England Six Nations thread

[Toby Sweeney]

I think everyone is a bit unsure of our scrum half at he moment.

Is there much chance Dan Robson or Ben Spencer could break into the squad before the World cup? Glos/Saracens fans?

tbh not much chance of spencer currently with his lack of game time and the world cup only a year away, imp he's a quality player and was great when we had the injury problems but wit de kock and Wiggy he's not had much game time and probably won't do in the near future.

 

[Crapspray]

Is playing Nowell and May too risky? If Barritt is played at 13 then only the wingers will be inexperienced. Brown, Barritt, Dickson, and Farrell have been around for two years; Twelvetrees for one. At least one winger is going to light on caps, so why not two? As said, they're all better defenders and kickers than Ashton anyway.

I know Lancaster will want to play it safe, but he was going to play Yarde and Wade together against Argentina in the autumn. And I'd wager New Zealand as well. They only had three caps between them then.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, and, though I've said this many times before I'll say it again, taking a punt on two of Watson/Nowell/May is no less risky than taking a punt on yet another "maybe he'll regain his form this game!" start for Ashton.

 

[Toby Sweeney]

He's like 28 though isn't he ? I'd like to see it used for youngsters like someone said above when I mentioned monye and opened my eyes a bit

he's 23 so young and playing very well this season, to the point he's outshone brits.

 

[Maverick1987]

he's 23 so young and playing very well this season, to the point he's outshone brits.

We were talking about Dave ward . I'm glad Jamie George is starting

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, to be fair I'm also a big big fan of Jamie George. Just think that Dave Ward has played fantastically this season - for me he's the been the pick of any EQ hooker

Still, he's getting a shot in the Saxons so that's good enough for me - it's still international recognition for his form.

 

[Patchey]

On performances this season Dave Ward has to be the second or third best hooker in England. Definatly been better than Webber and probably better than Youngs. If he keeps it up maybe a tour spot?

Do we think the Saxons game has much bearing on the team for the France game at all?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I hope not, but it probably does.
Itll be Nowell, Ashton, Brown with Goode on the bench.

 

[Peat]

tbh not much chance of spencer currently with his lack of game time and the world cup only a year away, imp he's a quality player and was great when we had the injury problems but wit de kock and Wiggy he's not had much game time and probably won't do in the near future.

De Kock's last season, no? Wouldn't be surprised if Sarries promoted Spencer at that stage. Hoping him and Kruis will be more prominent next season.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Not specifically 6N related, but a surprisingly decent interview.
It's good to see people talk about the game itself rather than whatever league or competition they're playing in.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Aye that's a great interview that.
Really hope Attwood gets some decent game time this tournament.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Anyone bold enough to think that Burrell is going to be up to it?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It's really hard to say.

Part me thinks: Yeah, he'll handle it. He won't set the world alight but maybe he'll make a bust or two, hold his own defensively, and generally "hold the fort".
But then part of me thinks: He's been very anonymous in some important Saints games (i.e. Leinster at home), his defence is about adequate at 12, but he'll be shifting to 13 where he's played not a massive amount of rugby and it's notoriously hard to read (which is where his defensive weaknesses lie - straight up tackling is fine).

Depends who he plays against, and where: France away and I'd be very very nervous, Scotland a little more at ease (no offence to Scotland, it's just France away will be a big pressure game, and for a first cap while playing in an unfamiliar position that's not ideal).

 

[McTallshort]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...ff-Championships-against-France-in-Paris.html

Its official...Will Greenwood has lost the plot.

 

[Peat]

I was reading that last night and laughing.

Mirror reckons its May and Nowell btw.

 

[Crapspray]

Shame about Greenwood. He's usually pretty good on the telly. The part that sticks in the throat the most is describing Goode as the best rugby player in England. Sickening. I'd expect better from Stuart Barnes!

I hope the Mirror's right. I think once England finally get a set of good wingers the backs problem might not be as grievous as first thought. Obviously a better 10 and Manu back, but a damn sight better than Brown, Ashton, and Goode.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I hate the way people use "athlete" and "athleticism" as a byword for speed and agility.

Mirror seem pretty confident in that prediction.

 

[Patchey]

The only possible explanation is that he's trolling us all.

 

[j'nuh]

Shame about Greenwood. He's usually pretty good on the telly. The part that sticks in the throat the most is describing Goode as the best rugby player in England. Sickening. I'd expect better from Stuart Barnes!

he is the best rugby player England have in terms of intelligence, awareness, creative ability, an ability to sprint round things rather than smashe them.
he is the best rugby player England have in terms of ... an ability to sprint around things
an ability to sprint around things
ability to sprint
sprint

Mirror reckons its May and Nowell btw.

Hope they are right. As much as Watson may be a fantastic player, he's still a fullback. I'm not changing my mind that you don't thrust a fullback to the wing, even if the fullback in question is a little faster than the others already been used.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Nowell is also a FB ... his twitter address is Nowellsy15