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Old 23-02-2016, 14:18
CGG_12
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First bit of team news

Wales: Liam Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), George North (Northampton Saints), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues).
Is Justin Tipuric the unluckiest player in World Rugby?

I see Jon Davies is named despite him being a doubt. With Scotty Wills out and Hook out of favour they could really do with him being available. Moving North to centre means putting the dodgy Anscombe to full back

Rhys Webb is playing against my own team Connacht on Saturday, so he'll probably bench vs England. Why couldn't they pick him prematurely in this one ruling him out for Saturday

Healy and Ross both available for Ireland. McGrath is the best loosehead available and Healy looks finished as a force but Ross will be a huge addition imo. Maybe one for the conspiracy theories forum but I wonder has there been an additional number of phonecalls made from Schmidt's phone to a certain Andy Farrell this week?

Again Matt Healy disgracefully not called up. this kick chase game Ireland will no doubt implement will be absolute meat and drink to England

Meanwhile Eddie Jones says England aren't fit enough. he either really means business and is laying down quite an early marker or he's talking sh1te for the sake of it

there's a grand slam for the taking for them here (something SL never managed) so here's an early chance for him to walk the walk. Ireland won't be this bad again for a while and France can only really improve in the next few years
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Old 23-02-2016, 15:26
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Is Justin Tipuric the unluckiest player in World Rugby?

I see Jon Davies is named despite him being a doubt. With Scotty Wills out and Hook out of favour they could really do with him being available. Moving North to centre means putting the dodgy Anscombe to full back

Rhys Webb is playing against my own team Connacht on Saturday, so he'll probably bench vs England. Why couldn't they pick him prematurely in this one ruling him out for Saturday

Healy and Ross both available for Ireland. McGrath is the best loosehead available and Healy looks finished as a force but Ross will be a huge addition imo. Maybe one for the conspiracy theories forum but I wonder has there been an additional number of phonecalls made from Schmidt's phone to a certain Andy Farrell this week?

Again Matt Healy disgracefully not called up. this kick chase game Ireland will no doubt implement will be absolute meat and drink to England

Meanwhile Eddie Jones says England aren't fit enough. he either really means business and is laying down quite an early marker or he's talking sh1te for the sake of it

there's a grand slam for the taking for them here (something SL never managed) so here's an early chance for him to walk the walk. Ireland won't be this bad again for a while and France can only really improve in the next few years
to quote Mayor Quimby from the Simpsons "it can be two things"

Seriously though, I think Eddie is doing a good job of playing the media. He's feeding them quotes, sometimes contradictory one's and letting the players do what they need to on the pitch.

Not sure England will win GS, as I fear we'll lose to Wales, who have most of their players back.

I wonder what sort of French side we'll see on Friday?
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Old 23-02-2016, 15:34
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to quote Mayor Quimby from the Simpsons "it can be two things"

Seriously though, I think Eddie is doing a good job of playing the media. He's feeding them quotes, sometimes contradictory one's and letting the players do what they need to on the pitch.

Not sure England will win GS, as I fear we'll lose to Wales, who have most of their players back.

I wonder what sort of French side we'll see on Friday?
yeah Wales is the real big one for England, very hard to call yet but we'll see how both hold up at the weekend. I think wales are marginally the better Rugby side all things being equal but England being at home and with a greater hand available will fancy their chances

traditionally France would tear up the form book and win matches like the one v Wales on Friday but can anyone honestly remember the last time France actually played well in a competitive match?

The funny thing is - as Michael Vaughan pointed out - if Wales lose to England, then even if France lose to Wales they may well host England in what could ultimately turn out to be a 6n decider.

It's such a weak tournament though. I feel like Wales should be hoovering up the slam but they just don't have a big enough squad to cope with a few injuries when they arise. England and Ireland - as proven at the RWC - are no more than mediocre sides at the top level when compared with SH opposition (Ireland being atrociously held back by one-dimensional tactics), while France are miles off where they need to be.

It does make it intriguing though!
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Old 23-02-2016, 16:08
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yeah Wales is the real big one for England, very hard to call yet but we'll see how both hold up at the weekend. I think wales are marginally the better Rugby side all things being equal but England being at home and with a greater hand available will fancy their chances

traditionally France would tear up the form book and win matches like the one v Wales on Friday but can anyone honestly remember the last time France actually played well in a competitive match?

The funny thing is - as Michael Vaughan pointed out - if Wales lose to England, then even if France lose to Wales they may well host England in what could ultimately turn out to be a 6n decider.

It's such a weak tournament though. I feel like Wales should be hoovering up the slam but they just don't have a big enough squad to cope with a few injuries when they arise. England and Ireland - as proven at the RWC - are no more than mediocre sides at the top level when compared with SH opposition (Ireland being atrociously held back by one-dimensional tactics), while France are miles off where they need to be.

It does make it intriguing though!
England are hamstrung by sticking with certain players. Regardless of whoever was leading us post RWC, the England coach could only make a maximum of 10 changes to the squad. That leaves us by and large with the same personnel that underperformed.

As much as I like Joe Marler and Dan Cole, both have been outperformed this season by Mako Vunipola and (a pre-injured) Kieran Brookes. Coupled with strong cases for Slade, Daly and Itoje there should be a fresher looking England team.

The problem is making too many changes at once, which seems to be why the squad very slowly changing from Lancaster regime (too slow for some). A lot of people think the summer tour to Australia will be a better time to judge how Eddie Jones is changing the team, as more new players should be integrated into the squad (though not Nathan Hughes yet - due to residency rules).

I agree with Eddie that England don't have any world class players, I said as much last year, but we do have the biggest player pool.
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Old 23-02-2016, 16:26
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As much as I like Joe Marler and Dan Cole, both have been outperformed this season by Mako Vunipola and (a pre-injured) Kieran Brookes. Coupled with strong cases for Slade, Daly and Itoje there should be a fresher looking England team.

.
To just play devil's advocate here, to be fair Vunipola seems to operate much better off the bench for England. I believe that was the whole reason he was brought for the Lions 3 years ago. With Corbs injured/semi-retired there are no real alternatives to Marler aside from Matt Mullan who maybe can feel a little aggrieved. Waller and Barrington are decent club players at best, Exeter don't have anything to offer. that's basically all the top clubs

Dan Cole is finished as an international force imo, but as you've said the best tight-head prop in England at the moment Brookes has been injured. The alternative is now a rookie in Paul Hill. Wilson and Thomas don't cut it at international level imo

A front row of Vunipola/Marler, George and Brookes could be all kinds of epic by WC2019

Itoje is a bit young yet but will be a regular by the Autumn. Robshaw will be gently put out to pasture I think. Haskell still has plenty to offer imo. Slade and Daly are gonna have a hell of a job replacing JJ now. Manu and JJ are the two going forward I'd say

But yes England do have around 30 'decent' players, but zero world class ones. Although I do think Mike Brown is a serious operator at international level, while barring injury Billy Vunipola, Anthony Watson, Owen farrell, Maro Itoje, Joe Launchbury at the very least will eventually go on to become the best player in their position in the world imo. so the future is promising
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Old 23-02-2016, 20:12
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Daly gets his chance

Eddie Jones has retained Elliot Daly for match day squad, finally he gets a chance to show what he can do for England.

Should be handy for the long range kicks
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Old 23-02-2016, 20:35
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Daly gets his chance

Eddie Jones has retained Elliot Daly for match day squad, finally he gets a chance to show what he can do for England.

Should be handy for the long range kicks
Hmmm interesting. Not too happy to see this myself as an Irish man! Could he even sneak in at 12?
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Old 23-02-2016, 20:47
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Hmmm interesting. Not too happy to see this myself as an Irish man! Could he even sneak in at 12?
It would be a bit of a surprise to see him start the match, but apparently he's been playing 12 in training.

I await Thursday's team news with greater interest.
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Old 23-02-2016, 20:51
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Daly gets his chance

Eddie Jones has retained Elliot Daly for match day squad, finally he gets a chance to show what he can do for England.

Should be handy for the long range kicks
I'm happy he's in the 23 as well.
Been excellent week in, week out for Wasps this season and I'm glad this year he is passing more, as the only criticism I've had of him the last few season was sometimes he missed the man outside of him.
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Old 23-02-2016, 22:00
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It would be a bit of a surprise to see him start the match, but apparently he's been playing 12 in training.

I await Thursday's team news with greater interest.
I'm not sure farrell and Ford has any sort of potential as a partnership so Eddie may well just put ED straight in. Plus he's not the most versatile, wouldn't devoto make more sense as a bench cover option? I really hope I'm wrong here, him and JJ could tear us apart
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Old 23-02-2016, 23:04
Mike Teevee
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I'm not sure farrell and Ford has any sort of potential as a partnership so Eddie may well just put ED straight in. Plus he's not the most versatile, wouldn't devoto make more sense as a bench cover option? I really hope I'm wrong here, him and JJ could tear us apart
Do you mean Farrell or Daly?

Elliot can cover 13 and 15 if need be, that makes three with 12 position he's apparently penciled in for.

Devoto would probably be there if he hadn't got injured at the weekend.
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Old 24-02-2016, 10:21
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Do you mean Farrell or Daly?

Elliot can cover 13 and 15 if need be, that makes three with 12 position he's apparently penciled in for.

Devoto would probably be there if he hadn't got injured at the weekend.
Daly- sorry i don't mean he's not versatile per se but I would have thought the bench cover would be covering centres, wing, FB and maybe even out half too, which would be more suited to Devoto. Then again if he's injured that would explain it! I'll admit I had never seen Daly at FB!

Anyway we'll see what happens. an injury after 2 minutes to JJ and Daly could get 78 minutes regardless so who knows what will happen either way

Lets be honest Farrell isn't going to be 12 going forward so Jones should just stick Daly in it now and Tuilagi in Paris if needs be. These two, JJ and Slade are the best centre options going forward

Similarly Joe Schmidt should stop with all this conservative nonsense now that the Championship is out of reach. A team with Healy, McCloskey, Zebo FB, Jackson, Van der Flier, and Dillane could well cause England serious problems. Zero of the above will be included though (although if Payne is ruled out maybe Joe might actually pick McCloskey) and it'll be the usual kick chase nonsense and attacking through the forwards. Absolute meat and drink to England. I'd be surprised if Ireland got within 10 points sadly. Confidence is absolutely on the floor
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Old 24-02-2016, 17:54
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Launch ruled out so lawes brought back into the 23.

Itoje to start? Bollicks anyway the guy is a beast and a half
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Old 25-02-2016, 09:27
Mike Teevee
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France: Maxime Medard; Virimi Vakatawa, Maxime Mermoz, Jonathan Danty, Djibril Camara; Jules Plisson, Maxime Machenaud; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Rabah Slimani, Alexandre Flanquart, Paul Jedrasiak, Antoine Burban, Damien Chouly, Wenceslas Lauret.

Replacements: Camille Chat, Uini Atonio, Vincent Pelo, Yoann Maestri, Loann Goujon, Sebastien Bezy, Francois Trinh Duc, Gael Fickou.
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Old 25-02-2016, 10:32
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England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Anthony Watson, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 James Haskell, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Kruis, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 1 Joe Marler

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Jack Clifford, 21 Danny Care, 22 Elliot Daly, 23 Alex Goode

Itoje starts!

Scotland: Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Mark Bennett (all Glasgow), Duncan Taylor (Saracens),Tim Visser (Harlequins); Finn Russell (Glasgow), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester, capt); Al Dickinson, Ross Ford, WP Nel (all Edinburgh); Richie Gray (Castres); Jonny Gray (Glasgow); John Barclay (Scarlets), John Hardie (Edinburgh), Dave Denton (Bath).

Replacements: Stuart McInally, Rory Sutherland (both Edinburgh), Moray Low (Exeter), Tim Swinson, Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh), Peter Horne, Sean Lamont (both Glasgow).

Visser returns
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Old 25-02-2016, 10:44
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Marler in not much of a surprise, Mako would be more suited to coming off the bench here. Itoje starting is big news, I've watched the guy a lot and really think he's something special

Is it just me or is Visser one of the most overrated international players of the last decade?
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Old 25-02-2016, 11:10
Mike Teevee
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Marler in not much of a surprise, Mako would be more suited to coming off the bench here. Itoje starting is big news, I've watched the guy a lot and really think he's something special

Is it just me or is Visser one of the most overrated international players of the last decade?
I don't Joe starting for England, it's just that there has been a lot of clamouring for Mako (as he's been the in form loosehead this season).

Visser had a few decent games for Quins from what I've seen of him this season, not that I've been paying that much attention.
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Old 25-02-2016, 14:01
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The positives- V de F and McCloskey start- even if injuries have forced Mr Conservative's hand. Mike Ross is back and Healy on the bench

The negatives- No Zebo, bizarrely no Jackson AGAIN on the bench, Reddan over Marmion.

There are still too many weak links there as a result of all the injuries for England to target, but not a bad team in the circumstances.
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Old 25-02-2016, 14:25
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The positives- V de F and McCloskey start- even if injuries have forced Mr Conservative's hand. Mike Ross is back and Healy on the bench

The negatives- No Zebo, bizarrely no Jackson AGAIN on the bench, Reddan over Marmion.

There are still too many weak links there as a result of all the injuries for England to target, but not a bad team in the circumstances.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 CJ Stander, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Jack McGrath

Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Nathan White, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Simon Zebo

Yeah that's not a bad team considering the injuries.
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Old 25-02-2016, 14:45
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A shame Gilroy isn't in the 23 either.

Zebo Trimble and Gilroy would be a sexy back 3. Pity Payne is injured he's a huge loss
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Old 25-02-2016, 19:21
Mike Teevee
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Last bit of team news

Italy: David Odiete, Leonardo Sarto, Michele Campagnaro, Gonzalo Garcia, Mattia Bellini, Kelly Haimona, Edoardo Gori, Sergio Parisse, Alessandro Zanni, Francesco Minto, Joshua Furno, Marco Fuser, Lorenzo Citttadini, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Lovotti

Replacements: Davide Giazzon, Matteo Zanusso, Martin Castrogiovanni, Valerio Bernabo, Andries Van Schalkwyk, Guglielmo Palazzani, Edoardo Padovani, Andrea Pratichetti
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Old 26-02-2016, 18:00
CGG_12
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Some awful news James O'Connor after suffering cardiac arrest on Toulon team bus. Rushed to hospital. Gorgodze gave him first aid on bus
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Old 26-02-2016, 19:01
Stunty
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The rugby weekend starts tonight.

The roof at the Principality Stadium was due to be closed, however due to technical issues it will remain open.

In other words ..... they can't close the roof!

No rain is forecast though.
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Old 26-02-2016, 20:00
Stunty
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Prince William arriving fashionably late when the moments silence has commenced.
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Old 26-02-2016, 20:53
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oh dear, yawn - more scrummage than match!
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