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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. pullthestrings
2. Bathite

And Marler......jesus!

Only thing for me is Wood's loose play is not great although he's been excellent in the set piece this year.

If we could merge Marler & Woods

agreed matt.
marler needs to improve his scrummaging. has so much potetial though

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/mobile/rugby_union/16308894.stm

Pooly what do you watch wood great carrier and mobile as anything people used to knock his scrum but never his work around park. Always one of our best work rates and tackle count and carries

fair play
good for irish if he isnt selected. cant wait to see him back for us. him and bowden was looking a good 10/12 combo

I sometimes think Wood is good in the loose then it turns out to be Lawson! They're like very ugly twins...

He has obviously been told Lancaster has nowt to
Lose so may just pick players who will be around 2015.

Bit like Peter taylor and England football.

Lawes and foden are in some
Form

They do look a like. Dawiduik taking his place has
Made it easier. Lawson is a poor scrummager.

Off to watch glos wasps on boxing day. Barely watched
Us live so
Far due to playing compared to last few years,

We need numbers. Have a great
15 but fatigue and rotation kills us as replacements are dire.

Wood actually has impressive stats, never really noticed him in the loose before tbh.

Funny how you get a picture in your head of a player and then check stats and they totally go against those opinions.

He is nearly always our
Most busy player.
Not surprised
By his stats. Carries all day but tackling is where he shows up
Most often double figures or
High single figures.
You need it
With will camel James and his dross work rate

Really thought he was non exsistant in loose, I stand corrected.

I may take a screen shot of that comment from you. Never thought I would see it.

Where to you get the stats from?? it often masks certain players but the likes of wood robshaw salvi etc look ridiculous on stats as they are pure workers.

One stat I like is borthwick when England captain had approx 30 carries for minus 7 metres. It shows he is not up to it at top level despite being good prem player and leader

I don't mind admitting I'm wrong (unless it's Chris). I like stats but agree they can be misleading, good for gauging a rough idea on a player though.

Its the telegraph, do head to head stats so you can compare players etc. only thing wood lacks a little is metres made

Glos lack metres made up front. no second row or hard yards backrow. Much better when deacon plays.

Gainline key to rugby. More ball carriers equals over gainline which is quicker ball for backs and more time and space.

When qera does not play we don't go forward. Brush does not like him and it annoys all fans. Proper personality clashI

Good article on the Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/dec/22/harlequins-the-breakdown

What would people have as the AP team of the season so far? Harder to do this year with so many people at the WC!

1. Marler (Quins)
2. Gray (Quins)
3. Thomas (Sale)
4. Robson (Quins)
5. Garvey (Irish)
6. Robshaw (Quins)
7. Burger (Sarries)
8. Joubert (Sarries)
9. Peel (Sale)
10. Evans (Quins)
11. Wade (Wasps)
12. JTH (Quins)
13. May (Gloucester)
14. Homer (Irish)
15. Brown (Quins)

Casey Laulala is such a class act!

Have a good Christmas everyone - off to Wales for a week or so, doubt very much I will have internet access at all.

Will predict soon as am done talking to the toilet lads lol

Ah, manys the conversation I've had on the big white telephone first thing on a Saturday morning driver.

Good lad

Thanks Pete.

Merry Christmas lads! I hope Santa brings me dan carter for my Exeter team lol

Guys

I am concerned about this game forward. I think we are at saturation point with foreign players, and nobody wants to sell English players as they are so valuable due to the 10 EQ rule. Without the opportunities for improvement, the lower ranked sides are never going to break into the top 4, and there are teams that could concievably put out 3 full intnernational XV's, which mean that injuries and call ups have no effect on them whatsoever. With the the current rules in place, I cannot see this changing and think the game will become unsustainable and will lose it's enjoyment for many.

As most of you know, there is a new AP game being started by Pooly, and is being run along the same lines as this game has been. I am part of that game, and one major difference is squad sizes. I think reducing squad sizes in this game as well would be a good thing and would assist with levelling up the playing field a little. My proposals are these.

1. Senior squad size to be reduced from 55 to 40.
2. Academy squad size remains at 20, but the age qualification is raised from under 20 on 01.09.11 to under 23 on 01.09.11. This will give people the opportunity to put some of their senior squad into their academies.
3. Players who still qualify to play U18 rugby, do not need to be named as part of your academy, and you are entitled to first dips on all players from your club in real life once they go over the U18 age group, although they then must go into your academy. If you do not want them, then they can be bid for by other teams.

This will mean that teams have to release some players, which will have the effect of making more players available in foreigns/championship, and will also mean that managers will have to think about the composition of their squads a little bit more, as if you then load your squad with 40 full internationals, as some people do have at present, you are likely to have to play an academy side during the international windows.

I can see that this may not be popular with some teams, but I genuinely think it is the best way to ensure that this league remains competitive and fun for all. We all have players in our squads that barely get a game and could be released, and I think it will actually bring a bit more realism back in, as at present it is now really just a World League, with all of the the very best players in the world already in it.

Driver, ultimately it is your call as you run the game now (although I do have more time available now than I did in the summer so if you get fed up running it at any point then let me know and I will take back control), but am interested to hear what everyone else thinks.

I agree with the general concept Pete. Providing the players in your academy can stay in your academy (even if they are playing for you) untill they are two old then I think I agree with all of your points.

Although no changes should be made until the end of the season.

They would stay until they hit the upper age limit Steve

I personally think 40 is too low Pete, would mean a serious cull of players. Quite a few teams have bought players as a gamble that they'd come good internationally (for me Slade, Flip, Maitland, Smith). If we went down to 40 I'd really have to release these players.

That's my whole point pooly, some teams (me included) have stockpiled players, which is stopping other teams from developing.

No team in reality has 55 senior players. I think in real life Leicester have the biggest senior squad which I think is somewhere around the 44 mark.

I do agree in principle but I just think 40 is too low.

I think it will create more of a challenge for those who are able to cruise should they want to.

The worst managers we've seen on 606/606v2 in the ERL would be able to look good with the squads that Newcastle, Leicester, Saracens and Gloucester have built now so hopefully this would make it a bit more of a challenge for everybody.

Makes you think about your squad balance a bit more as Pete says

As Steve says, for the 4 teams mentioned, fatigue, injuries, call ups are really inconsequential. In the Heino the last 2 weeks I put out reserve sides and won comfortably, meaning all my best players have had a fortnight off, which just would not be the case in the real world, and this game has always been about maintaining as much realism as possible.

Maybe do some kind of vote near the end of the season like last time? Seemed to work well.

Think 45 is more realistic.

I like the idea, but not convinced the worst playeres being taken out of sqauds will make much difference in the long run?

That's why I say go down to 40, and not just 45, as it will force some of the top teams who have stockpile the best players to have to release some quality back onto the market.

How would the release process work? Would it be for £1-2m as it is now?

A nice little summary in the telegraph of the year by Will Greenwood.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/8974262/Highs-lows-and-everything-in-between-the-rugby-year-just-kept-on-giving.html

I would say yes luke, current release valuations should apply.

Guys this hang over is getting the better of me , iv been out and invested in 9 bottles of lucozade energy and 3 cans of red bull! I will find the energy to predict but it may not be till tonight lol

What do people think of Beauxis - he's just got 25 points for Toulouse v Montpellier, doesn't miss a kick & I bought him mainly for the winter months. He doesn't seem to be that highly rated here though and not sure why as he's been the difference in the game&from what commentators have said he's been top rate when he's played - I haven't seen enough of Toulouse to form my own opinion really.

Interesting idea Pete - im happy with what you say though agree maybe 45 is a good number? Think it would make the games fairer over the season.

Beauxis is a bit of a flakey kicker Chris, normally around the 65% mark in the T14. He can have dead eye nights (like last night) or miss 8/8. He generally kicks well out of hand though.

He's been behind McAlister for most of the season, generally starting the away games when I've watched Toulouse.

Burgess was in cracking form last night, really suits Toulouse style of play. See G.Botha broke his leg last night.

Sounds ideal to me Pete

Steven_Sharks Team of 2011

Here is my team of 2011, there will inevitably be bias but I have done my best to be impartial. May have forgotten people as usual.

1. Soane Tonga'uhia - Pretty safe to say that this hasn't been the year for Loose head props around the world with only one or two really making there presence felt in 2011. Tonga'uhia has done a remarkable feat of becoming one of the best Loose head props in the world without really performing at International level and has maintained a exceptional standard in the set piece and the loose.

Runner Up - Cian Healy Notable Mentions - Wyatt Crockett, Tony Woodcock.

2. Kevin Mealamu - Mealamu had a decent S15 season and then was crucial to NZ in the World Cup. In another position without any major candidates his role for the AB's in the world cup gives him the nod.

Runner Up - William Servat Notable Mentions - Rory Best, Bismark Du Plessis, Saia Faainga.

3. Owen Franks - Had a huge year in the Super 15 and is likely yo be the best tighthead in the world at some point during his career. Not quite in the top bracket for me but over the 12 months was probably the best Tight head as he always seemed to be in form.

Runner Up - Brian Mujati Notable Mentions - Mike Ross, Martin Castrogiovani

4. Brad Thorn - A great year to go out on for the veteran and he was still considered the best in the world when he made his decision for an easier rugby life in Japan. Considering his lack of ability in the lineout, being the best in the world just for loose work is pretty sensational.

Runner Up - Richie Gray Notable Mentions - Lionel Nallet, Danie Rossouw

5. James Horwill - Captaining his sides to a Super XV victory, a Tri Nations title and 3rd place in the World Cup must go down as pretty decent year for James Horwill. A key part of every side he played in and some fine individual performances to go with it.

Runner Up - Sam Whitelock Notable mentions - Courtney Lawes, Paul O'Connell, Victor Matfield.

6. Thierry Dusatoir - Toughest call of the lot here. Dusatoir had a magnificent World Cup and has had some storming games for Toulouse as well as captaining his sides very successfully. Kaino so unlucky not to get this spot.

Runner Up - Jerome Kaino Notable Mentions - Sean O'Brien, Dan Lydiate, Schalk Burger

7. Sam Warburton - Went from practically a nobody into one of the most promising talents in World rugby. Tough competition in this area but I have given it to Sam.

Runner Up - David Pocock Notable Mentions - Richie McCaw, Shane Jennings

8. Kieran Read - In really great form during the Super XV. A old school 8 in the sense he isn't as dynamic as some of the other 8's in world rugby. Good in World cup but at his best for the Crusaders.

Runner Up - Radike Samo Notable Mentions - Imanol Harinordiquay, Ernst Joubert

9. Will Genia - struggled in the World Cup a little but was the best player in the S15 by someway. His try in the Super XV final was as good as I've seen this year. Best in the world by some distance at the moment.

Runner Up - Piri Weepu Notable Mentions - Morgan Parra, Mike Phillips

10. Jonathan Sexton - Heiniken Cup final won me over with Jonny Sexton. Been superb for Leinster, World Cup was a bit of a anti climax for him but has picked up where he left off for Leinster.

Runner Up - Dan Carter/Quade Cooper Notable mention - Rhys Preistland

11. Digby Ioane - been the standout wing this year and has scored some really great tries. As a finisher he is second to none over the last 12 months and has made some full backs look very silly.

Runner Up - Vincent Clerc Notable Mentions - Richard Kahui, George North

12. Maa Nonu - Jamie Roberts was the best 12 at the World cup but Nonu was the best player across the 12 months and I seem to remember him being particularly strong during the Tri Nations. Became key at the World Cup when Carter was crocked.

Runner Up - Jamie Roberts Notable Mentions - Francois Steyn, Pat McCabe

13. Conrad Smith - I don't think there was a real standout but Smith did what he always does and produced when it mattered. So good in defence and attack. Interesting to see whether Captaincy of Hurricanes helps or hinders him.

Runner Up - Aurelien Rougerie Notable Mentions: Jaque Fourie, Manu Tuilagi.

14. Cory Jane - This is some what controversial as I can't remember too much of Jane until the Tri nations but whenever I saw him he was simply superb. A very talented all rounder.

Runner Up - James O'Connor Notable Mentions - Chris Ashton, Adam Ashley Cooper (has to be in their somewhere all though he hasn't been on the wing too much)

15. Kurtley Beale - Been the most impressive attacking threat this year along with Quade and Digby in what has been a sometimes exceptional Oz side. Tough calls at 15, Dagg was unreal during World Cup and Foden has been superb all year.

Runner Up - Ben Foden Notable Mentions - Israel Dagg, Patrick Lambie

Couple of debatables but a good team Steve.

Saints are really becoming savvy at the breakdown, they just lie all over the opposition side every time. Mad how teams get away with it but the better sides always seem to.

I have noticed that.

Bath have massively disappointed me this season. I had them down for the Title at the start of the year but they will be lucly to get HC atm.

However I have been impressed with Ryan Caldwell, Francois Louw, Guy Mercer and Woodburn and Heathcote this season.

Look absolutely clueless really, such talent too. Donald has really struggled which I'm a little surprised about. Hearhcote should be starting really.

Is Flatman injured? He really struggles to make the bind. Takes the hit then seems to take an age to raise his shoulder.

Woodburn looks exciting, suspect defence but he's still young

Don't think that's a yellow tbh. Great from Pisi though. Gotten over his horror show v Scarlets.

Pisi has been magic that game aside, Could be 50 this one

Bath scrum going well.

Only thing that looks ok to be fair.

Abendonon put some bigs hits in. Got one on Lamb in the first half as well.