Talking about Flood dropped and Cips not promoted
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/10550950/England-head-coach-Stuart-Lancaster-set-to-snub-Danny-Cipriani-and-Toby-Flood-for-Elite-Player-Squad.html

Lots of rumour and counter rumour. A british league would be a good idea, if the Italians can join the french all would be good…I very much doubt anything much is going to change though.

Well that link above seems like confirmation that the Cipriani ship has sailed for good then re England. So Farrell Ford Burns Myler are the four 10’s that we’ll be picking from. Sweet jebus.

Steenson has been better than alm of them this season-shame he’s too old.

Cirpiani deselected himself years ago, his time in Australia wasn’t so successful and he’s only just back and beginning to play well so in my mind he’s not a candidate.

Lancaster is making a mistake if not selecting Flood but they persisted with Farrell when he was playing poorly so perhaps it’s really Flood who’s making the call.

Leicester have no fit inside centres, so flood who’s played a fair bit in that position (at Falcons with Wilkinson at FH) and even for England, so he moved there. He wasn’t kicking as he’s carrying an injury that hurts like hell every time he swings, but is carrying on playing as the cupboard is really bare at Tigers with Alan not being quite fit and Bowden with a fractured cheek / eye socket and Heptima (SP) also out.
I suppose they could have played lamb, but even Leicester aren’t that desperate!

I think Flood has had a long talk with Lancaster, asked if he’s in the running to be fly half and was told yes, behind Farrell and alongside Burns. With that he’s gone, right’o, bye bye, I’m off to France for some money while I can, as I want to play international rugby, but if I’m that far behind, I may as well get some money in. So now he’s out of England reckoning for good.

Scrum rule change from now, ref will no longer give 9 verbal instruction to feed,but will instead use a pre-arranged signal. Hope that involves a cattle prod when Care is playing.

That makes a lot of sense duckman, to be fair you’d have thought that it’d have been standard from the off!

Where you sitting/standing DD?

The only time I’ve got anywhere near hospitality was using the grounds baby changing facilities, the only ones which I could find we’re up with the prawn sandwiches under lock and key 😀

better hope Farrell doesnt get broken.

Mowen has walked out on Aus to go to France too.

Money talks these days. Hardly surprising given the attrition rate due to injury. Careers can be very short so it makes sense to rinse the French clubs for a few Euros whilst your knees and shoulders still work.

Vunipola
hartley
cole
launchbury
lawes
wood
vunipola
robshaw
Care
Farrel
?
Barritt
Burrell/36
Ashton
Brown

excellent pack very very average backs.

True, but lose Adam, Alun Wynn and Toby through injury and…

I would like to see Eastmond and Watson play together for England. They have been playing well for Barf.

😀

When I’ve seen him playing the outside channels, he has linked very well with Watson. You’re right though, it’s a very young, inexperienced set of replacement backs in that England squad.

Well, they often do well after a Lions tour so maybe this year…

I think the current. Aus captain leaving is a suprise.

Scarlets v Wales all stars

http://dart1801.blogspot.co.uk/p/home-page.html

Ulster win, but no BP! 😯 Massive game at Welford Road against Leicester now for home advantage in the QFs, given that Leicester give Benetton Treviso a battering tomorrow, which is fairly likely.

(BM, even if there was money on it, I’d be hoping Ulster do the job 🙂 )

@aa Gatland didn’t take any Welsh 10’s on the Lions Tour so even your national coach doesn’t agree with you.

PS in fairness perhaps the selectors told him he had to take a few non-welsh on the tour