The Rugby Thread

[teok]

First england training camp injury. Clifford returns to quins with concussion. My bold prediction is that he won't be the last.

 

[E17yid]

Joseph or Slade won’t get a look in you think? Joseph has only just come back from injury to be fair.

We’ve got fucking loads of injuries again. Back row issues and Liam Willian’s could be our along with Halfpenny out so that’s our first 2 15s out and Gareth Davies is out so we’re down to 3rd/4th choice 9s. I rate Tomos Williams but Paris is a bit of a baptism by fire for such a talented yet raw player.

 

[E17yid]

I’d play Biggar as he did a great job against Basteraud in that tense 1 point game last year in Cardiff but I’d imagine Anscombe will play.

9. Tomos Williams
10. Anscombe
11. North
12 Parkes
13 Davies
14 Adams
15 Amos

 

[E17yid]

Actually Moriarty, Davies and Liam Williams have been passed fit.

6. Navidi
7. Tipuric
8. Moriarty
9. Davies
10. Anscombe
11. North
12. Parkes
13. Davies
14. Adams
15. Williams.

 

[Japhet]

Half expecting to see something like:

6. Hughes
7. Itoje
8. B. Vunipola

12. Te'o
13. Tuilagi

Subtle.

It'll be a shame if Slade misses out IMO. Tuilagi and Te'o pretty much cuts the supply line off phase ball to May and the other winger (Daily, Nowell I don't know).

 

[E17yid]

My English mate has sent me his team and he’s got 4 second rows in the pack. Lol.

 

[mpickard2087]

It'll be a shame if Slade misses out IMO. Tuilagi and Te'o pretty much cuts the supply line off phase ball to May and the other winger (Daily, Nowell I don't know).

I think it will be Farrell-Te'o-Slade again. Centres/midfield still has massive question marks about it, and i do think at some point he's going to go for the two big lumps, but it's one of the more obvious selections considering the front row (who knows?), second row (probably Launchbury to bench as the other two are better lineout options), back row (dependent on injuries), back three (Brown must surely be coming back in to face the aerial bombardment) are all facing being changed.

1. Mako 2. George 3. Sinckler 4. Itoje 5. Lawes 6. Wilson 7. Curry 8. Billy 9. Youngs 10. Farrell 11. May 12. Te'o 13. Slade 14. Nowell 15. Brown
16. LCD 17. Moon/Genge 18. Cole 19. Launchbury 20. Hughes 21. Robson 22. Ford 23. Tuilagi

Is what I would predict.

 

[Japhet]

I think it will be Farrell-Te'o-Slade again. Centres/midfield still has massive question marks about it, and i do think at some point he's going to go for the two big lumps, but it's one of the more obvious selections considering the front row (who knows?), second row (probably Launchbury to bench as the other two are better lineout options), back row (dependent on injuries), back three (Brown must surely be coming back in to face the aerial bombardment) are all facing being changed.

1. Mako 2. George 3. Sinckler 4. Itoje 5. Lawes 6. Wilson 7. Curry 8. Billy 9. Youngs 10. Farrell 11. May 12. Te'o 13. Slade 14. Nowell 15. Brown
16. LCD 17. Moon/Genge 18. Cole 19. Launchbury 20. Hughes 21. Robson 22. Ford 23. Tuilagi

Is what I would predict.

I think Underhill is a big, big miss for us on this one. The breakdown is going to be carnage and he'd be in his element.

 

[teok]

I think Underhill is a big, big miss for us on this one. The breakdown is going to be carnage and he'd be in his element.

I think away in dublin is too strong for pretty much any team right now. I just hope we don't get wiped out with injuries.

 

[E17yid]

Who’s the ref?

 

[E17yid]

We’ve got Wayne fucking Barnes so I’m getting ready for some painstakingly annoying inconsistent officiating at the breakdown and not a free flowing game.

 

[E17yid]

Ohh, good news for England, Owens is the ref for your game.

 

[WorcesterTHFC]

Ohh, good news for England, Owens is the ref for your game.

"If you're good enough, the referee doesn't matter."
Jock Stein

I'm nowhere near being an expert, but I can't see past Ireland, regardless of who the officials are.

 

[E17yid]

"If you're good enough, the referee doesn't matter."
Jock Stein

I'm nowhere near being an expert, but I can't see past Ireland, regardless of who the officials are.

Ireland are a great team and deservedly 2nd best in the world but, IMO, they always get those 50/50 calls at home coz their fans are so good. They get right on the officials and it definitely influences the ref. I kind of half agree with Jones too re Sexton, he’s very good at having a word with refs in game.

There’s not much between England and Ireland in quality, Ireland are better but we’re not talking a massive gulf here and when you’re talking too pretty evenly matched sides it’s fine margins that separates them. Now, obviously, there could be some individual errors that cost England the match but the other fine margin aspect to consider is mistakes from the referee. The reason why I think Owens is a good choice is that Owens is more like a SH ref in that he’ll let you get away with a bit more at the breakdown as opposed to typical NH refs, like Barnes, who have the whistle permanently in their mouth blowing up at every opportunity. Now, you could say that could play into Ireland’s hands and you could be right but I think a more free flowing game could, weirdly, actually suit England with Billy V back in.

We’ll see on Saturday and obviously I’m hoping for a convincing Ireland win whatever type of game Owens has.

 

[teok]

Ireland will smash england who ever the ref. They might not appreciate the comparison but they remind me of the 2003 england team. In every position they have a specialist who knows exactly what their job is and what is required of them. Completely settled with strength in depth to cover injuries. Their whole season is building up to this with fresh 100% fit players.

 

[teok]

First england training camp injury. Clifford returns to quins with concussion. My bold prediction is that he won't be the last.

#2 Teo now out. I'm going to keep quoting myself.

 

[E17yid]

Ireland will smash england who ever the ref. They might not appreciate the comparison but they remind me of the 2003 england team. In every position they have a specialist who knows exactly what their job is and what is required of them. Completely settled with strength in depth to cover injuries. Their whole season is building up to this with fresh 100% fit players.

To be fair, you’re not the most optimistic are you? Depends on how you define smash but I’ll be amazed if they put more than 20 points on you. You’re making out that they’re NZ and you’re Tonga.

 

[teok]

To be fair, you’re not the most optimistic are you? Depends on how you define smash but I’ll be amazed if they put more than 20 points on you. You’re making out that they’re NZ and you’re Tonga.

I think I'm just realistic. Look at what leinster are doing and look at our previous results. They are clearly the better side by a mile.

 

[E17yid]

I think I'm just realistic. Look at what leinster are doing and look at our previous results. They are clearly the better side by a mile.

You said exactly the same thing in the Autumn prior to the SA game IIRC. We’re gunna get smashed I’m just being realistic etc etc.

I don’t think you’ll win but this “we’ve got no chance” stuff is bollocks.

We had 18% of the ball last year in Ireland and still would’ve won the game if Anscombe didn’t throw that shit pass in the 79min. Like I said fine margins.

If you’re so convinced England are gunna get done by 30 plus points you should go down the bookies. You’ll get a good price.

 

[E17yid]

Interesting Wales team. Most notably Tomos Williams getting his 6N debut even though Davies was past fit. Ballsey.

Beard in the 2nd row which is a bit of a surprise too.