[2015 Six Nations] England

[Patchey]

I am getting so sick of every average performer or bad result being blamed on Chris Robshaw.

Can we try and break this fixation on him and also forget that Steffon Armitage exists, because as he is never going to play for England pre-RWC he might as well not.

 

[Kapa O Pango]

At the moment your back-row combo of Haskell, Robshaw and Vunipola is the best you have. Robshaw is actually better at the breakdown then he once was, we all know Robshaw is a machine when it comes to tackling and would definitely be a world No6. I watched the Ireland v England match, the Irish really flooded that breakdown with everyone they had and when it comes to breakdown dominance SOB is a different beast compared to Robshaw. England's best openside will always be Robshaw, he gives all the skills of a world class No6, but he's still ever improving in the breakdown area, you can't blame on Robshaw for losing the battle there, to the whole forward pack should be working together as one unit, which Ireland did with main empathizes on that area.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

At the moment your back-row combo of Haskell, Robshaw and Vunipola is the best you have. Robshaw is actually better at the breakdown then he once was, we all know Robshaw is a machine when it comes to tackling and would definitely be a world No6. I watched the Ireland v England match, the Irish really flooded that breakdown with everyone they had and when it comes to breakdown dominance SOB is a different beast compared to Robshaw. England's best openside will always be Robshaw, he gives all the skills of a world class No6, but he's still ever improving in the breakdown area, you can't blame on Robshaw for losing the battle there, to the whole forward pack should be working together as one unit, which Ireland did with main empathizes on that area.

The last part of this is the reason we sucked at the breakdown. The whole forward pack needs to be working together and supporting the ball carriers.

No idea why they chose not to!

 

[lucky number 7]

Bring back Johnny May.

 

[LiRFCMatt]

Bring back Johnny May.

That is not the answer. Watson showed his lack of experience and to some extent test match rugby intelligence against the Irish, but they are our best international wingers at the moment, I'd go for Wade over May as well.

 

[goodNumber10]

I think what will be really interesting is how England react to the Ireland drubbing (and it was a drubbing), do they come out the blocks and smash Scotland or like in the AI's do they lose their confidence and go inside themselves looking for the win.

I'd like to see more momentum based rugby from England as i think that's the only real way to put Scotland away.

I guess similar for Scotland.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I am getting so sick of every average performer or bad result being blamed on Chris Robshaw.

Can we try and break this fixation on him and also forget that Steffon Armitage exists, because as he is never going to play for England pre-RWC he might as well not.

This. I wish everyone would shut up about Armitage. "He's dead to me!"
Robshaw is a top top player, hugely underrated.

Christian Wade is the single most talented winger in the northern hemisphere. Bite me.
If he can work out his positioning and ask Shane Williams how he managed to stop HMS Banahan that time, we don't need Johnny May.

 

[goodNumber10]

This. I wish everyone would shut up about Armitage. "He's dead to me!"

Christian Wade is the single most talented winger in the northern hemisphere. Bite me.
If he can work out his positioning and ask Shane Williams how he managed to stop HMS Banahan that time, we don't need Johnny May.
Robshaw is a top top player, hugely underrated.

Wade simply needs to move to the left wing and get a run of games there and all his problems will be solved.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Wade simply needs to move to the left wing and get a run of games there and all his problems will be solved.

Interesting...what's your theory? Left wingers are used differently to right wingers I'm guessing and have more support with the full-back?

 

[nickdnz]

Christian Wade is the single most talented winger in the northern hemisphere. Bite me.
If he can work out his positioning and ask Shane Williams how he managed to stop HMS Banahan that time, we don't need Johnny May.

This. Who cares if he needs a children's car seat, the guy is incredible. I think his 'terrible defense' is overly scrutinized.

 

[goodNumber10]

Interesting...what's your theory? Left wingers are used differently to right wingers I'm guessing and have more support with the full-back?

I just have a personal preference for small, stepping, quick wingers on the left. He'll have more space to open up in and get more counter attack ball with fewer chasers as int he back three systems it moves form right to left much quicker.

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This. Who cares if he needs a children's car seat, the guy is incredible.

guilty lol!

 

[lucky number 7]

That is not the answer. Watson showed his lack of experience and to some extent test match rugby intelligence against the Irish, but they are our best international wingers at the moment, I'd go for Wade over May as well.

May would have Punished Ireland when Nowell and Watson could not. Couple of times if Nowell had some toe he'd have gotten away. Watson too. It's not like either had exceptional games defensively or under the high ball either.

 

[TheSaffycen]

This. Who cares if he needs a children's car seat, the guy is incredible. I think his 'terrible defense' is overly scrutinized.

His size is an issue though. If he had played Ireland with Bose and Kearney challenging him in the air it would have been a blood bath, his positioning is an issue as well. With ball in hand I think even NZ would struggle too contain him.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

His size is an issue though. If he had played Ireland with Bose and Kearney challenging him in the air it would have been a blood bath, his positioning is an issue as well. With ball in hand I think even NZ would struggle too contain him.

Nah, not true - he's vastly improved in the air. Nicks point is who cares if he needs babysitting on occasion; Wade might not make it into the backlines of the Southern Hem sides at the moment, I honestly don't know - the point is if New Zealand didn't pick him, it wouldn't be due to size concerns. And perhaps this is a 'mental gulf' between our nations - we're too afraid to do the things which will make us more competitive.

 

[nickdnz]

On the right wing I'd pick Wade for New Zealand - or at least give him more of a go. 15. Ben Smith, 14. Christian Wade, 11. Julian Savea...very exciting. Although I must admit what I want from my wingers is a lot more based on their ability to finish opportunities, than their defense and all round game (this is a lot more true generally speaking of the left wing than the right). I'd rather my wingers not know what kicking is most of the time. That said - I'm not sure Hansen would be that much more liberal than Lancaster, Masaga only had one game for NZ against Italy and he was undoubtedly one of the best attacking wingers in the world, with an average all-round game. But yeah, I think England tend to be far too conservative with their wing choices, and even when players are selected who are perhaps more 'flashy' - they inevitably get dropped whether things go right or wrong. James Simpson-Daniel, Topsy Ojo, Christian Wade - I can't think of what those players did in an England shirt to merit not getting recalled (although I know Ojo was a naughty boy, so was care in 2008). I think based on their performances NZ wouldn't have dismissed them so quickly.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Anyone who thinks that Wades size and positioning wouldn't be an issue is just kidding themself. Henry how many tries would you say Wade has cost you this year ? I know he pretty much have up 2 in a game against Exeter ? Can't remember the team but someone will.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Anyone who thinks that Wades size and positioning wouldn't be an issue is just kidding themself. Henry how many tries would you say Wade has cost you this year ? I know he pretty much have up 2 in a game against Exeter ? Can't remember the team but someone will.

Not that many actually, and he's scored plenty more.
I said above that he needs to sort out his positioning.

 

[ncurd]

I don't think England are in a bad position out of unenforced changes I'd only drop Burrell for 36. A fit starting 15 would look something like the following

1. Corbs
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Lawes
5. Launch
6. Haskell
7. Robshaw
8. Morgan
9. Care/Youngs (depending on who wants to play well today....)
10. Ford
11. Nowell
12. 36
13. JJ
14. Watson
15. Brown

I don't think that's a bad world rugby side at all yes there are changes you could make but if you can consistently pick that team for a year or two I imagine they'd do pretty well.

 

[LiRFCMatt]

I don't think England are in a bad position out of unenforced changes I'd only drop Burrell for 36. A fit starting 15 would look something like the following

1. Corbs
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Lawes
5. Launch
6. Haskell
7. Robshaw
8. Morgan
9. Care/Youngs (depending on who wants to play well today....)
10. Ford
11. Nowell
12. 36
13. JJ
14. Watson
15. Brown

I don't think that's a bad world rugby side at all yes there are changes you could make but if you can consistently pick that team for a year or two I imagine they'd do pretty well.

Please no. Why not try Tuilagi or Eastmond, not 36 who has proven he can't start for England ever again.

 

[ncurd]

Please no. Why not try Tuilagi or Eastmond, not 36 who has proven he can't start for England ever again.

Well I'm on the record saying I'd prefer Eastmond but that's not going to happen pre-RWC now. Tuilagi I want as impact player from the bench I'm not convinced about him starting on this backline, if he proves he can do it form the bench(ie distribute the ball) I'd start him in a heartbeat but he has to prove he can do it first. England have looked better each time 36 has come on in the past three games, I think he now has the right players around him to make him shine unlike previously.

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Eastmond, Wade & Armitage are all in the same boat now they are incredibly unlikely to be picked until after the RWC so there's no point in really talking about them as options. I think May is probably there now as well I'll be shocked if he gets recalled as anything other than for backup/warmup games.