England v Scotland, 02/02/13

[ratsapprentice]

Pretty happy with that (from the 23), but I agree that Care should be in front of Youngs by quite a way.


I'm not going to deny Maitland is a classy player, I haven't really seen him play, but in the Glasgow-Saints match he couldn't keep hold of the ball.
Very rusty.

 

[Saintjay]

Kick the ball to Scotland. Force them to play in there half. Hit hard defending and wait for mistakes. It is going to be dull attacking flair not required.

 

[smb64]

When did Hartley sign for Irish?

Fixed. Copied straight from RFU.com, maybe they have the inside line on transfer rumors, although on second thought that would be a significant step down for Hartley - probs just a typo then

 

[Teh Mite]

It's the RFU media guy being lazy as he removed Paice and added Hartley to the list!


As Jay said though, don't expect this one to be exciting. Youngs' slow ball will mean the backs are going to be so deep to give themselves any space, 36 will have a nightmare of a time. With luck, Care will get some game time before 36 is replaced.

 

[Big Ewis]

hey guys, nice little article to get your dicks hard...I mean to add to your anticipation and infatuation with the tournament...closer and closer now, boy it's been a long week !
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3820_8457347,00.html

Say, when do we get to place some vCash ??...

 

[Patchey]

Apart from Youngs being in over Care this is pretty much the best team given the injury circumstances. TT at 12 makes sense as he is a better distributor than Barritt and can fill in at 10 easily if needed. Despite the loss of Tuilagi the midfield is still pretty large and its not like TT is a slouch in defense.

Hartley has got be annoyed at starting on the bench though. What has his club form been like?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I would've started Vunipola and Care, but apart from that it's the side I wanted to see.

Roll on the weekend (despite me working throughout the game, and having to avoid this place/all forms of media until I can watch it on iPlayer that night!)

 

[Peat]

I would've started Vunipola and Care, but apart from that it's the side I wanted to see.

Roll on the weekend (despite me working throughout the game, and having to avoid this place/all forms of media until I can watch it on iPlayer that night!)

You wanted Barritt at 13?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I meant of the 23 named a couple of days ago - I'd rather Barritt at 13 than Flood or Farrell at 12.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I hope that what happened to Care won't happen to Parra. I think Care has always been better than Youngs, but at some point, after some mediocre results, people kind of got fed up of Care and coaches started playing Youngs. Now, even if Care is a better player, the 9 spot is "Youngs' to lose"...

Replace Care with Parra, Youngs with Machenaud, and you get what I'm fearing is happening.

 

[Teh Mite]

Hartley has got be annoyed at starting on the bench though. What has his club form been like?

Not actually bad (circumstances considered), one of the few Saints players who look interested these days. Playing in a poor side means it's hard to look good for him though.

After the ABs game Youngs was going to be in the drivers seat and start this one. By the end of the tournament however, they should have their roles reversed (unless Sky decide to suck up to Tom Youngs).

I hope that what happened to Care won't happen to Parra. I think Care has always been better than Youngs, but at some point, after some mediocre results, people kind of got fed up of Care and coaches started playing Youngs. Now, even if Care is a better player, the 9 spot is "Youngs' to lose"...

Replace Care with Parra, Youngs with Machenaud, and you get what I'm fearing is happening.

TBF, Cares alcoholism and run-ins with the law won't have helped all that.

 

[Patchey]

Not actually bad (circumstances considered), one of the few Saints players who look interested these days. Playing in a poor side means it's hard to look good for him though.

After the ABs game Youngs was going to be in the drivers seat and start this one. By the end of the tournament however, they should have their roles reversed (unless Sky decide to suck up to Tom Youngs).



TBF, Cares alcoholism and run-ins with the law won't have helped all that.

I guess we should be thankful that they are competing for the shirt. It wasn't that long ago that England had no serious cover at hooker...

 

[ZeFrenchy]

TBF, Cares alcoholism and run-ins with the law won't have helped all that.

I didn't remember that. Anyway, my point was that the argument "it should be this way because that's how it has been done up until here" is just not valid (and unfortunately it is something I hear way too often around here, in many different contexts).

 

[Teh Mite]

Similar phrase of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Often said by the man who still drives a Model T ford and gives his child toys pained in lead-based paint.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Alcoholism?!
Think that's putting it a little bit strongly...

A 25yr old getting caught acting like a dick while drunk doesn't make them an alcoholic, just means they can't handle their booze (and/or are a dick).

 

[Teh Mite]

I should have known you'd bloody argue over that.

Getting ****** for getting ****** sake is alcoholism, regardless of frequency. Same as somebody who smokes one fag a week or 20 per day is still a smoker. DC got caught out several times over a short period of time indicating a deep rooted problem.

The way Youngs gets selected over him however throws the "form" theoreys out of the window.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I should have known you'd bloody argue over that.

Getting ****** for getting ****** sake is alcoholism, regardless of frequency. Same as somebody who smokes one fag a week or 20 per day is still a smoker.

Then we're all alcoholics, now and then! Meh, some people are just worse drunks than others, and those people should learn quickly to avoid such scenarios. And by the looks of thing Care has?

 

[Aristodemus]

Disappointed with that team Lancaster has named. Both Foden and Brown are better full-backs than Goode, I would have played TT with JJ too since Tuilagi was out. Flood and Burns are preferable to Farrell, also I would have Vunipola and Hartley in the front row. Also can't any rugby player have a drink without having a problem?

 

[Atco]

I believe Lancaster has got it right. It is consistent, which is to be applauded. The only changes are as a result of injury. He has resisted expediency in picking Twelvetrees. Foden is only a couple of good games and an injury away from the match day squad. He'll be back. A number of blooded players are going to be back soon to fitness, we hope: Croft, Burns. I don't feel the selection has been for negative cautious reasons but shows resolve and clear team thinking. I think Lancaster has shown that, if necessary, he will pick the player coming through if they deserve it. There is real competition for a number of positions. Feeling positive--but then I have felt that way before!

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I believe Lancaster has got it right. It is consistent, which is to be applauded. The only changes are as a result of injury. He has resisted expediency in picking Twelvetrees. Foden is only a couple of good games and an injury away from the match day squad. He'll be back. A number of blooded players are going to be back soon to fitness, we hope: Croft, Burns. I don't feel the selection has been for negative cautious reasons but shows resolve and clear team thinking. I think Lancaster has shown that, if necessary, he will pick the player coming through if they deserve it. There is real competition for a number of positions. Feeling positive--but then I have felt that way before!

There are very few changes I'd want to make, even if we had all players available to us, at least in the forwards. I want Foden to hit-form again as I feel he's our most complete full-back. Marler until further notice, and it pains me to say it, is a poor mans Cian Healy, and Corbisiero is a far better scrummager. Burns - Twelvetrees - Tuilagi in midfield is a utopian dream which feels quite far off right now.