[Closed] Winters coming;all inclusive rugby thread.

Farrell is a machine. Best nr 10 in the world in the making ( if not already ) . Youngs played a good game too.

Great result for England, not to be underestimated. However, the scrum had its iffy moments today, to say the least.

Keith wood getting a kicking on the red button over that stamp.
I feel sorry for him, I do like Keith Wood though

Solid performance by England. Good contribution by all.

Don't get carried away Sputnik....Carter has the best 10 in the world monopoly.

Robshaw put his hand up for the Lions, as did Farrell, as did Ben Young's. If Tom Youngs can sort his lineout throwing then he will shut me up in calling for the kiwi thug to start.

Heaslips Lions captaincy credentials took a real hammering!

arrell is a machine. Best nr 10 in the world in the making ( if not already )

yeah!!!

BOD as Lions captain if he stays fit. Best is the best hooker. Ashton will be the water carrier!

Zebo is out for a while according to the bbc. Metatarsal injury

Tom , I may be gettting a little bit ahead of myself but it is only a matter of time. Farrell nearly 10 years younger than Carter. Love the fact that he is not scared commit to tackles and getting into the thick of things. A real asset to the England side .

Real shame about Zebo and Sexton. Interesting that KW said that Irelands big hitters didn't really turn up. Lions favourites especially. Heaslip and Kearney were not up to usual standards and I thought Goode was very composed all day.

So #15 pecking order: 1/2p, Goode or Hodge, then Kearney? Hartley maturing at last? Must be better start than Youngs at 2 for England. Is this first time for a while that Care hasn't come on?

Ashton was very good today a_a. Better than Cuth Burt can dream of being 🙂

BO'D really never ceases to amaze me. Ok, he didn't have a great game today, but the footage they showed before the match - he was playing matches against Dallaglio and Dawson! That was a different ERA!
What a legend. Be a shame if this is his last 6Nations.

I think its a bit premature to be calling Farrell the next greatest No.10
Ok he is properly showing the signs but look at Cips. Fair enough Andy Farrell will bash heads if Owen gets like that but still.
Got a way to go to be where england were on the way to 2003, but showing good signs.

For a young side thought they played very maturely and the Robshaw / SL method is working well at moment.
i'm not a big Ashton fan but thought he 'fived' Zebo when he went off early as a mark of respect. Fair play to him, went up in my estimation for that.
Healy though deserves a long ban for a very deliberate piece of dangerous play.
Whilst I think that England have appeared at times to be arrogant (maybe even once or twice deserved it!) think this side have stamped out that behaviour and look a very tight unit.

I agree Bear! What a nice Bear you are 🙂

Not sure I like being nice.... Grrrrrrrrrr!

England beating Ireland for the first time in ten years at Lansdowne Rd makes todays victory even more significant .

This feels all wrong to write, but Hartley played well when he came on, Robshaw is looking like a very decent 7 and Farrell is getting better with each England game, his field play is getting good, his kicking has always been good but the thing that really impresses me is his total commitment. Whether a tackle, a charge down or clearing out a ruck. The lads got some serious aggression which so far seems wonderfully controlled. Damn it, I'm a fan if the Saracens boring man!

I still want to see 36 and Tuilagi play in the centres. Not giving away much defence and worked very, very well at Tigers last year. Now both are better players...

Hmm Barritt was excellent today though whereas 36 was average.

What tiny bits said

Wasn't a game for 36 though. Right up Barrit street though. He does do a lot of work in defence. Doesn't offer much with the ball though but sometimes that's what you need.

I'm starting to like him....he is always in the thick of it in defence.

Lions 15 in order
Halfpenny
Carney
Hogg............maybe second choice
Goode

Backrow is where the intrest is
Robshaw
Beattie
Woods

england played well, scotland to beat ireland?

I'd go 1/2p then Hogg...purely on the basis that there's gotta be a Scot in there. SOB and Robshaw fighting it out for the 7 jersey. Farrell v Sexton is looking tougher to call than a few weeks ago....Young's at 9? I don't see Tom Woods even going myself...

Oh and Lydiate is due back next weekend-he'll be right in contention if he's kept half the form that he had last year.

As a kid bought up on fast rucking All Blacks and Scottish play, I am loving England's new-found ability to produce fast(er) ball and to clear out effectively. Relief to wave good bye to the stick it up the jumper and maul-it approach that lost England so many admirers in the past. Guscott made the point pre-match that Youngs was looking good because of the great work done by the forwards in presenting the ball - silver service from the England forwards.

Right lions after 2 weekends.....

1. Corbisiero if fit
2. Best
3. Cole
4. Ryan
5. Lawes
6. R. Jones
7. Robshaw
8. Beattie
9. Young's
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Tuilagi
13. BOD cpt
14. North
15. 1/2p

England forwards gave ireland very little today

I was impressed by england fullback, very capable and good at clearing the lines.

Farrell did well with spot kicks, O'Gara was disappointing

I think wood will be there in june, not flashy but a real richard hill alike. I can still see that dirty c--t gray elbowing hill in the second lions test which changed the game and the series in australias favour. Was it then they put yellow covers on the empty seats cus the lions supporters out numbered the ausie lovies.

Toemul can you edit that language please before this thread gets locked - we are very much enjoying it.

Thanks.

Edit. Thankyou, appreciated.

i'm not a big Ashton fan but thought he 'fived' Zebo when he went off early as a mark of respect. Fair play to him, went up in my estimation for that.

Agreed in full.

It was, however, the only thing he did all game, wasn't it? 😉

Nope, excellent turnover towards then end of the game....some excellent work in defence throughout the game.

I was impressed by england fullback

In defense, yes. Foden is better in attack.

I think the comment about 36 are unfounded - not much for him to do today and when he did they closed him down fast - they've watched the tapes and know he is the more attacking threat. I think him and Tualagi would be great, but if I was SL it'd be hard to turn down Barrits defensive capability.

It's been a little difficult to judge any of the centres this weekend. Its all been high balls and rucking. Trying to turn or run lines on the pitch in Paris or Dublin would not have been wise.
Plenty of games left and still plenty of lions spots up for grabs I reckon.

What is becoming apparent is that there are selection issues in the England camp, with even the likes of the unfancied Barrit begining to gain some favour here. Another case of the sum of the parts....?

Tom, beaten for pace by forwards and looked like he backed out of tackles as well.

He's a busted flush, which must be a shame for all his fans. However, I gather Tom Daly is doing another season of his diving show. Ashton would fit right in there....

😉

Sexton still way ahead for me at 10. Farrell has come a long way in a short time but he may run out of time to demonstrate the full repertoire required.

Flashy you must be aware that I'm one of Ashtons biggest critics..he was good today though.

Cuthbert and visser pick of the wings for me so far.

After Gogzilla scored that try come on Wrecker time to re consider

Cuthbert has been dire IMO!!

cole a bit iffy today as was jones yesterday which is a concern.

Tom B - Member
Cuthbert has been dire IMO!!

Cole and Adam? Well, hard to call either for their work in the tight on those terrible pitches.

Cole, however, was lucky to keep his foot on after Healy's nasty, nasty hit.

Come on let's have some more outrageous Lions teams! Calling a_a...

Tom B - Member
Come on let's have some more outrageous Lions teams! Calling a_a...

[img] [/img]

Hello, cheeky!

😉

😆

I was just a little sick.

There is photographic evidence for the location of the spray tan supply that was stolen from essex

Cuthbert has been dire IMO!!

*
1. Corbisiero if fit
2. Best
3. Cole
4. Ryan
5. Lawes
6. R. Jones
7. Robshaw
8. Beattie
9. Young's
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Tuilagi
13. BOD cpt
14. North
15. 1/2pPOSTED 1 HOUR AGO #
 REPORT-POST

*

theres a lot wrong with this selection but even as a one eyed welshman i doubt Gogzilla could cover both wings. As for ashton i was sure i saw Keet Earls skip past him down the wing twice today. But i wasnt watching intently due to a demanding 2 year old. Cuthbert is better than Ashton but both are weak defensively imo and so is visser. I was suprised to see Hartley appear to get the better of Cole too. Hartley got no change from Adam but Adam offers less around the park than Dank Hole. Anyway my 15

Hogg
1/2p
Bod
Roberts
North
Sexton
Phillips
Healey
Best
Dank Hole
Grey
Parling
Ryan Jones (Lydiate if fit etc)
Tipuric
Beattie

As for ashton i was sure i saw Keet Earls skip past him down the wing twice today.

You did. Earls did him for pace. Twice.

At 9 for the lions
Youngs
Laidlaw......very impressed with him yesterday at murrayfield

At 10
Farell
Sexton

Centres
36
BoD

Thought earls looked good today

Oops didn't realise North was in twice....Ashton should have been at 14 😳 😯 runs for cover

Thought BOD was tired today.
Whatever he told Kidney, he won't have had a proper kip last night and would definitely have used up today's dose of adrenaline in the morning. He looked out on his feet.
He'd never back down, but it was up to the manager to make that hard decision for him and give him the day off. Keet should have started. It's not like he's the captain anymore anyway. Still the greatest though, and no blame on him. Happy day anyway.

Second row is a tough one to pick for me. Will Brad Davies be fit? I like Grey but he seems to either be excellent or totally anonymous. I think that D Ryan is very under rated for the Irish.

That's a funny selection a_a. Aimed at the England fans no doubt!
I do wonder what gatland will do, needless to say that there's no way 6 welsh players deserve to be lions on current evidence.

Jamie Roberts isn't worthy of a starting place on current form.

AW Jones will be an option too.

Agreed, he looked good yesterday.

Roberts. &BoD 2009 not 2013

I was trying to think of players who played and started for there countries. If England prefer Barrit to Tuilagi or Launcbury to Lawes its hard to pick them. Roberts was pretty good v France I thought 12 trees is the only other viable option who played and I'd rather have roberts. 12 trees didnt do so much today so a good performance against scotland doesnt make a lion. Also despite the england captain looking good in a dominant pack I wonder how he would go v aus, he wasnt great against Hooper in the autumn and Hooper isnt as good as Pocock. We need an outright 7 imo and Tips is just about the only one other than Warbs who is off form.

I see your point in a way, but picking a Lions team against Oz isnt the same as a home team for the 6 nations. There's always a few who are not in their country team for various reasons. Case in point this year could be S Armitage, or Nathan Hines. So ignoring Tuilagi on his way back from injury seems a bit unrealistic. Reckon Denton's still in with a shout too, despite not being favoured by Scot Johnson.
Works the other way too. Heaslip's definitely playing himself out of contention, no matter what his national coach seems to think. Went missing today and let them down badly, IMO.

Andrew Sheridan is playing pretty well from what I hear. He'd be an interesting inclusion.

Given when the Lions team leave and the French season ends I'm pretty sure the Toulon players wont be picked.

Sheridan scares the Aussies. No idea why, as he's rubbish, but he scares them.

I have to say that I regard robshaw as every inch a proper 7 (and so do most now), But if gatland doesn't, then that's all that matters really.
I'm going to be controversial now, and many will disagree. BOD, whilst still capable of excellence as you would expect from such a fine player looks a lot slower and also smaller than when he was at his best. He is also starting to break a bit often. I agree with a_a about 36. He's not done enough yet to warrant a place. I reckon we'll see him and Manu starting in a fortnight. With roberts not at his best, the centres are going to be a headache.

The Lions best hope is a ****ing big angry pack and a 10 who kicks well and some backs who can tackle. Roberts even off form is an excellent defensive player as is BOD. 10 and 12 are an issue if we want to be creative. And if we are going to have a big angry pack we might as well have a big angry 9 too!

So Aa, rather predictably your Lions team is..... Wales?

I'd rather cancel my sky subscription.

Interesting wrecker...I agree about Robshaw. I was sceptical last year, but I think that taking on the captaincy as well as essentially his first starts was a big ask. He seems to be really growing into the 7 role and is giving very few penalties away which is good. I can't see 36 and Tuilagi v France myself...Lancaster seems very keen on Barritt. He is obviously there in a mainly defensive role and you can't fault the job that he's doing.

Is Robshaw growing into the role or is he a flanker getting an armchair ride from his front five. Its always very hard to tell.

Wasn't he the top tackler yesterday? He was at 1/2 time.

Centres are an issue BOD still prob the pick of the bunch, and i think Manu would get a lot out of a series playing next to BOD. Hogg has played 13 quite a bit for Glasgow but he is probably better at 15.

I also think North has the skills and creativity to be a very good centre, however he is the pick of the wingers at present. I would have liked North and Zebo for the Lions but Zebo is out for 10 weeks so unlikely to go now. Given defencive failings with the other options will go with Visser simply as i think he is the best finisher of the others. Alternatively 1/2p on the wing and Hogg at 15

Not sure about the props either

1/2p
Visser
BOD
Manu
North
Sexton
Youngs

Beattie
Tipuric
R Jones (if he keeps playing like Saturday)
Hines
D Ryan
3
Best
1

Not sure D Ryan brings much other than an angry face. What about a whole squad

Hogg
1/2p
Brown

North
Visser
Cuthbert/Maitland

Roberts
Bod
12 trees
Tuilagi

Sexton
Farrel
Flood

Phillips
Youngs
A N Other Care maybe

Healey
Grant
Cole
Adam

Best
Youngs
Token Scot (or hartley)

Grey
Parling
Launcbury
Lawes

Ryan Jones
Wood
(Lydiate and Ferris could replace both if fit)
The England captain
Tipuric

Beatie
Faletau

(Lydiate and Ferris could replace both if fit)

Other than that, not much to argue with there, although Lions selection can be a little more left-field than just picking the best performing internationals can it not?
There's usually a few surprises in there.

Is Hogg really worth considering when you've got 1/2p, Goode, Kearney, Foden, or even Liam Williams? Does he bring anything that they don't or is he just the token Scot.

And Phillips at 9? Wales have only started attacking at pace in the last 2 games after he has gone off. Coincidence or the opposition being worn out?

The Welsh players in France look off the pace and complacent to me. And Gethin looks fat.

No need to have props covering both sides with 8 man benches.
Gethin was better v france so may get to go yet.
Kearney has been poor and I think Goode hasnt been great. Brown looks like a good fullback playing wing to me. Liam Williams is crap. Foden would be my choice but he aint playing. Often they take a utility back so Hook may make the cut.

1. Dunno, Corbisero seems to be getting picked on one game, it's the Aussies, Scrum could really do with speed and mobility, I don't think he will suit the fast pitches. Pity Sheridan won't be there
2. Best (best all round game,throw in better than Hartley or Ford)
3. Cole (as a certain Irishman will not be playing for the next 6 weeks)
4. Launchbury ( provide the dog for show pony below)
5. Grey (big and quick/hard pitches;methinks he will like oz)
6. R. Jones ( genius with the experience to match)
7. Robshaw ( a real leader and had a couple of realy good games)
8. Beattie* (cos his dad went 😀 lightening quick and clever with it
9. Young's (just the best out of a very ordinary group of home 9's)
10. Sexton (see above,still shades Farrel)
11. North (LARGE FAST HEAVY OBJECT 1)
12. Tuilagi (LARGE FAST HEAVY OBJECT 2)
13. BOD cpt (The rapier to the above)
14. Visser (Best finisher availiable,can't tackle,but with ball and space behind that pack he would be deadly)
15. Kearney (good defesively and safe as houses,would also help look after McVisser)

Beattie considered as he has a release clause,otherwise no French based players.

Sexton isn't as mentally strong as Farrell - Lions need that mentality. I don't get the calls for BOD - talisman, yes. But old and fragile on hard pitches? And what happens to the team when you're talisman goes off injured / early - heads can go down.

Why no Lawes - big strong and makes a massive statement on the pitch IMO. He should be there.

Good shout that Duckman....Corbs isn't being mentioned on one game though...he has been excellent in most of his recent games for England. He's missed an awful lot of international rugby in the last 6 months though.

Also isn't Healy a loosehead?

I think there will be a lot of current form versus reputation/experience debates this time round. Quite a few underperforming big names already in 6N and others letting their play and current form do the talking.

I was relieved as an Englishman, that some of Ireland's big names/Lions shoe-ins did not have their best games on Sunday. Lots of different reasons for that, but many of England's marginals did the opposite on the day and pressed their own claims.

So the next three matches, its all to play for. No 1XV shoe-ins for me at the moment which should be good for the end team - as long as players are chosen on merit.