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The Autopsy thread: Which England team members are for the chopping block?

I always see the Welsh bellyaching about Gatland because they don't like "Gatball" etc, but surely now they understand he's a world class coach. It might be attritional rugby, but it's bloody effective.

Been completely satisfied with Gatland since the last RWC... Did waver there a little in 09, 10
 
No wind up, Warburton isn't even the best open side in the Welsh side plus he's a liability, how many players get red carded in a Semi final? Lions smashed the aussies in the third test after he was injured. Gatlands stuck with him now in the same way Farrell was stuck with Robshaw

Thank god someone else is saying it. Warburton is a liability and an obstruction to the rise of one of the best players in Welsh history in Tipuric. Tipuric should be number 7 for Wales and the Lions, he is a phenomenon and we are all being deprived of his glorious prime-McCaw like play because of the donkey Warburton.
 
What are people's opinions of Will Welch for Falcons? I thought he looked good against the Barbarians, not sure if people would rate him as a competitor for Kvesic?

I really need to watch more AP rugby.
 
Up there with the best means what ? None of those would make the top 10 World opensides would they ? and how many are genuine 7's I think we already established Robshaw is a 6.
In no particular order top 10 7's -:

McCaw, Cane, Pocock, Hooper, Warberton, Tiperic, O'Brien, Lobbe, Armitage and Louw.

Brussouw, should be in the springboks and is an awesome player.
 
Good try. As a welshman, I've been crying out for Tips to be picked over Warburton. I try and take an objective view on England and rugby generally. I am not a fan that's ecstatic to see England knocked out. I lived in Exeter for five years and I supported Exeter Chiefs when I lived there. I still track their progress with interest. I'm disappointed that Nowell and Slade didn't get opportunities in the tournament - I felt they could have brought something different to the team; particularly Slade.

This is my take on England v Australia last night. If you can bare to take a look... Know how you're feeling mate. I watched all 80 minutes v Fiji in '07. Couldn't watch for months after.

whatithinksite.wordpress.com/thats-all-folks

I agree with this. My heart sank and my head could not understand why Slade was not the like for like replacement for the Joseph injury before the Wales game. I would like to think Slade starting and Nowell at 23 would have made a difference in that game.
 
You have to do what you can with a limited talent pool which is why Warrenball could work for England until the talent developed

It's certainly suited to their traditional approach but I have to say I don't really buy into the limited talent pool restricting a more expansive gameplan with such a large English player-base. I see a team like Canada play great attacking rugby at test level with hardly any players. I think much of it comes down to having good coaches.

I don't know how Leeds played under Lancaster, I just remember them getting relegated but I know Saracens weren't a very attacking side under Farrell.
 
I agree with this. My heart sank and my head could not understand why Slade was not the like for like replacement for the Joseph injury before the Wales game. I would like to think Slade starting and Nowell at 23 would have made a difference in that game.

Oh don't what a bloody mess
 
You have to do what you can with a limited talent pool which is why Warrenball could work for England until the talent developed

I'm not sure Gatland would look to use Warrenball as much for England . I think he uses it for Wales because it suits their best 3 starting backs (Roberts, Davies, North)
 
I agree with this. My heart sank and my head could not understand why Slade was not the like for like replacement for the Joseph injury before the Wales game. I would like to think Slade starting and Nowell at 23 would have made a difference in that game.
*twitches*

- - - Updated - - -

I swear that selection choice is going to give me nightmares for years...
 
No wind up, Warburton isn't even the best open side in the Welsh side plus he's a liability, how many players get red carded in a Semi final? Lions smashed the aussies in the third test after he was injured. Gatlands stuck with him now in the same way Farrell was stuck with Robshaw

He is maybe 2nd to Tips but they are both in the top 5, the red card was never a red as everyone knows, finally Warburton merits his place in the side and the Lions were always going to win the 3rd test, Gats is a genius.
 
Well that settles any doubt as to whether you were a parody account, or not, then.
 
He is maybe 2nd to Tips but they are both in the top 5, the red card was never a red as everyone knows, finally Warburton merits his place in the side and the Lions were always going to win the 3rd test, Gats is a genius.

That was 100% a red card, and tbh most people i've talked to say it was red. Look at it again mate. Warbz drove Clerc neck first into the ground, way beyond 90% and drop him on his head. 100% red, and an easy decision to make in my opinion.
 
That was 100% a red card, and tbh most people i've talked to say it was red. Look at it again mate. Warbz drove Clerc neck first into the ground, way beyond 90% and drop him on his head. 100% red, and an easy decision to make in my opinion.
don't bite
 
This is not turning into another debate about that, back on topic

(for the record, discussing Warburtons merits in comparison is fine, no more mentioning of 2011, capiche?)
 
I'm no Welsh fan by any stretch of imagination, but Warburton along with Faletau and Lydiate were the main reason Wales held off Fiji. It's fortunate for Wales they have two great open sides in Tipuric and Sam.
 
Why, exactly, is this being derailed into a Wales thread?

I just hope the change of coaches happens well before the 6N; witnessing the entropy and erosion of our traditional strengths year on year before this February was horrid. Injuries force the coaches to put a pretty exciting side together and then they panic completely, revert to type and think that a squad full of tacklers with two wingers will do the job when Joseph gets hurt.
 
Why, exactly, is this being derailed into a Wales thread?

I just hope the change of coaches happens well before the 6N; witnessing the entropy and erosion of our traditional strengths year on year before this February was horrid. Injuries force the coaches to put a pretty exciting side together and then they panic completely, revert to type and think that a squad full of tacklers with two wingers will do the job when Joseph gets hurt.

I hope they don't go through their flawed coaching selection process again and allow Ian McGeechan to pick another Stuart Lancaster.

England need a world class head coach with a proven record at test level.

I'm going to say the unthinkable here too, Sir Clive Woodward needs to return in some capacity. I don't like the man, I suspect few do, but he knows about how to create a winning systems - and he's about the rugby, not the suits.
 
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I hope they don't go through their flawed coaching selection process again and allow Ian McGeechan to pick another Stuart Lancaster.

England need a world class head coach with a proven record at test level.
I don't think it was a terrible decision four years ago in fact apart that Dark day in Cardiff 2 years ago England were pretty much on an upward curve. The problem is we've stagnated since beating the AB'S and some cases gona backwards. As noted in this or probably another thread we were basically forced into our exciting 6 nations selection this year and at the first sign of panic we reverted to our shells against a limping Wales side.

Just one of the hynesight things Lancaster really did look like the right guy for the job 4 years ago.
 
I hope they don't go through their flawed coaching selection process again and allow Ian McGeechan to pick another Stuart Lancaster.

England need a world class head coach with a proven record at test level.

I'm going to say the unthinkable here too, Sir Clive Woodward needs to return in some capacity. I don't like the man, I suspect few do, but he knows about how to create a winning systems - and he's about the rugby, not the suits.

Why do you think few like Clive Woodward??

What do you guys think about breaking the bank for Graham Henry? Is it even possible?
 

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