As in definite 'no' as he is injured!
to be fair Roberts and Davies are a very limited paiing when it comes to passing, Roberts and Tuliagi wouldnt be any worse.
Trying to be as unbiased as I can, I simply cannot imagine any justification for warbs being selected over robshaw. He's put the "proper 7" rubbish firmly to bed and played out of his skin every single game.
Gameplan though isnt it. England play the breakdown very different to Wales. England gain turnovers by trying to tackle runners behind the gainline and counter rucking over the ball, Wales try to chop tackle and jackel. England came a bit unstuck in this against Aus in the autumn as Aus move the point of attack so well which is not to say Wales have done any better with their approach having lost 240 000 times to australia in the last year.
Its a similar theme when you compare the roles of the 8 in the two teams. For England Margan drops back looking to return kicks and so makes more striking runs than Faletau who plays up in the defensive line like a flanker (wales like flankers they have two, plus Faeltau and Phillips, two more in the centres and another two on the wings, its part of the reason their defence is so good.) Intrestingly against france Wood played like Faletau and Robshaw dropped back to field the kicks.
When McVisser learns to put down the schmoke and a pancake, yesh, for sure, and learn to be the tacklesh making, then maybe. Until then, no.
Barritt in for Davies though
not sure what Barritt does that Davies doesnt and Davies scores tries.
Roberts has his Medical degree finals this week, busy boy!!
North, Maitland, Cuthbert, ANOther
Might be tempted to take an extra fullback, maybe Kearney and use 1/2p on the wing
Davies passing to the touchline constantly is still stuck in my mind! I reckon that Barritt is better in defence than Davies.
As in definite 'no' as he is injured!
Ha. I read that as; I thought that Ferris was a definite, no?
Not sure POC deserves to travel. Prob take Gray instead.
I think Gray is falling way down the pecking order now. Missed the tackle on North that eventually lead to the first try this weekend.
I assumed Gray was broken. Ian Evans has been quietly very efficient for Wales (Ireland game aside which was his first game of rugby since November).
I reckon that Barritt is better in defence than Davies.
dont know but Davies is a very solid defender
Prob take Gray instead.
Well, you have to take at least one Scotchish person, so why not! 😉
What's happened to Bradley Davies? Injured I guess? How long for? I'd have him on the plane if fit.
Donncha hasn't had a bad campaign either.
Not enough Irish in my squad but I honestly dont see who I should add. Maybe Conner Murry or Youngs, SOB just doesnt seem to fit any position and Heaslip has been poor IMO
Agreed D Ryan has been solid. Heaslip hasn't been great has he!
Bradley Davies just returned from his knockout blow and then did his ankle I think, will struggle to play again this season AFAIK. Girafferis could have been and outside bet too but he's broken. D Ryan seems to have a good angry face but little else IMO.
I'm just glad that whatever happens, Botha will not be a lion.
anyway next week!!Lets have it
Some of this
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some of this
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and then this all round whatever the result
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and lets try and avoid this afterwards
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Who do we think will be the surprise pick then? Luke Marshall would be a good outside bet. Eli Walker? Can't see the latter myself but he's very exciting to watch.
Italy played really well today much as they did against france, they tried the same against scots but just made too many mistakes due to Scots being so aggressive but England should have done the basics simply and straightforward, straighten the line and stop crabbing.
Just need some flair in the midfield and wings all a bit stolid and crash bang.
Forfana is just the ticket..
Lions is a hard call key ones
Halfpenny Kearney or Hogg
FArrell Sexton........ or Biggar
Scrumhalf open to all I would think Philips Youngs Murray
Fun and games
Foden/ Armitage brothers /J May/ could all be in there
If you must take a Scottish second row, then please take Kellock,cannot believe Gray starts before him.Scotland play Hamilton to suit their game plan, but Kellock knocked back Tolouse as he was offered the band at Glasgow/daughter born. He needs to grow out his hair and bleach it.At 6"8" and 18.5 nobody would notice anyway.
Has Kearney played that well?I think 1/2p must get first shout, but I think one of the surprises of the 6n has been the solid dependability of Goode. I don't think the issue is 1/2p versus Hogg, the former has the won, I think it's Hogg versus Goode for the number 2 slot.
Tuilaga was odd today, for whole periods he went straight to ground in contact. Ashton pulled out of the rough stuff a few time and looked low in confidence when he chose to pass I side instead of backing his own pace.
Kearney was excellent yesterday, possibly the best catcher of the ball i have seen in long time, immense last season in the heneiken cup......Hogg is the best up and coming fullback, played well in the autumn internationals and in the seies BUT he is learning still, Halfpenny won the catching contest yesterday by a long way.
Hogg will a star but maybe not a lion yet, Gatland may not consider him nor Goode, Goode as he is english and not so great attacking in this series.
My outside Lions pick is Christian Wade. I think he'll excel on the dry pitches.
anagallis_arvensis - Member
I'm a borderline racist though not a neutral
At least he's honest.
Wade is crazy quick.
None of the Welsh 10's are up to it and that is being honest
I'd love to see Eli Walker running fast and loose in Oz!
Wade is a good call.........
Paressi isn't he English.....or Scottish...........or welsh......or Irish
best 8 in the world at the moment!
At least he's honest.
found any of these racist posts yet or do you accuse anyone of racism who doesnt agree with you?
anagallis_arvensis - Member
At least he's honest.
found any of these racist posts yet or do you accuse anyone of racism who doesnt agree with you?
I can't be bothered to either be dragged into a virtual argument or justify what any reader of this thread will pick up AA. You have a strong and obvious bias against the English, we can all see that. Now for the sake of the thread lets just assume that wont change, and I at least will take that into account when you comment, and let that be that.
Thats a bit of a climb down from accusations of racism. So can you point out my obvious bias? Is this like when I pointed out Jouberts odd breakdown interpretation and got slated as anti english until the Scots got a look at him this week?
Did Ashton play himself out of the England squad yesterday? I certainly can't see him starting against Wales after showing how limited his abilities are, at least I hope not!
As much as I would like it, Picamoles, you know the bloke who drew with Ireland on Saturday, has no Brit lineage. Johnny Beattie is therefore the Scot On The Plane.
Kryton; that looks very like the Embra defence, now please stop making accusations that really, only you see. A-A is completly one eyed,and has a bias in favour of his country (and their pet commentator)that is rather at odds with anybody [s]normals[/s] else's POV,but can't say I have noticed any racism in his posts. It strayed into a complete bitch fest between TJ and zokes or toys on the RWC thread, so if you don't mind leaving it out, ta!
I admit to being completely one eyed and loathe the english rugby team 😆 its not personal it is just hard wired into me. Nothing wrong with Jiffy either he is a fine commentator numbers NUMBERS [b]NUMBERS[/b]
I agree with Duckman please keep it to banter, this thread has been great so far.
England is still going to wham bam grand slam next weekend.
Italy played very well.
England did not see them as a threat and underplayed a bit...could have cost them but didn't.
Italy had nothing to lose and went for it, England just had to get to the 80th minute with more points on the board and with as little injuries as possible , which they did .
So a good result for me overall.
Fwiw I said "bordering" on racism. Anyway I get the point, my apologies.
IMO England have an issue. They face North and Cuthbert charging down Brown/Ashton's channels or they change the wings for more penetration / defence and lose some cohesiveness.
Hmmm
Never mind all this, lets talk about Sale!
Powell was immense yesterday and even though Mothering Sunday duties meant my tickets stayed magnetised to the Fridge door 🙁 yesterday. I have new ones on the way for next Sunday 😀
See you there Muddy Dwarf!
Hopefully Farrell will be included for Saturday. He is a very good defender, always in the thick of the action.
We are trying to pick a Lions back line from players that are not seeing any ball. What were the stats Roberts/Davies 7 carries Lamont/Scot 3 (?)Tuilagi got very little and was tackled good and low by Italy when he did.
If the centres are not getting any ball the back 3s are getting even less. The FBs are at least fielding the kicks but we have not really seen any of them come into the attacking line. Or any of the wingers get a decent attacking opportunity.
I don't think the Aussies will be to worried by what they have seen so far.
Before you get too happy Surfer, during the game yesterday they mentioned that Sale had 19 players out of contract, a "large number" of whom had told Diamond they didn't want to play for Sale....I am starting to think he is the problem there. But Mongo [b]was[/b] ace yesterday.
This is a good point, Ashton was not getting any ball really. But as a long time Ashton supporter I always found him easy to forgive as his work rate was high and he was shaping up to be a pretty good defender, but even that has collapsed now. We need some good finishers who can defend as well.
Ashton against North....Oh dear.... I wonder if they will pick Tuilangi(sp) on one of the wings to counter the Welsh.
I'll be honest, I've only really watched North play in internationals, and I'm dissapointed that he too has not blossomed into what we all thought he was going to, but yes he will demolish Ashton, might be moot anyway, ashe is probably on his way bac k to his club. But how often do you see wing vs wing, centre vs centre?
It could be the lack of ball, but I think there are a lot of 3/4 who have under performed in the back lines is year - Ashton, Roberts, Kearney (IMO at least!) even dare I say it BOD (a couple of moments of brilliance but not the devastating force of old). Perhaps we should create a line-up of pre-6N shoe-ins for the Lions who might just not make the trip?
I am out now but will have a think!
Mongo for the Lions 😆
