The Rugby Thread

[mpickard2087]

Be "interesting" if Farrell picks up a knock. Not fly half cover yet again. 36 isn't anything like international fly half cover ( jury is still out if he is an international inside centre! ) and Goode isn't either.

I think the championship could turn in to a slam if France build up a head of steam. They have the talent for sure.

The bench always seems to lack structure and logic. If you don't start Barritt then I don't think he is versatile enough for the bench. I would have gone Ford and Watson/Ashton, need Fly Half cover and then a choice to cover the wing. Farrell can shift out to cover 12. May or Nowell (or Watson if benched) could go to 15 if Brown got crocked and all the back three have at least some experience (I think) of playing at 13 in an emergency. I know Ford is a rookie but to have no fly half cover is risky and surely benching him now and getting him some playing time is better than having to chuck him in if Farrell gets crocked...

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Wales will beat Ireland, and all those Welsh people on here saying otherwise are only doing so because they think they will jinx it if they go for Wales! Admit it!

The bookies have got England at 2/9 and Scotland at 11/2. While I think England should win, I think those odds are ludicrous. It's going to be pissing down, giving England all the excuse they need for another of their special handling displays. Like my Aunt Mildred, it's going to be tight and ugly.

 

[SugarRay]

Reckon Gatland will be sniffing round the England set up as soon as he hears the latest news regarding Sam Burgess!!

His wet dream would be Burgess alongside Tuilagi!

Seriously though, quite a coup for Lancaster and Bath especially ( some serious things going on down there, determined to become a major force again )
I just hope it doesn't have a negative impact on Eastmond's development as he is looking great this season. Who knows, Eastmond and Burgess may link up and Manu could find himself on the outside looking in? ( or knowing Lancaster, on the wing looking in! )

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Interesting news re Burgess. If he's not coming until later this year, surely too late for the World Cup though ...?

 

[SugarRay]

Interesting news re Burgess. If he's not coming until later this year, surely too late for the World Cup though ...?

Apparently it all depends on how his side go in their season.

I'd imagine its too late myself but I think its happening for a reason. I hope they don't just bring him straight over and throw him straight in to the England set up. Got to earn it. No guarantees he will adapt quickly, no matter how special he is.

Be interesting to see how it plays out. I would have thought he would have needed a full season at least before any thoughts of playing for England.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Apparently it all depends on how his side go in their season.

I'd imagine its too late myself but I think its happening for a reason. I hope they don't just bring him straight over and throw him straight in to the England set up. Got to earn it. No guarantees he will adapt quickly, no matter how special he is.

Be interesting to see how it plays out. I would have thought he would have needed a full season at least before any thoughts of playing for England.

I'd hope they'd have learned from doing that with Big Farrell, but he is coming into a position that England are probably weakest in at the moment so it wouldn't surprise me if they fast-tracked him.

Certainly an incentive for the rest of the centres to up their games.

Glad to see we've gone with an unchanged team for Scotland. Hopefully May will actually get a chance to touch the ball and Nowell won't have the same jitters as he did in the first 20 minutes last weekend.

 

[mpickard2087]

I presume Burgess would be played at 12/13. Would need time though, even for someone as outrageously talented as SBW it didnt click overnight, and I think World Cup would be a bit too soon unless he comes in and tears it up absolutely immediately. I'd also imagine they would ask him to drop a bit of size first.

 

[E17yid]

Wales will beat Ireland, and all those Welsh people on here saying otherwise are only doing so because they think they will jinx it if they go for Wales! Admit it!

The bookies have got England at 2/9 and Scotland at 11/2. While I think England should win, I think those odds are ludicrous. It's going to be pissing down, giving England all the excuse they need for another of their special handling displays. Like my Aunt Mildred, it's going to be tight and ugly.

England should win comfortably but those odds are crazy. I might have a few quid on that.

Also, you're right about what you said re Wales )I'm not saying nothing.

 

[gushayes11]

I'd like to se Eastmond given a proper chance for England. Not set the world alight for Bath but at times has shown glimpses of being something special.

 

[mpickard2087]

The Scots don't seem happy with their team selection

 

[SugarRay]

I'd like to se Eastmond given a proper chance for England. Not set the world alight for Bath but at times has shown glimpses of being something special.

Bath seem to have played in a constant monsoon down at their place this season! I don't think Eastmond touched the ball in the first half a dozen games!

Shown glimpses as you say, of real quality. Elusive, great skill set, powerful for his size. I think he is a little unlucky to not be in the 23. I think Lancaster likes him though so he should get a chance

 

[gushayes11]

Bath seem to have played in a constant monsoon down at their place this season! I don't think Eastmond touched the ball in the first half a dozen games!

Shown glimpses as you say, of real quality. Elusive, great skill set, powerful for his size. I think he is a little unlucky to not be in the 23. I think Lancaster likes him though so he should get a chance

He should at least be in the 23 NOW. It's the only way he'll learn and improve. Would be an awesome replacement when teams are tiring/broken play or if we're chasing a game.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

I haven't seen him, but if he hasn't set the world alight for Bath, why should he be in the national 23? Glimpses of talent don't warrant that.

 

[gushayes11]

I haven't seen him, but if he hasn't set the world alight for Bath, why should he be in the national 23? Glimpses of talent don't warrant that.

He's a massive talent, was good on the summer tour. Playing on the bog at Bath, he'll struggle to show his pace and quick feet. Plus we are still searching for the right combination at centre. In the current team Nowell is even less proven and IMO not ready for international rugby yet.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

He's a massive talent, was good on the summer tour. Playing on the bog at Bath, he'll struggle to show his pace and quick feet. Plus we are still searching for the right combination at centre. In the current team Nowell is even less proven and IMO not ready for international rugby yet.

I liked what I saw of Nowell in the France game. Had an unfortunate start - especially the initial knock-on which wasn't his fault at all - and did some good stuff as the match went on.

I presume Eastmond is in Lancaster's thinking though, so let's see what happens.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I suppose the issue with both Nowell and Eastmond at the moment is that there isn't a huge amount of competition (or worthwhile competition anyway) in their positions so it's worthwhile giving them a try.

With Eastmond the question is whether there's any point persisting with Barritt on the bench, and whether Eastmond might make more of an impact off the bench.

With Nowell he presumably wouldn't be in the 23 if Yarde and/or Wade were fit, but I like that we're giving him a try rather than returning to someone like Strettle or indeed Ashton.

 

[mpickard2087]

I think Eastmond has to show he has matured and also play consistently over a season. If he knuckles down then there is a chance for him, both centre spots are up for grabs currently.

 

[SugarRay]

Nowell will end up at 15, well, he is already a full back but you know what I mean! We are stacked for full backs in the future that's for sure.

I was impressed with him against France. Nervy start but grew in to the game. His stats made for impressive reading. Made the most tackles I believe and didnt miss one ( managed to take down Picamoles alone at one point if I remember right )

Daly is another who deserves a chance. Long overdue IMO.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

After half an hour a lot of ball for Ireland, but only two penalties to show for it. Still Wales for me over the 80.

 

[tototoner]

Ireland 16-0 up now