Is it too early? How is your team shaping up? any predictions?
Scotland - underachieved at the world cup, as fairly settled pack thats pretty much a match for anyone. The killer Bees look to be getting there - anyone know how Euan Murray is doing? Short of a decent prop really but we have an eye on Cairns at Newcastle
Backs - well how brave will Robinson be? Several young players putting their hands up for a place but none of them really shone in the recent derby games. Cussitor looking in form now but Laidlaw has been playing a blinder at both 9 and 10. Weir looking reliable and strong at 10 but not hugely inspirational good temperament. Jackson and Godman just doing as they do. NO PARKS PLEASE! too soon for Leonard perhpas. Hogg and Thompson looking good as well.
Prediction? who knows. its time they won something and if they don't do well Robinson must go. Maybe a year too soon.
Team?
1. Chunk Jacobsen
2. Ross Ford
3. Euan Murray
4. Richie Gray
5. Al Kellock
6. Rob Harley
7. John Barclay
8. Kelly Brown
9. Chris Cusiter
10. Greig Laidlaw
11. Max Evans
12. Sean Lamont
13. Nick De Luca
14. Rory Lamont
15. Stuart Hogg
A fair few close calls tho on selection
England - I really like the noises coming from Lancaster and he appears to be dropping the old slow donkeys and the idiots (Danny Care) from various stories. Who knows how they will go but the Calcutta cup match will be crucial for both.
France -my pick to win
Wales - best of the home nations maybe
Ireland - midtable?
Italy - will continue to push the others hard and will win a game or two - but not Scotland please.
Unpredictable as ever - maybe more so with an influx of new players and coaches - I am looking forward to it
France to win. But not a GS.
Wales second, best of the HN, as you say.
Ireland, England and Italy scrapping it out for mid-table mediocrity.
Scotland stirring the porridge avec une cuillère en bois.
Ireland the only home nations side with a chance of the grand slam.
I'm a rose between two plastiques.
Who cares about all that nonsense? Seriously? Its just egg-chasin' innit?
Whats important is that United need to beat Newcastle tonight to stay in touch with city. Honestly! Sort it out uncle Jezza! 🙄
Just quickly (from a welshman)
1) France - don't like saying it, but they are insufferable and can see them doning in much to my chagrin
2) Wales (strongest of the home nations at the mo IMO)
3) Ireland (older team, but can't take much away from them)
4) England (do I need to explain why?)
5) Italy (getting better every year)
6) Scotland (Sorry, TJ, but I think the Italians have it over you)
You muppets. We (France) won't win. We actually tried a little bit at the WC final but we're hardly going to bother when it's only the 6 nations. We'll be too busy fighting eachother/seducing the other nations' women 🙂
French and Irish to battle for the title. No grand slams.
England will show a young team (at last) fighting for third with wales. Wales probably get third (narrowly).
Italy to top Scotland.
@ clubber - I hope you're right......then the Welsh can win it 😛
I see ben morgan has pledged his alligence to mordor and the white orcs...... Intresting
Who cares about all that nonsense? Seriously? Its just egg-chasin' innit?
It'll last a lot longer than a football thread you eejit. Anyway, you'd struggle to understand it binbins. 😛
No one giving Scotland a chance 🙁 I wonder what the odds for the Calcutta cup are? Murrayfield this year. and its a while since England won there. Get Scotland off to a good confident start and the fixtures are the right way. We must be better than at the world cup or Robinson must go. I want Todd Blackadder
Nah, won't happen morgs. Or at least, if it does, they'll still lose the GS on the last match 🙂
@clubber...I dunno - '05 & '08 are sticking in my mind! I think welsh squad for squad, the current team are better!
Strikes me that they're a classic example of never being as good as they should be - World Cup vs my Froggies was a great example. And against SA.
Strikes me that they're a classic example of never being as good as they should be - World Cup vs my Froggies was a great example. And against SA.
^^This^^
Did for the Old Men in Green pretty comprehensively, though!
Sometimes you wonder if Binners checks every 5 minutes for a rugby thread which he can add some `constructive' comments. Who cares if Leeds Utd beat Newcastle to keep in touch with Leicester City. 😕 😀
I'm sure i'm not the only one who chuckles each time TJ starts talking about Scotland, although i'm sure he does not mind the gentle ribbing 😉
Oh, and the Taffs to win if their Lions front row are available. Just hope Lancaster does not go too far on the yoof policy and pinch both Glaws wingers.
I'll give you that, but the games wales lost, well....they lost them - the opponents didn't win (if you know what I mean). I think the 6 nations will be where they pull through to the higher end of the table.
As a team, can they do it? Of course they can! They have some cracking talent and can play well against any of the other teams. Will they? I'd love to say yes, but I think they may just throw it away with a few stupid mistakes (think S.Jones not dropping for goal, Halfpenny in the Aus game, Warburton's sending off that wasn't etc)
Did for the Old Men in Green pretty comprehensively, though!
At least we beat a SH side. 🙂
hmmm.....
At least we beat a SH side.
vs
getting further on in the competition - which would you pick?
getting further on in the competition - which would you pick?
Wa-evs bro.
Now now children - you sound like wendyballers 🙂
🙂 - tbf, if that was wales in the same position, I'd be claiming the same!
I'll give you that, but the games wales lost, well....they lost them - the opponents didn't win
To me that's a far worse sin for a team than not being any good in the first place. The properly good teams win games irrespective of whether they really should have...
I have to say that IMO Wales are brittle - they have the ability to win the six nations but I am not sure of the leadership / bottle.
Warburton's sending off that wasn't
Still bleating about this?? 😉
🙂 morgs
Warburton's sending off that wasn'tStill bleating about this??
and as a welshman, I shall still be bleating about it until at least the 2015 WC lol!
Nowt like a welshman for bearing grudges 🙂 Personally I prefer the Scots fans wildly veering from hopeful optimism to woeful pessimism
France
Wales*
England
Ireland
Scotland
Italy
*Dependent on Wales having no WC hangover/huge injury list. France will grind it out no G/C though.England too strong for the rest,but will be unable to cope with the pace Wales can play the game at,dependant on the above. Ireland getting on a wee bit, will they have the fire in the bellies? Scotland weak,no game breakers. Italy above Scotland..really? Italy shot their bolt with their prep for the W/C; since then they have cut their budget for elite training by 40% hence the departure of Mallet for Brunel(?)
Duckman - game breakers available for Scotland if Robinson is brave enough to play them. Hogg at fullback, Laidlaw, even Ansbro and Evans. It does mean tho having a 10 and centres who can pass - and the much despised nick de luca is having a good season at 13. 12 is a real issue tho
If he were Irish, it would be at least three RWCs before we'd even start to forget. And another three till we were over it properly. 🙂
Katherine Jenkins?
I'd love to play against her....
You guys realise BO'D is out for the 6N don't you? (apologies if you knew this anyway).
BO'D has been out for the last year or two hasn't he?*
*runs and hides
is he doing the Westlife reunion instead?
or is it boyzone? I always mix them up...
I realise the sentiments that lead to the slagging him off. 🙂
We can't talk.....Gavin Henson has worn a Welsh jersey......
Ah - the orange one. will he play this year?
a_a will explode in a big sticky mess if he does 🙂
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Ahhh...he looks gorgeous doesn't he a_a? 😛
Be interesting to see who is selected for Wales, with Shane retired I expect to see 1/2p moved back onto the wing, Roberts is currently crocked too although is due to be back. Expect we may see something like:
Byrne/Hook/Henson
North
Davies
Roberts/Williams/Henson
1/2p
Priestland
Phillips
Toby
Warburton
Lydiate/R Jones
B Davies
Ian Evans/R Jones (AWJ crocked as is Charteris)
Adam
Rees
Gethin
Henson has looked pretty good at 15 for Cardiff although intrestingly Tom James is fit again so he could be put into 12 against Reading Samoa with 1/2p going back to 15. Cuthbert will be playing for Wales soon, if you thing North is big wait till you see him!!
Any Englandshire people care to suggest a team or a view on if Ben Morgan is likely to play a part at 8?
The Morgan thing is an interesting one. Has he stated his allegiance yet?
I hope that Lancaster puts out a bunch of young uns and delivers on all the rumours of a wholesale clear out.
I'm not too bothered about the results if he does, they have 4 6N years to prepare for the next RWC. As long as they show improvement over that period, that'll do me.
Yeah Morgan has come out in favour of England today, very good player imo.
From a piece in the telegraph it looks like Lancaster will drop a few
Cueto, Tindal, Easter to go. I really like the noises he is making.
Care out for being a drunken effwit, tuilagi injured, lawes injured.
France
England
Wales
Ireland
italy
Scotland
England over Wales due to one name - Owen Farrell, Lancaster's making the right noises.
Wales will have hangover from WC and Warbutton is losing leiutenents
Scotland still have to learn that a game is 80mins long - not 70 and Robinson hasn't shown them where the try line is 😉
As a English (Yorkshire) man, I'm looking forward to the 6N more then the WC!
Edit : annoyed about Lawes - watched him against Leeds last year - bloody ferocious!
Call me cynical, but I doubt Morgan would have made his decision without receiving a nod from someone at England so I expect to see him in the squad. Considering the England have been persisting with Easter and even playing Haskell out of position, I cannot see that England can afford to ignore talented 8s.
I hope that the idiots that run english rugby dont panic if the new look team get stuffed. I dont think they will get stuffed to be honest, I am a bit scared at the potential of england.
Ireland will have to play with out its lucky rabbits foot in BOD, not sure they will cope.
Wales who knows we could steam roll everything or we could be dreadful. Either way they will make me weep and scream.
Scotland giggle ahem they will do ............guffaw.
not sure they will cope.
Well, they have to learn to cope at some stage so four years from the next RWC is as good a place to start as any.
I hope that the idiots that run english rugby dont panic if the new look team get stuffed
Couldnt agree more. "expectation" has been the biggest obstacle in the progression of the England team for some time.
One day! One day ! we will rise again
maybe even at murreyfeild for the calcutta cup.
Talltom who are the leutenants warburton has lost?
Gwlad Rugby Review of the Year 2010* No 1.
Dec 14th, 2011 by BennyAnother 12 months have passed and as the year slowly lists over onto its side, like Leo Cullen entering a ruck, we take this opportunity to look back at all the earth shattering events that the rugby world has offered up since we were last in a similar position in relation to the Sun as we are now. The unexpected bounty brought us a Six Nations, a Heinenken cup and a thrilling win in the Welsh Premiership for the true champions Llanelli RFC (who at the end of the league stage had amassed a record 28 point margin over all their other rivals*).
2011 has been a unique year (apart from one in every other four years since 1984) in that it has brought another Rugby World Cup. The tournament that challenges the best rugby players in the world (and Scotland) and that showcases all the Welsh regions shorn of their internationals (as they play a Connaught side that may have lost one of its TV analysts), started with a bang as the might of the Scarlets’ development region, Tonga took on the All Zealanders*.
The undoubted star of the tournament was Quade Cooper, who headed the stats leagues for roughly half of the key measures. He single-handedly showed that it wasn’t just the All Blacks who have a monopoly of funnily named players. Fortunately for Australia they found that having a nine as the best of their hand is slightly more useful in rugby than it is in Texas Hold ‘Em. They hung around the tournament until the bitter end hoping to pick up some reward, just like a fat bird at a party. This set them aside from Wales who stayed the course for exactly the same length of time, provided amble entertainment and talking points but ultimately ended up going home empty handed. Just like a fat bloke at a party. But what were the Pringles, Campari and other left-overs from this party, to push beyond breaking point this metaphor. Or simile*.
Allain “If I’m wrong, then my old man’s a Frenchman” Rolland provided a beacon of lite in the latter stages of the Games. Judging by the headlines in the Western Mail (“SOD OFF BACK TO BLARNEY (RO)LAND!!!”), the South Wales Evening Post (“Allain Quarterbrain!”) and the Wales of Sunday (“Roland’s Mother Once Visited Prestatyn”), reaction to the sending of off Sam Warburton was mixed. The focus to date has been on what was wrong with the tackle. Was Vincent ‘so-called’ Clerc lifted too far off the ground? Is the top of your head classed as ‘upper body’? And, why couldn’t I have a cool name like ‘Vincent’? What we should do is talk about the good aspects of the tackle. Just in the same way the police don’t pull you over for shifting down nicely into third, Allain was a consomethinge negative Nigel and failed to ac-sen-tuate the positive. What were the good aspects, I hear you ask? (How can I hear you, exactly? Aren’t I just typing this into a computer? Are you all in my head?) For a start, it wasn’t a high tackle. Warburton was at no point offside (which must have confused an Irish ref). And lest we forget, he didn’t trip or repeatedly kick in the balls, the Toulon Tyro*.
We also learnt the true meaning of ‘strength in depth’ as New Zealand progressed to their one and only Webb Ellis Trophy win*. The All Blacks used up more number tens than an entire series of Strictly. They finally opted for Stephen McDonald who had just spent the previous 2 months at his uncle’s company’s nugget testing facility. At one stage they were forced to put the bloke who acted as Mr Sullivan in the 1980s series, The Sullivans, on the bench. Fans were shocked to find that this show wasn’t filmed in black and white, as they remember, but in fact was set in 1950s New Zealand, which pretty much has the same effect. [For those interested in obtaining the series on video cassette or super-8, please send a stamped addressed envelope to New Zealand Film Studios, 1 New Zealand Road, New Zealand. NZ1 001]*
What have we learnt this year? Well, we’ve learnt that Wales aren’t quite as good as New Zealand at rugby union. We’ve learnt that Northampton Saints not only have a unique grasp of irony, but also have the keys to the factory whose production facilities provide a record number of players that look like the boy in your school who smelt of milk. Finally we’ve learnt that it will surely not be long before a Conference player finally graces the hallowed turf of Twickenham after the Barbarians picked the Widnes Rugby League side player, Johnny Northerner to turn out for them on the wing against South Africa*.
This year, there’s been much debate about what’s the key position on the field in rugby union. After the World Cup many have stated that it’s the No.7 (the rugby players, not the make-up) that is key. This is however wrong, you stupid arseholes! The key position, as Munster, Leinster and the whole of the All Blacks pack with testify, is 2 metres offside at every, single ruck holding back defending players and generally getting in the way. Like a protagonist in US TV series Alphas (which in NO way should be confused with Heroes), lingerers hang around unseen tugging on sleeves like a cigarette desiring 11 year old outside an offy. How do the referees not see them? Are they complete incompetents? Were they all given this chance to be at the top of our sport in a long deleted episode of Jim’ll Fix it? Are they killer cyborgs sent from the future to annoy rugby fans? Or are they all from North Island? This correspondent doesn’t have an easy answer but as sure as Rabo-Direct 12 will compete with Amlin and LV for most effortlessly forgettable brand name of 2012, they’ll be back next year to cluster-fluke their way into a continued career. Hell, if they get any worse they may end up being a representative of FIFA. Or those people that look after cricket; the IOC*.
* I haven’t done ANY research.
Scotland squad
Backs: Joe Ansbro
Mike Blair
Chris Cusiter
Simon Danielli
Nick De Luca
Max Evans
Stuart Hogg,
Ruaridh Jackson
Lee Jones,
Greig Laidlaw
, Rory Lamont
, Sean Lamont
, Rory Lawson
, Graeme Morrison
, Dan Parks
Steven Shingler
and Duncan Weir
Forwards: John Barclay
Kelly Brown
Geoff Cross,
David Denton
Alasdair Dickinson
Ross Ford
Richie Gray,
Dougie Hall
Jim Hamilton
Robert Harley
, Allan Jacobsen
Alastair Kellock
Scott Lawson
, Moray Low
, Fraser McKenzie
, Euan Murray
, Ross Rennie
Alasdair Strokosch
and Richie Vernon
OMG - he is going to play desperate dan isn't he - wooden spoon for us if he does, The rumour is it the old hands for the Calcutta cup with possible debuts later. Squads not bad tho
Interested who's gonna be selected as England's 1st choice #10
Floody has improved over last few games but am interested in seeing if Goode and Farrell get called up
Also will Waldrom get selected for #8 as England flew him to the RWC as a stand in, good for England if he gets to play
Will be interesting Frankers - Farrell would be the attacking choice I think and he has worked with lancaster before IIRC
Flood is out injured is he not and unlikely to make the calcutta cup anyway if not more
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/7411609/Fitness-fears-for-Flood
It's all hotting up nicely!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/mobile/rugby_union/16419741.stm
nice to see scotcland poaching welsh players these days.
This made i laugh "i've always known about scotland"
AA, he's not good enough to get a game for a real team! 😉
Imagine us quoting legislation that the Welsh have already used to get a player,how rude! Of course if the Welsh ran an "A" team as they are meant to do as a first tier nation, then it would not be an issue.Must have spent the funding on a tanker of fake tan and hair gel as a sweetener for the "prodigal son"
The WRU complaining about eligibility; oh the ironing;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Howarth
CaptainFlashheart - Member
AA, he's not good enough to get a game for a real team!
Your union would disagree... 😀
Dont worry duckman i think its great that the scots are poaching welsh players rather than the likes of brendan "chsinsaw" laney. At least hoearth could play!
Your union
Jeez duckie, don't be confusing me. Which union is it?
Jeez duckie, don't be confusing me. Which union is it?
Sorry I though Flasher was another Welsh supporter.
In other news I see that English born and raised Ben Morgan has decided to play for England instead of Wales. Probably feels that he could not shift the Tongan no 8 Toby Faletau who currently is the Welsh 1st choice.
At least hoearth could play!
In the Welsh side of the time perhaps....We had Gavin Hastings
I will give you Brendan Laney, he was pish.He was sold to the SRU who were awash with cash at the time on the back of a compilation dvd. When he first turned up at training it was at the same time Allan Jacobeson had been given a pro contract. According to Stuart Campbell, when Laney walked in everybody thought he was the new prop. Still most points in a 6N game IIRC.
Toby faletau has lived in wales almost all his life and has a proper welsh accent. Only just realised its the rubbish shingler thats gone to scotland. Aaron is a better player.
TandemJeremy - Member
Flood is out injured is he not and unlikely to make the calcutta cup anyway if not more
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/7411609/Fitness-fears-for-Flood
br />
Sod the 6N i'm more upset about him being out of the game V Ulster 🙁
[url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/16460412.stm ]I hope a_a is ok. [/url] 🙁
wales need to tell all those who have gone outside the regions to f*** off, then take all the new young shinning stars and all the other hidden gems that are lurking in the wings + henson over to poland and then wipe the floor with the opposition.
back to the real world....i think its going to be one of the best 6 nations in a long time... hard to predict but France i reckon followed by Wales/Ireland.
deadlydarcy - Member
I hope a_a is ok.Posted 15 hours ago # Report-Post
Update; A-A is fine; he will obviously struggle a wee bit health-wise as he sold his liver so he could afford the biggest get well soon card in the whole of Wales,just so Gav knows who his no1 fan really is.
Jesus, Marler FFS? What have decent scrummagers like Nick Wood done wrong? Adams Jones and Castro et al will be loving this.
Agreed, How on earth has he got in!
Still, other than that, a fairly decent mix of players. Still not too sure how the Sarecens way of playing (stifle the oppersition, kick the points*) will translate into the new Lancaster proclaimed attacking style.
*and I'm a Tigers supporter!
Seems a decent swquad to me. Given that a good few of the EPS are injured I assume some of the saxons will step up.
Seems a decent mix of youth and experience and pragmatic without being conservative.
If Marler plays there will be penalty opps galore,he can't seem to help himself. That is potentially the weakest English scrum for a few years.As good as the back row will be, I think Marler is poor, Stevens ain't starting for Sarries and Cole and Corbisero(?) are not the greatest either.I think Hodgson could work really well with Farrell and the punchy swimmer in the middle.
Scamper - MemberJesus, Marler FFS? What have decent scrummagers like Nick Wood done wrong? Adams Jones and Castro et al will be loving this.
I rate Marler, I reckon he'll do well for us.
(non Quins fan BTW)
Cannot believe cat flap made the squad. I thought England were supposed to be moving forward.