Six Nations

[Anna]

And O'Driscoll....

I have to say that England would've been better served with ANDY BEATTIE playing alongside Worsely at blindside & a.n.other (Hazell was anonymous & Jones a bit too), Olly Barkely starting alongside Noon instead of Tait (who was out of his depth) and Andy Titterell starting instead of Steve Thompson- he had another shocker with his throwing and can't get away with it for much longer.

One more thing. All this talk of the Italians being thrashed....rubbish if you ask me. After some of their results in the Autumn & their showing against the Irish today, they are no longer the whipping boys. With Scotland's performance against the French, I don't think anyone can predict how the tournament will finish!

[Samuel_Vimes]

Originally Posted by Jamee999

What about Italy winning a game. Considering Scotland'sform against France you could get good odds on that.

Well, you'd think Italy's biggest chance was against Scotland. But then, there's always England - Italy. :P

[BoyBrumby]

Originally Posted by Anna

And O'Driscoll....

I have to say that England would've been better served with ANDY BEATTIE playing alongside Worsely at blindside & a.n.other (Hazell was anonymous & Jones a bit too), Olly Barkely starting alongside Noon instead of Tait (who was out of his depth) and Andy Titterell starting instead of Steve Thompson- he had another shocker with his throwing and can't get away with it for much longer.

One more thing. All this talk of the Italians being thrashed....rubbish if you ask me. After some of their results in the Autumn & their showing against the Irish today, they are no longer the whipping boys. With Scotland's performance against the French, I don't think anyone can predict how the tournament will finish!

Bath fan Anna?

It's still Hugh Vyvyan for me; hoping Moody's fit for next week tho. Actually I'd probably pick Lipman ahead of Beattie too.

Barkley did look a class above when he came on; I think he's played himself into the XV for next week. The trouble England have is most of our options at centre (Catt, Paul, Barkley himself) are natural inside-centres. One outside centre who gets constantly overlooked is Andrew Higgins @ Bath. I saw him play @ Leicester last season & he was kwality. Reckon it'll be Olly Smith who gets nod tho.

Italy looked ok, forwards especially. They absolutely shredded Ireland up front. They just lack a bit of penetration from their backs. De Marigny looked their man most likely too & I think he's actually a Saffie!

[Langeveldt]

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

Bath fan Anna?

You don't say?!

[Tim]

I'd have to say that the standard of rugby over the weekend was not that great. I was starting to get nervous about the Lions coming, and don't get me wrong..it's going to be like Helms Deep & then some more but we've got the players here to take whatever comes at us I think.

[marc71178]

It was a poor set of games, no side really played that well.

[Tim]

The British Lions can be pleased that French players cannot be picked because they are appalling at the moment. With all due respect to Scotland, France are alot better than that scoreline.

Ireland should have also dealt with Italy a bit better too.

[BoyBrumby]

Ok, based solely on the performances of the first weekend of the 6 Nations (and considering only players who appeared in it) here's how my Lions team would look if it were picked tonight:

1) G Rowntree (Eng)
2) G Bulloch (Sco)
3) J White (Eng)
4) B Kay (Eng)
5) P O'Connell (Ire)
6) J White (Sco)
7) M Williams (Wal)
8) M Owen (Wal)
9) C Cuister (Sco)
10) R O'Gara (Ire)
11) S Williams (Wal)
12) G Henson (Wal)
13) B O'Driscoll (Ire, capt)
14) J Robinson (Eng)
15) G Murphy (Ire)

Replacements: T Smith (Sco), M Davies (Wal), B Cockbain (Wal), J Worsley (Eng), H Ellis (Eng), O Barkley (Eng), J Lewsey (Eng)

There's obviously a way to go & some big names missing, but a far more even representation across the four home nations than the England/Ireland carve-up I'd imagined.

Of the guys who I tipped for the XV who played the stock of 3 has fallen: Shane Byrne scrummaged like a girl against Italy, it look like time may be catching up with Matt Dawson & Gordon D'Arcy had a mare thru no fault of his own: pulled a hamstring & Gavin Hairgel (complete with silver boots & shaved legs, the steaming great Welsh poof!) plays absolute blinder.

[Anna]

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

Bath fan Anna?

It's still Hugh Vyvyan for me; hoping Moody's fit for next week tho. Actually I'd probably pick Lipman ahead of Beattie too.

Barkley did look a class above when he came on; I think he's played himself into the XV for next week. The trouble England have is most of our options at centre (Catt, Paul, Barkley himself) are natural inside-centres. One outside centre who gets constantly overlooked is Andrew Higgins @ Bath. I saw him play @ Leicester last season & he was kwality. Reckon it'll be Olly Smith who gets nod tho.

Well, Lippy's injured & is going to be out for the rest of the season with a ruptured tendon (major bummer!).

Barkley gave the team another dimension when he came on; to Noon's credit he does play mostly at outside centre, so maybe him there & Olly inside....? Yes, Andrew Higgins is great as are Alex Crockett, Matt Perry, Matt Wood etc etc

[Anna]

Oh, something I need to re-iterate....STEVE THOMPSON'S THROWING IS SH*TE!!!! Even Bath's Academy hooker Dave Ward can do better than that- he out played Shane Byrne when Bath played Leinster in the Heineken Cup!!

[BoyBrumby]

Originally Posted by Anna

Oh, something I need to re-iterate....STEVE THOMPSON'S THROWING IS SH*TE!!!! Even Bath's Academy hooker Dave Ward can do better than that- he even out played Shane Byrne when Bath played Leinster in the Heineken Cup!!

No argument here (& I say that as a Saints fan).

Titterrell is too much of a midget for a hooker tho IMO, so I'd go for George Chuter from Leicester.

Actually I'd probably go for Mark Reagan. But he retired in a sulk & I can't see Robbo asking him back any time soon.

[Scaly piscine]

Originally Posted by Anna

Oh, something I need to re-iterate....STEVE THOMPSON'S THROWING IS SH*TE!!!! Even Bath's Academy hooker Dave Ward can do better than that- he out played Shane Byrne when Bath played Leinster in the Heineken Cup!!

Yea I've been moaning about him for years, it totally baffles me why he stays in the team because he throws the ball away 3-4 times a game (minimum) every game. Reminds me of football, 50 million people (or thereabouts) and we can't find a decent left-footer - in rugby it's why can't we find someone who can throw straight and not overthrow the ball by a few yards.

[marc71178]

Originally Posted by Tim

The British Lions can be pleased that French players cannot be picked because they are appalling at the moment. With all due respect to Scotland, France are alot better than that scoreline.

To be fair, on the day I felt that a draw was the least the Scots deserved, they were probably the best performers of the weekend from what I saw (and I actually managed to watch all 3 games)

[Tim]

Whats the deal with this guy Tait? Is he really good enough to play international rugby at the age of 18?.

I know Daniel Carter was highly rated at 18, but he's really only just started to realise his potential at 23.

[marc71178]

Tait, I'd say far too early.