Comments on: Six Nations candidates: England http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/six-nations-candidates-england Rugby Union opinion and discussion, for the fans, by the fans. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:50:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Macker http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/six-nations-candidates-england/comment-page-1#comment-11083 Macker Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:37:41 +0000 http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/?p=3346#comment-11083 Typical english blowing smoke up there own ass, Johnson stumbled on that team last year due to injury. Grand Slam winners my ARSE. Typical english blowing smoke up there own ass, Johnson stumbled on that team last year due to injury. Grand Slam winners my ARSE.

]]> By: Narkins http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/six-nations-candidates-england/comment-page-1#comment-10994 Narkins Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:48:42 +0000 http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/?p=3346#comment-10994 Is flood really a better 12 then Flutey? Anyway, Armitage is back and that I think will assist wilko greatly. Why did wilko sit so deep during the 6N's? Because of the lack of a fullback with a good boot behind him. Armitage brings a stability and confidence to the back line we were missing in the 6N's allowing Wilko to stand flatter. Is flood really a better 12 then Flutey?
Anyway, Armitage is back and that I think will assist wilko greatly. Why did wilko sit so deep during the 6N’s? Because of the lack of a fullback with a good boot behind him. Armitage brings a stability and confidence to the back line we were missing in the 6N’s allowing Wilko to stand flatter.

]]> By: James Barker http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/six-nations-candidates-england/comment-page-1#comment-10991 James Barker Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:59:05 +0000 http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/?p=3346#comment-10991 Tommy, I agree mostly with your team selection, although I would have Tait at 13 and Monye on the other wing. Simon Shaw also has to start. I don't think Lawes and Kennedy combination is the right way to go, just yet, given Kennedy's lack of starts for England. Shaw has been the stand out second row for us for years and would offer fantastic experience alongside Lawes. When Lawes has some experience under his belt, I would be happy to see Kennedy in there too. Tommy, I agree mostly with your team selection, although I would have Tait at 13 and Monye on the other wing. Simon Shaw also has to start. I don’t think Lawes and Kennedy combination is the right way to go, just yet, given Kennedy’s lack of starts for England. Shaw has been the stand out second row for us for years and would offer fantastic experience alongside Lawes. When Lawes has some experience under his belt, I would be happy to see Kennedy in there too.

]]> By: Bamberio http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/six-nations-candidates-england/comment-page-1#comment-10990 Bamberio Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:40:38 +0000 http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/?p=3346#comment-10990 Tait on the wing and Hape at outside centre Tommy? I'd much rather see Tait play at 13 outside of Flood and Flutey with Hape on the bench. This would make the backline much more dynamic. Of course, Johnno will undoubtedly pick the steady Wilkinson at 10 - for his consistent point scoring ability if for nothing else. I'd start with Shaw and Borthers and have Lawes on the bench for when Shawsy gets a bit tired (he is quite old these days). I would like to see Lawes start a game or two though, maybe against Italy and Scotland. He needs international game time now. Check out my Six Nations Top Trump England ratings to see how I think England will do: http://studsonthe22.blogspot.com/2010/01/six-nations-top-trumps-england.html I agree with the others though, in that England's first result is crucial. Lose to Wales and they'll finish in third or fourth at best. Tait on the wing and Hape at outside centre Tommy? I’d much rather see Tait play at 13 outside of Flood and Flutey with Hape on the bench. This would make the backline much more dynamic. Of course, Johnno will undoubtedly pick the steady Wilkinson at 10 – for his consistent point scoring ability if for nothing else.

I’d start with Shaw and Borthers and have Lawes on the bench for when Shawsy gets a bit tired (he is quite old these days). I would like to see Lawes start a game or two though, maybe against Italy and Scotland. He needs international game time now.

Check out my Six Nations Top Trump England ratings to see how I think England will do:

http://studsonthe22.blogspot.com/2010/01/six-nations-top-trumps-england.html

I agree with the others though, in that England’s first result is crucial. Lose to Wales and they’ll finish in third or fourth at best.

]]> By: Tommy http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/six-nations-candidates-england/comment-page-1#comment-10985 Tommy Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:20:26 +0000 http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/?p=3346#comment-10985 Have to agree. Wilkinson or Flood are our best options at 10, even though I think Flood is a better 12 (though Flutey is far better). Would personally like to see something along the lines of the following, for our first game againt Wales (at least) 1. Cole 2. Hartley 3. Wilson 4. Lawes (even though it will be Borthwick) 5. kennedy (even though it will be Shaw) 6. Haskell (due to Croft being injured) 7. Moody 8. Easter (as Haskell will hopefully play 6) 9. Hodgson (as neither Simpson- due to injury, or Young's has been selected) 10. Wilkinson 11. Ashton 12. Flutey 13. Hape 14. Tait 15. Armitage With Subs along the lines of: Mears, Mullen/Bell/Payne, Shaw, Care, Flood, Cueto, Foden Have to agree. Wilkinson or Flood are our best options at 10, even though I think Flood is a better 12 (though Flutey is far better). Would personally like to see something along the lines of the following, for our first game againt Wales (at least)

1. Cole
2. Hartley
3. Wilson
4. Lawes (even though it will be Borthwick)
5. kennedy (even though it will be Shaw)
6. Haskell (due to Croft being injured)
7. Moody
8. Easter (as Haskell will hopefully play 6)
9. Hodgson (as neither Simpson- due to injury, or Young’s has been selected)
10. Wilkinson
11. Ashton
12. Flutey
13. Hape
14. Tait
15. Armitage

With Subs along the lines of: Mears, Mullen/Bell/Payne, Shaw, Care, Flood, Cueto, Foden

]]> By: Narkins http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/six-nations-candidates-england/comment-page-1#comment-10983 Narkins Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:48:19 +0000 http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/?p=3346#comment-10983 Really? 5th or 6th??? Come on we've had this all before last year's six nations. We were all gloomy and grim and your friends across the boarder were all telling us how we were going to struggle. We ended up second and top try scorer's. The first game is imporant but not going to demote us to finishing last. Selection was horrid in the AI's but lets face it a exciting 10 like Cips or Geraghty will not work if the team doesn't play well ignoring the fact that Cip's is still feeling his way back from injury and Geraghty's form has been poor recently. Geraghty's kicking out of hand has been awful do we really want to see Geraghty gifting ball to the Welsh back three to counter attack with? Untill Geraghty and Cips bring the consistancy into their games needed at international level Flood or Wilkinson are the best bets. The Romantics will have to wait for that. Really? 5th or 6th???

Come on we’ve had this all before last year’s six nations. We were all gloomy and grim and your friends across the boarder were all telling us how we were going to struggle. We ended up second and top try scorer’s. The first game is imporant but not going to demote us to finishing last.

Selection was horrid in the AI’s but lets face it a exciting 10 like Cips or Geraghty will not work if the team doesn’t play well ignoring the fact that Cip’s is still feeling his way back from injury and Geraghty’s form has been poor recently. Geraghty’s kicking out of hand has been awful do we really want to see Geraghty gifting ball to the Welsh back three to counter attack with?

Untill Geraghty and Cips bring the consistancy into their games needed at international level Flood or Wilkinson are the best bets. The Romantics will have to wait for that.

]]> By: Hutch http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/six-nations-candidates-england/comment-page-1#comment-10980 Hutch Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:30:17 +0000 http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/?p=3346#comment-10980 I agree, the first game is absolutely crucial - for both sides. Two years ago, Wales' comeback in the last 20 set them on a roll to win the Grand Slam. I really can't wait...I just hope it goes England's way and sets them on a roll. I agree, the first game is absolutely crucial – for both sides. Two years ago, Wales’ comeback in the last 20 set them on a roll to win the Grand Slam.

I really can’t wait…I just hope it goes England’s way and sets them on a roll.

]]> By: paynie http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/six-nations-candidates-england/comment-page-1#comment-10979 paynie Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:53:40 +0000 http://www.therugbyblog.co.uk/?p=3346#comment-10979 It's all down to the first game for England, that will make or break them. Beat Wales and they will go to Italy with confidence, and will be playing Ireland at home next knowing that if they win there they will have a shot at a GS or at least the title. Loose to Wales and then suddenly the Italy game looks very daunting as will the Irish vist. My prediction:- England beat Wales -> England finish 2nd but maybe 1st. Loose to Wales -> 5th or even 6th is a possibility. It’s all down to the first game for England, that will make or break them.

Beat Wales and they will go to Italy with confidence, and will be playing Ireland at home next knowing that if they win there they will have a shot at a GS or at least the title.

Loose to Wales and then suddenly the Italy game looks very daunting as will the Irish vist.

My prediction:-

England beat Wales -> England finish 2nd but maybe 1st.
Loose to Wales -> 5th or even 6th is a possibility.

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