If Hartley scores against England that would make him world class in my eyes.

(PS every time I see Lawes on the pitch I expect a red card, but apparently he has mended his ways.. Hmmm)

Whilst we are on the subject who are your biggest penalty magnets, past and present?

I mean when they appear on your team sheet you just think oh bugger..

I go for:

Lawes
Hartley
Moody

And I forecast:

Farrel.

Yeah that’s the opposite definition, Richie McCaw is a penalty repulser.

How has Matt Stevens avoided mention? Every time I see him waddling onto the pitch I think “oh please no”

Lawes has just taken on Grewcock’s roll.

For a while it was Ryan Jones for Wales. He’d have a fantastic 10 mins, a bit of magic, set up a scoring opportunity, then back in his own half give away 2 or 3 penalties to let the oppo score.

AWJ too.

Finley Calder is one of the dirtiest buggers I ever played against,but not as bad as his brother Jim who also got a few caps.Actually a few of them were very good adverts for pro teams,you didn’t have to play against internationals in club games anymore and try to walk on a Sunday. While Fin is well remembered for the chasing of an up and under onto the Irish 15 in the WC quarter in,91? He earns extra points for being sacked as Stu Mel coach for spending half time commenting not on the hammering they were getting,but instead discussing how well upholstered a female spectator was.

Notice good example for any aspiring skipper,knocks somebody sparko and berates the ref for making him do it. 😆

It’s you 😉

There is far too much over analysis these days. As an Englishman, I am used to listening to oodles of chippy crap directed our way. But what is the latest attack of the All Blacks all about. So they write on a whiteboard that they are the most dominant team in the world. And this same arrogant accusation crops up. What a crock.

First, it is true. Second, even if it wasnt there is no harm in writing that for “internal” use. Pro sport is largely decided between the ears. The AB, Ashton and anyone else would be able to write, say, think whatever it takes to make them mentally ready. For the rest, “sticks and stones……” or stopping being over sensitive bunnies. This is rugby after all 😉

Or that he is blaming the others for a lack of decent ball? Which may be a fair point but he has been in the wrong place at the wrong time a fair bit too..

Anyway if that is what he means he ought not have said it.

But we can dream….

Or feed the ABs dodgy prawns.

Again.

🙂

He’s about to find out. I’ve got £5 with anyone that Nonu goes straight through 10/12/13 at least twice. I’d have £10 that one of those break will lead to a try as Ashton gets sucked in/falls off a tackle.

Surely the ABs will be looking to give Ashton some much needed tackle practice

Ashton will be drawn inside him, and he’ll be left to Brown. I think they’ll run at the centres, knowing that they’ll break the line and/or Ashton will be drawn in to create acres of space. Then they’ll be at least 2 AB’s running past Ashton at Brown.

IMO, this game could be drawn or lost by Wood/Vunipola/Robshaw/Launchbury/Lawes playing out of thier skins.

Just read the article about the All Blacks white board, one of the most insightful phrases into their motivation was – “We are playing England – this is about history, about human nature.”

As for penalty machines BM is right about the Claw and DOC but could have added in any of 6 or 7 other Munster forwards over the last 12 years especially Alan Quinlan. I

That’s “Big” Jim Hamilton, thankyouverymuch.

You’d think ‘Big’ was his christened name. In fact I think he’s actually a unit.

Another penalty magnet vote – James Haskell

Ducky, bloody zokes, I have had his back umpteen times, is there no loyalty!
My empire is down south, but I will remind you to my ABZ mates who are all burgeouing capitalist scum.

I forgot about Haskell, he defo made me worried every time he stepped on the field. He is apparently trying to get back into the england set up for ’15.

The worst thing is to let the opposition know that you fear/respect them.

oh ffs!

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/rhys-priestland-centre-tug-of-war-clermont-6302847

surely even rhys’ decision making couldnt be so bad he’d pick Glaws?

Gethin is back at the Blues but yes not a bad team. Fat git at Sale Lewis-Roberts to replace him on the bench (providing its been reinforced).

Good point on Gethin, don’t know how I missed that. Perhaps it was all the talk from the Wales camp that he has lost 5kg since joining the squad and I instantly assumed if was the Top 14’s fault 😀

Lewis-Roberts can play where he wants I wouldn’t argue with him 😀 Suppose you could technically also put Andy Powell in on the action too in an Exiles squad having joined Wigan.

I think not letting any Hookers leave Wales must be the RFU’s masterplan to ensure a Wales exiles 15 can’t exist 😆 I can’t think of any and Bennett has retired as far as I know

The flip side of that coin is that clubs lose their stars then they have to develop talent and give them a go.