The Rugby Thread

[talkshowhost86]

You don't have to substitute your scrum half, so I'd start with Care, and only change him if he needs it.

Actually, I might give Maro a go and see how he gets on.

I know you love him (as do I) but he wasn't up to his bed today.

Going to need to up his game against old man AWJ next week.

 

[SugarRay]

Job done for England really. I don't think anyone will beat Italy by more in Rome, or at all potentially.

But a few worrying gaps in defence. Wales will be looking at that and thinking they can definitely get points on the board.

We won’t be handing out opportunities willy nilly like Scotland did though hopefully. The Welsh win is getting overhyped, Scotland were diabolical, like they were at Twickenham last year ( a win which was also overhyped )

I was impressed with Italy. They offered more in attack than they usually do. Good to see imo. They need to develop that side of their game otherwise they’ll never get anywhere

 

[talkshowhost86]

We won’t be handing out opportunities willy nilly like Scotland did though hopefully. The Welsh win is getting overhyped, Scotland were diabolical, like they were at Twickenham last year ( a win which was also overhyped )

I was impressed with Italy. They offered more in attack than they usually do. Good to see imo. They need to develop that side of their game otherwise they’ll never get anywhere

It's hard to tell really.

Scotland were abysmal yes but some of that was down to Wales' defence.

Italy were better than expected but how much of that was because England were limited?

Personally I think Italy were genuinely good today and Scotland shat the bed yesterday but I realise that's a potentially biased opinion.

Either way it won't be the walkover for England next week that the press and everyone in Wales has built it up to be.

 

[teok]

England have a load of different issues. If we defend like we did in first half in the backs against wales they will score at will. Also as we have previously mentioned their back row will completely dominate ours. This game could really go either way. I have a bad feeling about it personally.

Eddie massively gambled by only selecting two scrum halves and now we are right in it (it's typical because youngs was looking really good).

 

[Japhet]

HIA protocols need to be looked at after the way the French abused the rules.

 

[talkshowhost86]

England have a load of different issues. If we defend like we did in first half in the backs against wales they will score at will. Also as we have previously mentioned their back row will completely dominate ours. This game could really go either way. I have a bad feeling about it personally.

Eddie massively gambled by only selecting two scrum halves and now we are right in it (it's typical because youngs was looking really good).

I agree about the defending, particularly out wide, and Wales will certainly be looking at that thinking they can take advantage.

As for being dominated in the back row I'm really not sure. Shingler and Navidi played very well against Scotland, but so did Robshaw and Simmonds, plus there's the destructive force of Underhill off the bench to bring the pain a bit in the last 20 minutes.

I also think that whilst Wales did defend well, in that first half Scotland did get into some very dangerous positions, and England's backs are much better positioned to finish off those chances if they get them (whereas Scotland simply dropped the ball at every available opportunity).

It was far from a vintage performance from England, but it was Italy's biggest first round loss ever (I think...or certainly in the last 6 or 7 years) and I think we again showed that we have great strength off the bench, which I was worried wouldn't be the case.

The scrum half is a serious issue though. Whilst I thought Care was fine, I do agree that he's better as a finisher, so not really sure what we do in that position with Youngs out. You have to go back to 2015 to find another scrum half who has played for England, and that was Wigglesworth and, of all people, Lee Dickson.

 

[E17yid]

If England don’t win by 15 or more points you should be ashamed.

If you lose Eddie Jones might as well pack up and go home.

*tongue firmly in cheek *

 

[talkshowhost86]

If England don’t win by 15 or more points you should be ashamed.

If you lose Eddie Jones might as well pack up and go home.

*tongue firmly in cheek *

Agreed.

Any defeat by those provincial scrotes is an embarrassment.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Genuinely though with the injuries Wales have got, even though England have some injuries as well we should definitely be winning that game and if we don't then it's a big concern looking ahead to the World Cup.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Six Nations: Saracens scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth called into England squad to face Wales

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42946822

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Genuinely though with the injuries Wales have got, even though England have some injuries as well we should definitely be winning that game and if we don't then it's a big concern looking ahead to the World Cup.

I agree, though I think it will be a lot closer than Ladbrokes, who are offering 4-1 against Wales.

I think I might risk a groat or two on that.

 

[E17yid]

I agree, though I think it will be a lot closer than Ladbrokes, who are offering 4-1 against Wales.

I think I might risk a groat or two on that.

Liam Willians and North back in training but you can’t drop Halfpenny after that performance nor Steff Evans. Josh Adams could make way for one of them but perhaps have both as impact subs.

I wouldn’t bother with that 4-1. Worth a scores I suppose but I don’t think I will.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Liam Willians and North back in training but you can’t drop Halfpenny after that performance nor Steff Evans. Josh Adams could make way for one of them but perhaps have both as impact subs.

I wouldn’t bother with that 4-1. Worth a scores I suppose but I don’t think I will.

Yeah, but if I put money on Wales, that makes it far far more likely that England will win.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Six Nations: Saracens scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth called into England squad to face Wales

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42946822

Predictable I suppose.

Will he start though? You have to assume not, but Wiggy certainly isn't an impact sub.

 

[Japhet]

Predictable I suppose.

Will he start though? You have to assume not, but Wiggy certainly isn't an impact sub.

I'd assume Wigglesworth would start although that's a bit tough on Care, but he is the impact sub. I'd have preferred Robson to get the call up since he's been on fire but I suppose Wiggy's the more obvious choice.

 

[E17yid]

Welsh team should be announced today I think.

It’s Tuesday and there’s been no mind games yet. I would’ve thought we’d have something from Eddie about Wales not being a proper country or should just be called little England or something.

Going to be a long week. Same day as the NLD. Could be a messy afternoon.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Welsh team should be announced today I think.

It’s Tuesday and there’s been no mind games yet. I would’ve thought we’d have something from Eddie about Wales not being a proper country or should just be called little England or something.

Going to be a long week. Same day as the NLD. Could be a messy afternoon.

Genuinely though he wouldn't say those things if he didn't know it would wind the Welsh up.

He doesn't say similar things about Scotland or Ireland because they've all moved on a bit.

All adds to the pantomime I suppose.

 

[E17yid]

Genuinely though he wouldn't say those things if he didn't know it would wind the Welsh up.

He doesn't say similar things about Scotland or Ireland because they've all moved on a bit.

All adds to the pantomime I suppose.

He’s had a few things to say about Scotland. Actually think his sarky comments on Gregor Townsend was really harsh and a bit unnecessary but it’s who he is.

You’re right though, he does it purely to wind people up he just tailors it to whatever country he’s playing whether that’s Wales, Scotland, Australia or whoever.

When you say the Welsh do you mean the public or the squad? It probably winds up a lot of the public but equally there’s a lot who find it funny and even more who appreciate it for what it is. Mind games.

 

[talkshowhost86]

He’s had a few things to say about Scotland. Actually think his sarky comments on Gregor Townsend was really harsh and a bit unnecessary but it’s who he is.

You’re right though, he does it purely to wind people up he just tailors it to whatever country he’s playing whether that’s Wales, Scotland, Australia or whoever.

When you say the Welsh do you mean the public or the squad? It probably winds up a lot of the public but equally there’s a lot who find it funny and even more who appreciate it for what it is. Mind games.

I didn't actually see what he said about Gregor Townsend. But I don't think anyone is under any illusion as to what sort of character Eddie is.

I actually mean the public more than the squad. Maybe it's just my experience, but I've always found the Welsh public generally to me much more chippy about England than anyone else, and often are unable to separate any rugby criticism from a lifelong hatred of the English brought about by things that happened quite a while ago.

I'm sure some of the squad feel that way as well, but you'd trust Gatland to be able to focus that properly so not really sure Eddie gains much by it. As you say, the way to take it is all in good jest and concentrate on the rugby itself.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

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