England vs Italy - 10/03/2013

[Draggs]

In the second row where he belongs, yes.

Croft is about as effective as a flanker as Lawes. Spends way to much time faffing about in the wide channels and doesn't do nearly enough grunt work.

I think my favourite moment in the Six Nations last year not involving Wales was when there was a cross kick to the wing. Who was out there? Croft chasing and Heaslip covering.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I'll always remember the time someone on here quite seriously suggested playing Croft at 12 Classic...

Croft's a good player don't get me wrong, its just annoying that the entire media thinks he's chips

 

[Draggs]

Well, I did suggest Kankowski as an outside centre for the Sharks once.
They were dark days.

 

[j'nuh]

I'd also say Croft is the outstanding 'wider' ball carrier available to England - he may not be the crash ball merchant Morgan is, but he's got the pace and step to really exploit gaps like no other of our forwards do - and is also the outstanding support runner.

To play a forward which doesn't get through enough work to cover up for a lack of penetration in the backs is like hiring a doctor for their accountancy skills because the accountants spend half their day eating donuts. (Excuse the crappy analogy! ) Whatever Croft does in the loose, Jonny May will do better. Let the forwards get on with providing quick ball, and let the backs do the hard work in breaking defenses down.

 

[psychic duck]

I think my favourite moment in the Six Nations last year not involving Wales was when there was a cross kick to the wing. Who was out there? Croft chasing and Heaslip covering.

 

[Draggs]

Ireland were in possession, my mistake.
I also liked it when Croft simply dropped the pass that would have been a walk in.
My English mate yelled to him to just keep running and get off.

 

[Aedaphon]

To play a forward which doesn't get through enough work to cover up for a lack of penetration in the backs is like hiring a doctor for their accountancy skills because the accountants spend half their day eating donuts. (Excuse the crappy analogy! ) Whatever Croft does in the loose, Jonny May will do better. Let the forwards get on with providing quick ball, and let the backs do the hard work in breaking defenses down.

Spoken like a true back

 

[Big Ewis]

btw as I was writing the previous message, I was thinkin about Croft as a winger. Isn't it in that quality they want to bring him back ?...or rather like lock or flanker or smt ?

EDIT: seriously wasn't trolling up there ! He's just slipped subconsciously into a winger I forget he's naturally a forward...thinkin of, like, his try against France last year it's hard to think lock or flanker...

 

[psychic duck]

Ireland were in possession, my mistake.
I also liked it when Croft simply dropped the pass that would have been a walk in.
My English mate yelled to him to just keep running and get off.

Cuthbertesque

 

[Draggs]

Oh you

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Cuthbertesque

Harsh on Croft.

 

[Draggs]

Olyy in being dismissive of Welsh player SHOCK.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hey, I like some Welsh players.
I just don't like Cuthbert or Faletau as they're overrated as fuark!


also, they're ****

 

[Draggs]

Cuthbert has some validation, but Faletau?
You must never watch Skysports. If Froby was English...

 

[Maverickscotty]

Erm, hang on a sec.... Does that include Thomas The Fat Engine?

Lol we are talking about England now not bashing every player that plays for Leicester . We are the better team yes but sometimes that can be left at home for Thame sake of English rugby ! Christ anyone would think you are welsh haha

NEVER FORGET you will always be second best in the East Midlands

 

[Taylo2]

England team to face Italy: 15. Alex Goode (Saracens, 9 caps); 14. Chris Ashton (Saracens, 32 caps), 13. Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps), 12. Brad Barritt (Saracens, 14 caps), 11. Mike Brown (Harlequins, 14 caps); 10. Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers, 55 caps), 9. Danny Care (Harlequins, 39 caps); 1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 7 caps), 2. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps), 3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 38 caps), 4. Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 7 caps), 5. Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps), 6. James Haskell (London Wasps, 48 caps), 7. Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt, 15 caps), 8. Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 16 caps)
Replacements: 16. Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints, 45 caps), 17. David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 24 caps), 18. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 8 caps), 19. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 18 caps), 20. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers, 36 caps), 21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps), 22. Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap), 23. Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 2 caps)

No big surprises really, a team that should be more than capable to see off Italy, but hopefully will not underestimate them. Some real power and talent on the bench, I'm excited to see if Burns and Twelvetrees can make an impact later on

 

[Patchey]

Really good to see Croft back, I'm a massive fan and even if he only gets on for the last five just seeing him in an England shirt again will be a pretty awesome sight.

Mako and Care starting is great news, especially for Care as I'm sick of Ben Youngs hogging the starting jersey like he's the best 9 in England. Would liked to have seen som real wingers (i.e. no Ashton) but we can't have everything can we?

 

[Taylo2]

Really good to see Croft back, I'm a massive fan and even if he only gets on for the last five just seeing him in an England shirt again will be a pretty awesome sight.

Mako and Care starting is great news, especially for Care as I'm sick of Ben Youngs hogging the starting jersey like he's the best 9 in England. Would liked to have seen som real wingers (i.e. no Ashton) but we can't have everything can we?

I'm happy to see Croft back too, top lad, good player, but I'm glad he's starting on the bench this time round. Haskell has earnt his starting role, and therefore deserves the opportunity. Also keeps Crofty hungry to win back a place in the starting XV.

As for Youngs hogging the starting jersey, surely that is up to the coaching team? Youngs is obviously impressing them enough that he has started the other games. Don't get me wrong, i'm a huge fan of Danny Care, and I know he will do very well once more starting at 9, but its not Youngs that chooses who starts, he has simply been putting the effort in in training, and looking at the matches hes played compared to say 2/3 years ago, he has grown as a player with his decision making and reading of the game. Dare I say it, Care probably reads a game better already, so having Youngs play and learn is helping not only Youngs, but also has a knock on affect on England, making sure we have 2 quality SHs

 

[ratsapprentice]

Our back row options = four 6's...

 

[SelimNiai]

Our back row options = four 6's...

24!!

Yes, I win!