Rugby 6 Nations 2013

[blodge99]

If anyone wants some free money get on too betfair and back Sam Warburton too be lions captain. Sh!t price now (1-4) but he was told this morning that he's captain and is travelling up to be announced tomorrow at the squad unveiling.

Dont ask how I know and I'll tell no lies ;-)

 

[mpickard2087]

Wilkinson should go. He's still the best defensive fly half around, and if I was going to put money on someone to kick a goal to win the match it would still be him.

However, the big problem is that he always has needed an inside centre to dovetail with. Catt and Greenwood in yesteryear, and now he has Matt Giteau playing outside him at 12 to take some of the creative responsibilities. You look around at the Home Nations, and a proper No. 12 is the position we lack the most.

 

[E17yid]

Wilkinson should go. He's still the best defensive fly half around, and if I was going to put money on someone to kick a goal to win the match it would still be him.

However, the big problem is that he always has needed an inside centre to dovetail with. Catt and Greenwood in yesteryear, and now he has Matt Giteau playing outside him at 12 to take some of the creative responsibilities. You look around at the Home Nations, and a proper No. 12 is the position we lack the most.

Roberts did not have the best six nations but he will raise his game massively. Plus I also think that the fact he was doing his final year exams to become a Doctor was a distraction.

 

[mpickard2087]

Roberts did not have the best six nations but he will raise his game massively. Plus I also think that the fact he was doing his final year exams to become a Doctor was a distraction.

What I meant was we have no-one creative, they are all drive it up the middle type guys. Choose Wilkinson and you need a 12 that offers more with ball in hand.

 

[E17yid]

What I meant was we have no-one creative, they are all drive it up the middle type guys. Choose Wilkinson and you need a 12 that offers more with ball in hand.

Good points. It's hard to know how the Wilkinson-Roberts partnership would fare and how Gatland would want them to play. At this level I think you need your 12 to be creative and powerful "up through the middle" types regardless of the type of 10 you are playing alongside with. What Roberts did so well in the WC was not only getting over the gain line and taking 2 tacklers out in the process but he was off loading in the tackle very well. When you have players like George North coming in off the wing and joining in with the centres this mere off loading in the tackle is one of the most creative things you can do. Just a shame that Roberts has not hit the highs of the WC but then none of the Welsh team has really. I can't comment on Wilkonson really as I have only seen him play 2 games this season, I would still lean towards Farall but can't really argue with your view to take Johnny, as you say he's still the best defensive fly half around

 

[SugarRay]

If anyone wants some free money get on too betfair and back Sam Warburton too be lions captain. Sh!t price now (1-4) but he was told this morning that he's captain and is travelling up to be announced tomorrow at the squad unveiling.

Dont ask how I know and I'll tell no lies ;-)

I'm looking forward to this tour less and less as time goes by and this news won't have helped!

Fine player and certainly a real contender for a starting berth but he isn't Lions captain material. Not yet anyway.

Apprehensive about the squad tomorrow!

 

[Misfit]

Bit of a catch-22 really. If we get a rogering on this tour gwald, SC4 (or whatever) and ScrumV can't bang on about how it's all the imperialist arrogant English baby-rapers' fault.

I still think we'll be alright. Likely lose a tough, brutal warm up game against one of the franchises and keep the test within a game or two, win or lose.

 

[mpickard2087]

Apparently no Robshaw or Launchbury. Pretty astonishing if that's true.

 

[nightgoat]

If Robshaw isn't in the squad it'll be a bit of a joke, really. Most consistent in that position during the Six Nations. I can understand Launchbury being left out as he's only just come into the England team, but it depends how many locks he's going to take. I can see Alun Wyn Jones, Parling and probably Richie Gray being ahead of Launchbury, although Gray didn't have a great Six Nations.

 

[SugarRay]

Bit of a catch-22 really. If we get a rogering on this tour gwald, SC4 (or whatever) and ScrumV can't bang on about how it's all the imperialist arrogant English baby-rapers' fault.

I still think we'll be alright. Likely lose a tough, brutal warm up game against one of the franchises and keep the test within a game or two, win or lose.

The test opposition will be the weakest the Lions have faced for a while too which will help. Mind you, the Aussies do seem to find a way.
The much heralded Lions back row could well end up getting a working over from their opposition in the tests. That's without the best in the business, Pocock, too. Oz are blessed in the back row.

 

[blodge99]

Very surprised Rory Best iant going.
Apart from that, no real shocks except maybe only taking two 10s??

 

[absolute bobbins]

Robshaw not going? What a joke

 

[E17yid]

Must admit, surprised Robshaw is not going

 

[absolute bobbins]

And Matt Stevens going? What is that all about?

 

[mpickard2087]

There are some real joke decisions there.

 

[felmani26]

Not overly surprised by the strong Welsh contingent but Rory best's omission is a surprise, as is Robshaw's but if Lydiate is on form then he's a class act.

Warburton - fantastic back but I think it's a mistake having him as Captain and we would have been better served with BOD or POD for sure as experience counts.

 

[mpickard2087]

Centre and Fly Half we better pray there are no injuries, no options at all.

 

[felmani26]

And Matt Stevens going? What is that all about?

That's a headscratcher!

 

[E17yid]

2 FH's. Very fucking risky. Not a fan of Sexton either TBH but not much choice really.

This squad is still easily strong enough to win

 

[mpickard2087]

Two 10's and absolutely no one to cover the position in an emergency. That is gambling big time. If you were going to go that route surely someone like Laidlaw (played plenty at 10) as 3rd scrumhalf would have been more sensible.