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Whanau?
Huge blow to lose Cipriani he really is outstanding and he will be sorely missed. I dont know what the lure of Wasps is (we lost Taylor even though he was offered more money to stay) Millar, Myall and Gaskell dont seem to have done their England prospects any good moving from Sale but for Danny it is possibly also the chance to move South.
surfer - Member
Huge blow to lose Cipriani he really is outstanding and he will be sorely missed. I dont know what the lure of Wasps is (we lost Taylor even though he was offered more money to stay) Millar, Myall and Gaskell dont seem to have done their England prospects any good moving from Sale but for Danny it is possibly also the chance to move South.
Top flight euro rugby? The possibility of challenging for the AP?
Sale are a pretty good side, but those things aren't going to happen anytime soon. It'll be interesting to see how game time is split between him, Gopperth and Jackson.
I'd like to see Cips in the England squad again because he's in great form and does seem to have matured as a player. He's worked hard on his game and does seem to have developed and shown commitment to the national team by staying put and not chasing a big pay check. Which is more admirable given how badly (imo) he was treated by Lancaster. From the outside it seemed like he asnt trusted / liked but given additional caps from th bench to keep him in the AP just in case.
I dont know what the lure of Wasps is
Creative accounting around the salary cap.
Isn't Pocock heading to Wasps too?
Can see them putting a decent challenge for silverware together with the squad they're building.
May be an alien concept for an Ospreys? Fan. 😉
May be an alien concept for an Ospreys? Fan.
Silverware? Building a squad?
I dont recognise the words, never mind the concepts.
EJ doesn't seem to be a fan...
Jones was much cooler on the international prospects of Sale's Danny Cipriani, whom he described as "a long way away" from an England recall.The 28-year-old fly-half, who last week announced he will rejoin Wasps next season, made his England debut in 2008 but has only amassed 14 caps.
"Danny needs to play well. There's no use talking to the press about it. You've got to dominate club rugby and show all the skills of a Test player," Jones said.
"He's not good enough to be in the squad at the moment. We have two outstanding 10s in Owen Farrell and George Ford.
"To beat those two, Danny has a long way to go, but he's a capable player. It's a matter of how hard he wants to work at his game."
He is playing Ford into a cocked hat every week...Hell, I decided to get a packet of wine gums when in for milk yesterday,that is more assertive and decisive than Ford has been all season.
Wow, that's pretty scathing. Cips has shown far more form this year in a side that don't really dominate the opposition so he's not getting an armchair rid from his pack. He surely will go on the summer your because Ford and Farrell will be shagged after a very, very long season.
Ford was very good this time last year, but he's having a massive wobble after a very fine break through year.
Cips 2nd best 10 in the Prem IMO. Ford a distant 3rd although I would be happier with him than his brother who is struggling for us.
I reckon that due to a series of previous events, Danny's card is marked WRT England. Of the stories I have heard, he really did behave like a complete dickhead. Long time ago, but the old farts hold onto that shit.
Cipriani back to Wasps from next year,why isn't he in the England squad THIS year
Because of the reasons Jones gave in Telegrapgh, he's not good enough, he's not at the right level.
So Cips thank you to Sale is to comment, "once a Wasp always a Wasp". Very classy eh, how to thank the club the saved your @rse after you where a bust in Australia ?
Jones has the England team right, Ford starting at 10 and a spot for Farrell given injuries elsewhere. When all are fit Farrell will be the backup 10.
@wrecker he crashed his car and was arrested on suspicion of drink drivng at 3am in the run up to the world cup. The irony is he crashed into an Uber taxi, he should have been in a taxi not behind the wheel. He does not have the right mental qualities to be a sports person at the highest levels.
Thats an interesting viewpoint,mostly just shared by you and Eddie,especially with regards to how they are both playing just now.
Jones has the England team right, Ford starting at 10 and a spot for Farrell given injuries elsewhere. When all are fit Farrell will be the backup 10.
What?
On current form, if there were a fit 12, Ford will be lucky to be on the bench.
He does not have the right mental qualities to be a sports person at the highest levels.
You don't actually have a clue what his mental qualities are or aren't. It's clear you're not his biggest fan, but don't stretch that to the level of insight you claim to but cannot have. Plenty of footballers have behaved worse and yet "perform" at even higher levels of scrutiny on the international stage - there's no correlation between a bit of bad behaviour off the pitch and how a sportsperson might or might not perform on it.
More likely (IMO) what wrecker says is true. He's blotted his copybook too many times and the old farts have longer memories than an Irish elephant that was dropped for the deciding Elephant Polo test between the British Isles and India. I doubt he'd get a start no matter what he did now.
On another note, I notice that the final day fixtures are the exact reverse of last year's - is that by design or just a fluke of the fixtures computer?
I think the "past" plus his age are really working against him. Mainly age though if EJ is coming in wondering how to build a WC winning squad. He seems to be in form but I guess they feel he isn't worth the effort for the shorter term
I dont recognise the words, never mind the concepts.
Hey the O's were the original galacticos 😆 how quickly we forget those heady days 😉
EJ is coming in wondering how to build a WC winning squad.
Move to NZ - that one was easy. Next.
Move to NZ - that one was easy. Next.
We need a LIKE button!!!
You don't actually have a clue what his mental qualities are or aren't. It's clear you're not his biggest fan, but don't stretch that to the level of insight you claim to but cannot have.
Its very similar to the Henson comments. He may be a complete dickhead but we dont know. Both also had bad injuries at key times which must have been tough.
Its very similar to the Henson comments.
I think they have both matured. Yes, Cipriani got done drink driving, which is monumentally stupid, but by and large he's kept his head down. Henson has been the model professional since arriving at Bristol, the fans love him despite some initial doubts.
10 is an issue for england. Ford is a fantastic natural talent but he can fall apart when things aren't going his way. I'm far from convinced that he can/will be world class. Farrell has the skills but not the vision, he's very much a coached player, but he is effective.
Cipriani has a bit of both, and maybe even a little bit more. Time isn't on his side, and I think it'll need to be an exceptional circumstance for the RFU to allow him back in.
The outside bet for the 10 shirt is Slade. IMHO, he has the potential to be better than the lot, and in fairly short order too.
Yes, Cipriani got done drink driving
So did HRH and Cips wasnt invloved in dwarf tossing or jumping off Ferries.
Farrel is more than good enough at 10 with the right players around him.
Pigface - Member
I dont recognise the words, never mind the concepts.
Hey the O's were the original galacticos how quickly we forget those heady days
Indeed they were, and they've won the Pro 12 more than any other team, along with Leinster. Problem is that they have done nothing more and even with the galacticos they weren't very nice to watch. I've got the dvd of them beating Australia somewhere and it really summed up the type of rugby they played back then. Not nice viewing.
Plenty of footballers have behaved worse and yet "perform" at even higher levels of scrutiny on the international stage - there's no correlation between a bit of bad behaviour off the pitch and how a sportsperson might or might not perform on it.
I've always thought that linking behaviour on and off field is a bit weird. I wonder how many talented young sports people stop and think "Ah, can't do this - I'm a 'role model' now." I've got more of a problem with the idea that parents might suggest to their kids that a stranger could be a role model just because they can kick a ball or pedal a bike..
Very true IJ, to be honest I didn't care how they beat Australia, win ugly but it is a win, wish Wales could beat Australia 😆
I do love the fact that everybody hates Henson until he turns up at their club and proves he is a class player. Then they all love him. Bath is the classic example. Will always be a tragedy that he never fulfilled his true potential.
Other nations' concern about our #10 is both heart-warming and generous. 😉
In the non-sporting world, CEOs often make reference to ROME (return on management effort). Is the return worth the aggravation/effort that goes with it?
Having said that, interesting that EJ is more tolerant (seemingly) towards Ashton and Hartley. Still as we have seen so far, its horses for courses
EJ seems to think Manu will play against Wales despite no rugby for goodness know how long so he doesn't seem adverse to taking on a knobber so long as it's the right knobber
EJ seems to think Manu will play against Wales despite no rugby for goodness know how long so he doesn't seem adverse to taking on a knobber
Manu has a few games under his belt now doesn't he? Playing well too from what I saw.
Saints' Henry Mallinder (yes, Jims son) looks one to watch.
Maybe Cips needs family in Elite coaching 🙂
Problem with the Ospreys Galacticos was that they were still coached by Lyn Jones, Humpreys and that Aussie surfer ****.
I like Lyn Jones, barking buts gets results.
Not very good ones! He is good value but compated to the players he had then he was the weak link.
Because of the reasons Jones gave in Telegrapgh, he's not good enough, he's not at the right level.
So Cips thank you to Sale is to comment, "once a Wasp always a Wasp". Very classy eh, how to thank the club the saved your @rse after you where a bust in Australia ?Jones has the England team right, Ford starting at 10 and a spot for Farrell given injuries elsewhere. When all are fit Farrell will be the backup 10.
As others have said you are not objective on this and neither am I but my lack of objectivity is at least reinforced by watching him every week. Other than Farrel who has a better kicking game IMO there is not a 10 I have seen since Wilkinson that has the same vision and ability to change a game like Cipriano in spite of being behind a less than stellar forward pack.
When all are fit Farrell will be the backup 10.
I do hope not, Farrell should be starting
Lyn Jones doesn't get results. He talks a lot but ultimately he's never as good as he says he is. Look at the Dregs at the moment - always just promising to be good but never quite. Always the same no matter what the team.
Farrell should be starting
Well he shouldn't be starting at 12 - that's for sure.
He's not even a great defender - his opposite number ran over him with ease on Saturday. No pace either and I just get this feeling that, given the opportunity, on the biggest stage at the crucial moment - he'll revert to type and pick the wrong option.
Any time he scores for England I feel the same as when Suarez scored for Liverpool. I was pleased about the goal but depressed that it was scored by such a disagreeable little sh*t.
Any time he scores for England I feel the same as when Suarez scored for Liverpool. I was pleased about the goal but depressed that it was scored by such a disagreeable little sh*
Also, I know it's for charidee and all, but that silly hand signal thing he does after scoring just reeks of awfulness.
Well he shouldn't be starting at 12 - that's for sure.
No. As per the context, he should be starting at 10.
his opposite number ran over him with ease on Saturday
That was Gomez who then went off injured. It was JJ who got ran over (twice) by the exeter centre. I don't think ford got bumped, or did much at all really.
I think he is a knob but hearing Matt Dawson choke up when talking about his lads meningitis is a bit sobering, average scrum half great dad.
No he was a very good scrum half Howley was better though!
Nah he had an easy ride behind that pack, no better than average, as you say Howley was streets ahead. We can agree to disagree 😆
There's certainly some hipocrisy from EJ.
On Ford - apparantly a very talented player whom with guidance and experience can be the best 10 in the world, retains his England spot
On Cips: - a very talented player who has all the abilitys to be 10 for England but needs to prove it on the pitch
Yet despite being unfinished Ford gets in in Cips doesn't?
Well, if I had to bet my mortgage on one of them putting in an 8/10 overall performance in an international match vs Ireland, Wales or France it'd be Cips at the moment, Ford really looks at sea. Plus, he's exactly the player he seems to wanted to forge from Ford/Farrell. So what's going on - old farts politics again? Or is EJ so wise there's something that we are missing?
You lot bickering about who to play at outside half are worse than a gang of welshmen. Its 7 and 12 that are the issues.
I'd say 10, 7 and 12.
As a passing comment, im pretty sure Robshaws on his way out/limited to a defensive role. Haskell looks to be outperforming him, and Itoje put a stunning 20 minutes in almost deserved of a 7. He certainly is the invisible man at the moment.
No he was a very good scrum half Howley was better though!
I would agree with that. You have to give credit to Dawson for his humility, after being interviewed about "that Lions try" he said no one in the Boks thought he was good enough to throw a dummy so they bought it 🙂 Dawson is a great benchmark to compare to Cripriani, Cips is easily more talented but Dawson has the Lions caps, the RWC winners medal and a long distinguished England career. Dawson made the most of his talent and Cipriani has wasted his. Surfer, I really don't care at all what Cirpriani may do in one or more club matches - he had his chance and he blew it and you can't change his poor judgement and lack of application / professionalism. He is quite simply not an elite level athlete. All said and done he's 28 now and its too late for him. I'm personally looking forward to watching Dan Carter week in week out for 15€ a pop
Leicester team tonight, Manu is back from his hamstring strain and starting, Jean DeVilleris (sp?) is on the bench.
Love it!
28 now and its too late for him
Carter starred / started at 30, just sayin'
Its 7 and 12 that are the issues.
The 10 issue is related to the 12 issue!
Ben Te'o for 12 (inside Manu eventually).
Wuss next year, but already England qualified through parent.
Eddie Jones gets his own ex-Rabbitoh to find space for.
Just don't play him at 6.
😉
Teo is just a thug with a big ****ing cast on his arm to lead into contact with. If his arm was injured he wouldnt lead into contact with it so much.
Can you get a stronger endorsement than the Welshy fans being scared of him?
😉
More foreigners in the england team then 😆
Coming over here taking our places in the XV bloody foreigners
Teo isnt that good either tbh. Roberts would murder him.
Coming over here taking our places in the XV bloody foreigners
There isn't many now! Only Manu and the Vunipolas I think.
That arm protection must be doing a good job
There isn't many now! Only Manu and the Vunipolas I think.
What about the captain?
What about the captain?
he's exactly as english as George North is welsh.
What fluent welsh wibbler who has lived in wales all his life or a bloke who sounds like he's from Rotorua?
The welsh wibbler born in kings lynn to an english father? Or the statuesque 😉 english hooker born in Rotorua to an english mother?
Dylan has english blood, he's no foreigner.
Sounds foreign to me
Well they both kind of are foreign to you 😉
Whereas this bloke is clearly welsh
wrecker - MemberThe welsh wibbler born in kings lynn to an english father?
I heard she was kidnapped and carried over the border by a dastardly Englishman.
Whereas this bloke is clearly welsh
he's obviously a confused Bristolian!
Hartley is properly English.
His folks moved to NZ and he was born there but grew up only wanting to play for England. Despite going well in the NZ system he jumped ship over to the UK as soon as possible with a single-minded intention of getting into the England side.
Cips has already proved he can do it at international level and he performs wonders for a less fashionable club and don't forget how good he's been off the bench in his recent, limited, opportunities in a white shirt.
However, Eddie Jones, alledgedly referring to Cipriani, said something along the lines of:
"If somebody tells you that some bloke's an idiot and someone else tells you he's an idiot too and then some other people tell you he's an idiot too, then you get to thinking - that bloke's probably an idiot."
Hartley is properly English.
Sounds about as English as Chris Froome.
Sounds about as English as Chris Froome.
I'd say he sounds a bit less English with that Kiwi accent of his.....
What is less english, kiwi or african?
Carter starred / started at 30, just sayin'
Yes Kryton but he'd been the established truely world class 10 for a years before that. Cirpirani is trying to start / re-start his international career.
Sam Davies was very good tonight for the Ospreys
2nd half was good, that's for sure! Let's not discuss the first half....!
Cracknell and Underhill impressed again.
Manu did OK tonight. Even looks like he's learnt to pass in his year off.
Joking aside, he looked in good shape too unlike his brothers who used to pile on weight away from the pitch. Wonder if EJ will bring him back as quickly as mooted?
He did aparantly put on 2 stone on a holiday to Samoa! Anyway, yes, looked good and my man crush was well satisfied!
Looked good at 12, always good ground, and if he's leant to pass out of the scrum of markers around him, he's going to be lethal.
Ireland missing SoB, McCarthy and Dave Kearney for GD trip to twickenham is a big blow.
Cracknell and Underhill impressed again.
Cracknell looks very good, Lydiate wasnt great.
Is this the same Manu who coughed up the ball 'making ground' leading to the winning try?
Commentators mentioned it last night, but when did this thing of backs running the width of the pitch to congratulate forwards for winning a scrum start?
Commentators mentioned it last night, but when did this thing of backs running the width of the pitch to congratulate forwards for winning a scrum start?
Yes, agreed. I'm far more impressed with teams that get on with their jobs efficiently, without histrionics. We've scored? Great, let's score more. We've won a scrum penalty? Carry on with the job. No need to run around celebrating everything. (High fives all round because we managed to pass the ball 6 times without dropping it...)
Wasn't it Scotland v Wales where a Scot scored with a minute or so to go and threw the ball towards the crowd in his joy. Perhaps if he hadn't wasted that time they might have had enough time and focus to actually win the game?
Agreed, Manu did well. Third time I've seen that full back Chisholm play, he looks good. For all the fuss, O'Connor didn't look great.