When Phillips was being a * he'd generally be a discerning * and getting some gain by winding the player up.
When he was Farrels age he was still a bit of a bell end tbf.
FWIW Brown would be one of the first names on my England team sheet. Farrell adds nothing postive in terms of "aggression", I doubt a single opponent takes himthat seriously in that rgeard. A red card in a big game has been a risk for a while, his shoulder charge/late tackle on Giteau was poor discipline in a massive game. He was personally humiliated by Wilkinson and Giteau in the Heinekin semi and final - that showed in his late tackle at the RWC. During the Cardiff final Farrell looked the pedestrian "jobbing 10" he is at that level, shovelling passes like his father.
Farrell got himself and England so far, to go further we mire from 10 and Farrells development has stalled.
anagallis_arvensis - MemberWhen Phillips was being a * he'd generally be a discerning * and getting some gain by winding the player up.
When he was Farrels age he was still a bit of a bell end tbf.
Posted 2 hours ago #
Getting knocked out by bouncers on drunken nights out, wasn't he? Oh;and sharing sexy time with that blonde singer. The rest of his leisure time was mostly wasted. 🙂
Looks like injuries have forced Joe to pick a centre in midfield and McCloskey's getting a start at 12. 🙂
And Josh van der Flier at 7 too. 🙂
What a legend 🙂 Going back to CFH's post....
[img] 
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[url= http://www.pierrecarton.com/portfolio/30/les-gueules-cassees ]These are great pictures of former French forwards[/url]
England starters as per BBC. Itoje in the second row...
Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Jack Nowell; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley (capt), Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Chris Robshaw, James Haskell, Billy Vunipola
Getting knocked out by bouncers on drunken nights out, wasn't he? Oh;and sharing sexy time with that blonde singer. The rest of his leisure time was mostly wasted.
Couldnt really care about that, at least he wasnt scoring coke for journo's!
Couldnt really care about that, at least he wasnt scoring coke for journo's!
Your apostrophe looks like it might have been tackled by Jamie Roberts, it has been knocked back four words.
@medty thanks for that link. Went on a golf tour to SW Ireland with an ex rugby player with a nose like Tolon's. He'd jist spent £15k on his teeth but none of us where nearly brave enough to ask why he hadn't got his nose done
That Andy Goode vid is hilarious! I'm glad there is still some banter & respect between players & refs.
Itoje starting - thats go forward movement rather than bulk with him and Kruis, defence from Robshaw, and bang 'em-nomics from Haskell / Vunipola.
Thats going straight at the 10 channel to expose/batter Sexton isn't it? What it does say is he's put all of Englands best players on the field, with Lawes as sub, and Daly/Care to come on and make holes in the last 20/30.
Its going to be bruising, they need to contain Toner and - here's the weakness - not let sexton kick for pens in the first half.
Getting knocked out by bouncers on drunken nights out, wasn't he?
Unless it was something different, the story goes that he was a bit worse for wear in 'Chip Alley', Cardiff and boasting about how he used to do some boxing and could 'ave some Welsh boxer or other, unaware that another bloke in the queue was said boxer's dad. The dad showed him how good a boxer he really was.
The story may be different from reality but I think it's a good one. 🙂
I'm glad there is still some banter & respect between players & refs
Missed the obvious though... to share his hair transplant doc's details 🙂
I think Barnes was quite kind to give a pen for Goode's lazy flop over the tackled player so maybe the banter is worth something 🙂
These days, fullbacks need to be the first line of attack and pose a proper threat - Ben Smith, Israel Dagg/Folau, Stuart Hogg etc.
I've always found Hogg a bit whiny / gobby in the past. Talented guy but needs to shut up.
Brown, is well Brown. He does what he does and it wasn't that long ago that he was getting a lot or praise. He has worked on his pace; we he was first capped it looked like he was running through treacle. He is good at taking the high balls, plays with aggression and seems to give a sh!t. I think we need a bit more aggression after Bomber tried to turn us into some nice chaps that you'f like your first born daughter to bring home for dinner.
Please for Itoje getting his first start. Hopefully Daly will get a run out too - Goode can stay on the bench as far as I'm concerned. Youngs needs a big game too.
Talented guy but needs to shut up.
And stop the dirty stuff and soccer-esque diving etc.
Diving in rugby is akin to tripping, god damn despicable. When I played, even your own team-mates would disown you if you tripped up an opponent.
Ireland team 2 first caps in the starting 15. McCloskey has been in great form for Ulster but its a big ask to head to Twickenham for your debut. I haven't seen much of Van der Flier but the Dublin media seem to really rate him. Tough task for Ireland.
15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 68
14. Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) 60
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht) 17
12. Stuart McCloskey (Ballynahinch/Ulster) *
11. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 47
10. Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 58
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 44
1. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 27
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) (capt) 91
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) 56
4. Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster) 36
5. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 33
6. CJ Stander (Munster) 2
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) *
8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) (vice-capt) 82
Replacements:
16. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster) 14
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 56
18. Nathan White (Connacht) 10
19. Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht) *
20. Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 7
21. Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster) 68
22. Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster) 27
23. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster) 22
There might be a few of Ireland's first choice starters out but it's still a team packed with quality. It's going to be close - maybe the bench could be the difference
It's with some mirth I find myself in PontyPool Premier Inn where the French Anthem is being closely followed by the Welsh album which is being closely followed by etc....
There might be a few of Ireland's first choice starters out but it's still a team packed with quality. It's going to be close - maybe the bench could be the differen
Bollocks England should batter them at Twickers.
I very much hope so
Ireland are a very different proposition to SCO & Italy. They haven't hit their straps yet, but they won't be short of passion playing against us. Im hoping we are better equipped to face their arial threat now, and having Itoje as a 4th back rower on the pitch will help too.
wrecker - MemberTalented guy but needs to shut up.
And stop the dirty stuff and soccer-esque diving etc.
Yeah I agree but the point is Hogg has it as a player and Brown doesn't. If England want to be the best side in the world and win the RWC then they need a fullback who can offer more than Brown does - among many other things.
Hogg has it as a player
Agree. He's a class act. Love watching him playing.
Speaking of shutting up,at what point does Eddie the Saviour cross the line. Some bollocks spoken about Sexton yesterday was it not?
All the angst now aimed at Brown. A fine player, least of your problems.
From day 1 - as with the others he is Antipodean and master of his art. Can't just leave that to Gatts and co. Frankly it's good to see the edge. Other nations get too much mileage out of the underdog/less resources/inferiority complex/chippiness/English are arrogant etc cliches. So good that we have a coach who gives some back. It's a tough sport after all. And he does it with a cheeky smile rather than miserable, mumbling deadpan.
With crap 15, 12, 10 it's amazing that we don't get thrashed every time we play.
Still Wales, France tonight so perhaps focus can be on them for a bit! 😉
Just watched the first half of the Super Rugby opener.
Highlanders leading the Blues 24-20.
The core skills are so impressive. Players running with the ball in both hands, playing what's in front of them and usually taking the right option - hence 5 decent tries.
When you see an opportunity looming in the 6N or AP you think - "This could be a try". When you see a similar situation in this game you think - "It's a try."
Duckman - really? I think he's just being honest. If Ireland don't think he's fit enough to take a legal smashing, then he shouldn't be playing. As Jones said - in 2003 Aus targeted Wilkinsons Right side to attack.
As ex pros have said in the media, every team talk will be looking to exploit a perceived weakness. Jones just doesn't sugar coat it for the media. I like that.
dantsw13 - MemberDuckman - really? I think he's just being honest. If Ireland don't think he's fit enough to take a legal smashing, then he shouldn't be playing. As Jones said - in 2003 Aus targeted Wilkinsons Right side to attack.
Clearly they do as he is picked.However Jones didn't just say they would be running at him(really;targeting a 10? What a new innovative thought!) Talking about how his parents must be concerned that he is playing in the match? That doesn't belong in the game.
Is Hogg any good? Never seen it, he is consomethinge at cheap shots, diving and generally being an arse.
Is Hogg any good?
Yes
he is consomethinge at cheap shots, diving and generally being an arse.
True, but he isn't wearing white!
Jones erupted when it was put to him that England will ‘target’ Sexton.“We target players all the time, that is part of rugby,” said Jones scornfully. “I didn’t know teams had special laws. Are we not supposed to run at one player? Hang on, hang on, he’s got a red dot on his head, we don’t run at him. It is a really stupid question. We are going to be targeting players. But why would be run at the strongest defender? You win a game of rugby by attacking their weak points and to say that is unfair is just ridiculous. You think Ireland are not going to send (centre) Robbie Henshaw at our fly-half, George Ford. Give me a break. It is a legitimate tactic and it has been happening since Adam and Eve.”
he's a creationist too - blimey 😉
Still Wales, France tonight so perhaps focus can be on them for a bit!
I'm expecting a win for wales. However the French team is a bit of an unkown quantity and I have spent many years watching us lose to them so...still worried. AWJ, Warbs and Juffy Junior are due big games if they step up and play well like Robrts has we can do it
Im looking forward to it and hoping for a good match and a Welsh win for my dear old Nan!!
Beer or wine for a Friday night match - hmmm...?
Yes
Proof 😆
@namaste Jason Robinson was pretty limited in certain areas as. Union FB but good enough in others to be a RWC winner. I agree with @aa Brown is the least of our worries,mwe continue to have an identity crises about who to out at 12 and how to play. Its like Barmes v Andrew all over again except Farrell isn't nearly as good as Andrew
Roll on tonight, I'll be in a Paris bar singing the Marseilles 🙂 I anticpate being in good voice at the start, perhaos a bit quieter by the end. Comfortable Wales win.
teamhurtmore - Member . It is a legitimate tactic and it has been happening since Adam and Eve.”
But I though rugby was invented by a stout,wholesome,English Fellow? Not a couple of Nudists im the middle of Turkey?
Brown hasn't been as good since he bumped his head.
Nor has Sexton. I imagine it affects you more than you realise.
True ducks - blimey we have crap players and a coach with a lack of understanding of the game's history. We're doomed, have pity on us.
Pigface - I wonder how his parents feel?
Given that Brown is apparently crap and predictable (watch where he puts the ball) what does that say about the defences that often struggle to nail him?
Sorry THM you have lost me there 😆
😀
you almost lost me too!!
I think EJ mentioning Sextons parents being worried wasn't required. However I do think Sexton needs a prolonged break from the game, he has only finished 3 of his last 22 games. His form in the past year has also been fairly poor.
I'm looking forward to seeing McCloskey at 12, he has a good offloading game so we may see something a bit more adventurous from Ireland. I think longer term Henshaw will go to 15 and Ringrose will play 13. That would be a great attacking back line.
Pigface - MemberSorry THM you have lost me there
He is alluding to Jones suggesting Sexton's parents must be worried that he has been picked.
