The Rugby Thread

[Arnoldtoo]

Somehow came out of that with the win. Backs were pretty lethal and scored three great tries but up front we were about 5th best, let alone 2nd and our set piece was all over the place. Two yellow cards also which almost always ruins the result. Some second and third choice selections out there but concerning if a certain few players go down injured.

A fairly weak England team beat a fairly strong French team. What's not to like.

I think fitting one or two players into a much stronger front unit = if we have to - is more likely to bring the best out of those one or two rather than fatally weakening the unit. An optimist, that's me.

 

[spurs_girl_tasha]

If memory serves me correctly our scrums weren't great during the 6 nations, it's like they haven't even practised. I'm hoping that if it's the first team there would be an improvement.

 

[ghjk_91]

I think we'll really miss Hartley. Especially in the scrum.

 

[spurs_girl_tasha]

The worst bit about last night was I didn't get to see my future husband (Chris Robshaw) :'(

 

[mpickard2087]

A fairly weak England team beat a fairly strong French team. What's not to like.

I think fitting one or two players into a much stronger front unit = if we have to - is more likely to bring the best out of those one or two rather than fatally weakening the unit. An optimist, that's me.

I just have concerns if we lose a couple of specific individuals. If Marler or Cole get crocked then I think we are in a bit of trouble. I like Mako and Brookes as impact subs, but both are still novice scrummagers really. Australia and Wales I guess wouldn't count their scrum(s) as a strength, but it is a concern. Hooker is the real concern, we are basically relying on Tom Youngs and he isn't exactly a reliable thrower. Webber has been poor all season for Bath. LC-D is a rookie and unfortunately really shit the bed last night. Can do a lot of things, throw isn't one of them.

Also in the backrow if anything happened to Robshaw then I'd be worried. Wood is in permanent decline it seems. Haskell is Haskell. Clark doesn't have the physicality in my opinion and has such a reputation that refs will judge anything he does harshly.

 

[nightgoat]

I just have concerns if we lose a couple of specific individuals. If Marler or Cole get crocked then I think we are in a bit of trouble. I like Mako and Brookes as impact subs, but both are still novice scrummagers really. Australia and Wales I guess wouldn't count their scrum(s) as a strength, but it is a concern. Hooker is the real concern, we are basically relying on Tom Youngs and he isn't exactly a reliable thrower. Webber has been poor all season for Bath. LC-D is a rookie and unfortunately really shit the bed last night. Can do a lot of things, throw isn't one of them.

Also in the backrow if anything happened to Robshaw then I'd be worried. Wood is in permanent decline it seems. Haskell is Haskell. Clark doesn't have the physicality in my opinion and has such a reputation that refs will judge anything he does harshly.

I'm not sure which was worse, his line out throw or his mullet...

 

[teok]

That kid henry slade is a massive prospect. I would have him in contention for the 10 behind ford rather than centre. I think farrell while hard working is pretty average at international level.

It was great watching our wingers. It's been a while since england looked exciting out wide. The forwards looked pretty mediocre (I understand they are the second string). Nobody really stood out.

Looking forward to next week in paris where we hopefully get to see the first 15.

 

[mpickard2087]

That kid henry slade is a massive prospect. I would have him in contention for the 10 behind ford rather than centre. I think farrell while hard working is pretty average at international level.

It was great watching our wingers. It's been a while since england looked exciting out wide. The forwards looked pretty mediocre (I understand they are the second string). Nobody really stood out.

Looking forward to next week in paris where we hopefully get to see the first 15.

Slade is a really good player already, but not sure he is quite ready to play at 10 yet. For Exeter this year he was better a bit wider playing 13 (though often stepping in at 12, as last night). It helps if he has a big lump at 12 though as he does usually and with Burgess last night. They fix defenders and give him more space to operate. I think he has to go as a centre and he can cover 10 as third choice if needed.

Farrell I don't rate that highly either but he's improved slightly his attacking play and in tight games his defence will be useful.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Farrell I don't rate that highly either but he's improved slightly his attacking play and in tight games his defence will be useful.

Not to mention his goal kicking, which often decides matches.

 

[teok]

Not to mention his goal kicking, which often decides matches.

He creates nothing though which also decides matches.

 

[nightgoat]

Ford's having a shocker so far.

 

[mpickard2087]

Worst 20 minutes I can recall for a long time, and worryingly this is mainly our first XV. Looks like they have spent far too much time in the gym the last couple of months and not on the pitch with ball in hand.

 

[nightgoat]

That pitch is a disgrace.

 

[mpickard2087]

Vunipola and Ford in particular have been absolutely shocking.

 

[FMA]

Our scrummaging is almost as bad as the Welsh.

 

[nidge]

That pitch is a disgrace.

As much as the pitch has been a disgrace England have been far worse.

 

[nightgoat]

Vunipola and Ford in particular have been absolutely shocking.

Ford looks like he's trying to play himself out of the XV. The only good thing he's done was the break in the first half, but even then he buggered it up by passing when he had clear space in front of him.

 

[nightgoat]

That Gainline replay of Huget's try just highlighted how Fofana virtually took out Nowell off the ball. He might have been able to prevent the try if he hasn't been impeded.

 

[nightgoat]

As much as the pitch has been a disgrace England have been far worse.

England's poor play isn't liable to cause injury, though.

 

[nightgoat]

Danny Care has his hand kicked away and it's given as a knock on? Peyper has made a few dubious decisions tonight.