I was at the Scotland vs New Zealand game.

Dan Carters crossfield kick

Hi there

What did you make of it and what do you think of Scotland's chances in the upcoming games? They seemed pretty decent, though I wonder if the All Blacks were going quite at full tilt?

We always have a great autumn international. In the past couple of years I have seen scotland beat Argentina, Australia and South Africa. However, we always have and always will be a team that are a nmare to beat, but dont quite have the flair to beat the best.

Again, Scotland look a v impressive defensive unit IMO.

How do you think you'll fair against South Africa - they looked pretty ponderous against Ireland at times, and didn't seem to have much of a cutting edge - a chance perhaps?

I think so, if Scotland were a tad more adventurous going forward I could see an upset very easily.

The SA rugby team are training in my uni's gym, its pretty cool. A couple years back I was benching and Dan Carter propped up on the bench beside me. Was so cool.

Also just to clarify, I am actually English. Just go to uni in Edinburgh

Ahh! Sorry about that!!!

How big its Etzebeth in real life, even by Springbok standards he seems absolutely enormous! Did you get many autographs, or is that a little uncool?

Before university had you been to Murrayfield, ans if so, how had you found the atmosphere down the years, the crowd against New Zealand seemed a bit hostile at times - jeering Carter when he was preparing to kick - now I know that this is common in France, but I was a bit surprised that it happened at Murrayfield, are things getting a bit like that - I hope not

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Vik

Who, if anyone, do you see giving the All Blacks a test this autumn, is there anyone that they might, if not fear, then have slight worries about?

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Honestly cant remember what he was benching, however I was a lot weaker at the time and trying to impress him I got a PB of 75kg at the time haha.

Ive seen the Beast in the gym changing room before, my lord did he taking a smelly poo

Its also pretty cool when you see huge legends like richie mccaw.

Yeah mate, Id been to Murrayfield a couple times before as Im from Aberdeen (Jason White went to the same school as me). It was a lot better then, the fans have DEFINITELY got worse, however when Scotland beat Australia the crowd have never been so happy.

Saw England beat Scotland and Murrayfield this year in the 6N, I was smashed and wearing an England top. I was loving it

Sup SARS, I will take a punt again.

Wales v Samoa - Wales by 15
I think Samoa may be in for a backlash here, but Wales cant even beat Western Samoa Wales were poor last week and Warburton getting dropped is interesting, quite a fall from grace.
England v Australia - England by 12
The Aussies were pasted by France last week, they are much weakened this tour but are a little stronger than last week. Beale and Barnes swapping position seems very strange. I am not happy with the England teams put out these two tests, for me Brown should start while Foden is out. Youngs should be playing instead of Care, Wood in for Johnson and Morgan for tubby Waldron. England should be too good, but they did draw with NZ very recently. I have faith.
France v Argentina - Argentina by 2
A little bit of wishful thinking here as England want France to lose Argentina have often been a thorn in the Frenchies side and I was very impressed with them in the final 20 minutes against Wales. They actually showed some flair. Very important game for the rankings with England/France fighting for tier 1 and Argentina/Scotland/Ireland fighting for tier 2.
Italy v New Zealand - NZ by 60
If they turn it on teams like Italy just can't live with the blacks.
Scotland v South Africa - SA by 10
I thought Scotland had a good go at NZ last week despite the scoreline but NZ just did things you cant stop. I think they will give the boks a rough time but ultimately fall short. I am glad that finally they got rid of Steyn, Lambie needs time though and Scotland will target him. Bismarck Du Plessis is a huge loss for SA, and games like this is where he is needed.

As for NZ this tour, I think England will have a good shot IF they can beat Australia and South Africa prior to it. I hope Savea keeps his place because when he is turned he is a liability. England should target kicking behind him with Charlie getting in his face. Other than that they don't really have weakness. England have to keep the ball away from Dagg. Give him space to counter and it is points.

Really looking forward to the games this weekend. Focusing purely on England, I agree that there are certain players in there which for me shouldn't be. However, that's purely in the forwards, and really only the back row.

England still lack balance with Johnson-robshaw-Waldrom. I really, really, REALLY want to see a proper open side flanker in there. Armitage is playin out of his skin for Toulon, robshaw should move to 6 and Morgan in at 8.

Against the Southern Hemisphere sides you need a true 7 to help you compete at the breakdown, where ultimately all NH teams fall short. Robshaw can act as a 7 due to his attitude and workrate, but he isn't a true 7. But by playing him at 6, and say armitage at 7 you would have the advantage at the breakdown, and you win the contact areas, you win momentum.

The backs look reasonably well balanced. Goode did a great job helping out flood, and potentially having two fly halfs can really benefit the organisation and attacking edge of a team.

The one thing you could argue is that it would be good to see more creativity and flair in the centres. But if we use barritt and tuilagi to break the line. Our back 3 are good enough to find space and holes.

Hi folks

What with debates over England's 7 and the Beast's bowel function this has been an illuminating thread!

Aristo - can I get an Ireland - Fiji predcition off you, and if anyone else fancies a punt you're more than welcome

The idea of Armitage at 7 is interesting and I would have liked to have seen this against Fiji, I think the issue is that Robshaw has been chosen as captain and Lancaster is going to stick with him - even if we had Pocock at 7.

If all were fit I'd have Croft at 6 and I think the question has to be at least asked as to whether we should have Armitage in - certainly the squad and possibly the 15, even if that means a different captain - would we go for Hartley, partially to calm him down?

I'd agree with Morgan at 8, who I think is more of a Dallaglio, and Youngs at scrum half. For me he's the most naturally talented in the NH, if he could just drop the petulance and moments of stupidity, but I thought Goode did enough at fullback to give another go - I also thought Sharples was superb and I'd love to see Freddie Burns get a chance even as a sub at fly half, though thats a bit of Gloucester bias

I didn't predict it because it isn't a real test, but if I must I will go for Ireland by 28. I agree that Croft is the best option for England at 6, he would be in my Lion's team. I don't think Armitage should play at 7 though, I think he isn't good enough to be honest. Sharples was indeed awesome, his first try was world class. As for bringing in a fly-half to the squad with some game time I would love to see George Ford come in, he is the future in my opinion but maybe needs to leave Leicester.

SARS - your not a gloucester fan are you?

Watching Burns down at kingsholm this season it's clear he's got something special, but I'm glad he hasn't been rushed into the England set up. He needs to prove himself for a hole season at glos and then the Heineken cup before looking at a regular England spot.

One other 7 who is winning plaudits is the lad at Worcester, matt kvesic. He'll be breaking into the fold over the next season or two, looks a very good player.

Either way, I feel we need a 7.

On croft, no one can deny he's talented but where does he really fit in? He's not particularly big enough to play 6 as he doesn't take the ball up often enough, not good enough to play 7, and similarly not big enough to play second row. I'm not a big fan of the size obsession but it is important in the pack. Another half stone or so and I think he would make a very good mobile no.8, in a similar vein to Kieran Reid!

Being a Yorkshire lad I don't have half the knowledge of you boys.

Based on what I see, I would go:

15: Foden 14: Ashton 13: Tuilagi 12:J. Johnson 11: Sharples

10: Not sure? 9: B. Youngs

8: Morgan 7: Armitage 6: Robshaw 5: Lawes 4: Launchbury

3: Cole 2: Hartley 1: Marler

Cannot make my mind up on a stand off. Flood us steady. Farrell off the boil but has something. Ford may be worth a pop...

Once again I tip my hat SARS

As there only seem to be 2 people in the predictions I'll join in of that's ok:

For this Saturday -

England vs SA - England by 3
France vs Samoa - France by 12
Ireland vs Argentina - Ireland by 3
Italy vs Australia - Australia by 15
Scotland vs Tonga - Scotland by 18
Wales vs New Zealand - NZ by 20

Cheers AD

Thanks Claudio, I'll put up a new post towards the end of the week and I'll include your predictions on it

What did you all think of the games, rather grim stuff for the NH. I'm not sure what has gone wrong with Wales, they seem utterly demotivated and have started matches like its a training game.

For England just too many errors, passes going a miss, a terrible scrum, bad decisions, they could easily have won the game, but they didn't and wouldn't have deserved it.

Like England, Ireland had little to test them in a bad Fiji side, whilst Scotland again played well but never looked like winners. I didn't see the France game, but their results look quite impressive.

For England, Marler being out might be a good thing - I'd like to see Corbisiero and Lawes both start, with Morgan in also. I wouldn't change the back line that much, but we need to get the ball to the three quarters faster - Ashton, Goode & Sharples barely seemed to get a touch - and give Freddie Burns at least a subs bench spot!!!

didnt see much of the games at all tbh.

strange as it sounds though, (and unrealistic as it may be), i thought there were glimpses of england's backline being a cohesive and dynamic unit.

I agree SARS England was frustrating to watch, the team is the main issue for me. All those forward changes with Wood too I would like. IC is an issue for us, we need a creative 12 to get the most from Tuilagi. I thought when Youngs came on we moved it much quicker from the ruck which helped, I want him starting too. Youngs and Flood have been the half back partnership in virtually all of Englands best results from the last couple of years.
As for the game we didn't get going until the second half, ironic because we went in ahead. I thought the ref was poor, missing alot of stuff (aussie try included). The scrum was destroyed, Marler and Youngs are not good enough I feel. We have the makings of a world class side I think with just a few key positions to decide.
1-
2- Hartley
3- Cole
4- Lawes
5-
6- Croft
7- Robshaw
8- Morgan
9- Youngs
10- Flood
11-
12- *key*
13- Tuilagi
14- Ashton
15- Foden
We can win 2015 but we need to get these guys playing as much as possible together and see who stands up for the other positions I left blank.

We have the makings of a world class side I think with just a few key positions to decide.
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that was what i was trying to say but didnt quite dare.