England Six Nations thread

[Mumbles119]

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.

I would agree.

Would love to see Burrell/Tuilagi and Eastmond/Tuilagi combinations tried depending on opposition.

 

[B10]

Saw a link to this on BBC 6 nations comments.

Documentary on Sam Burgess. He certainly seems a great guy who wants to push himself all the time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6oyUwviHUk

 

[willutalk]

Who knows? Eastmond adapting as well as he has came as a surprise to many. I'd be pretty happy if Glos were to sign him.

I'm pretty sure he's staying at Bath, where did you hear this?? He's a seems to be set in stone into this Bath squad.
I think he'd be a terrific substitute for England, especially to add a spark into the match later on.

What about George Ford??

Like wise I think he'd be a very very handy back up to Owen Farrell.

 

[j'nuh]

I'm pretty sure he's staying at Bath, where did you hear this?? He's a seems to be set in stone into this Bath squad.
I think he'd be a terrific substitute for England, especially to add a spark into the match later on.

It's not a rumour. Was saying that hypothetically, I'd love him at Glos.

 

[Patchey]

I was pleasantly surprised with the first hour of the performance against Scotland, before being increasingly infuriated by the last twenty. Brining on Tom Youngs pretty much ruined our attacking platform. We should have score at least one, if not two more tries considering how much momentium we had and how poorly the Scots were defending. I think it becoming apparent that without Parling, Youngs really can't get the success rate we need from the set peice. If Webber isn't called in for the Ireland game we better hope we go into the last quater of the game with a healthy lead or things might start to resemble Paris.

On backs selection, is the general consensus we still want Ford and Watson/Eastmond to come in for Barritt and Goode?

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

On backs selection, is the general consensus we still want Ford and Watson/Eastmond to come in for Barritt and Goode?

I'd say that's pretty much a no brainer. If we find another hooker, I'm for removing Youngs from the squad too until he sorts out his lineouts. Barritt and Goode offer nothing in attack and in the case of Goode, nothing in defence either. The current England backs and increasingly our centres are beginning to look more creative an threatening. I think we should continue moving in that direction. Let the forwards be the uncreative ones.

 

[Patchey]

While I agree with all of that, do we really want to be throwing these guys in against Ireland in what will probably be our toughest game of the championship?

Don't get me wrong, I want to see them picked. But isn't their a danger of 'doing a Tait' by potentially asking an uncapped fly half and full back combo to come on and close our or win such a big game?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Well we are well on our way to chucking them in against the AB's or in the pool stages of the RWC.

 

[Mumbles119]

While I agree with all of that, do we really want to be throwing these guys in against Ireland in what will probably be our toughest game of the championship?

Don't get me wrong, I want to see them picked. But isn't their a danger of 'doing a Tait' by potentially asking an uncapped fly half and full back combo to come on and close our or win such a big game?

I would agree with this. Really looking forward to seeing Watson at some point, but not during this game, an big game too early maybe. Although it is being mooted this will be a kicking tactical fest, so could suit Watsons aerial and counter attacking abilities.

But I do think that Eastmond would offer so much more, than Barritt.
- His defence has been proven fine.
- He could easily be a difference maker, and change the game in the last quarter.
- In a crisis situation, he could cover most back line positions too.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd definitely have Eastmond on the bench.
If Farrell got injured then I'd back 36 to do a better job at 10 than Goode, in which case Eastmond moves to the centres. If May/Nowell went off then Eastmond comes on to the wing, where has experience of playing. If Brown goes off then Nowell and May both have experience at 15 and can move back there. Goode offers less than every viable option, the only reason he's there is because (other than being a Saracen) he's considered an option at 10 - Twelvetrees is no worse at 10 than Goode and I think has played there more this season than Goode has (neither are international 10s, but if you have to pick one...).

I'd say that's pretty much a no brainer. If we find another hooker, I'm for removing Youngs from the squad too until he sorts out his lineouts.

It's a shame that Webber's lineout throwing isn't that much better than Youngs' (it's good with Attwood on the pitch, but then Youngs is OK with Parling knocking about).
I'd like to see Jamie George pushing for a spot over the summer, he has good darts and is a big old lump.
If we wanted a "3rd flanker" type hooker to replace Youngs then we could do worse than Tommy Taylor who is improving with every game and is consistently praised by coaches (both ours and opposition) and players (both ours and opposition).

 

[j'nuh]

I'd have Ford and Eastmond on the bench. Ford because Twelvetrees isn't a good enough 10 for international level, we need 10 cover, and to be frank, I just want Ford to be getting games and putting a challenge down to Farrell. Eastmond because he's a game-changer and covers 11-14. Then May/Nowell act as fullback cover.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Good article: http://thescore.thejournal.ie/rugby-technique-spin-pass-1314836-Feb2014

Nice to see someone else recognise it.

 

[ratsapprentice]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>INJURY UPDATE: <a href="https://twitter.com/LeicesterTigers">@LeicesterTigers</a> tight head Dan Cole is out of rest of <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23RBS6Nations&amp;src=hash">#RBS6Nations</a> with bulging disc in his neck which is trapping a nerve.</p>&mdash; England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) <a href="https://twitter.com/EnglandRugby/statuses/435141538637938688">February 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Tell me you're f***ing joking.
Please tell me you're **cking joking?!

 

[Peat]

Davey Wilson come on down...

 

[Patchey]

F**k F**k F**k F**k F**k F**k F**k.

I assume this is an injury from training? Cole was at the Tigers game today watching from the stands, signing autographs etc. Must have already know by then.

Dave Wilson should be wrapped in cotton wool. Henry Thomas needs to be given some serious one on one scrum lessons from Rowntree.

Genuinely think this may be out 6 Nations chances blown. The only thing that could makes this worse if Hartley falling down and Youngs having to start.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Wilson barely had 40minutes in him yesterday, and international is going to be a big step up in intensity.
It's great he's back, and I hope Lancaster starts him, but we've gone from having Cole starting with Wilson coming on and arguably strengthening the scrum, to Wilson starting and Thomas possibly getting half an hour.
Henry will carry and defend well, but the scrums will look like two years ago, but with the roles reversed.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

****ting cocks you must be joking.
...Just checked and april fools today isnt for another 6 weeks!!!!

Rowntree should be begging Matt Stevens to come out of international retirement. Yes, I know. I did just say that.

 

[Amiga500]

Question from across the water fellas, don't go nuts...

But how in the name of f___ did the cupboard get so bare?


I know we got shafted when having to play Tom Court on the wrong side against you folks before, but that was in the days of the 22 man match day squad... and we've only 4 professional teams!

You folks have 12 PRL teams and a pretty well resourced RFU championship just below that...

 

[Patchey]

Wilson barely had 40minutes in him yesterday, and international is going to be a big step up in intensity.
It's great he's back, and I hope Lancaster starts him, but we've gone from having Cole starting with Wilson coming on and arguably strengthening the scrum, to Wilson starting and Thomas possibly getting half an hour.
Henry will carry and defend well, but the scrums will look like two years ago, but with the roles reversed.

My thoughts exactly.

If Wilson is forced to play the full 80 he is going to crash after about an hour maximum and be no use at all. If he is taken off the replacement, Thomas, may well perform in the loose but will see us manshamed in the tight. Even with a block like Attwood behind him the current Irish front row will turn him inside out then back out again.