We never claimed that a team with a scrum half on the wing and the rest in pieces were world beaters but england were rubbish 😆 lets not go over old ground though.
Not a bad Welsh team.How has Bradley been going this year?
We never claimed that a team with a scrum half on the wing and the rest in pieces were world beaters but england were rubbish
They were indeed, it's the worst I've seen them play in decades but they were still only 3 points from going through.
Cling onto that for all your worth 😆
I'm not clinging onto anything, it's an indisputable fact!
No offense,but why are the Engerland players who were so very,very shite at the WC,going to be any better now? That probable team has a very familiar look.You spend all this time talking up the need for a no 7 and then pick the Wererabbit,who seems to qualify because he gets changed next to George Smith.
Less expectation, decisive management, players in position (mostly) form over family/contract, no lost-£100k-in-shares-scandal, no arguing coaches, coaches that actually proven in what they are doing, more experienced and decisive Captain, in-form subs.
I don't think anyone is expecting miracle from this team based on history, but Eddie has to start somewhere, phases the newbies in slowly and get them experienced by RWC19, whilst meanwhile fielding the in-form club players as Internationals and mentors.
Fortunately or unfortunately despite similarities to the RWC15 squad, the players selected were selected for their personal merit not off the back of that particular tournament.
Like it or not, Robshaw's an excellent 6, Bill V the class 8, Launchbury, Kruis, & Itoje in good form, Farrell very good, JJ good, Watson good, Mako V very good...
What else could you do, field all new players and play to lose by as little margin as possible?
players in position (mostly)
Whats Hask's position?
Who is playing 12?
Kruis and Itoje aren't playing....Farrell is playing well at 10,not 12 and both Joseph and certainly Watson aren't in the best form of their lives. But I suppose the off-field stuff has improved,after all,no dwarves were harmed in the four-yearly crushing of their supporters expectations.
With our team in a mess, amazing that other nations' supporters spend so much time commenting on us!! Especially Sat's favourites!!
BTW - isn't it time for a proper 6N thread and should come from one of the [s]argumentative[/s] regulars, Shirley 😉
Perhaps each of the home nations should have their own thread to avoid the inevitable catty-ness?
teamhurtmore - MemberWith our team in a mess, amazing that other nations' supporters spend so much time commenting on us!! Especially Sat's favourites!!
Says the man who cannot stay away from any thread that even has a passing relation to Scotland's politics.
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SOH, ducks, SOH 😀
Now go and start the thread... 😉
Play nicely now!
England don't have great players, but I don't see what is supposed to be done differently.
Haskel is a great big lump who should (by shear physicality) do better than he does but he's not a 7. We don't have any 7's. EB is on record as saying he'll have to make do until he can manufacture one.
With Slade and Manu out, centre again looks difficult t fill but maybe Nowell who's played a lot at centre for Exeter will play in there somewhere. Anyone who thinks Farrell shouldn't be anywhere near the England team simply hasn't watched him play post world cup.
We're rubbish, there's no doubt about it but somehow, I still have a level of expectation. Maybe, just maybe.....
I can't wait!
Oh, and what is North doing slating his club? Rather odd given his contract extension in November. Is he after a transfer in the summer?
On a positive note, you're playing Scotland this weekend, who no doubt will try really hard but somehow manage to throw it away.
Trouble is, Farrell should be starting at 10. He's in far, far better form than Ford is, and has been all season.
Is this the same Ford who was replaced by Priestland in the Bath game last week? Godod luck. 😆
OK, little game for you all....
Who is fielding the following this weekend?
364 caps
3 Lions
2 national captains
Is this the same Ford who was replaced by Priestland in the Bath game last week? Godod luck.
Erm....it was the same ford who was not released back to his club by England.
Welsh Ladies, flashy?
Nope.
damn - thought that was lateral enough but still scarlet!!
364 caps
3 Lions
2 national captains
Gethin?
😆 but no!
Toulon?
Colder.....
Boo hiss...
Bunch of bench warmers? 😉
Yep! The Welsh bench.
The Welsh bench against Ireland?
[i]Damn. too slow[/i]
Strength in depth, strength in depth...
We don't know if Haskell is playing, let alone which position.
We dont but if he isnt 7 then its Robshaw isnt it?
No necessarily. Clifford is a very capable 7, better than the hask(tm) and Robshaw. Haskell will be starting for sure.
Why does everyone think Haskell will start? Is it a case of start with th experience and defence, then bring Clifford on when the occasion has died down a bit?
I just don't think he'll start Clifford (no caps) vs scotland at murrayfield
We will be playing two 7's in Hardie and Cowan/Barclay,excellent chance for Clifford to learn the ropes there.
Fair enough. I have no idea who Clifford is. As for Scotland I have no idea why Barclay doesnt play. Cowan has always looked a bit shit to me.
Who is the other captain on thecwelsh bench. I presume its Owens but could recall the game. Must have been one of those Friday night Autumn games?
wrecker -
Is this the same Ford who was replaced by Priestland in the Bath game last week? Godod luck.Erm....it was the same ford who was not released back to his club by England.
For the Euro Cup, wrecker. I know it's been more than three sleeps now. 🙂
I just bet a guy at work £10 that Scotland would win against England by at least 5 points. So 'mon the Kiwis With Scottish Grannies !
(p.s be very afraid, pretty much every Kiwi on the south island has a Scottish granny somewhere)
with Scotland being favourites, I hope you still got decent odds...
I wish that the SRU would dispense with a lot of the pre-match bllx - the big Gray brothers can do their stuff on the pitch without all the "marketing guff" that has invaded rugby in the last few years
Scotland XV to face England: Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland, Mark Bennett, Matt Scott, Tommy Seymour, Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (capt), Al Dickinson, Ross Ford, WP Nel, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray, John Barclay, John Hardie, Dave Denton.
bbc
Thats a strong team,Taylor has been flying for Sarries and isn't starting. I am suprised Denton is starting in front of Strauss,but hey-ho. Weakest link in there is Dickinson,he has a gearbox failure that means he can only reverse.
every Kiwi on the south island has a Scottish granny somewhere
In the basement for when the sheep is too tired?
Is Kryton on suicide watch after Farrel put at 12 and The Hask at 7?
Haskall is a big unit but I can't see how he is fast enough around the park.Can't work out why Clifford isn't being played. Not that I am complaining of course...(Well I would rather Burgess was still in and Marler,but I didn't get to pick the side)