both and let Slade cover "3rd" 10 (and centre) and Watson cover 15.
don't know if Slade's ever covered 15, but could easilly believe he'd be at least as effective as Goode there too.

haskell should easily get the spot ahead of Clark.

Another case of ditch them both - wouldn't really want either in a starting 15 so don't take them. Just the usual 3 BR and Morgan as back up.
Billy V can cover 6, so can Lawes. Wood could move to 7 and do a better job than either and not get sent off.
Even Burgess could step in if needed - yellow card today but he looks the sort that might take something on board and learn from it unlike those other 2. Know which one I'd trust more in a WC play off match.

Chances are that it wouldn't be needed anyway: it's Robshaw they'd be covering, not warburton.

I thought burgess had a good game

He put in some good tackles.

England could really do with someone who can regularly straighten the angle and cross the gain line

Didnt do this. He ran a goid dummy line for Watsons second try but doesnt hit the line and carry hard. I reckon he could do morecof what he's good at from 6.

Billy V can cover 6, so can Lawes

They really couldnt

Oh and I thought Goode was probably tour best back

Clark shouldn't get another start. Haskell is a joy for oppositions he seems to be to obvious in what he does and hence penalties flow from him.
Burgess into back row, can still line up big hit. The French seemed to handle him well, he'll make ground unless he's tackled low.
Pack tried to show dominance at scrum time but creaked a bit.

Creaked a bit? They had their arses handed to them. Is Corbisero a busted flush?