A
aikitim
Guest
I wish Ashton had gone with a few younger faces. I do like the addition of the Volcano though, he brings a certain element to the game.
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R
riders of the storm
Guest
I'd go with...
1. Andy Sheridan
2. Lee Mears
3. Phil Vickery (capt)
4. Steve Borthwick
5. Ben Kay
6. James Haskell
7. Tom Rees
8. Joe Worsley
9. Andy Gomarsall
10. Jonny Wilkinson
11. David Strettle
12. Toby Flood
13. Jamie Noon
14. Paul Sackey
15. Matthew Tait
16. Mark Regan
17. Matt Stevens
18. Louis Deacon
19. Nick Easter
20. Pat Richards
21. Danny Cipriani
22. Lesley Vainikolo
1. Andy Sheridan
2. Lee Mears
3. Phil Vickery (capt)
4. Steve Borthwick
5. Ben Kay
6. James Haskell
7. Tom Rees
8. Joe Worsley
9. Andy Gomarsall
10. Jonny Wilkinson
11. David Strettle
12. Toby Flood
13. Jamie Noon
14. Paul Sackey
15. Matthew Tait
16. Mark Regan
17. Matt Stevens
18. Louis Deacon
19. Nick Easter
20. Pat Richards
21. Danny Cipriani
22. Lesley Vainikolo
N
nick_w
Guest
Almost identical as how I imagine the strongest team may look.
However, I'd be putting in Easter instead of Worsely, just consided him a more dynamic forward. I would also start with Chuter and have Mears coming on early in the second half.
Really think playing new stars like Cipriani and the Volcano early on is a mistake. At the moment, using them as impact players is going to work best when the opposition is tiring. Imagine seeing Big Les running full pelt at you after 70 minutes of rugby. Fun
M
melon
Guest
I'd get rid of Vainikolo immediately.
They call him "The Volcano"....pfffft....THE DORMANT VOLCANO!
They call him "The Volcano"....pfffft....THE DORMANT VOLCANO!
D
Dozzy_X
Guest
have you ever seen him play? He offers England something they've never had with a Lomu-esque physique. Vainikolo is NOT slow either. In my eyes the perfect impact player, we'll see against Wales but i expect him to perform.
N
nick_w
Guest
have you ever seen him play? He offers England something they've never had with a Lomu-esque physique. Vainikolo is NOT slow either. In my eyes the perfect impact player, we'll see against Wales but i expect him to perform.
[/b][/quote]
Thing is, is he actually as "Lomu-esque" as the tabloids are making out. I happened to pick up a copy of The Sun the other day (not my normal choice, but it was on the train) and they were putting him up as our new Lomu.
In todays game though, someone like Lomu would have trouble surviving. When was the last time you saw a winger dominate and power through the back line like Lomu did in the '95 and to a less extent in the '99 World Cup. In recent years wingers have been more about speed than power. Take Caucaunibuca's try against France 5 years ago, or more recently the performance of Habana, and lesser known wingers such as the American Lyle. The game has moved on from shoving a huge bloke on the wing to power through.
Saying that, I am really looking forward to seeing whether he does bring a new dimension to the English back line. Would still prefer to see someone like Simpson-Daniel or Strettle over Vainikolo.
Linking to the backline selection, was quite surprised to see Lewsey omitted. I still think he has quite a bit to offer the set up in terms of experience and running the right lines.
P
Prestwick
Guest
I'm quite excited as a Saracens fan. The U20s have four Saracens players in their squad and all of them are very recent Academy guys Noah Cato and Alex Goode. Goode is such a hot prospect for us right now, allot of Saracens guys are really talking the guy up. Hopefully he can shine in the U20 internationals. If anyone goes to see their matches at Gloucester, someone tell me how Alex Goode is?
S
SaintsFan_Webby
Guest
Scarily enough there's a guy in the U20s squad that I used to play with. Was in the year below me at school although you wouldn't think it if you stood us side by side. Makes me feel old.
D
Dozzy_X
Guest
have you ever seen him play? He offers England something they've never had with a Lomu-esque physique. Vainikolo is NOT slow either. In my eyes the perfect impact player, we'll see against Wales but i expect him to perform.
[/b][/quote]
Thing is, is he actually as "Lomu-esque" as the tabloids are making out. I happened to pick up a copy of The Sun the other day (not my normal choice, but it was on the train) and they were putting him up as our new Lomu.
In todays game though, someone like Lomu would have trouble surviving. When was the last time you saw a winger dominate and power through the back line like Lomu did in the '95 and to a less extent in the '99 World Cup. In recent years wingers have been more about speed than power. Take Caucaunibuca's try against France 5 years ago, or more recently the performance of Habana, and lesser known wingers such as the American Lyle. The game has moved on from shoving a huge bloke on the wing to power through.
Saying that, I am really looking forward to seeing whether he does bring a new dimension to the English back line. Would still prefer to see someone like Simpson-Daniel or Strettle over Vainikolo.
Linking to the backline selection, was quite surprised to see Lewsey omitted. I still think he has quite a bit to offer the set up in terms of experience and running the right lines.
[/b][/quote]
Granted Vainikolo won't make the same impact Lomu did at the 1995 world cup as professional rugby physiques all over the field have improved vastly over the last 13 years (it really has been 13 years
) However ur comment that putting a huge bloke on the wing doesnt happen anymore, take Tuilagi's impact last year in the Guinness Premiership final. Ok that wasnt international rugby, but there were over 20 full internationals on display and Gloucester had no answer to his power that day. Now they have a heavyweight winger of their own in Vainikolo and a great job he is doing. Impact sub, there is no better, full England starter.... only time will tell. One thing is for sure, Rugby league converts are best suited to the wing in rugby union and Vainikolo, i believe, is having a great first season using both his speed and power to full effect.I do agree about Lewsey though, complete versatile back and one of Englands few performers at the world cup. i'd prefer him to balshaw hands down.
M
melon
Guest
have you ever seen him play? He offers England something they've never had with a Lomu-esque physique. Vainikolo is NOT slow either. In my eyes the perfect impact player, we'll see against Wales but i expect him to perform. [/b][/quote]
Yes, I have seen him play. Thats why I voiced my opinion on him. It would be pretty hard to say something without seeing him play.
Unfortunately, everytime I have seen him play Internationals, I have been immensley disappointed. The only place I have ever seen him play well at top level club is in the ESL and even then he was pretty inconsistent with his supposed brilliance.
Whilst I have formed the opinion that he is as useless as a spare dick at a wedding, I'm looking forward to seeing him play in this years 6 Nations. I want to see him perform and live up to his hype. Will he do it? I doubt it, but I hope he does.
A
Alexgorn
Guest
I believe that England more than confidence to arrive gained the six nations because it can have the best players of the world but to gain a match of Rugby is needed confidence needs.
C
Canadian_Rugby_Guy
Guest
Tuilagi is a far cry from being Lomu. I don't deny his skill or potential, but at the World Cup he was quiet and I've never seen very electric pace from him. now this "volcano" person I haven't really seen in action on account of not being to catch any Gloucester games lately, so I don't know, but Tuilagi's lack of success, I'm not really optimistic about this Tongan either. As for the rest of the England squad, it appears that there is a serious lack in the centres. Jamie Noon isn't bad but he isn't great, Tindall's a thug, Toby Flood is inexperienced and would play more the role of a second fly-half rather than a running centre. By not having Allen or Hipkiss in the squad Ashton has bent himself over and put his c*** up his rear.
M
Matt123
Guest
I'd go with the following:
1. Sheridan
2. Mears
3. Stevens
4. Borthwick
5. Grewcock
6. Croft
7. Rees
8. Worsley
9. Gomarsall
10. Wilkinson
11. Vainikolo
12. Flood
13. Tindall
14. Sackey
15. Tait
1. Sheridan
2. Mears
3. Stevens
4. Borthwick
5. Grewcock
6. Croft
7. Rees
8. Worsley
9. Gomarsall
10. Wilkinson
11. Vainikolo
12. Flood
13. Tindall
14. Sackey
15. Tait
S
stormmaster1
Guest
Grewcock????
I'd have Kay and Borthwick. worsley is't an out and out 8. We need one. So Easter for me. Rees is in a Balshw-esque run of form, so i wouldn't start him, talented as he is. I'd go with Easter, Moody and Lund with worseley benched. Agree with the backs.
L
Lovell Rugby
Guest
Would like to see Lee Mears get a bit of a run at the moment, he has proved himself at Bath and is ready for the step up.
D
danny
Guest
have you ever seen him play? He offers England something they've never had with a Lomu-esque physique. Vainikolo is NOT slow either. In my eyes the perfect impact player, we'll see against Wales but i expect him to perform.
[/b][/quote]
Thing is, is he actually as "Lomu-esque" as the tabloids are making out. I happened to pick up a copy of The Sun the other day (not my normal choice, but it was on the train) and they were putting him up as our new Lomu.
In todays game though, someone like Lomu would have trouble surviving. When was the last time you saw a winger dominate and power through the back line like Lomu did in the '95 and to a less extent in the '99 World Cup. In recent years wingers have been more about speed than power. Take Caucaunibuca's try against France 5 years ago, or more recently the performance of Habana, and lesser known wingers such as the American Lyle. The game has moved on from shoving a huge bloke on the wing to power through.
Saying that, I am really looking forward to seeing whether he does bring a new dimension to the English back line. Would still prefer to see someone like Simpson-Daniel or Strettle over Vainikolo.
Linking to the backline selection, was quite surprised to see Lewsey omitted. I still think he has quite a bit to offer the set up in terms of experience and running the right lines.
[/b][/quote]
You say Lomu would have trouble surviving in todays game. Are you insane? Lomu in his prime would still be an absolute beast. defences are tighter and hits have got bigger but Lomu is without doubt the most powerfull rugby player of all time. also cau cau is a real power merchant who doesnt rely on speed alone.
Y
yeastextract
Guest
i think brian ashton made a mistake leaving tait out 4 todays match
balshaw is nowhere near as good as he was 5 years ago
vainikolo is a risk that will have big effects
whether they are good or bad is yet 2 be seen
balshaw is nowhere near as good as he was 5 years ago
vainikolo is a risk that will have big effects
whether they are good or bad is yet 2 be seen
B
Bullitt
Guest
And he was chuffing shite back then.
S
speedysalmon
Guest
I think its a mistake leaving Lewsey out, he offers power and experinece to the England backline.
L
lbculhane
Guest
cipriani in for balshaw.....whom hopefully will walk in front of a very very very fast car this week
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