All the discussions about Georgia - Romania won 6Nb!
Ah missed that! Didn't Italy smash Romania recently too? (Maybe in the last RWC?)
Edit, it was at the RWC, but was only 32-22. I'd argue that Italy have gotten worse since then too....definitely think that they play off thing is worth looking into.
The main reason that Farrell is at 12 is the lack of alternatives, and that Ford can't play there.
Since MT got injured, england have suffered with a lack of centres, see the selection of O'Teo. EJ obviously didn't fancy giving Barritt more caps.
Given a proper 12, I think ford might be warming the bench.
The main reason that Farrell is at 12 is the lack of alternatives
It is not it is because he is very good in the position, he may not be line breaker, but his combination of being straight onto the defence, rather than crabbing. his range of passing and kicking gives England a wide variety of attacking options. Matt Giteau performed a similar role for Australia with some success as have others - there is more than one way to skin a cat.
I think Ma'a Nonu is the epitome of what an inside centre should be but, failing that, how about someone who can run AND pass?
IIRC, Nonu was first a brilliant runner, and crash ball artiste a la Tindall, and had a lot of attention in NZ to work on the rest of his skills to keep him in the AB's.
He's not a bad passer and not a bad kicker - anything else?
He's a pretty good defender, and a bit edgy, and kids copy his haircut.
It is not it is because he is very good in the position, he may not be line breaker, but his combination of being straight onto the defence, rather than crabbing. his range of passing and kicking gives England a wide variety of attacking options. Matt Giteau performed a similar role for Australia with some success as have other - there is more than one way to skin a cat.
Funny you shoud say that - a while ago I said Jones wanted Farrell as a Giteau-a-like, but was poo pooed. Just like my prediction of the Irish turning us over.
See, I'm right some of the time.
Given a proper 12, I think ford might be warming the bench.
Indeed, anyway Ford and Faz seemed to do alright v Scotland!
Slade could be the answer for England.
Sorry guys - Farrell is nothing like s good as Giteau
Ford and Farrell also did pretty well against Wales, especially in the last few minutes I seem to recall 😀
Sorry guys - Farrell is nothing like s good as Giteau
Who said he was?
Matt Giteau performed a similar role for Australia
Good point but Giteau was also a threat with ball in hand and had all the attributes Farrell lacks.
He's a pretty good defender, and a bit edgy, and kids copy his haircut.
I don't think he's that good - IIRC he's fallen off plenty of tackles. You don't want your 10/12 edgy, you want them cool but I'll concede the haircut point..... 😉
Slade could be the answer for England
Hallelujah! Takes a flippin' Welshman to spot what's under our noses! Slade could be good. Eastmond could've been good too but I think he's heading back to RL.
We either need a 12 with the skills to be a second fly-half but also to be a threat on his own or a bosher like Te'o (and his armguard) who can get over the gainline but also distribute when required.
....meanwhile in the actual real world, Farrell keeps winning plaudits from those seemingly in the know.
...meanwhile in the actual real world, Farrell keeps winning plaudits from those seemingly in the know.
Ignoring experts is flavour of the month
Ford and Farrell also did pretty well against Wales, especially in the last few minutes I seem to recall
👿
Indeed they did but in a Lions context I dont think we need to put up with Fords weaknesses. He just doesnt seem to stamp his authority on the game imo.
We either need a 12 with the skills to be a second fly-half but also to be a threat on his own or a bosher like Te'o (and his armguard) who can get over the gainline but also distribute when required.
Time machine and Henson!!
Tom B - Member....meanwhile in the actual real world, Farrell keeps winning plaudits from those seemingly in the know.
Seemingly is the key word. The english rugby establishment want a poster boy to take over from St Jonny and Farrell is the guy they picked
Farrell certainly divides opinions like few other players with a very marmite view of him
No denying England flow better without Farrell at 10 so I can't see him there for the Lions. Ford/ Farrell seems to work but I can not imagine them lining up like that in red. Sexton/ Farrell would be a waste of Sexton's unique attributes IMO unless you have a very hard working attacking back 3 to do the job Farrell should be doing in attack in the centres, running clever lines, which I guess is actually possible this time around. Very talented at what he does and rarely makes a mistake... hard to fit in a Lions side but hard to leave out too if we are honest.
No denying England flow better with[s]out[/s] Farrell at [s]10[/s] 12
FIFY
There are some players who just aren't flashy or don't do enough eye-catching stuff for some people to notice them. They don't run like JJ, or throw a huge loop pass every once in a while like Ford but they are consistent.
These players are eternally under-estimated, particularly by those who don't know to look for this stuff. Players like Robshaw, Kruis and yes, Farrell (Haskell too until recently). Every year they seem to be down talked before a competition and then they prove themselves once again. England may have reverted to the form they showed in the first game, but Farrell has had a positive tournament. He exits the competition with as much credit as any of the england backs, perhaps except Daly.
Faz, whilst not anywhere near as good or sexy!!! as Henson is similar in the way that he doesnt seem to do that much but players around him seem to start playing much better
Indeed, anyway Ford and Faz seemed to do alright v Scotland!
Slade could be the answer for England.
Slade could well be the answer, but I think Exeter are going to shunt him to 10 and so far I'm yet to be convinced by him at 10. He looks like a quality centre but hasn't quite shown the form that won him plaudits before his injury.
Meanwhile, Tigers have sacked off Mauger with five games left and bought back O'Conner. They're in a proper pickle at the moment.
Meanwhile, Tigers have sacked off Mauger with five games left and bought back O'Conner. They're in a proper pickle at the moment.
Quite! First they sack Cockerill in favour of Mauger then they sack Mauger. Perhaps cockers wasn't the problem?
Farrell certainly divides opinions like few other players with a very marmite view of him
If marmite divided the world like owen farrell, they would be over the moon; their sales would rocket. I am yet to find a Lions XV he is not chosen in.
I've seen a few mefty - although I am very surprised at the amount of support he has amongst the pundits.
Link one then
Farrell? There's something wrong with his eyes. Reminds me of Murdoch from the A-Team.
Or Frankenstein
Times pundits pick their Lions XVSTEPHEN JONES
R Kearney, G North, J Joseph, S Williams, A Watson, O Farrell, R Webb, B Vunipola, S Warburton, M Itoje, C Lawes, AW Jones, T Furlong, D Hartley, J McGrath
LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO
S Hogg, G North, J Davies, O Farrell, E Daly, J Sexton, C Murray, B Vunipola, J Tipuric, S O’Brien, J Launchbury, M Itoje, T Furlong, D Hartley, M Vunipola
STUART BARNES
S Hogg, G North, J Joseph, O Farrell, A Watson, J Sexton, C Murray, B Vunipola, S O’Brien, S Warburton, M Itoje, AW Jones, T Furlong, K Owens, M Vunipola
PETER O’REILLY
L Williams, G North, J Joseph, O Farrell, A Watson, J Sexton, C Murray, B Vunipola, S O’Brien, M Itoje, J Launchbury, AW Jones, D Cole, J George, J McGrath
How anyone can pick Itoje at 6 is beyond me. He has been outplayed a number of times Warburton, POM, Stander are all better...first name at lock though surely. Suprised AWJ gets picked so much. What does Daly have to do to get a look in?
Steven Jones is clearly bonkers or trolling with Karney, he couldnt tackle a kebab and no Launchbury. Not sure what Dilly Dally sees in Jonathan Abu Hamzar Davies.
Loving Stephen jones picks above - actually different to his picks in the ST article next to it!
I am getting a hair cut today, I will ask for a Farrell 😀
You might need laser eye surgery to go with it Pigface
There are some players who just aren't flashy or don't do enough eye-catching stuff for some people to notice them. They don't run like JJ, or throw a huge loop pass every once in a while like Ford but they are consistent.
These players are eternally under-estimated
I totally agree. Remember Paul Dodge? He was exactly like that.
I still don't see what Farrell brings at 12 - if you took kicking out of the equation.
What about relegation if a team is whitewashed? Means every game means something to the team at the bottom, and if you are whitewashed then maybe you aren't at the standard required for 6 Nations. It doesn't happen that often (think Italy were the last team to be whitewashed and that was 4 years ago? Sure someone will correct me though!) and if you are winning at least a game then you have a right to be in the competition
Pretty sure Italy were whitewashed this year and last year. Scotland were whitewashed in 2015.
Yeah OK happens a bit more than I thought...but only to Scotland and Italy, so that is fine
😉
No one caught for the bite. Now looking at this theres only 2 people it could have been and he certainly didnt do it himself as Noves suggested
https://mobile.twitter.com/daibaker/status/843831227031412737/video/1
I'm still putting my money on Huget.
Leicester going through changes
I am surprised by inclusion of AWJ as Launchbury has played better, Ijote is better in second row ( so many good back rowers including Watson) Lawes has upped his game.
I am not denying that AWJ is a wonderful player and an asset to a team but he has a quiet tournament by his standards, I wonder how much the captaincy took the edge off?
Experience will count in the selection of the lions so AWJ will be in the plane.
Jones says that the lions should have four captains!!! Well why not they appear to have 2 head coaches from the amount he talks about it...someobe should tell him his time on stage is over for a few months and to shut the **** up and spend sometime thinking how to get England a decent backrow....
http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39347452
https://www.thelocal.fr/20170322/irish-kiwi-and-aussie-rugby-players-held-in-france-over-rape
French rugby is in a right state, isn't it?
AA - interesting on the "bite" the pics I have seen of his arm seem to be just the impression of the upper jaw and little bruising which looks to me more like an arm pressed against an open mouth rather than a bite - and the angles of the bodies in that ruck its hard to see how anyone could actually get their mouth near his arm anyway? A real bite intended to cause harm causes a lot more damage than that IME and I have treated a few
However I also very much doubt North did it himself nor that it happened earlier and he saved it for then.
Very difficult to know what actually happened here but I guess the balance of probabilities is as you say that one of those french players did it then.
Looks consistent with lower jaw to me as the biter had a gum shield. Not sure how you get to your conclusion. Looks like a clear bite mark to me and it did to the ref.
I forgot about the gum shield. 😳 Doh!
I have treated a fair few human bites and it didn't look like any I have treated but your explanation explains it
*slaps self around head*
Its clearly teeth marks.
They could just ask the players for dental records to assist with enquiries... 😈
They could just ask the players for dental records to assist with enquiries...
Only 3 or so anywhere near at the time, so eminently doable.
