The Rugby Thread

[Cormack74]

dupe

[Cormack74]

Bonkers early to be thinking about the Lions - we haven't even finished this 6 nations let alone started next years.

Even allowing for form and fitness the make up of the squad is going to depend hugely on who coaches it and I very much hope that isn't Gatland. Yes he's done well with Wales but he only likes to play one way and I don't think that style will worry the AB's.

I'd give the gig to Schmidt and get him to take Eddie Jones along as his number 2. Both canny blokes and it won't do any harm having someone intimately familiar with NZ rugby either.

[Cormack74]

*Faletau is the better rugby player. Vunipola makes more ground. Tough call.

Nathan Hughes is better in the line out, makes more yards, secures more turnovers and scores more tries than either of them - he's your man

[CJ]

So whomis going to win the six nations

[Assassin]

One of them.....

[Red_Polo]

So whomis going to win the six nations

Whoever wins the England vs Wales game. If it's a draw, then England.

On home turf, England have to be favourites. I just don't think Wales are executing as well in attack atm. Even if North has shown some signs of returning to life.

So yeah, basically Wales will

[Red_Polo]

Bonkers early to be thinking about the Lions - we haven't even finished this 6 nations let alone started next years.
.

It's never too early for fantasy line-ups.

I still have fond memories of the Gerrard is going so what will the new team with Ballack in look like type threads.

[Cormack74]

Ok, you can pick a fantasy team at any time but if we're talking about people who might make the starting 15 it's way to early. There will be pointers once the 6 nations has finished but the countdown really starts with the summer tours IMO. Us v the Aussies is big but the Welsh v NZ is where it's at because if it goes badly wrong for them then alot of the guys who might be viewed as Lions starters could play themselves out of contention.

[Buzzo]

Eddie Jones is not really going to make many friends in the 6 nations is he?

He's like Fergie with the ****ing mind games before every match.

[RichC]

He's not but Gatland was quite chippy for a while as well.

[Buzzo]

Yeah - he can be a dick also. Jones digs are so blatant though.

[RichC]

I wasn't keen on Jones being appointed for pretty much those reasons. End of the day though if he gets the results he's the right man for the job

[Buzzo]

Yeah, I've had a begrudging admiration for the English Rugby set up over the last 15-20 years. The WC winning squad was a class act. Woodward, Wilkinson, Greenwood etc.

But so far Jobes has said Scotland were favourites v England. Then said the real tournament starts now in the run in to Ireland, and now he's at the Welsh for their scrum. I don't think an England head coach needs to stoop to this kind of stuff.

He's getting the results - but I suspect tomorrow's game against Gatland and Wales is one which will give a real indication as to how much England have improved.

[RichC]

It's Eddie Jones, he's always been like this and I don't think he'll ever change tbh.

Agreed on tomorrows game, it'll be interesting to see where we are. Quite looking forward to seeing the Billy/Falateau match up

[Buzzo]

Well, he's definitely not altered his style.

Should be a cracking match tomorrow. And will be interesting to see how the scrum is managed now Eddie has made his point.