Canada v. England Saxons

[rusty_lock]

Ok let's get the ball rolling on this one.
My game day 22
1.Buydens
2.Riordin
3.Marshall
4.Erichsen
5.Cudmore
6.Dala
7.O'toole
8.Carpenter
9.Sir Edward Fairhurst
10.Munro
11.Hearn
12.Mckenzie
13.Trainor
14.Pritchard
15.Evans
16.Hamilton
17.Dolezel
18.Tiedemann
19.Hotson
20.Sinclair
21.White
22.Scholz
I will admit to being scared to death of the Saxon scrum. They mauled the Tongans for, I believe, 3 penalty tries and the Tongan definitely had the ascendancy over the Americans. Our front row is just not up to it. If Poite is the ref we are screwed, blued and tatooed. We have a chance with Pearson as he, I believe, is a little more tolerant and will let them play. Not sure about Owens either way though it is going to be a very rough ride at scum time and it will be essential that we get the ball to the back and into play as quickly as possible.

Munro has looked excellent so far and Trainor is definitely an up and comer with a lot of upside. If DTH was available I would have liked to see Connor at 12. Of Sir Ed will need to have a whale of game but that is as natural as breathing for him so no worries there. Would love a win but realistically just keeping it under 20 will be an accomplishment and would be encouraging.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Can we take bets on how long it takes Jamie Cudmore to get a card?

 

[rusty_lock]

Can we take bets on how long it takes Jamie Cudmore to get a card?

Haha he was very disciplined against Russia. Actually he looked a little on the tired side. Hopefully after 10 day between games he is rested and his usual nasty self. We are going to need the grit.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I hope that we see the same squad from the USA game, but with Young and Brown starting - though I'm not fussed as long as Paul Hodgson doesn't start

 

[iWin]

I'd like to see Gray, Young, Benjamin and Brown start, and also I'd really like Gaskell in the second row for once, but whatever.
I'd imagine the team will be pretty much the same as for the first game, possibly with Sharples starting.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd love to see Benjamin and Sharples starting,
They're both very exciting to watch, ball in hand, and make Ojo look boring (which he most certainly isn't, so says a lot about their play)

 

[Feicarsinn]

This should be the game of the tournament. It'll be a serious test of Canada's metal, but should they pull off a result similar to the one against the French last year they'll go into the WC full of confidence. Personally I think that the English scrum and their strength out wide will be too much for the Canadians.

Saxons by 14.

 

[Teh Mite]

Saxons by a lot. But I still probably won't watch.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12321_6989776,00.html

Attwood out, Carl Fearns called up to replace

Might actually see Gaskell at lock this match then! Would like to see Fearns start, 10x the blindside Gaskell ishttp://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12321_6989776,00.html

 

[lucky number 7]

Lads Ed Fairhurst is actually ****ing class...from the games I have seen him play he is giving good service and commanding the pack excellently ... does a few cool flicks and **** too..

 

[Feicarsinn]

Lads Ed Fairhurst is actually ****ing class...from the games I have seen him play he is giving good service and commanding the pack excellently ... does a few cool flicks and **** too..

There was a reason I started raving about him....

 

[lucky number 7]

There was a reason I started raving about him....

I thought it was just his looks intelligence and general badassery ...but the boy got skillz.

 

[04perryo]

Who is This ed fairhurst person

 

[lucky number 7]

Who is This ed fairhurst person

A portal to never-ending happiness to all of his devout followers.

 

[Draggs]

Who is This ed fairhurst person

Perhaps the greatest player to ever grace this sport.

He is also a damn good investment advisor, all he has to do is invest in himself.
http://dir.rbcinvestments.com/edward.fairhurst

 

[Conal]

Who is This ed fairhurst person

who is ed fairhurst... WHO IS ED FAIRHURST!!!!

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Who is This ed fairhurst person

 

[Feicarsinn]

Truly fantastic.

 

[LittleGuy]

Great to see you back Rusty, and I like the line-up. I might flip Evans to 14 and keep Pritchard at 15 as I think Pritch's defence is a little stronger. I also hope Crowley gives Dala at start and we see what kind of an impact he can make. Monro has looked great so far especially considering his limited action leading into the cup, and I think you were spot on with your analysis of Cudmore, he looked a little tired and hesitant since he hasn't played with any of these guys for at least four years if ever. With ten days off he should develop a repore with the rest of the team as well as get some rest after the Top 14 season.

Last years final was 38-18, but was very close at half time and Canada had an absolutely terrible day of goal kicking which increased the margin of defeat. If Canada are going to win the goal kicking has to be perfect, as well knock-ons have to be avoided like the plague, since our front row will be torn up by the Saxons come scrum time. I want to see the lineups released before I predict a scoreline though.

As for "The Great One" he has looked really good out there especially when compared to how well Sean White fared in the first half of the Russia game. Tragically I was unable to obtain this exclusive footage until now.




Here is James Pritchard after the Italy "A" match as well

 

[rusty_lock]

LG, I suspect that Crowley will see it your way and start Evans at the wing and Pritch at fullback. My thoughts are that Evans is at his best when attacking the line and can double as first receiver at times. The key is going to be at scrum time and handling errors. We will never have parity at scrum time but if we can just avoid the penalty tries and keep the ball in our hands on our own scrums we will have a chance at least in putting a scare into the Saxons. The backs are running well and a little bit of front foot ball could see us dot down a couple of times.