Comment deleted by Site Moderator
SARS
As always, a very insightful appraisal, and not very much to disagree with.
I think Scotland will be 5th, but a much stronger 5th than years past. Concentrating on Glasgow is a good thing for now, but we need to have a good look at the overall strategy on that. It leads to players like very good players like John Barclay and Kelly Brown being frozen out. How either of these guys are not in our squad is completely beyond me.
If they had stuck at Glasgow in 2010 and maintained the Killer B back row, they'd still be in the squad. But that would have stifled the development of others. Nobody is going to convince me that Harley or Wilson are better 6s than Brown, and Barclay has been outstanding for Scarlets.
As for the rest, sort it out among yourselves. I'll be shoulder to shoulder with my Goedelic Celtic cousins.
As for club stuff, yes indeed, I am happy with the Saints' current position, but the limp performance at Sale is a cause for concern. The 6N period will bring its usual uncertainty as some clubs lose more to international duty than others and the loss of Ben Foden in particular will hurt during that period. I was quite looking forward to him not being picked by England .
Hopefully we will be there or thereabouts at season's end, but I have a horrible feeling that Demus will have ear-to-ear smirk on his fizzog.
Your boys have been shocking today Show, thrown a home QF away. I said before I didn't mind if Burrell played in Wales but now I do, he has been shown up on a number of occasions. Corbs has gone well though which is nice to see. Bad weekend so far for the English clubs after a brilliant one last weekend
Demus
Unbelievable. I'm hoping (against hope) that your boys will be equally shocking tomorrow against Glasgow.
Only bright spot is that this is the third year in a row we've butchered the European campaign with a shocking game at home - against Ulster and Leinster. Came back from both those, and theoretically have a stronger team/squad than now.
I know I know, clutching at straws.
I find your lack of faith disturbing Show! I think we will beat Glasgow but I also thought Northampton would win comfortably. Clermont Sarries should be good too, can't see them getting a win over there though.
Demus
Being from the west of Scotland originally, I am delighted to see Glesga doing well these days, and way better that the posh boys from Embra.
Another English home loss this weekend would be most welcome.
It's a big ask for Sarries, especially when they haven't really been going that well of late either. Id like them to, but can't see it.
Wood and Parling now injured for England, the list keeps piling up
Those two being injured is good for England if you ask me.
Come on Italia
A win or 2 would be awesome.
Jones retires from Wales duty, was left out of their Six Nations squad anyway
comment by Aristodemus (U3765)
posted 15 hours, 10 minutes ago
Those two being injured is good for England if you ask me.
___________________________________________
Demus
I suppose you'll be seeing Attwood and Burgess in there as replacements.
Attwood has been nailed on as 3rd choice (behind Lauchbury and Lawes) for quite a while now. I hope Haskell is now certain to start at 6 with Wood being out. Burgess isn't anywhere near good enough to start for England, although he is being fast-tracked into the Saxon team vrs Wolfhounds. I think with that injury to Eastmond just now and Ford bringing on Devoto instead of him is reflective of where he is at now. He only played an A game at 6 right now, Ford has the plan of using him at centre to learn the game, problem being is Bath have two great centres already.
Demus
He is certainly a 'big unit' and crashing through the midfield is certainly 'en-vogue' at the moment. So he might just make it there, in the land of giants.
I suppose the question is whether he has the nous to bring something a little different. Back row doesn't appear to the future, or you'd have done more with him in that position. If he turns out to another Andy Farrell, remember, you heard it here first.
Ford has been very vocal about him seeing Burgess in the back row long term.
Glasgow just gave us a real scare! Toulouse out also!
Demus
Listened to it on the radio. Squeaky bum time indeed.
Owen Farrell out of the entire championship, that's a blow to England
RKW
Do you think so. I'd put Ford and Cipriani ahead of him, possibly even Burns. In my book he's no better than Myler at the moment, and he doesn't cut it at centre.
Don't get me wrong, he has been a very very good player, just a bit out of sorts lately, as witnessed by Sarries not being quite the force this season the have been in recent years. Strong link to Farrell's form I reckon.
But he'll come again, no doubt.
More for his kicks than anything else. Tends to score a few points and if I remeber I think he had a good kicking record 12 months ago.
No doubt Cipriani has been better recently, but I would have thought Farrell would be in England's squads for their matches this year.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
Ford was already going to start at 10 anyway, so it isn't really a blow. Rules him out of playing 12 (with our extremely bad centre injuries) and it "should" promote Cips, who deserves it. I prefer Farrell to Myler though, and definitely to Burns (who has been terrible at Leicester).
Burrell is a doubt with concussion, Barritt out of Wales match, Eastmond a doubt, Tuilagi out for most of the 6N. It's a nightmare. I think it will be Burrell (better sort himself out after what he did vrs Racing) and JJ. Trust me Burgess isn't ready to be thrown into it, but if you are interested he will (I think) start against a very strong Wolfhound side for the Saxons on Friday. Check it out, will be a great game I think.
Hi folks!
Of all the injuries England Tuilagi's is probably the one that will affect England the most as he's the sort of player an opposition will fear and he'll create space for others. The area hit worst is the locks with Lawes, Launchbury and Parling probably England first 3 options - though you could argue for Attwood - interesting also that Parling has signed for Exeter - seems to be odd stuff happening at Leicester and I do wonder quite what Cockerill is trying to do - they were just awful against Ulster.
I reckon the starting line up against Wales might be
Corbisiero, Hartley, Wilson; Attwood, Kruis;Haskell, Robshaw, Vunipola;Youngs, Ford;Burrell, Joseph;May, Watson, Brown
Subs: Marler, Youngs, Brookes(?), Lock ??, Easter ??, Care, Cipriani, Twelvetrees
It will be very interesting to see how Burgess does, as he's the dark horse that coudl change things massively, but its a steep learning curve for him
I'd also like to add I'm sad to see Adam Jones retire internationally, I thought he was a great servant for Wales and was treated very shabbily by Gatland at the end of his career. As an Englishman I'm relieved he won't be lining up against us, as a rugby fan I'm sad to see him go, when I thought he had more to add
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
Saxons
1- Mullan
2- Webber
3- Thomas
4- Garvey
5- Gaskell
6- Ewers
7- Kvesic
8- Thomas the tank engine
9- Dickson
10- Slade
11- Yarde
12- Slammin Sam
13- Daly
14- Ashton
15- Pennell
Wolfhounds
1- McGrath
2- Strauss
3- Ross
4- Henderson
5- McCarthy
6- Ryan
7- SOB
8- Conan
9- Marmion
10- Madigan
11- Fitzgerald
12- D'Arcy
13- Earls
14- McFadden
15- Jones
It is crazy how strong these teams are, really looking forward to it!
I think the Irish have to be favourites to be honest. They are at home and that team probably has more caps than the English side that will line up in Wales. I'm very interested in seeing how Kvesic, Slade, Yarde and Burgess get on. Daly has had a bad year but I am a fan of his and in contrast I don't like Waldrom but he has been on fire for the Chiefs.
Fitzgerald is out with a stomach bug btw.
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Six Nations 2015
Page 2 of 55
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posted on 23/1/15
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 24/1/15
SARS
As always, a very insightful appraisal, and not very much to disagree with.
I think Scotland will be 5th, but a much stronger 5th than years past. Concentrating on Glasgow is a good thing for now, but we need to have a good look at the overall strategy on that. It leads to players like very good players like John Barclay and Kelly Brown being frozen out. How either of these guys are not in our squad is completely beyond me.
If they had stuck at Glasgow in 2010 and maintained the Killer B back row, they'd still be in the squad. But that would have stifled the development of others. Nobody is going to convince me that Harley or Wilson are better 6s than Brown, and Barclay has been outstanding for Scarlets.
As for the rest, sort it out among yourselves. I'll be shoulder to shoulder with my Goedelic Celtic cousins.
As for club stuff, yes indeed, I am happy with the Saints' current position, but the limp performance at Sale is a cause for concern. The 6N period will bring its usual uncertainty as some clubs lose more to international duty than others and the loss of Ben Foden in particular will hurt during that period. I was quite looking forward to him not being picked by England .
Hopefully we will be there or thereabouts at season's end, but I have a horrible feeling that Demus will have ear-to-ear smirk on his fizzog.
posted on 24/1/15
Your boys have been shocking today Show, thrown a home QF away. I said before I didn't mind if Burrell played in Wales but now I do, he has been shown up on a number of occasions. Corbs has gone well though which is nice to see. Bad weekend so far for the English clubs after a brilliant one last weekend
posted on 24/1/15
Demus
Unbelievable. I'm hoping (against hope) that your boys will be equally shocking tomorrow against Glasgow.
Only bright spot is that this is the third year in a row we've butchered the European campaign with a shocking game at home - against Ulster and Leinster. Came back from both those, and theoretically have a stronger team/squad than now.
I know I know, clutching at straws.
posted on 24/1/15
I find your lack of faith disturbing Show! I think we will beat Glasgow but I also thought Northampton would win comfortably. Clermont Sarries should be good too, can't see them getting a win over there though.
posted on 24/1/15
Demus
Being from the west of Scotland originally, I am delighted to see Glesga doing well these days, and way better that the posh boys from Embra.
Another English home loss this weekend would be most welcome.
It's a big ask for Sarries, especially when they haven't really been going that well of late either. Id like them to, but can't see it.
posted on 24/1/15
Wood and Parling now injured for England, the list keeps piling up
posted on 24/1/15
Those two being injured is good for England if you ask me.
posted on 24/1/15
Come on Italia
A win or 2 would be awesome.
posted on 25/1/15
Jones retires from Wales duty, was left out of their Six Nations squad anyway
posted on 25/1/15
comment by Aristodemus (U3765)
posted 15 hours, 10 minutes ago
Those two being injured is good for England if you ask me.
___________________________________________
Demus
I suppose you'll be seeing Attwood and Burgess in there as replacements.
posted on 25/1/15
Attwood has been nailed on as 3rd choice (behind Lauchbury and Lawes) for quite a while now. I hope Haskell is now certain to start at 6 with Wood being out. Burgess isn't anywhere near good enough to start for England, although he is being fast-tracked into the Saxon team vrs Wolfhounds. I think with that injury to Eastmond just now and Ford bringing on Devoto instead of him is reflective of where he is at now. He only played an A game at 6 right now, Ford has the plan of using him at centre to learn the game, problem being is Bath have two great centres already.
posted on 25/1/15
Demus
He is certainly a 'big unit' and crashing through the midfield is certainly 'en-vogue' at the moment. So he might just make it there, in the land of giants.
I suppose the question is whether he has the nous to bring something a little different. Back row doesn't appear to the future, or you'd have done more with him in that position. If he turns out to another Andy Farrell, remember, you heard it here first.
posted on 25/1/15
Ford has been very vocal about him seeing Burgess in the back row long term.
Glasgow just gave us a real scare! Toulouse out also!
posted on 25/1/15
Demus
Listened to it on the radio. Squeaky bum time indeed.
posted on 27/1/15
Owen Farrell out of the entire championship, that's a blow to England
posted on 27/1/15
RKW
Do you think so. I'd put Ford and Cipriani ahead of him, possibly even Burns. In my book he's no better than Myler at the moment, and he doesn't cut it at centre.
Don't get me wrong, he has been a very very good player, just a bit out of sorts lately, as witnessed by Sarries not being quite the force this season the have been in recent years. Strong link to Farrell's form I reckon.
But he'll come again, no doubt.
posted on 27/1/15
More for his kicks than anything else. Tends to score a few points and if I remeber I think he had a good kicking record 12 months ago.
No doubt Cipriani has been better recently, but I would have thought Farrell would be in England's squads for their matches this year.
posted on 27/1/15
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 27/1/15
Ford was already going to start at 10 anyway, so it isn't really a blow. Rules him out of playing 12 (with our extremely bad centre injuries) and it "should" promote Cips, who deserves it. I prefer Farrell to Myler though, and definitely to Burns (who has been terrible at Leicester).
Burrell is a doubt with concussion, Barritt out of Wales match, Eastmond a doubt, Tuilagi out for most of the 6N. It's a nightmare. I think it will be Burrell (better sort himself out after what he did vrs Racing) and JJ. Trust me Burgess isn't ready to be thrown into it, but if you are interested he will (I think) start against a very strong Wolfhound side for the Saxons on Friday. Check it out, will be a great game I think.
posted on 29/1/15
Hi folks!
Of all the injuries England Tuilagi's is probably the one that will affect England the most as he's the sort of player an opposition will fear and he'll create space for others. The area hit worst is the locks with Lawes, Launchbury and Parling probably England first 3 options - though you could argue for Attwood - interesting also that Parling has signed for Exeter - seems to be odd stuff happening at Leicester and I do wonder quite what Cockerill is trying to do - they were just awful against Ulster.
I reckon the starting line up against Wales might be
Corbisiero, Hartley, Wilson; Attwood, Kruis;Haskell, Robshaw, Vunipola;Youngs, Ford;Burrell, Joseph;May, Watson, Brown
Subs: Marler, Youngs, Brookes(?), Lock ??, Easter ??, Care, Cipriani, Twelvetrees
It will be very interesting to see how Burgess does, as he's the dark horse that coudl change things massively, but its a steep learning curve for him
I'd also like to add I'm sad to see Adam Jones retire internationally, I thought he was a great servant for Wales and was treated very shabbily by Gatland at the end of his career. As an Englishman I'm relieved he won't be lining up against us, as a rugby fan I'm sad to see him go, when I thought he had more to add
posted on 29/1/15
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 29/1/15
Saxons
1- Mullan
2- Webber
3- Thomas
4- Garvey
5- Gaskell
6- Ewers
7- Kvesic
8- Thomas the tank engine
9- Dickson
10- Slade
11- Yarde
12- Slammin Sam
13- Daly
14- Ashton
15- Pennell
Wolfhounds
1- McGrath
2- Strauss
3- Ross
4- Henderson
5- McCarthy
6- Ryan
7- SOB
8- Conan
9- Marmion
10- Madigan
11- Fitzgerald
12- D'Arcy
13- Earls
14- McFadden
15- Jones
It is crazy how strong these teams are, really looking forward to it!
posted on 30/1/15
Saxons to win tonight?
posted on 30/1/15
I think the Irish have to be favourites to be honest. They are at home and that team probably has more caps than the English side that will line up in Wales. I'm very interested in seeing how Kvesic, Slade, Yarde and Burgess get on. Daly has had a bad year but I am a fan of his and in contrast I don't like Waldrom but he has been on fire for the Chiefs.
Fitzgerald is out with a stomach bug btw.
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