I predict a dismal autumn internationals for England followed by the RFU declaring their support for Eddie Jones before firing him 2 days later and then expecting a PE teacher to take the reins through the world cup and to be disappointed when we go out at the group stage…
Hmmmmnnnn.........I've sure I've seen that scenario somewhere before.
Are we also gonna bring in some great lunk of a Rugby League player and expect him to be a world class centre despite playing back row for his club?
So in his Squad announcement when asked about Cips, Eddie has mentioned that he’s behind Farrell and George, and has some things to work on “in the next three games”. What, domestic games? And what happens if he shines in those games, does he get a place?
Tsk. Sitting on the fence there.
Seems that Eddie has fallen into the trap of previous English coaches; he has his ‘boys’ and other than an injury they’re in the squad.
Saying that Ford is in better form isn’t really true; he was pants when Tigers got dicked by Exeter. Maybe he’s doing it to be pigheaded / prove a point after Danny has been in tue eye of the Journo’s (for the right reason for once). Yes he’s a dick, but he’s pretty damn good at what he does and has slotted in well at Gloucester.
Not seen much of Sarries so can’t comment too much on Farrell however we know what he can do. Time to see if Cips can get the back line firing.
Underhill has been pretty good this season; certainly more effective than Robshaw from what I’ve seen so is another surprising omission. In the games I’ve seen Robshaw has looked pretty poor. Seems to be a few too many old timers still knocking around. Still don’t see what he sees in Nathan Earle; he’s a donkey of a winger.
I hadn't even noticed Underhill's omission. No Simmonds either.
It looks like EJ is gonna go for the boshing route with Te'eo and Tuilagi, outside Farrell, trucking it up along with Big Billy.
Surely Tuilagi needs to play for Leicester for more than three games before being considered fit for England?
England have no chance at the RWC if they carry on on the current trajectory.
England have no chance at the RWC if they carry on on the current trajectory.
They have a bit of a chance as any team with a strong front 5 does. Unless England suddenly uncover 2 or 3 world class players around 7, 9, 12 or 15 they will struggle against the very best. Cips is not the answer.
Still could be worse you could be a Wales supporter!!
Still could be worse you could be a Wales supporter!!
I'd rather be a Wales supporter. At least Gatland maximises the talent at his disposal.
I know Cips (alone) isn't the answer but his case is symptomatic of England traditionally overlooking Cavaliers in favour of Roundheads. Whereas a mixture of the two would surely have been more effective.
The bosh approach will get them to the semi's it depends who they face there. England have always underplayed their hand when it comes to the backs. Just now they're going to use the centres as forwards.
Manu has done nothing special so far and has been made to look silly a couple of times.
I know Cips (alone) isn’t the answer but his case is symptomatic of England traditionally overlooking Cavaliers in favour of Roundheads. Whereas a mixture of the two would surely have been more effective.
This is best anecdote I’ve heard which describes the situation. Totally right. Cips brings more creativity and unprectiability than Ford and I can’t help thinking Ford’s going to crumble against NZ - I’d suspect Farrell will be at 10 in that match. No 7 again as mentioned despite some good players showing form.
Its going to take losses to Argentina, NZ and Aus for people to start baying for changes. Lose two and we might see those changes and a different 6N, but really this current squad needs to be the RWC squad at this stage. As usual, there is nothing frightening in attack, unless Tuilagi shines.
Ciprianini is flash and looks good, but always has been, and still is, weak in defence & a sub par goal kicker. If Farrell wasn’t in at 12,would you have Cips as your goal Kicker?
Compare him to Beauden Barrett - same weaknesses but not as good in attack. Jones has to pick a whole team to play a certain way. It seems Cipriani doesn’t quite do everything he wants.
Tuilagi is a bombscare in defence, he jumps out of the line at least a couple of times a game. He has been picked because he once had a good game against NZ, what; 4 years ago? Likewise everybody you are going to play knows you don't have a ball winning 7, I mean you do; they just don't get picked for the international side. I cannot get my head round your coach, he seems to be the Jose Mourinho of rugby.
If Russell was England qualified do you think Jones would have him in the squad? Racing obviously think enough of him that he is Dan Carters replacement on £700000 plus bonuses.
Is it the maverick nature of Cipriani that Jones does not like ( shared with Russell) or the off field behaviour ( not shred with Russell)?
Ciprianini is flash and looks good, but always has been, and still is, weak in defence & a sub par goal kicker
Whereas Ford is a titan in defence...
That argument doesn't really hold any water given that Ford is a speed bump (he doesn't avoid tackling like Cips used to, but he doesn't do much in reality to stop people) and he's prone to getting the yips when it comes to place kicking which is why Farrell gets wedged in at 12.
Cips is obviously not going to fix a lot of our problems but he may help to fire the backline - he certainly made an impact in SA this summer. I can't help thinking that the breakdown will be an issue again this autumn and cause us problems.
Hogg is bust the AI's which is blow for Scotland.
Time for Kinghorn to shine ;-). I think the loss of Bennett and Taylor is a far greater issue. At least we have kinghorn and Jackson and Maitland all of whom make decent 15s. We are out of 12s I think. None left unbroken!
Good win for the Diff tonight. Williams and Haloholo are special but Navidi...
If he played for another country, or was from a different era, he'd have been weighing caps, not counting them. An embarrassment of riches in the Welsh back row means that a player that excellent gets relatively overlooked.
a few years now I have been saying Navidi should get more caps.
Haloholo
Is welsh next summer...when does the World Cup start?
Navidi is good but Warburton was better. We are going to miss Captain Sam.
no one look at the Glasgow score and laugh please. Pleeeeeeez
🐻
Edinburgh get to play Leinster away this evening. . I shall be behind the sofa if anyone wants me.
Lady ref for Dregs v Zebs...she seemed pretty good, yellow card seemed a bit harsh but other than that I didnt notice her, as a ref should be. I'm sure Hibbard was disappointed he didnt have the nicest hair though!!
I’d quite like to watch Glous v Saracens this afternoon, is there a way without getting ripped a new one by Sky? I note its not on Now TV.
Plenty of pirate streams to watch. Its what I do
kryton - you must know someone with a BT broadband account that you can "borrow" their log in for? Then use either the android app and cast it or watch on computer screen/tablet.
Id lend you mine, but Im using it this afternoon too 🙂
Lady ref for Dregs v Zebs…she seemed pretty good, yellow card seemed a bit harsh
I thought she was very good, but helped by two rather unambitious teams who aren’t the most cynical in the competition. The card was correct I thought. The players seemed to give her more respect than most male refs - that’ll change. 😁
aren’t the most cynical in the competition
Not Irish you mean.....runs for cover!
Well yes. It did occur to me that Ulster v Munster (in either home venue) would be the real test. (Also ducks for cover.)
Great tip thanks. Turns out the in laws have BT Broadband . I'm tuned in live now!
Stoner is going to be insufferable.
I would be if Leicester were a side worth beating. Arf!
I enjoyed the Game - Meatball ( Weir) looks to have found some form and confidence at last so thanks for that Stoner / Wuss. We need him as a scots 10 but we need him in form.
Nice result for Wuss despite doing their best too throw away a 30 - 11 lead!
Surprise surprise, Tuilagi out with injury. Marler and Youngs too, although the former cites “personal problems”.
Driving home yesterday and heard the Wuss result and I said to my self “Stoner will be happy”
the power of STW, never met Stoner, don’t even know his name but thought of him. I find that a little disturbing 😂
amazing result
Still havent watched the bloody highlights yet as BT sport didnt get to them until gone midnight and well past my bedtime! I did get a few pints in with a mate in the local yesterday evening though who was young Ted Hill's coach at Malvern RFC from 5yrs old. Very proud chap.
Marker rumoured to be close to announcing his retirement from international rugby.
Cracks in the EJ set up finally showing? Gustard would rather coach Quins and now Marler looks like he might be a lot to decide that international rugby isn’t for him...
There's quite a few articles that have been quoted here before during "tired-gate" from other international rugby teams that Eddie's "shock and awe" tactics are a one trick pony and nearly sent Australia into a spin.
IMO, he's mistimed his tactics with England. He's come to the End of his modus operandum 18 months early and is not quite sure how to get them back, other than repeating the cycle. I bet that there's quite a few retirements after the RWC in the England camp, and for those that don't a huge sigh of relief.
Not a rumour, Marler retires from internationals
Watched falcons chiefs last night. It's becoming g very obvious that that break down is a mess, off feet and looping a hand on the ball, also have we just given up on offside?
Anyone watch the Cardiff Cheetahs game last night? How can video refs and ref conspire to get so much wrong? Lee-lo clearly knocked on before his try and one of the Cheetahs tries had a clear forward pass in it. If Mr Clancy a player offloads whilst lying still on the floor the ball can only go forward if it is passed that way. Its different from a running player!!
Sounds like a bit of an escape from the blues - similar to Edinburgh!
I do wonder if Cockers is still enjoying coaching Edinburgh and can anyone tell me what the point of Grant Gilcrest is? Almost cost us the game with 3 stupid pens ( two of which led to Bennetton tries) and his yellow card
Blues rested quite a few players and they really struggle without Nick Williams to get them some go forward.
How can video refs and ref conspire to get so much wrong?
Ive said it before on here, but if I made such glaring errors so often then I’d be out of a job. Clancy was the ref at a Super Rugby game a few years ago where the commentators said on air that they had enough crap refs of their own, why bother flying one halfway around the world.
Another day another baffling decision.
Zebre player knocks on around halfway. He then boots the ball deep into Ospreys 22, O's player under pressure hooks the ball in the air landing it not in touch inside the 22. Ref shouts advantage over. O's player knocks on into another O's player, pen to Zebre who score from resulting lineout.
Its funny how its always the welsh teams on the wrong end of these bad decisions 😉
No not really as I said one of Clancy's howlers was awarding Cardiff a try when Lee-Lo knocked on.
Scarlets v Kings is great fun so far!! 21 to 14 at half time.
