I can't be arsed to go over it with a fine tooth comb, but he actively used a change to bring in Botha - and in fact, just about every player I'm disappointed about.
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England Six Nations Squad 2012
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I can't be arsed to go over it with a fine tooth comb, but he actively used a change to bring in Botha - and in fact, just about every player I'm disappointed about.
j'nuh
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tbh, the second row is a bit of a worry in general. We've got an excellent starting pairing, possibly contending for the best second row partnership of the 6N teams, but after that there isn't anyone who sticks out. I'm hoping the Deacon injured thing is true, and that Robson/Parling gets called up, but I think Botha being called up before them might be an indication that he's considered more highly than them.
I'd try and play Lawes and Palmer for a full 80, and put 2 backrowers on the bench, with Croft the injury cover for the second row.
I'd try and play Lawes and Palmer for a full 80, and put 2 backrowers on the bench, with Croft the injury cover for the second row.
gingergenius
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mmm.. after years of Saracens players being systematically overlooked and undeserving ones from clubs like Bath being picked, the tables have turned round completely. Big chance for the rest of the Prem to catch up with the top 4 now.
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Every 50/50 decision on the backs. Strettle yes well maybe. Most people have gone for Hodgson in there starting XV and Barritt with some including Farrell. Who at least starts on the bench.
So three out of the four Saracens backs were pretty much givens and IMO deserve there places.
Would of maybe like to have seen Ryan Lamb in the seniors , been playing well this season. Never been the biggest Fan of Hodgson. And would probably prefer Brown at Full Back , Played well all season and deserves his place . A back 3 of Sharples,Brown, Ashdon is pretty exciting glad that Banahan is out , But still have no idea how JSD has been overlooked, but im guessing age and injury proneness come into play.
Darwin
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To me, as an outsider looking in, this looks like the most exciting England squad I've seen in years. Gone are the slow, almost robotic, backline players (Tindell, Hape, Banahan, Wilkinson etc) that have been hampering England's backline play for years. There seems to be sprinklings of new young players in the forwards too. Obviously not everyone is 100% happy with the team but, to me at least, it looks to be a good step in the right direction. I don't expect this team to start winning straight away (and hopefully the English supporters don't either) but I can see this team start to develop into a quality unit after a year or two together.
One name that I was interested to see is Callum Clark. I remember him from the Under 20's a few years ago where he seemed to have serious anger issues - in the final versus New Zealand he was lucky not to be carded for deliberately shoulder charging a player in a mall several times, then was eventually red carded for heatbutting a player in a mall not once, but twice (then laughing as he was sent off!). I assume his discipline has improved since then? I remember him playing at 7 during the Under 20's but a look through his record shows that he's played primarily as a 6 recently, with only the odd game at 7 (and strangely the odd game at lock too...). He seems a slightly strange inclusion in the squad given they already have plenty of players who are primarily 6's - I would have thought a specialist 7 would have been handy.
One name that I was interested to see is Callum Clark. I remember him from the Under 20's a few years ago where he seemed to have serious anger issues - in the final versus New Zealand he was lucky not to be carded for deliberately shoulder charging a player in a mall several times, then was eventually red carded for heatbutting a player in a mall not once, but twice (then laughing as he was sent off!). I assume his discipline has improved since then? I remember him playing at 7 during the Under 20's but a look through his record shows that he's played primarily as a 6 recently, with only the odd game at 7 (and strangely the odd game at lock too...). He seems a slightly strange inclusion in the squad given they already have plenty of players who are primarily 6's - I would have thought a specialist 7 would have been handy.
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Why is your brain my brain?!
Unfortunately there's no such thing as a proper 7 where England is concerned. They gave a couple of games to Hendre Fourie but apart from that they just shoehorn in a 6 or an 8
How does everyone think the Six Nations will go?
I think:
Beat Scotland by a whisker
Beat Italy convincingly
Wales will win comfortably
Could go either way with France, though I think they'll win (not by much)
Ireland will win comfortably.
Cole and Corbisiero are out of form, Marler never had it, Wilson and Stevens are decent (Stevens > Wilson) but they'll only be considered bench options.
Gone are the days of England having an impressive scrum - we've gone from having one of the best in the 6N to dead last, now that Ireland have worked out that they're supposed to push, not pull, in a scrum.
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Ever the optimisitic point of view.
England to just beat Scotland in a very tough start. With both teams blooding new players. Man for man England have the better quality.
England to beat Italy. With a more settled team that has got over the nerves from the first game.
England to beat Wales. The team should be settled now and all being well confident after the last two games. Lawes, Tuilagi and Flood may also now be back in the first 15 and the game is at Twickenham. Wales may have already lost in a tough opener to Ireland and confidence could be low. After all the hype of this being the year Wales do the slam.
England to lose against France. They might struggle with the French pack and it is a tough away game. As normal it depends on which French team shows and how they have gone in the compitition so far.
England to beat Ireland. This depends on previous results and confidence in the England camp. It may be all to play for in deciding the six nations ***le and England will not want a repeat of recent results caused by Ireland.
Man for man I feel England have a squad as good if not better than the rest of the six nations teams. The scrum is a slight concern if players do not hit form. However given the way scrums are these days if they can hold there own which I believe they can, it may come down to the ref as to how badly England suffer up front.
England to just beat Scotland in a very tough start. With both teams blooding new players. Man for man England have the better quality.
England to beat Italy. With a more settled team that has got over the nerves from the first game.
England to beat Wales. The team should be settled now and all being well confident after the last two games. Lawes, Tuilagi and Flood may also now be back in the first 15 and the game is at Twickenham. Wales may have already lost in a tough opener to Ireland and confidence could be low. After all the hype of this being the year Wales do the slam.
England to lose against France. They might struggle with the French pack and it is a tough away game. As normal it depends on which French team shows and how they have gone in the compitition so far.
England to beat Ireland. This depends on previous results and confidence in the England camp. It may be all to play for in deciding the six nations ***le and England will not want a repeat of recent results caused by Ireland.
Man for man I feel England have a squad as good if not better than the rest of the six nations teams. The scrum is a slight concern if players do not hit form. However given the way scrums are these days if they can hold there own which I believe they can, it may come down to the ref as to how badly England suffer up front.
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I'd like to see an EPS vs Saxons game:
