[2013 EOYT] England

[LooseHeadProp87]

ohh i naturally thought with him going on tour with the lions he was putting himself back in contention with England ! shame really i think he could still offer a lot for england.

 

[j-dawg]

Stevens was monstered by Toulon before lions selection, by another English prop ironically enough.

The general consensus seems to be; Corbs, youngs, cole, launchbury, Parling, Wood, Robshaw and Morgan to start in the pack.

England were very unlucky not to get wins over Australia and South Africa last year - south africa especially - but the dip (skydive) in form over the 6 nations may have worked against them. Are they in a better place now than this time last year? I'm not so sure.

 

[LooseHeadProp87]

front row seems to have picked its self at the moment although i do like vuinpola

 

[Bada-Bing!]

The general consensus seems to be; Corbs, youngs, cole, launchbury, Parling, Wood, Robshaw and Morgan to start in the pack.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...BE-internationals-readers-XV-in-pictures.html

Team, as voted by telegraph readers. Only difference in the pack is Billy Vunipola for the out of form Morgan.

 

[Peat]

England were very unlucky not to get wins over Australia and South Africa last year - south africa especially - but the dip (skydive) in form over the 6 nations may have worked against them. Are they in a better place now than this time last year? I'm not so sure.

At best we're in the same position. I would really like to see the bench guys putting serious pressure on the starters by the end of the AIs.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...BE-internationals-readers-XV-in-pictures.html

Team, as voted by telegraph readers. Only difference in the pack is Billy Vunipola for the out of form Morgan.

The Ben youngs picture there is brilliant.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Notes from today's games:

Billy Vunipola - massive workrate for a guy his size, much better discipline than before, would probably be more destructive as a carrier if he was played at 8 so he can focus on that.

Ashton - Worked very hard, still makes me very nervous.

Ben Youngs - out of sorts.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Vunipola was mullered in the scrum, as well.
Billy very impressive, couple of knockons, and did get isolated once or twice but that seemed to be almost his team mates underestimating him/not expecting him to make so many yards so hanging back in support.

 

[ratsapprentice]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...han-my-blueprint-for-English-rugby-union.html

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I only had to read the tagline before saying "F**k off, Geech".
Getting rid of relegation is an idiotic idea.

 

[SelimNiai]

I only had to read the tagline before saying "F**k off, Geech".
Getting rid of relegation is an idiotic idea.

The paragraph that sums all this up as idiocy is this one;

But I have to say that Exeter's first-half performance against Cardiff Blues last weekend was probably the best rugby I have seen from a Premiership team for a long time. Rob Baxter's side have no superstars, but if you are looking for a complete team approach this was a superb example.

Ummm, Geech? Where did Exeter come from?

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Massive performance by Courtney Lawes v the Ospreys today; England looking very strong in the lock forward department with Launchbury, Parling and Atwood. :0).

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'm not so sure it was - Barnes was wanking himself raw over him, but other than a couple of big hits he didn't really do a lot.
Was terrible at the breakdown, as well, giving away really really stupid penalties.
Attwood is head and shoulders above him, for me.

 

[SelimNiai]

Lawes did his job as a forward, nothing more spectacular than that.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I thought Lawes had a good game.

He's been in awesome form for Saints and not been able to bring it to England before though...
Again, it's not a simple case of who are our best players.
We need to find a big TH lock who can perform at the required level, so Attwood is a priority.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I thought Lawes had a good game.

He's been in awesome form for Saints and not been able to bring it to England before though...
Again, it's not a simple case of who are our best players.
We need to find a big TH lock who can perform at the required level, so Attwood is a priority.

Lawes actually plays on the loose side for the saints and although he does the big hits his carrying isn't that great. He has and always will be in my opinion and 5 lock but without the lineout capability which is why he is miles behind Parling and Attwood.

He will always give big hits but his is not going to make those tight yards or smash it in the scrum. Great player but should have developed his lineout game more by now.

 

[Tony Manx]

Lawes actually plays on the loose side for the saints and although he does the big hits his carrying isn't that great. He has and always will be in my opinion and 5 lock but without the lineout capability which is why he is miles behind Parling and Attwood.

He will always give big hits but his is not going to make those tight yards or smash it in the scrum. Great player but should have developed his lineout game more by now.

He was certainly at lock today and with 20 tackles a try scoring pass, and some good takes in the line out this week (and four steals last week) I am not sure what you are saying in truth?

 

[j'nuh]

We are one day from the announcement... thoughts?

I'm still really unsure. I'm leaning with Wood, but I'm just happy as long as it isn't Hartley.

 

[Tony Manx]

It WILL be Robshaw...............see my signature!

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Don't think Lancaster will announce England captain tomorrow. Not according to the 5 live interview he gave; he specifically said he'd watch the players train first, then closer to the 1st test pick his 15 and then the captain.