[2015 Six Nations] England

[Raggs]

what do you reckon the odds on Ford at 9 and Fazlet at 10 are? I reckon a 50p punt might actualy be worth it...

I don't think even our management team will underestimate the importance of having a specialist 9. Skillset is so very different to every other position.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Simpson has a better pass than Youngs or Care, better break than Youngs, better kicking game than Care, clearly better pace than either.

Wiggles is a steady eddy, but with Care not finding his barnstorming form, and Youngs not even kicking that well atm, Simpson really should be the 1st choice flair scrum half in my mind.

Decision making is unreliable. Not that he's alone in this mind. I've also never felt that he marshalls our forwards terribly effectively. Doesn't seem to have a clear idea where he wants them to be.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Doesn't seem to have a clear idea where he wants them to be.

I'd agree with that... I used to be really keen on him, but considering that his game management doesn't seem to have improved significantly over the last couple of years I can't see it really doing so ever.

 

[goodNumber10]

I'd agree with that... I used to be really keen on him, but considering that his game management doesn't seem to have improved significantly over the last couple of years I can't see it really doing so ever.

Guess that's dependent on who is working with him though (as a coach).

If it's not a specialist 9......

maybe a bit late for international recognition, but I think with a good coach, and a good run of injury free game time he could be quite the all round scrum half.

 

[Raggs]

Decision making is unreliable. Not that he's alone in this mind. I've also never felt that he marshalls our forwards terribly effectively. Doesn't seem to have a clear idea where he wants them to be.

I always felt he knew exactly where he wanted them, it's just they were never lined up satisfactorily. Now we're moving at a higher pace I think it's partially because he no longer needs to set them up as much. Decision making is a tough one, but I don't feel he's any worse than the others to be honest, and as I referred to Wiggles final kick for territory in the Wales game, even the wrong choice (which that was) is fine if executed well.

 

[Peat]

Guess that's dependent on who is working with him though (as a coach).

If it's not a specialist 9......

maybe a bit late for international recognition, but I think with a good coach, and a good run of injury free game time he could be quite the all round scrum half.

He had a period of working one-on-one with Bracken a while back (Care has the same with Gomersall). The improvements since then have been obvious but, equally, what flaws he hasn't ironed out of his game aged 26 after dealing with some very good coaches and a period of one-to-one coaching with a very good scrum-half, I just don't think he's ever going to iron out.

In fairness, that still leaves him in line with the other players insofar as we can judge them - but then, judging domestic form vs international form is a fool's endeavour. And that is the issue. There is no guidebook to how Simpson will go there and what flaws he will display. It's pretty clear that Lancaster will continue with what he knows rather than going through a period of newbie errors, unexpected weaknesses, and understanding building, particularly this close to the World Cup. Which isn't that unreasonable.

I'd be ok with being wrong on this, and hope Simpson is given a shot post WC, but you might as well be discussing whether Popeye has a chance of breaking into our squad at blindside.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I think Robshaw needs to have some games out, he's played 11 England internationals for the full 80 minutes on top of club rugby. In those games he's often putting in the most work. I worry we are going to overuse him and grind him down or worse get him injured. Suprised Lancaster didn't sit him out for the Scotland or Italy games. Also we need to know who will fit in as captain if Robshaw is otherwise unavailable...

 

[Patchey]

I think Robshaw needs to have some games out, he's played 11 England internationals for the full 80 minutes on top of club rugby. In those games he's often putting in the most work. I worry we are going to overuse him and grind him down or worse get him injured. Suprised Lancaster didn't sit him out for the Scotland or Italy games. Also we need to know who will fit in as captain if Robshaw is otherwise unavailable...

BBC said he's played the entirety of the last 18 games.

He'll be rested in the warm ups for sure. Also, as he's no longer Quins skipper he gets a bit of a rest there.

Question is, who is replacement captain when he is rested or if he's broken?

 

[Peat]

Probably Wood if fit.

I think Robshaw's missed a grand total of 3 games during Lancaster's reign - rested for Argentina, injured for third test of SA tour. Incredible record, but I'd agree we probably should have rested him a wee bit more, particularly now.

 

[goodNumber10]

BBC said he's played the entirety of the last 18 games.

He'll be rested in the warm ups for sure. Also, as he's no longer Quins skipper he gets a bit of a rest there.

Question is, who is replacement captain when he is rested or if he's broken?

Wood or Hartley, possibly Haskell.

 

[ratsapprentice]

OT, but didn't want to start a new thread or post in a dead one...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>10mins work... Grass vs Fake Grass... Grass every time! Cheers Allianz <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/boooop?src=hash">#boooop</a> <a href="http://t.co/af5X5Zmpvw">pic.twitter.com/af5X5Zmpvw</a></p>&mdash; James Wilson (@_JamesWilson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_JamesWilson_/status/577166197877243905">March 15, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Every Time Ref]

Wood or Hartley, possibly Haskell.

Dear God, please no

 

[goodNumber10]

OT, but didn't want to start a new thread or post in a dead one...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>10mins work... Grass vs Fake Grass... Grass every time! Cheers Allianz <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/boooop?src=hash">#boooop</a> �� <a href="http://t.co/af5X5Zmpvw">pic.twitter.com/af5X5Zmpvw</a></p>— James Wilson (@_JamesWilson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_JamesWilson_/status/577166197877243905">March 15, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

why did ollys tweet embed work and yours not?

But yeah, as i said in the other thread did these guys never play minirugby?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Mine was a screenshot

 

[yaboyjj]

Wood or Hartley, possibly Haskell.

*shudders*
there always seems to be a remarkable lack of composure and leadership on the field with England, considering there are 4 club captains and Robshaw on the field.

I think people are forgetting that Robshaw is in fact still nursing a shoulder injury from December, which should have been operated on then (he chose a short term 'rest period' instead, to play in the 6 nations). I would not be at all surprised to see him sit out most of the rest of the season to get that fixed. I fear there may be a chance he would otherwise get crocked at the world cup- cue the panic stations.

 

[steve9145]

what if lancaster rests robshaw and the replacement number 7 has a blinder.
does anyone else have misgivings about billy at no8 ?
he is very good at what he does but he only does one thing.

i have the solution at no 9, alex goode, with his power, pace and fearless attitude, i think he could be the answer.
we could also select his uncle andy, six times removed, at no 10.
pandy at no 12 to make it rhyme.
bill and ben on the wings
leaving room for twizzle at 11, moving him to no 4 for lineouts.

as said by a previous poster, this would accomodate popeye at 7.

 

[nickdnz]

does anyone else have misgivings about billy at no8 ?
he is very good at what he does but he only does one thing.

I'm not so sure about that.

Yes he's a great ball runner. He has 320 minutes played, 1 try, 53 carries, 187m run, 2 clean breaks, 11 defenders beaten, 6 offloads. But he's also tackling at over 95% averaging 14.5 tackles a game. That's a big accurate work-rate. He's also surprisingly strong over the ball, and even when there aren't turnovers he's slowing down play (in my mind actually better than any of England's other loose forwards. What's also interesting is that his stats have been very consistent, even against Ireland in which England were well beaten. For me his stats actually read better than any other 8 in the competition - even with his virtual non-lineout game.

 

[Irishkid]

Wood or Hartley, possibly Haskell.

Think Lawes would do a good job or maybe even B Youngs if on form.

 

[nickdnz]

Think Lawes would do a good job or maybe even B Youngs if on form.

Picking a captain with the prevision (if on form) is a terrible idea. You need someone who is consistent and guaranteed a start. Moving Robshaw to 6 at least you have that.

 

[Peat]

I'm not so sure about that.

Yes he's a great ball runner. He has 320 minutes played, 1 try, 53 carries, 187m run, 2 clean breaks, 11 defenders beaten, 6 offloads. But he's also tackling at over 95% averaging 14.5 tackles a game. That's a big accurate work-rate. He's also surprisingly strong over the ball, and even when there aren't turnovers he's slowing down play (in my mind actually better than any of England's other loose forwards. What's also interesting is that his stats have been very consistent, even against Ireland in which England were well beaten. For me his stats actually read better than any other 8 in the competition - even with his virtual non-lineout game.

Beat me to it. His defence has been better than his attack for me - it's been a real revelation.

In fact, I no longer think GN10 is insane for suggesting that he could play 6 to Morgan's 8...