The Rugby Union Society

GeorgeC89

Overall I think MJ did a good job with this selection. A few issues however:

1. Hookers - Surely Paice deserved a place ahead of Chuter. He has contributed to the best line-out in the Premiership. I appreciate that Chuter did well with the Saxons, but he is a fading force.

2. Fly-Half - Just Wilko and then we have 4 12s who can also if needs be cover 10 in Flood, Geraghty, Barkley and Flutey. One of them (Flood) should have made way for Lamb. Lamb still has a lot of improving to do, but I don't want a situation if Wilko is out injured where we are playing one of those centres at fly-half. Lamb has a lot of talent. He lacks in physicality, but I feel this may be more of a mental thing. Putting him alongside Wilko and Flutey will really give him that big game mentality. Allowing him to play against the Islanders would have been ideal, even if that's the only game he features in the 22 for.

3. No established full-back. Lewsey isn't specialised and neither is Tait. It would have been ideal for Foden or Abendanon to feature here, possibly ahead of Noon.

1. Chuter is there for stability - you could not pick a squad of relatively inexperienced front row players considering that, like fly half, it is a high pressure position.

2. Lamb is still far too small to play international rugby (as is Flood, which is why he always gets put into teams where he is surrounded by substantial players). Geraghty certainly deserves another opportunity for England, although Flutey is certainly the biggest asset we (now) have in the back line. I don't think it's unrealistic that Cipriani is seen as the future of the shirt, but there's no harm in Wilkinson having a few more games - his treatment after the Scotland game in the 6N was abysmal (he deserved to be benched, but being made the only change is disgusting, and Ashton deserved to go on the basis of being such an utter fool in that respect and apparently believing himself to be bigger than a national hero). Rob Andrew's statement on Hodgson was about as damning as a you could get from a professional coach: "some part of the games aren't optional at international level" is as substantial a knife in the back as you are likely to see!

3. Lewsey is easily the best full back England has had since Robinson (e.g. against SA in 2006) and was again poorly treated by Ashton - kept out of the squad until all other resources were wasted, and then coming in and performing astonishingly well). Tait would be of more use at outside centre - his running likes are brilliant and he doesn't have the issue with size that people still associate with (there were quotes that him facing ma'a nonu would result in a 6 stone disparity when it was closer to 2, for example). I would also like to see him play with Hipkiss again in the centres - they may not have the height but when they have done so for England previously they appeared to complement each other brilliantly.
Noon is also a far far better player than he gets given credit for - he gets branded as a bad lines runner because of his size and potential impact, but when in an appropriate team set up he is very very good.

Reply 1583

bmh16

TheGreatest21

I'm looking forward to this years tri-nations. Who do you lot think is going to win?

NZ
SA
Aus

In that order. Will be close between top 2, can't see Aus challenging this year fpor the title.

Reply 1584

Olyy

Don't think i saw this posted up:
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/201_109.php?PHPSESSID=6c1cacd1f8321e0a0321d56c4f379e64

Reply 1585

Jimi Haze

Last day

Wasps vs Gloucester...

ooooh!

Reply 1586

Jimi Haze

Last day

Wasps vs Gloucester...

ooooh!

And the first of the EDF IIRC - might have to see if I can get a season ticket by remortgaging.

Reply 1587

Civil

Tri-Nations. I know that its still early, but the win that the Springboks produced this weekend was crucial! Plus its the first time in rugby history that the AB's have been beaten at Carisbrook by an international side. Plus it was awesome rugby too watch.

Oure skipper John Smith, that led us in the world-cup to victory, is out of the tri-nations, which is a big blow for South-Africa. Plus Bismarck du Plessis, is suspended for 3 weeks.

I think this year it will be
1.SA
2.NZ
3.AUS

But its going to be close at the top between the world champs and the AB's. Everyone said that the Springboks must first beat the AB's on their home soil before they are really world champs.
Well again, we prove to the world who is the best

Go Bokkies!!!

Reply 1588

Civil

Tri-Nations. I know that its still early, but the win that the Springboks produced this weekend was crucial! Plus its the first time in rugby history that the AB's have been beaten at Carisbrook by an international side. Plus it was awesome rugby too watch.

Oure skipper John Smith, that led us in the world-cup to victory, is out of the tri-nations, which is a big blow for South-Africa. Plus Bismarck du Plessis, is suspended for 3 weeks.

I think this year it will be
1.SA
2.NZ
3.AUS

But its going to be close at the top between the world champs and the AB's. Everyone said that the Springboks must first beat the AB's on their home soil before they are really world champs.
Well again, we prove to the world who is the best

Go Bokkies!!!

Sorry - you drew with them on home soil - If you'd won both tests then that would be something you can argue.

Reply 1589

Khanage

10

Thought this thread needed a little bump!

If you like rugby union in the slightest, you HAVE to watch this video, and i defy you not to be inspired!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY5ybpfmOZ0

Rugby 7's should DEFINITLY be an olympic sport! I mean think of all the crap sports they include!

Reply 1590

Khanage

10

Also whilst we're on rugby videos..

Im so jealous of this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_O5o1d0FIA
And another very inspirational video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNSW1MwKn48

I didn't make these or anything, but any rugby fan can enjoy them!

Reply 1591

Khanage

Thought this thread needed a little bump!

If you like rugby union in the slightest, you HAVE to watch this video, and i defy you not to be inspired!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY5ybpfmOZ0

Rugby 7's should DEFINITLY be an olympic sport! I mean think of all the crap sports they include!

What like Beach Volleyball?

Dont they have both volleyball and beach volleyball in the olympics now?

And what are everyone's predictions for the Premiership this year??

I think London Irish will make the final with Wasps, Wasps winning.
Newcastle to go down.

Worcester will be the surprise package this year, Chris Latham has just arrived!

Reply 1592

pinkpenguin

What like Beach Volleyball?

Dont they have both volleyball and beach volleyball in the olympics now?

And what are everyone's predictions for the Premiership this year??

I think London Irish will make the final with Wasps, Wasps winning.
Newcastle to go down.

Worcester will be the surprise package this year, Chris Latham has just arrived!

I dont disagree with Newcastle going down. I dont think Worcester will be a "surprise" package though, since they consistently improved through last season, and will almost certainly keep doing so.

Reply 1593

bikerx23

I dont disagree with Newcastle going down. I dont think Worcester will be a "surprise" package though, since they consistently improved through last season, and will almost certainly keep doing so.

Agreed. I dont mean top 4 or anything, but mid-table mediocraty would be nice for once. Its tough for us Warriors fans! :biggrin:

Reply 1594

pinkpenguin

Agreed. I dont mean top 4 or anything, but mid-table mediocraty would be nice for once. Its tough for us Warriors fans! :biggrin:

Well, yea - I would expect upwards of eigth, although a lot of that depends on how good Saints are really.

As far as the title it's difficult - Bath should be good, but then again there's been a pretty substantial change of personnel there, so it's tough to tell. Gloucester may be better this time - acquiring Barkley may add the bulk they've needed in midfield, and they have added to their scrummaging depth too, so it could be promising.

Reply 1595

bikerx23

Gloucester may be better this time - acquiring Barkley may add the bulk they've needed in midfield, and they have added to their scrummaging depth too, so it could be promising.

The problem with Gloucester is that they top the table, then cant finish the season properly. Its probably due to the youth of the squad, but as soon as the pressure piles on in the semis or the final, they crack.

Where as the old boys at Wasps know how to have a crappy season then finish with a flourish :o:

Reply 1596

pinkpenguin

The problem with Gloucester is that they top the table, then cant finish the season properly. Its probably due to the youth of the squad, but as soon as the pressure piles on in the semis or the final, they crack.

Where as the old boys at Wasps know how to have a crappy season then finish with a flourish :o:

Well, I think it's more that whilst they've been a very good side, the big squads of teams like leicester and wasps means that they can introduce big names to big effect once the important games start. This also applies to european competitions, and is a formula teams like saracens and ospreys have been trying to emulate for the last few years to a varying degree of success.

Reply 1597

bikerx23

Well, I think it's more that whilst they've been a very good side, the big squads of teams like leicester and wasps means that they can introduce big names to big effect once the important games start. This also applies to european competitions, and is a formula teams like saracens and ospreys have been trying to emulate for the last few years to a varying degree of success.

That's true. The depth some of the larger teams have is astounding. How Wasps can get away with not playing Josh Lewsey is insane...

I think as soon as Ryan Lamb can perform consistently at a high level, Gloucester will flourish. He tends to fade in and out of matches and can be quite inneffective at times.

Although, depending on how you look at it, Olly Barkley could be an adequate no. 10 for Gloucester!

Reply 1598

pinkpenguin

That's true. The depth some of the larger teams have is astounding. How Wasps can get away with not playing Josh Lewsey is insane...

I think as soon as Ryan Lamb can perform consistently at a high level, Gloucester will flourish. He tends to fade in and out of matches and can be quite inneffective at times.

Although, depending on how you look at it, Olly Barkley could be an adequate no. 10 for Gloucester!

How England can get away without playing Josh Lewsey is insane, how Wasps can do it is remarkable.

Lamb is too similar to Hodgson really - he doesn't have the presence to play that position at the top level, and as a result of his physical inadequacies he uses up a lot of the rest of the teams resources covering for him.

It's a shame, because he can be incredibly good - just needs to bulk up a bit, and getting a bit of game time with the Saxons will certainly help that.

Reply 1599