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Waiting List
1. pullthestrings
2. Bathite

Just re-read my comments about Tuilagi - should have been clearer, think England will start playing the 12-13 as interchangeable centres, like they do with Farrell at Sarries. Think he is starting at 13 tonight but he plays a lot as second ball receiver at 12 - I think that is what they could do with him for England and Tuilagi. Means average age of the centres is 20, but I think Farrell plays like a guy with 10 years AP experience so could easily step up.

Think with Farrell at 12 it would take a lot of pressure off Flood too. I'm not Floods biggest fan, but at the moment he's the best option. George Ford will become the England 10, but for me the only other alternative is Farrell and he will be given the 12 shirt come 6Nations.

Would definitely have Cole as best English prop. Think PDJ needs to get himself ahead of Mujati before he's considered for England.

Sure I read an article in the Telegraph where they picked their development team for 2015. Off top of my head it was (and age at WC)

1. Marler 24
2. Hartley 30
3. Cole 29
4. Attwood 28
5. Lawes 25
6. Croft 30
7. Wood (c) 29
8. Haskell 30
9. Youngs 25
10. Flood 30
11. Sharples 25
12. Farrell 24
13. Tuilagi 24
14. Ashton 28
15. Foden 30

Didn't realise Wood was in the Foden/Flood age range

Yeah he is older, as developed at Worcester, think he's 24 now.

Player that I think looks class at the moment is May at Gloucester, think he's a great prospect, wonder where he will end up playing. Could be a great player to have on the bench - not sure where his best position is yet though.

Btw anyone heard of anything about Parra biting George Chuter at the last game between Tigers and Clermont? Apparently Chuter had bite marks on his arm after a bit of a ruck with Parra, but no citings.

"Would definitely have Cole as best English prop. Think PDJ needs to get himself ahead of Mujati before he's considered for England."

That's the exact discussion we've just had Chris, Cole is behind Castro, no? Both Leicester and Saints rotate TH's so this getting ahead means little. I'm a big fan of both PDJ and Cole, two quality young props. Same with Corbs and Mullen on the LH side.

Farrell not ready for Int rugby, especially not at a position he doesn't play for his club.

Been watching Sarries closely, it's often 1st receiver that they rotate. They swap between all 3 of Farrell, Barritt, Hodgson depending on move

But your missing out on one little issue - Castro is the other prop at Tigers, whilst Mujati is the one at Saints. Would have Castro as best no3 in world rugby.

Farrell's more than ready for international rugby, he's got a very wise head for a 20 year old - wasnt so sure at the start of the season, but he's been a standout for them. Sarries are very clever how they use him - Hodgson receives the ball so flat and then this gives Barritt and Farrell a lot of opportunities to switch and bring in their back three, Sarries should have won by 20 odd points last week...Not sure that Goode's developed like I thought he would, he's not a natural 15.

Mujati is a very good TH, him and PDJ will battle for that jersey all season.

I like Farrell and he will play Int rugby, I just don't think he's ready yet. Needs to improve other aspects of his game and I still think he's better at 10

Chris

Worth pointing out how Mujati was Saints player of the season and came second to Tom Wood in the AP player of the year last season. Hardly trying to get ahead of an average prop.

I will watch for that tonight Pooly. I am having to re assess my opinions of Barritt of late as I appear to be in the minority in thinking he is a crash ball merchant.

Still wouldnt have Mujati ahead of either Cole or Castro. Does PDJ play either side, as could be an absolutely ideal bench player at 6Nations.

Whats the consensus on the Corbs v Marler for England?

Hodgson brings a hell of a lot out of Barritt, who is actually a really good player - just dont think he has that extra something to be an international. Hodgson has the best passing game of any fly half I've seen play - just such a shame about his defence, could have been a top, top flyhalf.

Marler is playing better but Corbs is the more developed player so I'd go Corbs myself.

And I'd have Mujati in the 2nd tier of TH I think

Main boards have him nailed on for 12 shirt Steve. Barritt has a good all round game, good hands/distribution and ability to crash it up if needed. A little underated I think.

Was reading he was only non backrower in top 10 tackles in prem.

Should be a good game, missus is at Xmas do so I've got the tele

Marler is cracking but again just not ready for me, scrummaging has to be better. Johnstone doesn't help his cause tho, 21st and unable to scrummage?!?

They want Barritt as England 12? Surprised by that, as last week thought he got done over a bit by Beck. I like him as a club player, just not sure what he'd be like at next level.

Think Barritt will be used a lot by Sarries today, him and Hodgson standing flat with Farrell deeper so that they can launch a lot of attacks with the backline. Thing I still find with Sarries is that if you can work out how to stop Brits then they are really devoid of ideas in attack, but then beat you with their kicking game.

Empty stadium. Amazing.

We might find out in the next few months

Barritt's started well - Sarries work so well together as a team.

Hodgson and Farrell will control this game for Sarries.

Awful pass from Stevens there but still poor work from Barritt in knocking it on.

Surprised at no Nieto at 3 with Stevens at 1. Adam Jones should have Gill for breakfast

He didnt last week Steven - Gill apparently had a very good game. How old is he?

Stevens seems to have done a lot of work with his set piece at the expense of his loose game, which used to be his best asset - but with players like Marler coming through his loose game isnt as good anymore.

Gill actually had better of Jones last week I thought, Stevens better at TH than LH I think

Maybe not this week tho, looks brutal

If this doesnt boil over big time I'll be amazed.

The Sarries defence is very impressive - is Farrell defence captain for them?

Pretty sure it's Barritt Chris.

C'mon Sarries!

Barritt article:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2074748/Brad-Barritt-homes-England-spot-earmarked-Owen-Farrell.html

Lines up at 13 in defence and 12 in attack apparently

Be some result this

Not entirely unexpected though. Ospreys show on a regular basis they have a lack of edge when it comes to winning games in Europe, particularly big games.

Its hard to tell how they are lining up today, they are so bl oody well drilled that they just pop up at 12 or 13 in attack and defence, unless they are playing left and right.

Ospreys are a poor, poor team now. Think Bowe might need to find a new club soon, he keeps going on runs and gets no options off him.

England backline definitely needs a good controlling 12 who can kick as think that would bring more out of Flood, whose a good player until he has too mcuh pressure on him.

I would have had Sarries winning by 8-10 points in this game.

Wouldnt have had Treviso beating Biarritz away though...12-0 isnt it?

Ospreys are essentially Sarries wet dream. Walk straight into their game plan.

Don't think Ospreys have been beat at home in Europe for 4 years Chris. Ospreys are in transition but still quality. Certainly not a poor, poor team lol, you're a harsh man

Ospreys are a poor team? They'v cleared out all the excess and are giving the kids the game time. Ashley Beck at 12 is a prospect in there backline.

There not a poor team , there building a team. AWJ is a massive loss for them.

There doing what Wasps should have done 2 or 3 years ago

Hoping to catch the second half with the mrs watching masterchef....

How's Joubert going?

Well mate, Sarries defence superb.

It's 6 years not 4, this will be a massive win!

I'v put Edinbourgh vs Blues on.

Not a fan of Bigger at all

I dont rate them - think they get their tactics wrong a lot and have a poor coaching set up. Player wise they've got some talented people, but think Cardiff and Priestland's team are better than them now.

Tell you what Adam Jones could be in a bit of trouble, just re-watched the last ruck and he puts two knees into Borthwick.

Didnt think that'd be a try, clearly double movement

Driver, how do you mean what Wasps should have done? They threw loads of youngsters in when they lost all their good players, and keep doing it - our trouble is that we've never had the money to replace the top class players with other top class players - whilst Ospreys have a budget to bring in players like Bowe - how long before he goes to Munster or Leinster?

Edinbourgh are a joy to watch! Some real attack minded rugby!

Bowe would be great at Leinster, think his missus is Welsh and she wanted to stay in Swansea though. He'd probably go back to Ulster if anywhere I think

Beck looks a cracking player, like the wing a little too much though.

Ben Spencer looks a great little 9 too

Ospreys are a nasty team - that was another knee there and then Gill gave him a swift punch to the nuts as retribution.

Just waiting for the big punch up to come now.

Ospreys are being so naive with tactics - you cant beat a rush defence the way they are setting out, a few little angled grubbers and get the defensive line to stop rushing straight away would give them some space.

Ryan Jones is a good player.

Some good talent in the National leagues pooly. Spencer was in NL1 last year and I'm hoping that Mulchrone becomes just as good for me. Mulchrone was in the national 1 team of the year last season but is more of a runner than Spencer. But Spencers kicking is class!

Kelly Brown also having a stormer

His box kick is a thing of beauty Steve!

Sarries backrow is fantastic as a unit

Spoke too soon Steve!

Of all the people to score, can't stand Gough

Kiss of death Steve...

That was never, ever a yellowcard. Brown didnt go near Biggar. If that changes the game then Sarries will be very hard done by - ah, think that yellow is going to change it!

Sarries are so efficient - they dont offer much in terms of attacking rugby though. Guess that's my only concern of having Farrell or Barritt in an England shirt.

Oh c rap I think that is the first time I have almost cheered on Saracens. What on earth is going on!?! Best turn over to a different game!

I was just about to say that!

I'd love to see a Barritt/Manu midfield Chris, nothing to do with having him. Think it would be a great unit and then introduce a runner like May later in the game.

36 ticks all the boxes for me if not Barritt, massive fan but Cockrill seems to hold him back. Is he starting tomorrow?

Whether or not he is in Englands best XV I do think that Farrell is ready to step up to international rugby.

No Pooly its Manu/Smith