England Six Nations thread

[Peat]

Actually it was. Northern teams had far more working class players who could not afford to take the time off of work to play. Same with other sports.

Then how the hell did all those Welsh mining villages keep their teams going?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Laverbread is a helluva drug.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Then how the hell did all those Welsh mining villages keep their teams going?

Oldest club in England/2nd oldest club in the world is North West based as well...

 

[Peat]

Oldest club in England/2nd oldest club in the world is North West based as well...

Yeah, but presumably it wasn't a working class club then, although I stand open to correction. Would be intrigued by the social make up of the West Country clubs back in the day too. And the South Yorkshire clubs, believe that's always been strong for rugby. Scots Borders don't strike me as particularly affluent either. Etc.etc.

 

[brumtom]

Off topic, Yarde training again on the RFU Youtube channel.

 

[Patchey]

I thought Blackheath were the oldest in England?


Anyway, Yarde training is goode (see what I did there?)

 

[Mumbles119]

Anyone watching the Scotland v England U20 match?

Very enjoyable game.

Scotland making most of any turnover breaks, and England very solid in defence, excellent hands in attack, but getting overexcited at try line and going for glory individually.

The England pack look huge!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

From what I gather Blackheath were formed in 1863, but claim to have been around since 58.

Either way there are some old clubs

Good to hear Yarde is back training - not sure how far off match ready he is, as in whether his injury could stand up to match physicality. Don't think I'd use him this 6N even if he were ready, we've got too many players getting injury after injury, we shouldn't be bringing anyone straight back into international rugby.

Edit: Just seen Yarde hopes to be back playing next weekend

 

[ratsapprentice]

Itoje is going to be massive - very athletic for a guy his size.

 

[Mumbles119]

Thought that was Anthony Watson playing 15 for England. Very similar look and running style, his name is Errol?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Nathan Earl.

 

[Mumbles119]

Nathan Earl.

Thank you Rats

Really like the Scottish commentator. Bob Johnstone. He is passionate, only commentates in why is happening. Doesn't spend ages giving any useless opinions. It's like watching the original amateur TV rugby coverage.

 

[LooseHeadProp87]

i hope the scrum holds up well. Hope Dan Cole has a good game felt bad digging him last week on here

 

[ratsapprentice]

Just going to reiterate my belief that Maro Itoje is going to get England caps sooner rather than later.
Sarries have got their hands on a potentially class player.

 

[j'nuh]

What is going to happen with our wingers? Nowell and May both have good games under their belt now. If they continue to back it up throughout the 6N, should Yarde/Wade come into the XV when they are fit and are proven match-fit (ie in the summer)? Perhaps more importantly, will we be forced to drop Nowell and May in the summer, as they are Saxons and the players they replaced will be fit again?

Picking three from Wade/May/Yarde/Nowell/Watson to join Brown in the 23 will be tough.

Just going to reiterate my belief that Maro Itoje is going to get England caps sooner rather than later.
Sarries have got their hands on a potentially class player.

I wouldn't be so sure. England suddenly have a lot of depth at lock, most of the depth being young enough to last until past the 2019 World Cup. Lawes, Launchbury, Attwood, Stooke, Slater, Kitchener, Matthews, Kruis. Only Parling might be considered too old to go on 'til 2019. But even then, it isn't as if there isn't a precedent for 36+ year old locks at World Cups. At the minute, I'm wondering who Stooke will have to displace to break into the current England squad, and he's much further in his development.

It's quite a relief... not too long ago we were playing Botha. :huh:

 

[ratsapprentice]

Nowell and Watson can both cover full back, so I think one of them will always be included provided the coaches realise how much better they are than Goode.
I'm still unsure as to whether May will be able to hold off the challenges of Yarde and Wade - particularly if they both recover from their injuries fully.

I think Itoje will be comfortably better than Matthews, Kruis and Slater within 2 years.
I don't think Kitchener will be able to stay fit/in better form than others in order to really challenge for caps.

Stooke and Maro are the two really young guys who we should be looking at IMO.
Bear in mind Lancaster name-checked him a couple of years ago as someone who he believed could challenge for a place in the 2015 RWC.
So he's clearly on the radar.

 

[j'nuh]

Nowell and Watson can both cover full back, so I think one of them will always be included provided the coaches realise how much better they are than Goode.
I'm still unsure as to whether May will be able to hold off the challenges of Yarde and Wade - particularly if they both recover from their injuries fully.

I believe (and on the evidence of the last year, Lancaster probably believes) that as long as Brown is fit, he stays on the field. So a replacement 15 isn't all that important to me. Saying that, May does have more experience at 15 than Nowell/Watson at professional level. He also has more experience at 13. For me, Wade/May/Yarde are further in their development so they are the first picks.

I think Itoje will be comfortably better than Matthews, Kruis and Slater within 2 years.
I don't think Kitchener will be able to stay fit/in better form than others in order to really challenge for caps.

Stooke and Maro are the two really young guys who we should be looking at IMO.
Bear in mind Lancaster name-checked him a couple of years ago as someone who he believed could challenge for a place in the 2015 RWC.
So he's clearly on the radar.

Fair point... although I still think 2015 won't happen. We have four locks in the EPS... which of them are going to drop out at this stage?

 

[ratsapprentice]

I don't think it will... not even close.
I think if he can break into the Sarries team next season, he will be into the England team immediately after the RWC.

 

[glawsfan]

I know there is a lot of rugby to play until the world cup but I would love to see this team start the first game next year.
Brown
Wade
Tuilagi
Twelvetrees
May
Farrell
Care
Cole
Hartley
Corbisiero
Launchbury
Lawes
Croft
Robshaw
Vunipola

This is the team I would have in my mind now and unless anyone stands out in the premiership next year then this would be my first team. I reckon that team has the potential to beat the top sides and challenge for the world cup.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I'd be interested in seeing how Burrell develops, 2 tries in 2 games and very nearly 3... A real potential. Also would like to see 12trees up his game a bit. He's not bad but he hasn't done enough to ensure the shirt is his imo.