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CAN SOMEONE DO THE LV TABLES FOR ME? TERRIBLE WITH CODING ON THESE THINGS

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Teams

Bath RFC	InTheFastLane
Exeter Chiefs	Driver - RIP 606
Gloucester	Anonmattyt
Harlequins	Steven_Sharks
Leicester Tigers	LukeLovesLuka
London Irish	stnick88
London Wasps	Arry
Newcastle Falcons	Sgt_Pooly
Northampton Saints	Dammit_Chris
Sale Sharks	SirJohnnyEnglish
Saracens	LDCPete
Worcester Warriors	prop_lyd

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Waiting List
1. Sam
2. pullthestrings
3. Bathite

Sheridan's injury isnt as bad as feared from what I've heard, he'll be back in a month or two. England's scrum is a lot weaker without him. To me one of the most powerful scrummagers in the game.

Davies was best lock in Europe 12 months ago, every player has some bad spells and he'll be back as one of the best in the northern hem in no time at all. He's top quality.

Still wouldnt let them go without a top player coming my way!

Top player back is more realistic than World class haha

How long before Italy become better than Scotland on a regular basis? Just looking at the players they have available and if they had a 9-10 combo I'd say they'd already be better than the Scots.

Playing in the Magners (or whatever its called these days) is only going ot make them better, and can see them edging ahead of Scotland in the next couple of years.

And what do people think of England's chances v Scotland on Saturday, I think we'll be ok as long as we don't pick Flood to start - I havent been very impressed with him so far, much prefer Wilko at 10 for England.

I'd go with Wilko as it's going to be a territory type game I imagine. Flood has played really well, his second half cameo last week was great.

Don't know why you don't like Flood as he's a running FH who can beat his man. He's been really impressive during the WC I thought, much better than the second half of the 6N and warm up games. He's kicked for touch well, got the backline going, made his goals and ran well. Not quite sure what else he can do.

Pooly, I dont have anything wrong with Flood as a player - its just for me that he takes the ball up to much into contact (he plays more like a 12 than a 10) and he makes some poor decisions, e.g. kicks when kicks arent on and we lose a lot of ball through him.

He's a good player, but how many international teams would he play for? We need someone to come through and be a world class 10, as without Wilko we just dont have one.

Still got no internet. My team will be in when I can SJE got no time at the minute. Won't be any huge surprises

No worries Steve mate

I think he'd play for a fair few to be fair Chris. He offers something totally different to Wilko as he can attack the line more, he offers a different threat and puts defences on the back foot.

For what it's worth I prefer Wilko (although haven't in the past for England). I think he scares the opposition a little a bit like Carter does.

I'm a big Flood fan though and think he's played really well as does MJ by the looks of things judging by him giving them a half each.

I think Johnson could opt for Flood, really hope that he doesnt. I do like him but I just dont think he always plays the game sensibly, he can have a world class performance one week, but then not back it up for another 3-4 games against poor opposition. That;s his trouble - was looking though the other international teams and only think he'd make the Italy and Scotland starting lineups from the top tier teams.

If he was consistently brilliant and kept his performance high then I'd be one of his biggest fans as when he clicks he is a great player - that game against France a few years back, he was complete class. Not sure what it is that lets him down or why he doesnt back up performances.

Would be tempted to play him at 12 in some games though, bit late now, but the extra freedom could really help him and get Englands backline moving again.

France:
Maxime Medard; Vincent Clerc, Aurelien Rougerie, Maxime Mermoz, Alexis Palisson; Morgan Parra, Dimitri Yachvili; Jean-Baptiste Poux, William Servat, Luc Ducalcon; Pascal Pape, Lionel Nallet; Thierry Dusautoir (capt), Julien Bonnaire, Raphael Lakafia.

Replacements:
Dimitri Szarzewski, Fabien Barcella, Julien Pierre, Imanol Harinordoquy, Francois Trinh-Duc, Fabrice Estebanez, Cedric Heymans.


South Africa:
Pat Lambie; JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Frans Steyn, Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis; Danie Rossouw, Victor Matfield (capt); Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies.

Replacements:
John Smit, Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Francois Hougaard, Jean De Villiers.

FINALLY BDP get's a start!!!!

I agree with Chris. Toby Flood is a decent back up player. Will he be long term england ten after wilko?? my opinion is definitely not.

Think someone like farrell, ford are much more likely eventually

Ford will force Flood to play 12 at Leicester within two years - absolutely certain of it - he's one of the only Leicester players to come out with any credit in the first 4 games of the seaon.

It will be between him and Farrell for England's long-term 10, would imagine it will be Ford with Farrell going to 12 and then Tuilagi at 13.

I'm not 100% sold on Farrell, think Ford looks a much better prospect.

Farrells a 12 playing at 10 - he looks far more natural when Sarries play him in his normal position, had a good game against Tigers on Saturday and put Barritt into a lot of space.

I want to see Elliot Daly come through properly at Wasps, I think he could move to 12 and be perfect cover for Tuilagi - very good hands, but has to establish himself at Wasps properly first. Also like the looks of a lot of the GLoucester players and Ben Williams at Bath.

Producing so many talented individuals now, think we need someone to come through on the wings, I like Christian Wade, but his size raises question marks for me - would like to see someone of a similar style/size to George North come through, as Foden and Ashton are there for the next 5 years and need someone to come through and play alongside them.

JJ has started the season V.well, 3 tries and solid in defence. ESPN were comparing him to a young Jeremy Guscott I'm told.

Well he's in the hot seat now off the back of some top class performances and some average ones. Until better comes along he's England 10 or second choice.

With the WC over in just over a month, I wondered whether anyone wanted to give each person a transfer to bring in an undiscovered star from the tournament?

Would give Pooly the chance to get a better no10 then FLood

dammit_chris wrote:With the WC over in just over a month, I wondered whether anyone wanted to give each person a transfer to bring in an undiscovered star from the tournament?

Would give Pooly the chance to get a better no10 then FLood

No Chris the next one will be before the 6N - End of

"Would give Pooly the chance to get a better no10 then FLood"

Cheeky!

Whose team of the World Cup so far? Think Parisse is the only one who gets in from Saints so far...don't think that any English players would do.

Hard to tell after this stage as the top teams have only really played one decent match. I'd think Lobbe just edges Parisse and Spies for the 8 jersey so far (injured now tho!)

1.Cian Healy
2.John Smit?????
3.Owen Franks
4.Danie Russouw
5.Paul O'Connell
6.Schalk Burger
7.Adam Thomson
8.Pierre Spies

9.Francouis Houghard
10.Dan Carter
11.Richard Kahui
12.Ma'a Nonu/Frans Steyn
13.??????
14.Vincent Clerc
15.James Hook

Good effort Driver....prob only have issues with 7,9,15

I think Thomo has been awesome in the AB black row - granted i havn't seen much of other teams

15. Dagg??

I'd have Brussow/Warbs/SOB at 7 myself, tough call. Smith or Fourie at 13. Pretty much yrs apart from that

Forgot Dagg!

Thommo has been great but even I can't see him in there ahead of SOB! The boy has just been something else. Hope matt has been watching!!!

Armatige to start vs the jocks

And he's the biggie Rodiki Samo to play wing for Australia!

No way Driver, Cueto will be given the start? Johnson loves the Ashton, Cueto, Foden backthree...unless Cueto is injured?

Also Armitage on the bench gives cover at 11, 13, 14 and 15.

I reckon Deacon's going to start tho with Lawes - lots of people saying that he's the main force behind our scrum without Easter playing, which we will need against the Scots, though still think Palmer's our best lock.

I just hope MJ doesn't pick Armitige to try and ping Scotland back and take them on up front

From twitter

5Live: "Hearing that recent man-of-match & hattrick man Mark Cueto will be left out of England XV v Scotland. Delon Armitage to start instead."

Driver I cant see the team being anything but

1. Stevens
2. Thompson
3. Cole
4. Deacon
5. Lawes
6. Croft
7. Moody
8. Haskell
9. Youngs
10. Wilko
11. Cueto
12. Tindall
13. Tuilagi
14. Ashton
15. Cueto

Bench: Corbs, Hartley, Palmer, Wood, Wiggles, Flood, Armitage

1.Cian Healy
2.John Smit
3.Owen Franks
4.Danie Russouw
5.Paul O'Connell
6.Jerome Kaino
7.Schalk Burger
8.Pierre Spies
9.Francouis Houghard
10.Dan Carter
11.Richard Kahui
12.Ma'a Nonu
13.Jacques Fourie
14.Vincent Clerc
15.Israel Dagg

something like that for me, have probably forgotten people though.

Ma's Nonu has impressed me most so far this WC - on amazing form, his partnership with Smith is best in rugby and then they bring on SBW!

Getting nervous about Saturday already now...would be just like Scotland to put in their best performance in 4 years against us.

Just don't think Scotland have the class.
Our defence is too good to conceed more than one try against them and dont think they have the power and ability to batter us upfront and kick their way to victory.

Nick, I think the game changes if the rain and wind come in - really evens things up and I dont rate this England side at all at the breakdown, Moody, Haskell and Croft are not breakdown specialists at all.

Not sure if we have any coming through the ranks either, though I guess in world rugby you only have about 4 top experts at this area, McCaw, Brussow, Pocock and Warburton - after that there arent many others to pick from or worry defences at the highest level.

I wouldn't put Warburton in that bracket myself, handy at the breakdown but more of an all rounder.

Agree there Chris, our breakdown play is dire. Not just turnovers which you can play without. It's more the securing our own ball in the rucks and the physicality of clearing players.

You watch NZ and they're awsome at it, just gives fast ball to the 9 all the time. We looked like we had this nailed in the AI but have went backwards massivley.

If you watch the games though, the refs are very hard on our players at the breakdown, NZ go flying into rucks and if they are on their feet more than 50% of the time I'd be amazed!

Trouble is that they have a much more positive approach to the breakdown than we do - so we give away the penalties far more...

What do people think of Gorgodze? The Georgian flanker?

One of the top players in the NH in the last year.

Very good player. Can cover lock but is a top flanker and available for most of the year as well being Georgian. Had a cracking year in the Top 14 and has been on my own radar for a while works very well with Quedragao

Some real gems in the T14. The lock/flanker that plays for USAP, black guy is an absolute animal.

Just to let you know chris: you'd have a MASSIVE battle on your hands for him

Can't believe some of the pack selections you guys have as players of the tournament so far. Healy has had 1 decent game, Smit has been average and Franks hasnt played anyone decent, the French just gave up against the AB's.

1. Roncero
2. Best
3. Zirakashvili

TBH i just copied Drivers front row!
But now you say it, Best has been very good (which is good news for me).
Havent seen enough of Zirak to comment. Mike Ross deserves a mention.

"the French just gave up against the AB's"

Bit harsh on the AB effort in the front row Pete. They dominated that scrum till Servat came on. Best has only played against Aus, Russia & USA.

How is it harsh on the AB's to say the French gave up. They put it in for the opening ten minutes, didn't score, went behind and then showed no real interest in the game.

That's no slight on the AB's, it's what happened.

I wouldn't say they gave up so to speak, they just look completely intimidated after the opening period which they dominated.