Rugby 6 Nations 2013

[Misfit]

I agree, I love the lions. I'm a proud Welshman but I'm also very proud to be British. I dont see that as a contradiction at all.

I remember travelling down in 2005 to NZ (staggeringly beautiful country). There were no Englishmen, Welshmen, Irishmen or Scotmen there. Just Lions. I was also surprised at how many neutrals came to watch the games. Canadians, Americans, Japanese. Was the best holiday ever. Ended up on a camp site full of crazy Irish bastards the first week. Shared a van with a bunch of Scots and Welsh down to Wellington. Was a fantastic few weeks. Shame about the rugby really.

The Lions in the modern era is certainly an anthema but a welcome one.

And hey, occasionally, just occasionally, the rag-tag hungover bunch of Home Nationers come away with the series win.

 

[tototoner]

Would suggest you read some rugby autobiographies before commenting out with lines like that...many players see the Lions as THE pinnacle.

Couldn't disagree more.

Most of the international players compete against each other at club level but play alongside them at national level.

And I think a quick google of quotes will suggest that a number of players see the Lions as the highlight of their careers. The first two pieces I saw were Scott Quinnell and Brian O'Driscoll saying exactly that and I bet there are plenty more.

I think one of the greatest ever Lions was Wille John McBride, he is Irish like me and I have read his biography but it's just my personal opinion about the whole Lions bandwagon, I just don't get it, never watched a Lions game and never will but I'll watch every Ireland international no matter who they play.

I don't get the Barbarians either.

 

[SugarRay]

I do like the lions but I wouldn't watch it with any interest if it didn't contain English players, I have to admit that.

I think this lions team will be relatively weak although they are playing a much weaker side than in previous years so should even it out somewhat.

Props to the Welsh team. Fully deserved the championship with that performance. Their intensity was similar to England's against the all blacks.

From an English perspective? Would have been the worst slam winners in memory if they had pulled it off. Hopefully that result stirs the stubborn management out of their slumber.

Ashton, Goode, Barritt, Marler can consider themselves lucky to make the Saxons next time round. Brown needs to battle Foden for full back. Croft can go back to club rugby and try to earn his chance.

Stop playing players out of position, find a loose head who can scrummage, Mako is coming along but needs more time. Pick up the phone and contact Armitage and Sheridan. 7/8 problem solved in an instant.
Also, I want a big, nasty lock roaming around the pitch. England have always had a big, horrible pack with an enforcer or two. This current lot don't have one ( Lawes aint an enforcer )

What about Attwood or Garvey maybe? ( I bow down to your expertise here chaps )

 

[NP4_Yid]

I feel ill today

 

[Arnoldtoo]

We all feel ill today.

 

[Welshiespursboyo]

I don't. I had money on Fulham, AC Milan, Chelsea and Barcelona (still to play) to win. Returns £250

Sorry - o/t

 

[Spurs_Bear]

I left this thread alone after it descended into a bit of nonsense but just wanted to add, fair play to the Welsh, yesterday you handed our arses to us in what was a pulsating game of rugby. We would have been the worst grand slam winners for ever and a day had we won that, and as it was the trophy went to the deserved winners on the day.

That's it.

As you were.

 

[NP4_Yid]

We all feel ill today.

Believe me, I was the most ill

Thanks to all the very sporting English on here for your gracious words and dignity in defeat..... knowledgeable about rugby and Yids - I'd be happy to drink pints of booze with any of you!

 

[talkshowhost86]

Quick word for Harlequins in here on what was otherwise an absolute sporting clusterfuck of a weekend for en English Spurs fan.

Romped to victory in the LV Cup with a squad that contained 16 players under 23 years old. Lots of top prospects there.

 

[Misfit]

Quick word for Harlequins in here on what was otherwise an absolute sporting clusterfuck of a weekend for en English Spurs fan.

Romped to victory in the LV Cup with a squad that contained 16 players under 23 years old. Lots of top prospects there.

*gritted teeth*Yes, well done to the Quims. It was very impressive. Congrats.*gritted teeth*

/bitter Wasps fan who still longs for the days of Dayglo and Lewsey.

 

[talkshowhost86]

*gritted teeth*Yes, well done to the Quims. It was very impressive. Congrats.*gritted teeth*

/bitter Wasps fan who still longs for the days of Dayglo and Lewsey.

We're still on for the treble

Although that seems somewhat unlikely as presumably one of the Frog teams will win the Heineken Cup.

Looking forward to having the England lot back for Quins, although I'm assuming we'll give Robbo a couple of weeks off as he must be close to broken at the moment.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Looking forward to having the England lot back for Quins, although I'm assuming we'll give Robbo a couple of weeks off as he must be close to broken at the moment.

I saw he was in the stands yesterday, which I thought was pretty good of him given how he must have felt after the Wales game.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I saw he was in the stands yesterday, which I thought was pretty good of him given how he must have felt after the Wales game.

Lazy of him not to be playing though.

The slacker.

Genuinely though the man is a legend. I am considering getting a Quins season ticket for next season and one main reason is to have regular proximity to Robbo.

 

[Misfit]

We're still on for the treble

Although that seems somewhat unlikely as presumably one of the Frog teams will win the Heineken Cup.

Looking forward to having the England lot back for Quins, although I'm assuming we'll give Robbo a couple of weeks off as he must be close to broken at the moment.

Fair fucks to you really. You used that blip of relegation a few yrs back to regroup and really pushed on from it. Evans must be near Leg End status now for you eh? Lots of talented youngsters every yr. Damn it all to hell!

The Snail-eaters are looking strong again but you never know. I'll be rooting for you, Sarries and even the dirty Tiggers though. Actually go to more Quins games these days anyway. I can't be trecking all the way up to Wycombe all that often and the Stoop is a savage little ground.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Fair fucks to you really. You used that blip of relegation a few yrs back to regroup and really pushed on from it. Evans must be near Leg End status now for you eh? Lots of talented youngsters every yr. Damn it all to hell!

The Snail-eaters are looking strong again but you never know. I'll be rooting for you, Sarries and even the dirty Tiggers though. Actually go to more Quins games these days anyway. I can't be trecking all the way up to Wycombe all that often and the Stoop is a savage little ground.

Evans is brilliant. He's been the experience and genuine world-class talent in a young team that needs a wise-old head to keep them all in place. The good news though is that Botica is starting to look like a very good little player which means that when Evans packs it in we'll have a ready made creative and kicking replacement.

The youth strategy is clearly working better than our cheating strategy did under Richards, and my main concern about Ireland's current issues internationally is that they might cast an eye in Quins direction when picking Kidney's replacement.

 

[Misfit]

Yes. Success is a double edged sword in that respect. Your set-up is clearly the work of many people though and the chariman seems to be able to spot a good DoR/Head coach. Even Richards' talent in that respect can't be disputed. Shame he's a filthy cheat but eh. I'd back them to make the right moves if the worst does happen.

I recommend you getting that ST though. My FIL is in the Chiswick area and has a Quins ST which is why I go semi-regularly. Value for money.

 

[blodge99]

Just about sober now after Saturday's amazing result and St Pat's day yesterday [i'm 1/2 Irish too ]

Re: the Lions - I think it still has a place in today's game and I personally love it. Still get goose pumps thinking about Keet Woods talking before one of the games on the 1997 tour

Awesome!

What are we thinking about possible Lions XV?
If I was picking a team now it would be mainly Welsh players [and ive tried not to be biased] but totally stuck on 3 positions [12, 6 and 8].
12 - BOD will probably be centre but i think he's showing his age now.
6 - I hope Dan Lydiate's able to get fit before the end of the season as he would be a shoo in for 6.
8 - I dont think any if the 8's have stood out really this season and if i was Warren G I would go for Gareth Delve [but he wont!] Such a shame Parisse isn't eligible

FWIW my team would be [picked now after the 6N]
15. Leigh Halfpenny
14. Alex Cuthbert
13. Manu Tuilagi
12. ?????
11. George North
10. Jonny Sexton
9. Mike Phillips
1. Cian Healey
2. Richard Hibbard
3. Adam Jones
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. Jim Hamilton
6.
7. Sam Warburton
8.

Any thoughts/comments/ridicule?

 

[Misfit]

Honesty and Passion overload there, blodge.

I'll have to stiffen my upper lip.

wrt your team there - liking the look of it so far. Wouldn't complain about any of those picks. I'll naturally have to say at this point that Robshaw, if he has a good end to the club season has to be a serious contender but that's just my English pigdoggedness showing through. Also #8, it's a no brainer. The man, the myth, the Brand - Haskell, now is thy time. (OK, so that is a joke).

Healy also needs to learn how to stamp much better and learn how not to throw a punch like a toddler being tasered before I'll take a liking to him.

 

[E17yid]

Just about sober now after Saturday's amazing result and St Pat's day yesterday [i'm 1/2 Irish too ]

Re: the Lions - I think it still has a place in today's game and I personally love it. Still get goose pumps thinking about Keet Woods talking before one of the games on the 1997 tour

Awesome!

What are we thinking about possible Lions XV?
If I was picking a team now it would be mainly Welsh players [and ive tried not to be biased] but totally stuck on 3 positions [12, 6 and 8].
12 - BOD will probably be centre but i think he's showing his age now.
6 - I hope Dan Lydiate's able to get fit before the end of the season as he would be a shoo in for 6.
8 - I dont think any if the 8's have stood out really this season and if i was Warren G I would go for Gareth Delve [but he wont!] Such a shame Parisse isn't eligible

FWIW my team would be [picked now after the 6N]
15. Leigh Halfpenny
14. Alex Cuthbert
13. Manu Tuilagi
12. ?????
11. George North
10. Jonny Sexton
9. Mike Phillips
1. Cian Healey
2. Richard Hibbard
3. Adam Jones
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. Jim Hamilton
6.
7. Sam Warburton
8.

Any thoughts/comments/ridicule?

I was just having a chat with my bro. We were discussing our glorious win and Lydiate came into the discussion (not literally obviously) even though he is an outstanding player it begs the question whether he will come straight back in after Justin's performance. I like Sam at 6 and tipuric at 7. If we want to compete against NZ we have to have this strength in depth especially in the back row. Delve is a decent player but should not replace Toby IMO. I know falateau hasn't had the greatest championship (by his own admission) but he was superb against England.

 

[SugarRay]

Hopefully French based players aren't completely ruled out.

Hines is the best lock available and would make my team. Armitage would have a alc chane of a start too, although I can't see him beng picked.
Lydiate has to be in with a shout if he can get back to form in time and Bowe would be an absolute cert if he can get fit and hit the ground running in time. Best winger available IMO. Beyond Sexton the FH position is weak. Same Burns hasn't been been given a chance but that's another issue...

The back row has a ridiculous amount of options bar mabe number 8 ( Morgan had a real chance but injury might have ruled him out )
Other than that area though, whatever side is picked will be weaker than the 09 lions I think. The front row and half backs will be of a similar standard, but the second row and back line were considerably better back in Saffa land.

Luckily Australia aren't as good! Will be the first time in a long time that the Lions haven't had to play the best team in the world.
Perhaps they should mix it up and only tour to the current world champions?