The Rugby Thread

[E17yid]

What a load of absolute tosh!

It is. It’s not the group of death like last time with Australia and England but it’s tricky.

Fiji just showed they’re capable of an upset last weekend against France and they have previous against us. Georgia are decent to. I’m obviously expecting top 2 though obviously.

Glad we haven’t got Japan in our group though.

 

[SugarRay]

BBC users England team to play Tonga for the WC opener. Personally I would’ve played Hill, Back and Dallaiglo in the back row. I reckon they can still do a job for you.

M. Vunipola George Sinkler
Itoje Lawes
Wilson Underhill
B. Vunipola

Youngs
Farrell
Cokanasiga
Teo
Tualagi
May
Daly

Think you need more flair in the backs. I’d have Watson in there. Tualagi and Cokanasiga are gambles but there’s a long way to the WC tbf.

To be fair, the BBC selector hindered selection. You could only select Underhill at 7, Daly was only a wing and full back etc ( when for me he is an absolute outside centre )

Personally, and this is when all are on form/fit etc, this side might take some beating
Mako George Sinkler
Itoje Launchbury
Underhill Curry Billy
Youngs Farrell
Tuilagi Daly
May Watson Cokanasiga

Assuming Curry and Cokanasiga can develop nicely of course. If not, have them out for Wilson/Shields/Ewers/Nowell/Ashton etc etc

Underhill is a 6 for me too. Launch still our best lock when all are firing and Daly at 13 would be all kinds of silk.

 

[E17yid]

To be fair, the BBC selector hindered selection. You could only select Underhill at 7, Daly was only a wing and full back etc ( when for me he is an absolute outside centre )

Personally, and this is when all are on form/fit etc, this side might take some beating
Mako George Sinkler
Itoje Launchbury
Underhill Curry Billy
Youngs Farrell
Tuilagi Daly
May Watson Cokanasiga

Assuming Curry and Cokanasiga can develop nicely of course. If not, have them out for Wilson/Shields/Ewers/Nowell/Ashton etc etc

Underhill is a 6 for me too. Launch still our best lock when all are firing and Daly at 13 would be all kinds of silk.

Would you have Joseph on the bench? I think Tualagi has to play the majority of 6N games, and play well, to be in there. Can’t even remember the last time he played for England?

Was probably a couple of weeks ago now I said that. Curry needs more experience too perhaps next years WC is a year or 2 to soon for him. Like I say, though, everyone has 5 top internationals to play in the 6N so plenty more opportunities for people to stake their claim and for people to get injured.

Off tangent, I was trying to pick a world 15 the other day with a mate. Insanely hard.

 

[E17yid]

My world 15

1 McGrath
2 Marx (would have Coles but his injuries have been to bad)
3 Furlong
4 Retallik
5 AWJ
6 POM
7 Tipuric
8 Faletau

9 Smith
10 Barrett
11 Ioane
12 Farell
13 Davies
14 Stockdale
15 Folau

The pack is to hard. There’s players like Leavey for Ireland who are so good but he’s behind SOB (who wouldnt get in my back row which is ridiculous really) Ryan and Bierne should be in there (Toner has been great for Ireland too - actually Ireland are ridiculous in the 2nd row) but AWJ keeps getting better and better and I’m massively biased obviously. You could make fair challenges on everyone of those positions but it’s subjective.

4 Irish, 4 Kiwis and 4 Welsh seems about right for the top 3 rugby nations. The other tier 2 nations aren’t producing the necessary talent at the moment.

 

[E17yid]

That team v this team would be tasty.

1 Moody
2. Coles
3 Franks
4 Ryan
5 Itoje
6 Squire
7 SOB
8 Vunipola

9 Murray
10 Sexton
11 Noholo
12 SBW
13 Kriel
14 Ben Smith
15 Hogg

 

[Arnoldtoo]

The video referee should have his eye on the restarts and inform the referee if there is someone across the line when the ball is kicked.

That is all.

 

[Japhet]

My world 15

1 McGrath
2 Marx (would have Coles but his injuries have been to bad)
3 Furlong
4 Retallik
5 AWJ
6 POM
7 Tipuric
8 Faletau

9 Smith
10 Barrett
11 Ioane
12 Farell
13 Davies
14 Stockdale
15 Folau

The pack is to hard. There’s players like Leavey for Ireland who are so good but he’s behind SOB (who wouldnt get in my back row which is ridiculous really) Ryan and Bierne should be in there (Toner has been great for Ireland too - actually Ireland are ridiculous in the 2nd row) but AWJ keeps getting better and better and I’m massively biased obviously. You could make fair challenges on everyone of those positions but it’s subjective.

4 Irish, 4 Kiwis and 4 Welsh seems about right for the top 3 rugby nations. The other tier 2 nations aren’t producing the necessary talent at the moment.

Wot? No Dan Biggar? I'm dumbfounded.

 

[E17yid]

Wot? No Dan Biggar? I'm dumbfounded.

Once he lifts the mighty Saints to premiership glory at the end of season I’ll amend my team.

 

[Japhet]

Once he lifts the mighty Saints to premiership glory at the end of season I’ll amend my team.

If that happens I wouldn't argue with you.

 

[SugarRay]

Would you have Joseph on the bench? I think Tualagi has to play the majority of 6N games, and play well, to be in there. Can’t even remember the last time he played for England?

Was probably a couple of weeks ago now I said that. Curry needs more experience too perhaps next years WC is a year or 2 to soon for him. Like I say, though, everyone has 5 top internationals to play in the 6N so plenty more opportunities for people to stake their claim and for people to get injured.

Off tangent, I was trying to pick a world 15 the other day with a mate. Insanely hard.

Obviously on form and fit, Manu starts for virtually any side! There’s a great chance he’s not the same player as before anyway. Joseph still in the plans for sure. Curry still so green and it’s probably too soon.
It’s the same old issue with England. We always seem to miss a generation of players out completely. People mentioning the likes of Ewers etc, he should have had 25 caps by now. Wilson is another, he’s approaching the twilight years of his career and has a handful of caps.

A world 15? It’s probably a little easier than we might think. There’s probably at least 8/9 all blacks in there. They’ve had a very average year by their standards but I doubt anyone gets the better of them in Japan next year when it really matters!

 

[Thewobbler]

I do find it weird that they release the premiership final tickets so early but it works out for me as I can always get tickets.

Saracens v TBD is usually how it plays out recently.

 

[teok]

Rumours of gatland taking over from eddie after the world cup.

 

[E17yid]

Rumours of gatland taking over from eddie after the world cup.

I saw this last night. His name being mentioned alongside Lancaster. Think it’s safe to say it’s pretty unlikely Gatland goes to England.

 

[Japhet]

Rumours of gatland taking over from eddie after the world cup.

I'll have to go on suicide watch if that happens.

 

[E17yid]

I'll have to go on suicide watch if that happens.

Why?

If the choice was between Lancaster and Gatland who would you prefer?

Dave Rennie would be a good shout. Worth talking to at least.

 

[Japhet]

Why?

If the choice was between Lancaster and Gatland who would you prefer?

Dave Rennie would be a good shout. Worth talking to at least.

Jeez, that's like a choice between Herpes and Chlamydia.

 

[teok]

Top international rugby coaches are pretty few and far between. It's a tiny sport in comparison to football. Given there are very few obvious candidates (I doubt mccall would leave saracens and I'm certain baxter wouldn't leave exeter).

I'm not really up to speed on the current nz club coaches what so ever. I'm sure they must have a load in the production line.

 

[E17yid]

Jeez, that's like a choice between Herpes and Chlamydia.

I take it it’s more of a style thing as I can’t imagine it’s a personal thing against him?

I don’t think that you can argue against the fact he’s an elite level coach.

 

[E17yid]

Top international rugby coaches are pretty few and far between. It's a tiny sport in comparison to football. Given there are very few obvious candidates (I doubt mccall would leave saracens and I'm certain baxter wouldn't leave exeter).

I'm not really up to speed on the current nz club coaches what so ever. I'm sure they must have a load in the production line.

I know the Crusaders assistant Mooar has recently been announced as Pivacs successor at the Scarlets.

Scott Robinson is the main coach at the Crusaders and seems a top coach, Crusaders have been unbeatable for a few years now.

 

[teok]

I think loads of sh coaches came over and tried to get us playing heads up rugby then just decided we weren't skilful enough. It happened with ire (but look at them now). Eddie seems to be leaning this way with eng (unless he is just trying loads of different options).