[Closed] 2015-16 rugby, world cup year

So many pop ups on croc free i can't work out what's going on.

You only usually need to kill two pop ups on cricfree by clicking on the x in the gray box and then you are into a fantastic world of free sport that looks like you are watching it through frosted glass,and that's before the alcohol.

Just spotted this re Criminal Clark on the Beeb text commentary;

Calum Clark has been binned for a dangerous tackle at a ruck, judo rolling an opposition player. That's not good, he's waited so long for his England debut...

And then, from a gobby 9 (Is there any other sort?);

Matt Dawson
Former England Scrum Half

"Calum Clark knows one of his problems is discipline. The coaching staff will have a meeting with him and say 'you can't afford to do that'. You cannot hold a player's neck like a reverse choke - it is very, very dangerous."

Clark showing his class again, I see. (Haven't seen the incident myself, I should say, but I have a very clouded opinion of the man because of this;
http://rugbylaw.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/calum-clark-citing-decision.html )

Good win for England. Clark was unlucky, Slade lucky. Notvsure about Burgess, will make a good cheer leader but not convinced he's a 12.

2 yellows cards would cost 10+ points add the missed tackles. I know it's not the final squad but.

Burgess is another prime example of a league convert being rushed into top level Union, this RWC is 2 years too early for him.

Trinh Duc, have always had a soft spot for him but he's never really cemented his position in the team, fabulously difficult to do that for the 10 jersey for les Blues - I mean even Castignede didn't manage it.

Question for the coaches / tacticians. Eng were getting battered after losing a flanker on the second yellow and were on the verge of conceding points big time. Why not temporarily switch up burgess to no.7 role to steady the ship, or is that not the done thing??

.

Well we found out some stuff, which was the entire point. I thought burgess had a good game, england know how to use him in the centre better than bath did (who wanted him to play like eastmond). Slade is every inch as good as billed; fantastic. Care is the best 9 we have, haskell should easily get the spot ahead of Clark. And I told you all about watson 3 odd years ago.
Undecided; LCD; errant throwing, May; in and out, Webber; seems a passenger, Kruis; not quite there yet.
Out; Goode; shit, 12trees; nonsense bloke,

I think you're right Jamba. He needs time to get used to the way RU 3/4 lines move (ie sideways). That said, England could really do with someone who can regularly straighten the angle and cross the gain line.

He's a superb player, but won't get enough pitch time to warrant his inclusion.

But England have bigger worries - almost all of them in the forwards.....

Clark's manoeuvre clearly warranted the yellow. That would be enough to drop him IMO - there's no need to risk that level of liability when the forwards need all the stability they can get.

just seen England game, looks like Lancaster is trying to choose between Goode and Cips as 3rd choice 10 and second choice 15.
Would be better to ditch them both and let Slade cover "3rd" 10 (and centre) and Watson cover 15.
don't know if Slade's ever covered 15, but could easilly believe he'd be at least as effective as Goode there too.

haskell should easily get the spot ahead of Clark.

Another case of ditch them both - wouldn't really want either in a starting 15 so don't take them. Just the usual 3 BR and Morgan as back up.
Billy V can cover 6, so can Lawes. Wood could move to 7 and do a better job than either and not get sent off.
Even Burgess could step in if needed - yellow card today but he looks the sort that might take something on board and learn from it unlike those other 2. Know which one I'd trust more in a WC play off match.

Chances are that it wouldn't be needed anyway: it's Robshaw they'd be covering, not warburton.

I thought burgess had a good game

He put in some good tackles.

England could really do with someone who can regularly straighten the angle and cross the gain line

Didnt do this. He ran a goid dummy line for Watsons second try but doesnt hit the line and carry hard. I reckon he could do morecof what he's good at from 6.

Billy V can cover 6, so can Lawes

They really couldnt

Oh and I thought Goode was probably tour best back

Clark shouldn't get another start. Haskell is a joy for oppositions he seems to be to obvious in what he does and hence penalties flow from him.
Burgess into back row, can still line up big hit. The French seemed to handle him well, he'll make ground unless he's tackled low.
Pack tried to show dominance at scrum time but creaked a bit.

Creaked a bit? They had their arses handed to them. Is Corbisero a busted flush?

I didn't see the game but reading the aftermath, I can't believe our forwards were so shite. What went wrong? Also in fairness then, want opinion on a Burgess / Joseph centre pairing? One big defensive yet threatening player with enough skills to real ease the guile and skill outside?

I firmly believe Watson and JJ play well of each other so that combo could be really strong.

Also - opinions on May? The media reading has him parting a better more direct game and will start ahead of Nowell - true? Haskell pointed out as being one dimensional and a pointless sub - also true? Looks like LCD won't make the cut.

LCD couldnt hit a cowscarse with a banjo. Leave well alone. First half pack were outplayed but stayed competitive, second changes saw them crumble. May was pretty good and Watson very good too. The french backs were dire in both attack and defence mind apart from Spedding.

The media have for some reason made loud noises about May. Didn't look hugely threatening, caught a sublime kick from Goode but his try didn't involve anything more than that. Watson on the other hand had his opposite number completely petrified, why it didn't keep going out there I don't know.

don't know if Slade's ever covered 15

Chances are that it wouldn't be needed anyway: it's Robshaw they'd be covering, not warburton.

If Lancaster gambles on Burgess and it goes horribly wrong will he fall on his sword?

So, I hear Hawkeye is to be used in the RWC (haven't read up in what capacity...just parroting something I heard on the Beeb). Might make for some interesting replays.

Lancaster seems determined to take Burgess, he is quoted in todays times as having told Burell he has to step up this week.So,the guy is great all season,Burgess has a curates egg of a game and still goes? Go England...Oh and I think you should start with LCD,Corbs,Clark and The Hask(tm)and Burgess.But then I am Scottish, so would say that.

England team to face FranceMike Brown; Jack Nowell, Jonathan Joseph, Luther Burrell, Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole; Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes; James Haskell, Chris Robshaw (capt), Billy Vunipola.Replacements: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, David Wilson, Dave Attwood, Nick Easter, Danny Care, Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees

Strong side. Is The Hask fist choice 6 then?

Crikey, pretty much a first team named for England. Not sure what this means, I thought Lancaster would wait for Ireland for that. Looks like Billy V will get a full 80, and Burrell and JJ are back in the centres- an established pairing and in my mind Burrell is Having to prove Burgess is too green but needs a solid game to do so. Nowells on for Watson whom I believe had secured his place, Brown for Goode. Test also for the two Youngs brothers. Haskell at 6, Robshaw, Cole and Marler back.

Playing on prior form, we should nail France with this team and to not do so would be self defeating.

I think this sees 12 trees, corbs, lcd, and perhaps Burgess potentially out, although Burgess could be a good impact player.

Strong side. Is The Hask fist choice 6 then?

we should nail France with this team and to not do so would be self defeating.

It won't be good enough for that team, which doesn't mean the French can't win in Paris. For confidence, we need to beat them and Ireland and if that momentum happens, Wales and Australia will face a strong confident England'.

Burrell has the skills but needs to revert to form and match a Burgess defense - both he and JJ can score but it's his to lose. Frankly it's a horrible decision if Burrell plays well - consistent experience vs new boy with skills vs the Blunt instrument.

May obviously didn't do enough - catching and scoring is not the same as play making hence another look vs Nowell required. Haskell can cover 8 - can Wood? So there we have Billy V probably a cert, but a choice between Haskell/wood/Morgan? Morgan is the best 8 of those three for 60, Haskell can cover 8, so a good game could relegate Wood.

Well they beat us in february of last year so whilst I admire your confidence, I don't share it!
Bomber has to drop 8 I think and Brookes is out already, leaving 7.

36, Burgess, Cips, LCd, Goode, Wood/Morgan, Webber, Easter, George would be my bet. I realise that's 9, so I'd gamble on Goode and Morgan staying in.

I'm not sure where all the hate for May has come from? I thought Saturday was his best game in an England shirt. No defensive blunders, chased well, scored a well taken try and also had an assist. I'm not sure what more he could do?

Also I think they've been quoted as saying Brookes will be ok. And given the fact he can play both sides of the front row I think he's in with a pretty good chance.

Only taking one hooker Kryton?? Youngs and...

Dropping goode and cips leaves holes due to their versatility. Goode will be in is my bet.

Im sure Moore would step up....

I'm not sure what more he could do?

That's the point. He isn't big, he offers nothing other than scoring ability when put into position by other players, will get bowled over by Julien Savea and fails to support a FB well. Not a patch on Watson and needs a better show of ability hence he's out again. Nowell needs to support Brown and out play May in any other than a easy scoring position to secure his own position tbh.

Only taking one hooker Kryton?? Youngs and...

Realistically yes ok - Webber will stay. So Attwood vs Kruis, or maybe Clark gets his just desserts.

Shirley his assist for Watsons second try belies the theory that he fails to support other players, it was in the opposite wing looping right round the back, a nice little show and then a well timed pass out.

If we weren't capable of creating holes in opposition defences I'd completely agree with you because nowell and Watson are better in traffic. But with ford pulling the strings if May can hit those gaps he's gone, in situations like that there's no substitute for raw pace.

I think all three will go anyway tbh.

i think it could be last chance saloon for 12ts myself, he's had chance afte chance to prove himself and then Slades come in and done everything the want from 12Ts on his debut.

Shirley his assist for Watsons second try belies the theory that he fails to support other players, it was in the opposite wing looping right round the back, a nice little show and then a well timed pass out.

i think it could be last chance saloon for 12ts myself, he's had chance afte chance to prove himself and then Slades come in and done everything the want from 12Ts on his debut.

Ok. I'll stay on the fence though as I don't disagree with the above either.

Quite telling that neither the English management or fans really have much idea of the "best" 15 let alone a matchday squad. The vast majority of players mentioned are known quantities for England so there aren't many surprises to be had individually but England appear to not know the team as a whole in quite the same way still.

Looks close to a first XV to me, perhaps not surprising as the first match was a second XV and he wants to give everyone a run out. My guess is France do much the same.

I think 36's time has passed, he never really grabbed the opportunity. JJ had to wait a long time but has excelled, Slade has grabbed his chance too.

DanW there are no big surprises because an excellent a Rugby team is one that also has gelled and formed relationships together, and know/ expect how their colleagues will play. The difficulty of this is magnified for international teams as they play together less than club teams. I'm not saying England is an excellent team, but neither are the players so adept that they don't need that relationship. Vis a vis a "different" team will likely have a disadvantage of missing that experience together - hence then need for the same players to experience time, wins and losses together.

Watch the two recent AB's games to see the difference experienced partners Smith and Nonu made.

England will take 3 hookers as you need 2 in each squad, if say Youngs takes a knock that puts him out of the next game but he will be fit for later matches your screwed. Without the kiwi biter this is Englands biggest potential worry the other 2 dont look up to it. A prop who can play both sides is pointless with match squads of 23.

Is Brad Barrit not in the current squad?
I reckon 12trees, Cips, Wood and Corbisero will be the headline drops and one of Burgess and Slade with Slade most likely. Could we have Slade please?

I reckon Wales will be:

Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, George North, Alex Cuthbert, Hallam Amos, Jamie Roberts, Scott Williams, Tyler Morgan, Rhys Webb, Gareth Davies, Lloyd Williams, Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland, Gareth Anscombe, Gethin Jenkins, Paul James, Aaron Jarvis, Samson Lee, Tomas Francis. Scott Baldwin, Ken Owens, Kristian Dacey, Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Jake Ball, Bradley Davis, Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Dan Lydiate, Taulupe Faletau, Sam Warburton.

With these going home:
Rob Evans, Scott Andrews, James King, Dominic Day, Cory Allen, Eli Walker, Matthew Morgan.

Oooh Samson is having a run is he, pleasegod don't let him break.

I reckon 12trees, Cips, Wood and Corbisero will be the headline drops and one of Burgess and Slade with Slade most likely.

Corbisero unable to train due to sciatica,not looking like he is going to make the cut,is it? Cole can play on both sides,can't he?

h Samson is having a run is he, pleasegod don't let him break

Doubt he will play before the world cup and may not make it at all. Hopefully Gatwards have whipped Francis into shape.

Cole can play on both sides,can't he?