|
||||||||
The All Purpose Rugby Union Thread (P2) |
![]() |
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|
#3501 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
|
Quote:
Crikey, that Welsh team looks really impressive, they've got a strong shout of a Grand Slam this year. With all their talent back and Ireland looking impressive it's going to be a good 6N (although with England's injuries I fear it won't be great for us).
I have to fancy Wales though. England's injury list is just too brutal and now David Wilson is out too! Do Wales have any first choice missing? Mental This Wales side feed off momentum and with their brilliant recent record in Paris and the fact they've Ireland at home, a win Friday is humongous As Mike says if England do manage a win Friday, they may very well sneak the tournament given they're more or less guaranteed win every match (France just don't do winning at Twickenham) you'd imagine, except Ireland of course which is more 50/50 (4 wins might be enough like last year). The fact England play Italy at home is huge in terms of Points Difference So yeah, the winner Friday, wins for me! |
|
|
|
|
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
|
|
|
#3502 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Nailsworth, Gloucestershire
Posts: 10,402
|
Quote:
hmm I'll have to disagree with your team
Marler has been better than Mako over the last two years and I'd rather have him start over the elder Vunipola brother. Regardless of that Corbs appears to be first choice, as soon as he gets a level of consistent fitness Lancaster picks him to start (which is harsh on Marler IMO). I'd rather have Wade in the squad over May, but that's not gonna happen (barring injury) Quote:
Care has been poor over the last few months and Youngs not much better, which makes me sad that Dickson or Simpson haven't been given a chance to claim scrum half slot. The sad thing is that Care and Youngs look nailed on for the role (alternating between who starts and who comes off the bench).
I don't get the Farrell dislike from so many England fans, he's very consistent and his kicking is pretty important. It's a bit bemusing that people think he only starts because his dad is one of the coaches, that would only last so long if he was truly awful. Being a biased Wasps fan I'd like to see ex-Wasp Cipriani start at 10, but I don't think Farrell is a bad choice. A Bath dominated back row isn't bad, though I think Burrell deserves a shot at 12 spot. At the moment the best English 10s I've seen play @ Kingsholm this season are Ford and Cipriani, by some considerable distance. |
|
|
|
|
|
#3503 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
|
No Danny Care for England, not even on bench. Hmmm can't agree with that, strange decision
Good to see Cipriani back on the bench I see SKY have gotten rights to the Open in golf and they look set to go for 6n next. May be no 6n on free to air soon if so |
|
|
|
|
|
#3504 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
|
Quote:
The problem with Christian Wade is that he couldn't tackle his way out of a paper bag. His defence isn't even dire, it is so non-existant it would be a breach of the Tradres Description Act to even call it a defence.
I've no problem with Farrell, however he is not, and never will be a 10. He's not even the best 10 at Sarries, Charlie Hodgson is. Farrell's best position is inside centre where, funnily enough, he's spent most of his time playing. At the moment the best English 10s I've seen play @ Kingsholm this season are Ford and Cipriani, by some considerable distance. |
|
|
|
|
|
#3505 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: colchester
Posts: 15,352
|
Quote:
I see SKY have gotten rights to the Open in golf and they look set to go for 6n next. May be no 6n on free to air soon if so
I can seeing England suffering from the boot of Halfpenny rather than any welsh creativity. |
|
|
|
|
|
#3506 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
|
England match-day 23 to face Wales
15. Mike Brown (Harlequins, 33 caps) 14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 4 caps) 13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 6 caps) 12. Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints, 7 caps) 11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 11 caps) 10. George Ford (Bath Rugby, 6 caps) 9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 42 caps) 1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 26 caps) 2. Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints, 61 caps) 3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 45 caps) 4. David Attwood (Bath Rugby, 16 caps) 5. George Kruis (Saracens, 4 caps) 6. James Haskell (Wasps, 53 caps) 7. Chris Robshaw (captain, Harlequins, 32 caps) 8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 12 caps) Replacements 16. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps) 17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 15 caps) 18. Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons, 6 caps) 19. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers, 38 caps) 20. Nick Easter (Harlequins, 47 caps) 21. Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 16 caps) 22. Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks, 9 caps) 23. Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 16 caps) Zero surprises, given the injuries, from the 25 man squad announced yest Again, I just have to say leaving out Care is nonsensical for me, even as a gamechanger from the bench. He was one of the players of the tournament last year No Corbs and no specialist second row on the bench are gutsy calls too No wing or full back cover on the bench either. I'm amazed Alex Goode wasn't included with Cipriani able to slot into 12 if necessary |
|
|
|
|
|
#3507 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
|
Quote:
22. Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks, 9 caps)
![]() ![]()
|
|
|
|
|
|
#3508 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
|
Spedding
Huget, Bastareaud, Fofana, Thomas Lopez, Kockott Le Roux, Chouly, Dusautoir (cap) Maestri, Papé Slimani, Guirado, Menini. Fk me that's still a strong French side when you look at it. They're coming into this way too quiet, I can just feel they'll struggle over the line or even lose v Scotland and then come and do a number in Dublin
|
|
|
|
|
|
#3509 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Nailsworth, Gloucestershire
Posts: 10,402
|
Quote:
Off topic but we'll be heading over to Gloucester for Connacht game in April, any tips for weekend! Which airport be handiest you think? Presume there's plenty options accomodation wise
As for hotels in Gloucester, yes there is plenty of choice! The New County Hotel. has a very good reputation and it is right in the centre of the city. Kingsholm stadium is about a 10 munute walk from there, excluding time spent in the pubs!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
#3510 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
|
Quote:
You've a choice of three airports, Bristol, Cardiff, and Birmingham. Realistically Birmingham would be the best bet. It has a station so you can get the train to Gloucester, you might have to chage at Birmingham New Street and, more likely, Cheltenham Spa. For the cheapest fares it would be best to book in advance, and a single ticket in each direction might be cheaper than a return.
As for hotels in Gloucester, yes there is plenty of choice! The New County Hotel. has a very good reputation and it is right in the centre of the city. Kingsholm stadium is about a 10 munute walk from there, excluding time spent in the pubs!! ![]()
|
|
|
|
|
|
#3511 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,570
|
Predictions for Round One of the Six nations 2015
Wales 19-13 England Italy 17-33 Ireland France 26-17 Scotland Fixtures have been announced for the next two years Six Nations 2016 http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/matchc...ason=2015-2016 Six Nations 2017 http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/matchc...ason=2016-2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
#3512 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,572
|
Quote:
Predictions for Round One of the Six nations 2015
Wales 19-13 England Italy 17-33 Ireland France 26-17 Scotland Fixtures have been announced for the next two years Six Nations 2016 http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/matchc...ason=2015-2016 Six Nations 2017 http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/matchc...ason=2016-2017 Thank Christ! |
|
|
|
|
|
#3513 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Pimlico, central London, UK
Posts: 14,879
|
Quote:
I see SKY have gotten rights to the Open in golf and they look set to go for 6n next. May be no 6n on free to air soon if so |
|
|
|
|
|
#3514 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Nailsworth, Gloucestershire
Posts: 10,402
|
Quote:
Also just take a look at this. Can you imagine if you were shown this stat from 2015 after the Ireland game in 2008!!!
![]() ![]() ![]() Stuart Barnes (10 caps) v Rob Andrew (71 caps) James Simpson-Daniel (10 caps) v Any donkey England have put on the wing over the last 20 years... Are two perfect examples. |
|
|
|
|
|
#3515 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
|
Quote:
England will always prefer players that stick rigidly to the game plan to someone with genuine talent, they always have. That is usually why they are so dull and boring to watch.
Stuart Barnes (10 caps) v Rob Andrew (71 caps) James Simpson-Daniel (10 caps) v Any donkey England have put on the wing over the last 20 years... Are two perfect examples. ![]() ![]() ![]() Mental. One of the most gifted wingers I have ever seen, no exaggeration Yeah, it didn't help Cipriani's cause Johnno had a complete agenda against him also. Remember being at the Irl Eng game at Croke Park in 09, he would have won it for them that day. Goode was atrocious |
|
|
|
|
|
#3516 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
|
Quote:
England will always prefer players that stick rigidly to the game plan to someone with genuine talent, they always have. That is usually why they are so dull and boring to watch.
Stuart Barnes (10 caps) v Rob Andrew (71 caps) James Simpson-Daniel (10 caps) v Any donkey England have put on the wing over the last 20 years... Are two perfect examples. I remember in 5 minutes in croke Park Tait had done more when he came on than Tindall had all game Which begs the question is Tait fit at the moment? With all their centre problems he can't be far off? |
|
|
|
|
|
#3517 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 96
|
Quote:
Looks like Wales have got two years off from those shitty Friday games.
Thank Christ! Friday 26th Feb 2016 - Wales v France Friday 10th Mar 2017 - Wales v Ireland |
|
|
|
|
|
#3518 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: durty sarf london
Posts: 16,241
|
Other team news
Scotland: Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Tim Visser; Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (capt); Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray, Rob Harley, Blair Cowan, Johnnie Beattie. Replacements: Fraser Brown, Gordon Reid, Geoff Cross, Jim Hamilton, Alasdair Strokosch, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Peter Horne, Dougie Fife. Ireland: R Kearney; T Bowe, J Payne, R Henshaw, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best, M Ross; D Toner, P O'Connell (capt); P O'Mahony, S O'Brien, J Murphy. Replacements: S Cronin, J Cronin, M Moore, I Henderson, T O'Donnell, I Boss, I Madigan, F Jones. |
|
|
|
|
|
#3519 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Cork, Ireland.
Posts: 9,250
|
Predictions for 6 Nations Championships??
I'll go with 1. England 2. Ireland 3. France 4. Wales 5. Scotland 6. Italy .. No team to go unbeaten and England to triumph with victory in Dublin, |
|
|
|
|
|
#3520 |
|
Inactive Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 711
|
Quote:
Er, not quite....
Friday 26th Feb 2016 - Wales v France Friday 10th Mar 2017 - Wales v Ireland |
|
|
|
|
|
#3521 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 8,723
|
Bit off topic but still RU related, just watched the documentary on Gareth Thomas aired on BBC the other evening. Not sure if it was a repeat but first time I've seen it and really insightful look into his career and the lie he felt he was living.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#3522 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
|
Quote:
Predictions for 6 Nations Championships??
I'll go with 1. England 2. Ireland 3. France 4. Wales 5. Scotland 6. Italy .. No team to go unbeaten and England to triumph with victory in Dublin, Though I think England will win the Slam if they win in Dublin as I fancy them tomorrow now after weighing it up better (despite the injuries that's still a monster pack and JJ is the most exciting back I've seen in the Champions Cup all year )Regardless 4 wins should do them with Italy, Scotland and France at home, I wouldn't put it past them gaining up towards over 80 pts in Score Difference in those 3 games alone if their backline really fires |
|
|
|
|
|
#3523 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,430
|
Quote:
England will always prefer players that stick rigidly to the game plan to someone with genuine talent, they always have. That is usually why they are so dull and boring to watch.
Stuart Barnes (10 caps) v Rob Andrew (71 caps) James Simpson-Daniel (10 caps) v Any donkey England have put on the wing over the last 20 years... Are two perfect examples. |
|
|
|
|
#3524 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: durty sarf london
Posts: 16,241
|
Quote:
Why is it Wales are always involved in the Friday games?
I'm surprised France haven't had a few Friday home matches, maybe Top 14 clubs don't watch any clashes. |
|
|
|
|
|
#3525 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: durty sarf london
Posts: 16,241
|
final bit of team news
France : 15-Scott Spedding, 14-Yoann Huget, 13-Mathieu Bastareaud, 12-Wesley Fofana, 11-Teddy Thomas, 10-Camille Lopez, 9-Rory Kockott; 1-Alexandre Menini, 2-Guilhem Guirado, 3- Rabah Slimani, 4-Pascal Pape, 5-Yoann Maestri, 6-Thierry Dusautoir (capt), 7-Bernard Le Roux, 8-Damien Chouly Replacements: 16-Benjamin Kayser, 17-Uini Atonio, 18-Eddy Ben Arous, 19-Romain Taofifenua, 20-Loann Goujon, 21-Morgan Parra, 22-Remi Tales, 23-Remi Lamerat Italy: 15-Andrea Masi, 14-Leonardo Sarto, 13-Michele Campagnaro, 12-Luca Morisi, 11-Luke McLean, 10-Kelly Haimona, 9-Edoardo Gori; 1-Matias Aguero, 2-Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3-Martin Castrogiovanni, 4-Joshua Furno, 5-George Biagi, 6-Alessandro Zanni, 7-Francesco Minto, 8-Sergio Parisse (captain). Replacements: 16-Andrea Manici, 17-Alberto de Marchi, 18-Dario Chistolini, 19-Marco Fuser, 20-Marco Barbini, 21-Guglielmo Palazzani, 22-Tommaso Allan, 23-Giovanbattista Venditti. |
|
|
|
![]() |
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 16:20.





