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Waiting List
1. pullthestrings
2. Bathite

Irish born. Irish mother Welsh father. Hes Mike Ruddock toe grand slam winning coachs eldest. Played some under age for Wales I think till his dad moved over for the u20 Irish job. His brother is in the Leinster academy as well.

Must be mixing him with somebody else.

See Narraway is out of squad with Calf strain, thought Waldroum impressed today. Would give us another 8 option instead of Robshaw!

Agree waldron was very good

Robson was man of match officially and easily best player. His defence is incredible just like he did against Toulouse. He was unreal in the loose. Surely offers more than parling or deacon?

Garvey went well as did spencer. Burns showed what i said ie flakey. Thought grays basics good and 36 clueless.

To be fair saxons shows nowt. All players playing together for first time so almost an irrelevant level.

Ruddock looked tidy Irish front row dross as ever, backrow all about balance. Waldrom great but need balance around him. Gaskell no 6 but good player. This is why croft does not fit England's back row. If you had morgan and saull, wood, robshaw as 7 you need a destructive 6. we are light years away

My problem with Robson is that he's so underpowered in the loose, I just don't think he could make the step up. I don't think he should have motm either. He goes backwards everytime he carries, Kearney bumping him off in the tackle was shocking.

He's fantastic on our throw but you need more than that for Int rugby.

You must watch a different game pooly. Every commentator picked up his defence as outstanding as they did against Toulouse. You really don't know rugby if you believe what you just posted

I don't know rugby because I have an opinion? Little harsh Matthew

I didn't say his defence was poor, I'm saying he's very underpowered. Borthwick looks like Bakkies in the carrying stakes compared to Robson, hes just so weak in the contact.

He made numerous tackles around the fringes but hits rucks like a girl, I'd honestly prefer Borthwick in the England set up than Robson.

Not saying he's a bad player but I think he's found his level in the AP.

Anyone about for some deals?

Thought Robson was solid all round yesterday, think I saw him drop off one tackle, but that was about it yesterday. How old is he? That was the first time I saw Garvey play properly yesterday and was very impressed with him, looks exactly like the lock we need.

Spencer put in a good performance, would quite like to see Sam Harrison involved in the next Saxons games though as think his game is probably better all round - Spencer seems to kick the ball too much (can tell which club he plays for...).

Papers today are saying that Dowson might well start for England next week, alongside Robshaw and Croft. Only way we'll beat Scotland is a great kicking game and dominating the lineout as if we get drawn into a forward battle we are screwed - also have to play at speed and use our backthree as really don't rate Scotland at all out wide.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I didn't say his defence was poor, I'm saying he's very underpowered. Borthwick looks like Bakkies in the carrying stakes compared to Robson, hes just so weak in the contact.

He made numerous tackles around the fringes but hits rucks like a girl, I'd honestly prefer Borthwick in the England set up than Robson.

Not saying he's a bad player but I think he's found his level in the AP.

Utter utter garbage. Makes borthwick look like
Bakkies??????!

Without being rude you are
Making yourself look a fool

If robshaw dowson and croft play I
May not watch the game. We
Should not be giving caps to players who are not good enough and never will be. Would rather pick potential than stop gap players

He's seriously underpowered though Matt, even you must admit that. I know we're all biased on our own players but come on ???

Gray was excellent though in contrast...just to prove I'm not picking on your players.

I just read your comment to a friend who
I play with and his
Comment
Was "
Is this chap a jester"

Bizarre weird comments by yourself maybe you have had a turn. Watched the game yesterday in a rugby club and everyone one was pretty unanimous on how robson played as were all the commentators

Ok, maybe not then. Robson did play well but is seriously underpowered. He'd be blown away at Int level. Rewatch Kearney pushing him over

Right off to play in an invitational charity rugby game.
No time for your seriously weird comments.

Just admiting defeat me thinks


I just read your comment to a friend who
I play with and his
Comment
Was "
Is this chap a jester"

I just watched the Saxons game with our lass and she reckons she carries harder than Robson, she is 18st and 5ft 4" though

She must have lost a bit of weight then poOly

Yea, no Carbs before Scarbs (taking her to Scarbrough for summer holi's)

What a lucky lady. The best part about holidaying in the north is you can guarantee the weather

just spoke to a friend who lives in Toulon and saw them thrash BAyonne yesterday - Steffon Armitage is becoming a bit of a cult hero out that way, got two tries and they can't understand why he isnt playing for England.

Also said that the Wilko/GIteau combination is gelling really well and that Carl Hayman is back on top form (at last!). From next year they are going to almost be a second string ENgland team!

Anyone see Stephen Jones backline for England in the Times today - how on earth that man makes a living as a rugby pundit I will never know:

15. Brown
14. Sharples
13. Armitage
12. Barkley
11. Monye
10. Cipriani
9. Youngs

Like how he drops Ben Foden. Idiot.

Sir Clive Woodward writing for the Times today says that Andy Saull is our best no7 as he's the only specialist there, but said he wants George Ford in the full EPS now, as he thinks he's that good...

SCW obviously didn't watch yesterdays game if he thinks Saull is our best 7...crazy comment.

Saull is 23 and average at everything a 7 should be good at. Wallace, Gibson, Mercer etc are currently better OS's and younger. Clark is not a 7 but he is light years ahead of Saull.

Haven't seen the game.

Robson got Sky MoM though.

That Stephen Jones back line is embarrassing.

I thought Saull did what was expected of him - also rate SCW opinion very highly. Anyone see George Ford's performance yesterday - friend said he was exceptional

Miss tackles, drop the ball in contact and make zero impact at breakdown? If Saull was asked to do that he was outstanding.

His kick chase is excellent though.

Apologies Matt, don't want it sound like I'm picking on your players. Gray is the second best hooker in England imo if that softens it!

dammit_chris wrote:Anyone see Stephen Jones backline for England in the Times today - how on earth that man makes a living as a rugby pundit I will never know:

15. Brown
14. Sharples
13. Armitage
12. Barkley
11. Monye
10. Cipriani
9. Youngs

Like how he drops Ben Foden. Idiot.

He makes a living because whether you agree with him or think he's an idiot, he has everyone talking about what he writes.

That;s who he wanted to start for England v Scotland despite only three of them actuall ybeing in the EPS.

I think he's actually in the official top 10 most hated people in NZ (there was a poll during the WC - think a lot of Welsh voted for him).

I just hope we finish above Wales this year - think they were overhyped in the WC - tremendous performance v Ireland but beaten in all the other big games - SA, France and Australia and have been ordinary since.

I don't think Wales were overhyped in the World Cup at all.

Thought they were confident side playing very well with some very very promising young players.

If you asked me where I thought the next IRB Player of the Year was coming from in the Home Nations then I'd say Wales.

Wales have definatley been overhyped but when everyone is fit I like the look of them. They've got some strong combinations coming through and have gelled really well.

6. Lydiate
7. Warbs
8. Faletau

Has everything and is a year at least in cohesion ahead of where England are.

12. Roberts
13. JD

Looks like it wouldn't work on paper and didn't for a year or so but they've started to gel and look great as a unit.

I think Wales on paper look better than we do and recent performances suggest they'll best us. At twickernam I think we might sneak it but Wales look some unit if they click again.

1. Jenkins
2. Rees
3. Jones
4. Davies
5. Wyn-Jones
6. Lydiate
7. Warburton
8. Faletau
9. Phillips
10. Priestland
11. Cuthbert
12. Roberts
13. JD
14. North
15. Halfpenny

I don't see too many weaknesses there. Strength, Speed, Good setpiece and good in the loose. That side would be capable of playing a slow pace or a quick pace.

And still has people like Charteris, Jones, Hook, about 10 young 9's and some decent outside backs not involved.

steffon armitage is out of saulls league. playing in france will help him and i think he will come back to england a better player. (hopefully come back to england anyway).

Sgt_Pooly wrote:SCW obviously didn't watch yesterdays game if he thinks Saull is our best 7...crazy comment.

Saull is 23 and average at everything a 7 should be good at. Wallace, Gibson, Mercer etc are currently better OS's and younger. Clark is not a 7 but he is light years ahead of Saull.

Of that bunch Clarke and Gibson have potential but Gibson not a 7. Mercer will never make the grade.


I like many expert such as SCW would have saull in the EPS and would start him against Scotland. The way we are trying to play needs an out and out 7.

Gibson has potential to be a world class back row player. Has qualities at everything he needs to as a back rower as well as being a very useful lineout forward.

I think second row and cuthbert are weaknesses in that Wales side Steven. Like there backrow. Interested to see if faletau shows consistency 2nd season is
Often difficult when people know how you play.

That welsh back row has amazing balance to it and could be some unit for years. As ever Wales have a good 15 but no depth in key positions

Gibson is fantastic but for me a 6 or 8 long term

i think gibson will be a 6
he will be irish's new danaher, just better.
tackles very well and work rate is immense. so good in the lineout as well.

i would never have saull starting for england on current form. unless he drasticaly improves i dont think he will play for england

Cuthbert will be a class act. Really like him. His finishing is as good as any England player at the moment except for Ashton.

I like Davies as a 4. Strong player. AWJ is hit and miss.

Saull is not even Saxons class for me, was schooled yesterday. Could be right about Mercer not sure he has enough about him.

How Wallace isn't ahead of Saull I'll never know

to be fair pooly wallace has only played a handful of games so for me needs more time before he is in saxons

Similar with May though Nick, I think he should be starting Saxon at least

May has played 3 or 4 times more games at 1st team level than Wallace. May played quite a bit last year and starts more regularly.

Wallace has played 24 times
May has played 40
Gibson has played 39 (or 50 with subs)
Ben Spencer 19 times

If you're good enough!!

Anyone watch the Toulouse/Metro game last night?

That 18yo hooker played, lads an absolute beast and looks like he can really scrummage. Throwing was awful though as you'd expect at his age but he has bags of potential.

Think he was definitely worth the punt I've taken signing him. Could be a star.

He is meant to be tremendous going to watch the game later. Played 2 games of rugby this weekend.not recommended at 35 years of age

Where did you play Matt?

His throws are really loopy but hes an animal, was a good game. Steyn's burst straight through Beauxis is awesome, kinda carries him for 10 metres before Beauxis gives up. Fluffs the offload mind.

Steenkamp had a good game and is in good nick (kissing ass for knocking Saull )