They haven't had many chances to butcher.
That's true but they've had a lot more chances than they've scored tries. The thing is, a lot of English players make try scoring opportunities seem really difficult by not doing the basics right.
For example, the clip a_a posted where Brown failed to put Strettle in at the corner vs Wales highlights the problem. If that had been Dagg and Savea the try would have been scored and it would never have looked like it wasn't going to be scored.
If you go through England's recent four games you'll see a host of missed chances by the back 3. Yarde/Brown vs Samoa and Brown/May Brown/Watson vs Australia spring to mind but there are plenty more. Brown doesn't have the skill or the hands for this level.
On another note, brilliant bit of skill by Cipriani to win the game for Sale against Newcastle. Makes his non selection ever more frustrating.......
That's true but they've had a lot more chances than they've scored tries.
Don't they all? For all of Adam Ashley Coopers excellent play, he didn't get on the board did he? Folau hasn't had many tries and neither has North.
If that had been Dagg and Savea the try would have been scored
Can't disagree there, but I reckon Foden would have put him in. Brown is Ok if he can do it all himself.
Did you see the Saints/LW game? Again, frustrating seeing what Burrell can do and what England needed. People wrongly categorise him as a bosher, he's far better than that.
I've just been reading Stephen Jones Times article on the Eng v Aus game. Why do I bother? If England play pretty and lose " It's all about the winning". If we win ugly "England don't have the backs of the Southern Hemisphere"
This time it was " What if Australia had England's pack? We wouldn't have a chance". Well, they don't, and we don't have their backs either. A completely pointless argument.
@wrecker yeah I still think England make things more difficult than they are. I agree Foden should be in - he's always had real ability to score and create scores. Didn't see the Saints game but if Burrell is so good at 12 for them why has he only been tried at 13 for England?
@dantsw13 - I gave up paying attention to Stephen Jones years ago.
I think England will regress to relying on their strengths, which will get them far - but not quite far enough.
I do chuckle at these "can't score tries" comments, had Brown caught that pass we'd have been 14-0 up against NZ early in the first half. England's failings this Autumn haven't been a lack of finishing but some basic game and field position management. Ford had a good enough game, by rights he should be first choice for the 6N now, let's wait and see.
Well done to Wales, got to the finish line.
Yeah but that's the point. He didn't catch the pass. We didn't score the try and we didn't go 14-0 up.
Lack of basic skills under pressure.
Agreed poor game management has been the main problem but we'd be a bit closer if we could take our chances.
if Burrell is so good at 12 for them why has he only been tried at 13 for England?
thats a damn good question. They seem to think that they need a "playmaker" at 12 to make up for OF's shortcomings, so they selected 12trees. The man who is possibly the worst decision maker we have!
My view is Ford at 10, Burrell at 12, Tuiglagi/Barrit at 13, job done.
Can't see why Lancaster can't see that. Or maybe he can, the 6N should be played with the final team selection without a doubt.
Pocock's been arrested for protesting against a controversial coal mining project. ARU apparently not impressed, I don't see how you can damage your knee injury recovery by being chained to a fence.
[url= http://www.theguardian.com/sport/feedarticle/11666438 ]link[/url]
@wrecker/@kryton agreed
The daft thing is, we have some really quite good centres!
Burrell and Manu obviously, but Henry Slade has been lighting games up, Eastmond and Joseph are both exciting runners but they keep picking bloody twelve trees or even worse, Farrell!?!?!
Honorable mention goes to Barritt, he was an animal on saturday.
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
😆
So thats Gussets nh team of the six nations. I take it not france too. Barritt and Roberts in the centres!!! Depressing. Robshaw must have been world class super dooper outstanding to get ahead of Warburton who was wales best player by some distance, he totally outplayed the aus and sa 7's. Mcaw seemed to be playing a very different type of game though so it was hard to compare. I'm not sure I'd swap him for anyone though.
[img] 
[/img]
Not sure Devilliers did much other than get a horrific injury. Would destroy the nh team.
It's not outlandish. I'm no fan of warbuton. He blows hot and cold and is made of chocolate. I'd take robshaw or that scots flanker.
Fair points wrecker but this autumn he was exceptional, really step up in carrying too.
anyway if gussett is a bit daft the torygraph are proper barking, johnny may in a world 15 captained by Robshaw!!!
Fair dues, he was on form. What I saw of the SA game he played no small part in the win.
Jonny may is madness, but robshaw is perfect captain material (I'm not saying he would make the world 15 but not too far off). He's the hardest, most reliable grafter out there.
My confidence in SL is waning. Not because of the results, but because it's obvious to everyone that his selections are plain bloody stupid. If he gives the 10 shirt back to Farrell in the 6N, I might be referring to my Irish side!!!
^Now that really is bloody nuts!!! Not sure I'd have any of Guscotts front row!!! Hartley and Wilson for me, none of the looseheads stood out.
Jonny May in a world xv?!!!!!! **** me!!!
Got it @aa hadn't seen it was Guscotts team. May scored one special try but not a lot else. These things are posted up just for fun. What I do agree with is Robshaw's comment that this should be a cracking 6N.
Ireland strong favourites, with England and France next and Wales not far behind. Having said that I've not looked at who is playing where. Wales england is first up though I think. Lots of maul defence between 6 now ans six nation for wales. Eng and Ireland could maul them off the park.
Ireland strong favourites, with England and France next and Wales not far behind. Having said that I've not looked at who is playing where.
Friday, 6 February – Wales v England 8.05pm
Saturday, 7 February – Italy v Ireland 2.30pm; France v Scotland 5pm
Saturday, 14 February – England v Italy 2.30pm; Ireland v France 5pm
Sunday, 15 February – Scotland v Wales 3pm
Saturday, 28 February – Scotland v Italy 2.30pm, France v Wales 5pm
Sunday, 1 March – Ireland v England 3pm
Saturday, 14 March – Wales v Ireland 2.30pm; England v Scotland 5pm
Sunday, 15 March – Italy v France 3pm
Saturday, 21 March – Italy v Wales 12.30pm; Scotland v Ireland 2.30pm; England v France 5pm
That first game could well decide the outcome of the whole tournament. If either England or Wales can get off to a good start, the momentum will help! France and Ireland open with (what should be) the easier matches, though.
I don't think I agree with any of guscotts choices. Healy instead of kaino? Lawes instead of *insert one of numerous*, he's got a Worcester player in there!
He's completely lost it.
Talking of shit pundits was it Robinson on the england samoa commentary who had never seen a 15 man lineout before. Wales scored v nz doing it last season its hardly a ground breaking new tic tac.
C'pn, looks good for you boys. England and Ireland at home, just a quick trip to Paris to sort out.
England the opposite - put the choir behind them again and the men in white/purple/red will be quivering wrecks again!
Six Nations games shouldn't be on a Friday evening, end of story.
Six Nations games shouldn't be on a Friday evening, end of story.
[img] 
[/img]
England have tough draw this year, Wales away (so they have to be favourites) then an equally tricky trip away to Ireland. I see another championship won without a grand slam and as has been said it's shaping up to be one of the best 6N in a long time.
Anyway some key not the Henekin cup fixtures coming up.
Funny, its always shaping up to be a good six nations when england might do well and its a poor year if england dont!!
Who is saying that A_A?
The population by the grace of God of the Principality
The good burghers of Scotlandshire
The long men from the green land of rain and moss
The hommes from the land of wine and shrugs
The mummys boys who love their pasta and Vespas
I think they all say it 😉
it's shaping up to be one of the best 6N in a long time.
I disagree I think recent ones have been great!!
I certainly didn't say that @aa, my comment was echoing what others have said as with each of England, Wales and Ireland having beaten a Southern Hemisphere team this autmn and with the RWC looming large the tournament is nicely set up.
[s]each of[/s] England and Wales beaten one and Ireland having beaten [s]a[/s] two Southern Hemisphere teams this autmn
That's better 😉
Don't forget France beat a SH giant as well.
The 6N shapes up well when all the sides look capable of bringing something to the table - which they do this time (except Italy).
Scotland have been so poor for so long that the championship has suffered for it. Hopefully they'll contribute more this year.
Hopefully they'll contribute more this year.
I'm sure they will. They seriously look like they have got their shit together.
I just hope Italy dont get left too far behind.
Autumn internationals (and rankings I believe, but haven't checked) suggest Ireland favourites among home nations. Wales have better draw that England and France and Scotland proved they could catch and even score. Missed the Italians. But overall should be a great 6N, very close with Ireland starting as the team to beat IMO.
Bookies have England as favourites for 6 nations.
And second fav's for WC behind ABs.
Six Nations games shouldn't be on a Friday evening, end of story.
Quite enjoy the Friday night games, as long as it's a "neutral" one - bit like a little starter before the main course on Sat.
Ospreys getting outgunned up front by Racing M 🙁
Hardly a shock that!
The shock is rescuing a draw 😯
Not sure what the Italian is ranting about but it is a good rant 😆 a bit sweary 😀
@pigface - Cockerel accused him of leaving Leicester for the money, he didn't like that.
Nice win for Leicester, the return (to be played in Nice I think) will be interesting.
Quite a surprise to see Tigers beat Toulon. Can't for one second think that there is going to be a repeat perforce in a weeks time, would love it to be the case though...
Nice rant from Castro - thoroughly enjoyable!
