The Rugby Thread

talkshowhost86 · Jan 18, 2018

Japhet said:
Mallinder is having a torrid time. Lots of unforced errors and lots of poor decision making. When he's on form he's a very good player but he seems to have sunk with the general malaise that's going on at Northampton.

It seems as if his Dad being sacked has made things worse (perhaps understandable) but he wasn't playing well before that either.

When Quins beat them over Christmas, he had one of the worst individual performances I've seen in a while, and was actually brutally side-stepped by Dave Ward for our first try.

Japhet · Jan 18, 2018

talkshowhost86 said:
Having ignored Armand and Ewers (again!) you do have to wonder what Eddie's plan is with regards to the back row.

Think it's going to be significantly under-powered whoever we pick from that lot.

Ewers should definitely be in there, not least because he offers an option at 8. The problem with International rugby is the same as with football. I'd sooner see groups of players who play together week in, week out get a chance. The Exeter back row are a case in point. England have been strong in no little measure due to the Saracen's spine running through the team.

mpickard2087 · Jan 18, 2018

The biggest problem with Mallinder is that, even though he's about 6ft 5, he always seems to be a total wimp when it comes to contact. That means he often doesn't make his tackles, and he'd rather throw the ball away and look extremely daft rather than take the hit.

Very surprising pick, especially so considering Jones so far has based a lot of selections on battling qualities and players who can scrap.

E17yid · Jan 18, 2018

talkshowhost86 said:
It seems as if his Dad being sacked has made things worse (perhaps understandable) but he wasn't playing well before that either.

When Quins beat them over Christmas, he had one of the worst individual performances I've seen in a while, and was actually brutally side-stepped by Dave Ward for our first try.

That can happen to any FB though, tbf. Look at Watson the other day. Got put on his arse by Tadgh Beirne of all people. Was a filthy sidestep though tbf but Watson didn’t even lay a finger on him. It’s why I’ll never complain at having Halfers at FB coz the dude literally never misses a tackle but then he’s no Damien Mackenzie going forward, granted.

talkshowhost86 · Jan 18, 2018

E17yid said:
That can happen to any FB though, tbf. Look at Watson the other day. Got put on his arse by Tadgh Beirne of all people. Was a filthy sidestep though tbf but Watson didn’t even lay a finger on him. It’s why I’ll never complain at having Halfers at FB coz the dude literally never misses a tackle but then he’s no Damien Mackenzie going forward, granted.

Yeah I saw that with Watson. It's why I suspect we'll continue to see Brown at full-back for England.

Mallinder's problems weren't just that one missed tackle though. That day he missed tackles throughout the match, knocked on at least twice, dropped a high ball, missed an interception leading to a try etc etc.

It was just an abomination of a performance and he's not really shone either side of that this season.

I think if I was Alex Goode or Olly Woodburn I'd be looking at his inclusion in the squad and wondering what Jones is basing his selections on.

E17yid · Jan 18, 2018

talkshowhost86 said:
Yeah I saw that with Watson. It's why I suspect we'll continue to see Brown at full-back for England.

Mallinder's problems weren't just that one missed tackle though. That day he missed tackles throughout the match, knocked on at least twice, dropped a high ball, missed an interception leading to a try etc etc.

It was just an abomination of a performance and he's not really shone either side of that this season.

I think if I was Alex Goode or Olly Woodburn I'd be looking at his inclusion in the squad and wondering what Jones is basing his selections on.

Yeah that’s fair. While I don’t really rate Brown he’s pretty solid. He’s doesn’t excel in any one area but he’s pretty solid in all of them. Decent defence, ok line breaker, safe under the high ball and has a wealth of experience. You’ve got Nowell and Watson who can play there. I guess it’ll be wait and see what EJ does.

I see Haskell is banned from that naughty challenge on Roberts. Everything I hear is that Roberts is playing well at the moment but can’t say I’m surprised he’s out of the squad

Japhet · Jan 18, 2018

mpickard2087 said:
The biggest problem with Mallinder is that, even though he's about 6ft 5, he always seems to be a total wimp when it comes to contact. That means he often doesn't make his tackles, and he'd rather throw the ball away and look extremely daft rather than take the hit.

Very surprising pick, especially so considering Jones so far has based a lot of selections on battling qualities and players who can scrap.

The whole Saints back line have been a bit powder puff this season but I guess that's what happens when you've got used to watching George Pisi for a few seasons.

E17yid · Jan 20, 2018

Bit of a harsh yellow and pen try against Exeter there.

E17yid · Jan 20, 2018

Great try from Glasgow.

talkshowhost86 · Jan 20, 2018

E17yid said:
Great try from Glasgow.

Amazing try.

There's going to be no English sides in the quarter final. Incredible.

E17yid · Jan 20, 2018

Fucking hell. Another great try. Exeter falling apart here.

E17yid · Jan 20, 2018

talkshowhost86 said:
Amazing try.

There's going to be no English sides in the quarter final. Incredible.

Sarries still have a chance. They’ll probably get a bonus point win and we’ll probably lose

talkshowhost86 · Jan 20, 2018

E17yid said:
Sarries still have a chance. They’ll probably get a bonus point win and we’ll probably lose

Does that actually guarantee them a place though?

Also, I'm not convinced they'll get a bonus point.

E17yid · Jan 20, 2018

talkshowhost86 said:
Does that actually guarantee them a place though?

Also, I'm not convinced they'll get a bonus point.

I’m not sure. I think it does.

Exeter still in this

talkshowhost86 · Jan 20, 2018

That yellow and penalty try really hurt them. Odd decision I thought as well.

No excuse for the mini collapse though.

Arnoldtoo · Jan 20, 2018

E17yid said:
Sarries still have a chance. They’ll probably get a bonus point win and we’ll probably lose

You're only saying that because you think you'll jinx it if you say anything different!

talkshowhost86 · Jan 20, 2018

I think I'd rather see Ospreys go through than Sarries, but it wouldn't be great if no English clubs went through.

talkshowhost86 · Jan 20, 2018

That was very lucky for Ospreys!

talkshowhost86 · Jan 20, 2018

I genuinely don't know how refs avoid slapping Rhys Webb.

E17yid · Jan 20, 2018

Fucking shit balls

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