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Mako V
Hartley
Brooke's
Atwood
Launchbury
Robshaw
Mccaffrey
Billy V
Care
Ford
Burrell
Daley(Slade b4 leg break)
Ashton
May
Watson
M Vunipola
J George
K Brookes
Attwood
Launchbury
Itoje
O'Connor
Beaumont
Simpson
Ford
May
Nowell (I know I know but I reckon he could do a job there, and the alternatives aren't exactly demanding selection)
Joseph/Daly
Watson
Brown
12 scares the living daylights out of me tbh. Burrell is in awful form, 12Ts isn't even playing 12 for his club that much any more and in the games I watch in the AP no one else is really putting their hand up, apart from maybe that chap at Irish (Williams is it?). Hence my selection of Nowell, everyone moans about him not having the pace for wing but he's tough, a strong runner who always seems to beat the first man, defensively sound and seems to make the right decisions all the time. Really impressive at 13 for the Chiefs and see no reason why he couldn't make that move inside.
Tbh at the moment the way Farrell is playing I wouldn't even be too bothered if Jones played him at 12.
Williams looked good today. I like ekul's selection but whoever plays 8 is just keeping the shirt warm for Hughes once he qualifies and I wouldn't let George Ford anywhere near an england shirt at present. Without a dominant pack, he's rubbish.
Yeah Hughes looks unbelievable, but as this was a 6Ns dream team I couldn't include him! Haven't got Billy V in as I think the back row will need to be more mobile than it has been and Beaumont is a good compromise until Hughes qualifies.
I echo Wreckers concerns about Ford but I think I lot of his issues shouldn't be there in an England shirt. He SHOULD be behind a fairly dominant pack and he should have options to get front foot ball. I think baths biggest issue at the moment is not having anyone to take the ball up in midfield and get quick, go forward ball to suck in defenders and create a quick platform. Baths midfield are awesome at broken field play but when there's no options they don't have anyone to truck it up and go again. For England Ford should have that. It doesn't even need to be the 12, a quick mobile back row could answer that.
So Bath need a big boshing inside centre?? Didn't they have one of those, but played him at flanker.
Not so much a centre, just a big carrying option. They had a couple but it completely backfired on them and they both left (Fearns and Burgess). Floew is an awesome player but not a big carrier and Houston isn't quite the same this year.
Marler/Mullan
Hartley/George
Thomas?
Slater/Lawes
Launchbury/Attwood
O Connor/Clifford
Vunipola/Beaumont
Robshaw/Itoge
Care/Simpson
Farrell/Cipriani
Nowell/Rokoduguni
Burrell/Williams
JJ/Daly (can we play both?)
Watson/Ashton
Brown/?
Similarities in the tighthead prop position as the inside centre berth; england have a large number of very good looseheads (Waller, Auterac, Mullan, Marler) but, seemingly nobody to challenge wilson or cole for the tight (and neither are good enough).
Shame that Brookes and Slade are injured; they'd both be in otherwise.
Bearing in mind the lofty ambitions they have (you were going to pump Wales and Oz and avoiding the cheating All Blacks meant anything could happen,remember?)it is heartening to see that the Engerland supporters are still in denial and a lot of them seem to think they have two international class players for every position. I am trying to think of one successful player in white..sorry; to "wear the red rose" from the campaign. Oh wait,got it; Launchbury won MotM 😛
On a serious note,Burrell is justifying the logic of dropping him and Lawes,Cipriani and Marler the hinge aren't good enough,either because of form just now or ever. Picking players because they didn't play in the WC doesn't mean they are any good.
Says the Scot 😆
Tell you what; we will lend you a 7 and a centre,we have a few spare.
Pity about the other 13 though.
Tell you what; we will lend you a 7 and a centre,we have a few spare.
I think we'll be alright, but thanks. This conversation is probably better had after the 6 nations no?
This conversation is probably better had after the 6 nations no?
Could be better now.... the Scots have the potential for some big upsets (how many times do we hear that?!).... but in truth will do very well to match their WC performances. Who knows, should be an interesting 6N
match their WC performances
Beating Japan, the USA and Samoa (just). Heady heights indeed.
Beating Japan, the USA and Samoa (just). Heady heights indeed.
If you extrapolate that logic to any of the home nations then they all hit pretty much the same heady heights. Scotland come out looking marginally better than England at that rate if anything! 😀
This has all been done before but performance-wise they looked to really be getting their act together finally. More potential than ever recently but also probably more potential to let down the fans 😕 😀 They scored more points than any other home nation if I'm not mistaken too??? Interceptions count too! 😀
I'm amazed how poor a reputation Tom Youngs seems to have with any non Tigers supporter. His line out stats are as good as any, and better than most, seems to go brilliantly in the scrum with Leicester ( with Cole who's also getting stic) despite being England's only decent scrummager and thier best 7 at the World Cup) and is in a class of his own in open play.
I also think that mostly the same players should / will perform so much better in the six nations it'll shock a few (Scots included)
That should get a bite.... 🙂
I agree. I think there was a lot of shit flying about behind the scenes and basically the players were mentally in disarray. It seems the investigation has been forgotten about.
Hartley is your best hooker.
Not a chance. Line outs no better, he pops up in the scrums and he's not as mobile around the park, making fewer tackles, getting to fewer rucks and making less runs.
He is a dick though if that helps?
Great you make sure Youngs is picked.
Wales then?
Gethin
Owens
Lee
Jones
Davies/Charteris
Lydiate
Faletau
Warburton
Davies
North
Biggar
Roberts
Davies
Cuthbert or Loopy Liam if fit.
1/2p
Evans
Baldwin
Jones
Charters/Davies
L Williams
Patchel
S Williams
Anscombe
Apparently 1/2p will moss all six nations and Loopy Liam and Anscombe struggling as is Amos so full back looks a real problem for Wales. Patchel has been playing 15 a fair bit so maybe him or Dan Evans.
No messing around England-just stick kvesic at 7. 😉
Hartley and George are both better than Youngs. Cole has struggled in the scrums (for eng at least) ever since the law change. I've put Slater in if that helps?
He is a dick though if that helps?
Defining feature of a good hooker.
Kryton57 - Member
Pity about the other 13 though.
Yup,but give Jones time,Rome wasn't built in a day.
This is the prennial problem for england. They need some short term pain to build good young experienced players. Look at players like Robshaw and Brown, been around a few years but not got half the experience of 1/2p or Warburton who are a couple of years younger whereas the england pair are more like 29. Its the same throughout the teams.
Mark Cueto gets an mbe for services to whinning over disallowed tries and eye gouging.
Well here we are 4 weekends before the 6N, and England don't have a team yet. Some players are out of contention with injuries, and some so called certs have been benched at club level in favour of better players (Hartley for one), some other players seem to be weaving to Eddie Jones style (Cipriani/Itoje/Kruis/Daly/Kvesic) attacking play.
This is going to get interesting with Sarries unbeaten, Leicester going backwards and Exeter/Wasps/Quins/N'hamton all playing decent attacking rugby.
About time he made some decisions...
N'hamton all playing decent attacking rugby.
Really I must have missed that.
Yes sorry that was an error on my part.
A lot of pundits seem to be advocating a great number of Saracens players based on their totally dominant start to the season. THis is folly. Just because they're the best club side doesn't mean those players will do the same for England.
I think Ron Greenwood tried the same with Liverpool players when they were masters of Europe - it didn't work.
Eddie Jones can't possibly have time to know his best team by 6th February. It'll have to be a work in progress this season.
Kryton57 - Member
Leicester going backwards
Apart from playing the best rugby they've played for years and only having lost two games all season?
Granted we got humped at the weekend but then having rested a good chunk of the team it was kind of expected.
The EPS announcement isn't scheduled until the 13th, leaving 2 weeks for squad to train together and learn their new coaches / style. I wouldn't hope for much this 6N apart from some experimentation. England 3rd I in this tournament at best, probably 4th.
Chips tipped as the 3rd FH, which I think is something Jones would go for.
Yes a work in progress and is building for next WC there will be some losses some disasters etc, it is whether the paymasters will accept some defeats, whether the press will allow him the time to develop a team and most importantly whether england rugby fans can see the bigger picture or just turn on the team.
Anyone see Dr Jaws tweet about Brown 😆
No, enlighten us?
Jamie Roberts @Jamiehuwroberts
Dear the Welsh.This guy wants you to know he's actually an alright bloke.he's keen to improve Anglo-Welsh relations
To which Joe Marler and Mike Brown responded with the below
Joe Marler ?@JoeMarler 7h7 hours ago
.@Jamiehuwroberts nah mate, the Welsh have it right, he's a sh*thouse bloke.
mikebrown_15 7h7 hours ago
@JoeMarler @Jamiehuwroberts the Welsh only like you because you helped them win a championship in 2013 #LickedOut @adamjones3 says thanks!
Eddie Jones can't possibly have time to know his best team by 6th February. It'll have to be a work in progress this season.
I wouldn't worry. They've scraped by without the head coach picking the team for a while now by all accounts 😀
Agreed - the other thing to note is that there are only allowed something like 10 changes in the EPS - so wholesale changes simply aren't on the cards. Do expect the injured - May, Manu, Slade etc to be picked though as there's injury dispensation so you effectively get to try someone else out for free.
I genuinely think it'll be mostly the same squad, one or two notable absentees, and no real surprises. Then somehow they'll start playing better than they were and will be touted as world beaters - util they loose to Wales and Ireland in which case we'll be 'learning lessons' that somehow will let us sneak past a crap French side whereupon we'll praise Eddy Jones for being a tactical genius!
.... somehow they'll start playing better than they were and will be touted as world beaters - util they loose to Wales and Ireland in which case we'll be 'learning lessons' that somehow will let us sneak past a crap French side whereupon we'll praise Eddy Jones for being a tactical genius!
That somehow appears to be an entirely likely scenario. 😆
Lol, good luck with that chaps:
I dunno, Kryton. I think it's good that coaches from the second tier nations are progressing in the game.
I dunno, Kryton. I think it's good that coaches from the second tier nations are progressing in the game.
? Is gatland going to be eddies assistant or something?
I see why you say progress, but you have to remember he'll only be a coach under Joe rather than Number One
Always thought he was a number two.
Can't see that lasting long. Not many backs fitting the Farrell ideal in Ireland that I can think of
Has Owen got an Irish granny then?
Eoin O'Farrelly.
DanW - Member
Can't see that lasting long. Not many backs fitting the Farrell ideal in Ireland that I can think of
Given the Farrell / Burgess saga, I think Sean O'Brian fits the bill quite nicely as an inside centre.
The best and worst of Sexton tonight.
Glorious kicking cross field and for position.
Shameful play acting, feigning injury to get a penalty.
Oh, and this young 7 at the 'Spreys, Sam Underhill, he's one to watch. Class.
What a belter of an East Midlands Derby.
Really wanted saints to steal it.
Barnes had an unusually good game too 😉
Good luck with that appointment Ireland 😯
Bit gutted I can't be at Stade F v Munster tonight (£10 a ticket) as we have a friends 50th and sadly the game is a late kick off, was hoping to go to match then quick change for the party 8)
Oh, and this young 7 at the 'Spreys, Sam Underhill, he's one to watch. Class.
I think I've mentioned him here before. English thoughbthe poor kid. Looks very promising though and only 19, to look goid in that shitehouse pack the Sprays put out takes some doing.
How is North going, he's been pretty poor for a while now.
Just got back from Exeter v Gloucester, pretty average game due to weather 😯 rain rain rain
Two points, the rolling maul is rubbish, how do you legally stop it? and if I go to a game and the ref wastes 10 minutes resetting scrubs I shall walk onto the field and hoof him in the slats. If they can't stay on their feet then card someone and get some players on the field who can.
From ****er
Fantastic comment from Wayne Barnes:
Ben Youngs "can I go quick sir?"
Barnes "no Ben your brother's having a fight"
North cut some cracking angles. Although he didn't have to do much other than chase his nose for his try.
I've found myself wondering if North is out of form, or if Saints aren't playing in a way that allows him to shine. Last game I saw of theirs, it was 50/50!
Well sort of glad I missed it, 14 men (for half the game) Stade hold Munster pointless till near the end. 27-7 weather dire tonight too, Irish conditions and all that.
Concussion for Kruis, he was nailed on for the 6N. Could be an opportunity for Beaumont.
nagallis_arvensis - Member
Oh, and this young 7 at the 'Spreys, Sam Underhill, he's one to watch. Class.
I think I've mentioned him here before. English thoughbthe poor kid. Looks very promising though and only 19, to look goid in that shitehouse pack the Sprays put out takes some doing
Very good, isn't he? I wonder whether England can use him properly, though. He's a proper 7 in the Welsh style and that doesn't fit well with how England have played in years. Wonder what Eddie will think of him.
Another Ospreys player worth watching was Owen Watkins, no 12. 19 years old and he showed Ben Teo some tricks.
Interesting red card for Stade's winger. Trying to gouge in full view of everyone in the stadium. I'd give him a huge ban for that.
And finally, I'm watching Ulster being minced by Oyonnax on the TV. They look terrible.
Just watching the prem highlights.....Andy Goode.....blimey, has he done anything other than eat during his time away!!!
Hair transplant.
Ha, Andy Food, made me chuckle!!!
he was in perfectly good condition when we let him go from wuss 😀
Just a little podgy and balding...
nteresting red card for Stade's winger. Trying to gouge in full view of everyone in the stadium. I'd give him a huge ban for that.
Haven't seen it but crowd did not like the sending off at all, Owens got a lot of stick and report I read suggested if that was a red card then so would most hand offs.
You can look at the YouTube replay. There's no reason for his hand to be moving around his face like that.
And I fancy Owens, so he can do no wrong 😳
If that's a hand off, my cock's a kipper.
Awful.
CFH thanks, didn't look that much in it to me but appreciate he's given Owens a chance to red card him.
😀
Plenty to discuss:
Farrel to help munster
Corbisero doing a Henson (can he dance)
Cipperiani set to miss out
Gatland fav for next Lions coach
[b]Forwards[/b]
Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
Jack Clifford (Harlequins)
Jamie George (Saracens)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
James Haskell (Wasps)
Paul Hill (Northampton Saints)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby) *injury replacement for Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Matt Mullan (Wasps)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Henry Thomas (Bath Rugby) *injury replacement for Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
[b]Backs[/b]
Chris Ashton (Saracens)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Elliot Daly (Wasps)
Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby) *injury replacement for Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs) *injury replacement for Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Marland Yarde (Harlequins)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Pretty happy with that overall. Shame we don't get to see Slade or Ewers but there are some positive selections there.
Notable omissions; Tom Youngs, Joe Simpson, Luther Burrell.
Devoto is a very odd call. Talented young player but not good enough to break into the bath team proper.
Happy to see Sam Hill in there and some of the young forwards.
Nice to see a bit of boldness!
Certainly the most interesting selection England have seen for a long time. Should be interesting to see how they go
Sam Hill is the best specialist inside centre in the squad and on form, Daly is the pick of the outsides.
I'll have head in hands if he selects Farrell at 12!!!!
I thought Tuilagi played this w/e.
I told you Tom Youngs was shit!
Tom Youngs is shit. And so is Dan Cole! I don't know how a player goes from brilliant to rubbish in such a short space of time.
Ashton I am no fan of. At least he's left Cipriani out. I suspect the starting team might look quite familiar. Semi "open" training session end of Jan at Twickenham
Scotland away is definitely a tricky match if Scots can muster their RWC form. I'd rather see us build a style than try and win games this 6N or next
Scotland away is definitely a tricky match
Swap you for Ireland away!
Only one Gloucester player, having seen Gloucester quite a few times I am surprised that Sharples hasn't got more chances for england, he has always been solid when I have seen him, knows where the line is.