[2015 Six Nations] England

[Wendigo7]

Happy New Years all.

What are your aspirations for the team in 2015? (if your not confident... at all?)
What things would you like to see worked on?

Note: Separate news, Lancaster has banged the drum for Luke Cowan Dickie and Henry Slade again. You have to think Slade and Dickie will be saxons minimum and with the way Slades playing, the main team in the 6Ns. He said he wants to give them opportunities with the main side...

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I like slade but it still doesn't solve the centres debate.

On form right now it would be:
12 burrell
13 slade

Or

12 Eastmond
13 Joseph

Lancaster will probably pick out of position players though again

 

[chippieolamus]

If Tuilagi gets back to form then could 12. Slade and 13. Tuilagi work? Not sure how much Slade has played at 12 but he seems like the sort of player who could slot in there and compliment Tuilagi.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

If Tuilagi gets back to form then could 12. Slade and 13. Tuilagi work? Not sure how much Slade has played at 12 but he seems like the sort of player who could slot in there and compliment Tuilagi.

I'm not really bothered about getting tuilagi back. I think we play better without him.

 

[Wendigo7]

Slade to start against Italy.

I'd actually prefer if Corbs was on the bench and Tuilagi was left to get fit. Tuilagi's a fantastic option, but we need to know how to play without him too. Slade or Eastmond at 12 for me. Joseph at 13. Let Ford run riot and have Eastmond/Slade in as the supporting act.

With Wales, I'd hope we realise we're the better set piece side and they suck at defending mauls, so let's go after them and control territory. Ford's a better exponent of that than Biggar. Choke them out.

Just would be nice to win something and stop coming 2nd, we've come 2nd in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014... I'd like us to do it this year please. The pot shots of becoming the nearly men is really frustrating.

 

[McTallshort]

I'm not really bothered about getting tuilagi back. I think we play better without him.

No we dont

 

[TheSaffycen]

Players who I would like to see used in the 6 Nations
Ewers, the guy just has to be used either in his better position at 6 or in the 20 shirt.
Slade, let us see what we can do with another kicking option in the team, would help out Ford/Farrell and Slade has a real distance on his goalkicking. Having a guy who can slot over 55m kicks was the main reason I wanted Daly in the team before but Slade is a better option for what we need.
George, a hooker like Hartley but with no real discipline probelms. Great thrower and is good around the park in attack and defence, hasn't really got any X-Factor is any facet of his game but I feel he would be a very good asset for this England team.
Joseph, no real reason needed for why he should be played. Might be a bit hard for Slade and Joseph both to be tried out though, I would like to see Jospeh used in the bigger games like France/Scotland and Slade start against Italy

 

[Irishkid]

Totally agree with Tallshort we are so much better with Tuilagi because he is a beast.

 

[goodNumber10]

i think we played better rugby last six nations with LB at 13... does that make us better with him? arguable.

My preference is LB at 12, MT at 13.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

It's strange how we certainly aren't lacking talented players to slot into the centre yet it is still a point of weakness for us. I think 9 is the only spot where we are truely lacking talent (Care on form is pretty good but I'd still rate him lower than a fair few other international 9's).

Ultimately any combination of 12: Eastmond/Slade and 13: Tuilagi/Joseph I'd be happy with with Burrell being an option for 12 or 13. Eastmond-Joseph is probably our fastest and most creative pairing whilst Burrell-Tuilagi is probably the most physical. Potentially we have the options to drastically change our game style in the centres if we get it firing properly.

 

[McTallshort]

i think we played better rugby last six nations with LB at 13... does that make us better with him? arguable.

My preference is LB at 12, MT at 13.

I do agree that LB is a better at 13 think he is a great player despite the eye brows but not having people say we play worse with Manu in the side it just isnt true.

 

[goodNumber10]

I do agree that LB is a better at 13 think he is a great player despite the eye brows but not having people say we play worse with Manu in the side it just isnt true.

I agree it isn't true, but we do play a different style with him - i think it's actually a more effective and efficient team with Manu in it.

 

[McTallshort]

I agree it isn't true, but we do play a different style with him - i think it's actually a more effective and efficient team with Manu in it.

Well he hasnt really played much in the last year but I would dearly like to see him play outside Ford and behind our currently very effective pack.

Im still not convinved regards Eastmond/Joesph and its more to do with Joesph to be honest who despite being a very good club player isnt IMO international class.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Well he hasnt really played much in the last year but I would dearly like to see him play outside Ford and behind our currently very effective pack.

Im still not convinved regards Eastmond/Joesph and its more to do with Joesph to be honest who despite being a very good club player isnt IMO international class.

I think with Joseph we have a better chance of bringing in the wingers than we would with Burrell or Tuilagi, he can do some nice passes.

 

[McTallshort]

I think with Joseph we have a better chance of bringing in the wingers than we would with Burrell or Tuilagi, he can do some nice passes.

He might have just not convinced hes a test animal, Barrett is not as flash or quick but honestly if it was the WC final and we were playing New Zealand I would rather have Barrett or Burrell or Manu before Joseph.

 

[Maverick1987]

S Armitage to Saints...

That an official rumour ?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Burgess starts at 13 against Tigers.

Wasn't expecting that!

 

[j'nuh]

Sharples at full-back would be an interesting one - I'd like to see it.

Glos team just announced:
Charlie Sharples; David Halaifonua, Mark Atkinson, Billy Twelvetrees (capt), Jonny May; James Hook, Greig Laidlaw; Nick Wood, Darren Dawidiuk, John Afoa; Tom Savage, Tom Palmer; Sione Kalamafoni, Matt Kvesic, Ben Morgan

Looks like Humphreys reads TRF. :lol:

You'd think that if he were jigsawing his squad together whilst Cook is out, that he'd pick someone with more fullback experience (such as May or Halaifonua) to go there, unless he was thinking of converting Sharples more permanently.

 

[welshglory]

I know i always seem to say it but i'm looking forward to seeing how Atkinson goes. I love his running lines and skillset

 

[Patchey]

Burgess starts at 13 against Tigers.

Wasn't expecting that!

Sweet Jesus. What is in Mike Ford's drinks these days?