The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

First topic message reminder :

Welcome to the Virtual Rugby Pub - a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no defacing the pictures of Sergio Parisse and Owen Farrell above the bar.





Last Pub:https://www.606v2.com/t23373-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub

Cheers Billy.

Morning Prop, still courtin' then?

Morning Rava.....aye still going strong she's heading to the Forest with me Thursday afternoon!!

prop_lyd wrote:Morning Rava.....aye still going strong she's heading to the Forest with me Thursday afternoon!!

Take a blanket

And a camcorder.

Morning folks

Not seen the Wales v Scotland game yet, and having had to get the red pen out on a couple of threads outside yesterday I shan't be commenting on it when have watched it. Some of the nonsense and bickering that happened yesterday was absolutely pathetic.

With regards England, it will be interesting to see if Lancaster makes any personnel changes for the Wales game. I think the front row have all gone pretty well against two excellent units in Scotland and Italy, but there are some issues beyond that. Dowson, good honest pro that he is, is not an international and I think Morgan has to start. At 9, Youngs is struggling, and Dickson has to get a start. The centres are also a bit of an issue as there is not a lot of attacking threat there, so Manu may need to come straight back in. Personally, if some of the walking wounded are fit for the game, I would go…

Foden, Ashton, Tuilagi, Barritt, Sharples, Farrell, Dickson; Corbisiero, Hartley, Cole, Botha, Palmer, Robshaw, Wood, Morgan.
Reps: Webber, Stevens, Lawes, Croft, Simpson, Flood, Strettle.

I think that is a side that can give Wales a game.

Hope everyone hasd had a good weekend

Rava wrote:

prop_lyd wrote:Morning Rava.....aye still going strong she's heading to the Forest with me Thursday afternoon!!

Take a blanket

Is that meant to be a code word?

Ozzy: like the look of that squad, especially with Ben *soon to be in cherry and white hopefully* Morgan playing! Not sure if Lancaster will drop Hodgson having scored your only 2 tries?! It's the bickering that stops me from heading outside to be honest!

Dickson made such a difference when he came on, Ozzy, and I'd start with Ben Morgan, too. He won't need any motivating for this game.

Why do you think Hodgson should drop out of the squad altogether?

I think that it will be very interesting to see how Morgan goes in his first start. He made some very good runs when he came on but that was also against a tired Italian defence. He has certainly done enough to start the match.

Morning all.

please.

I'm loving Ozzy's review of the Quins vs LI game

luckless

Dropping Hodgson would be a tough call, but he has been there to ignite the backline, and has not really managed to do that. The other thing is I think we really need to get Tuilagi back in, as we need the threat that he provides from the midfield.

That being the case, one of Hodgson, Farrell and Barritt have to drop out. For me, Barritt has to stay for his defensive and breakdown work, so he has to move inside to 12, which means either Hodgson, Flood or Farrell at 10, and I would like to see what Farrell can do there, as I think he is a quality player.

Kiwireddevil wrote:Morning all.

please.

I'm loving Ozzy's review of the Quins vs LI game

Cheers mate. Really enjoyed the experience in the press box, although it was absolutely freezing, so much so that one of the reporters laptop stopped working.

Ok fine, I apologise profusely for my part of the bickering, I promise not to react to numpties, plonkers and the like again.

I will merely step away and ignore it with the composure of a restrained Pope.

Ozzy3213 wrote:

Kiwireddevil wrote:Morning all.

please.

I'm loving Ozzy's review of the Quins vs LI game

Cheers mate. Really enjoyed the experience in the press box, although it was absolutely freezing, so much so that one of the reporters laptop stopped working.

I'm not surprised! It was cold enough for the Quins vs Leicester game 3 weeks back.

It's certainly good news for you - and bad news for us - that Tuilagi's likely to be back. We need to make sure we put him down when he has the ball. We can't afford to go high on him.

So no starting place for Flood Ozzy? Is a tough match at Twickers a place to debut Farrell at 10? Thats a pretty big call.

Bore da pawb – excellent day yesterday Time spent with quality people is always a good time

hughie1986 wrote:Did I just spot MrsPenfro in the crowd after that try, standing beside three daffs

MrsPenfro was not standing amongst the daffs. She was sitting between a thistle and a leek

Thanks again for the tickets, Penfro - my dad had a grand time!

eirebilly wrote:So no starting place for Flood Ozzy? Is a tough match at Twickers a place to debut Farrell at 10? Thats a pretty big call.

Farrell has played most of his club rugby for Saracens at 10 and that includes 2 play off finals at Twickenham. His temprement is not an issue at all so I don't see it as being a risk really.

Morning all, congrats to Wales and hard luck to Scotland.

I'm going to say it I think that Andy Robinson is doing a good job with them and is in a bit of a transition period at the minute. Give him time.

Reading back - Lucky I am still enjoying this Six Nations despite the cancelled match. There was a great togetherness by the fans on tour and the pre match atmosphere at stadium was excellent. I have taken a new mindset and am liking it all the more for it.

Ozzie, surely Barritt played at 12 in the two games to date.
Farrell is a 13 and that's where he wants to play. Unfortunately we have yet to see if Barritt and Farrell can be an attacking force. I think they should be given more time.
Flood has been good enough for you at 10 and if he has no reaction to his injury I would start him. Dickson is a clever scrum half and should start.
I would have Tuilagi on the bench and introduce him around the 55 minute mark.
Morgan should start as I agree on Dowson. I'm not convinced you have the best two flankers in the side either.

Ozzy3213 wrote:

eirebilly wrote:So no starting place for Flood Ozzy? Is a tough match at Twickers a place to debut Farrell at 10? Thats a pretty big call.

Farrell has played most of his club rugby for Saracens at 10 and that includes 2 play off finals at Twickenham. His temprement is not an issue at all so I don't see it as being a risk really.

I know that but International level is a big step up and going up against a very in form Welsh side i would be very carefull to do that. I would be more inclined to start Flood (if he comes through unscathed) and bring Farrell on as an impact sub at 10 if needed.

Rava wrote:Ozzie, surely Barritt played at 12 in the two games to date.
Farrell is a 13 and that's where he wants to play. Unfortunately we have yet to see if Barritt and Farrell can be an attacking force. I think they should be given more time.
Flood has been good enough for you at 10 and if he has no reaction to his injury I would start him. Dickson is a clever scrum half and should start.
I would have Tuilagi on the bench and introduce him around the 55 minute mark.
Morgan should start as I agree on Dowson. I'm not convinced you have the best two flankers in the side either.

Rav, bizarrely not - they swapped club positions, presumably to give Hodgson another distributing option outside him?

I would agree with most of that Rava.

I think an England backrow of:

01 Alex Cobisiero
02 Dylan Harley
03 Dan Cole
04 Courtney Lawes
05 Tom Palmer
06 Chris Robshaw
07 Tom Wood
08 Ben Morgan
09 Ben Youngs
10 Charlie Hodgson
11 David Strettle
12 Owen Farrell
13 Manu Tuilagi
14 Chris Ashton
15 Ben Foden

I know a few of them are injured but thats what England should be hoping for.

Barritt has been excellent but for me he has been the Tuilagi strike runner type rather than the creator. The likes of him, Tom Croft, Turner Hall and Matt Stevens are great bench options.

Memo to self. Pay more attention before commenting

Glad to hear it, Stag. It's like I've said before, it's not as though anyone has to choose one tournament over another - the Heino's great and the Six Nations is great, they're just great for different reasons.

Rava wrote:Memo to self. Pay more attention before commenting

Where's the fun in that?

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Rava wrote:Ozzie, surely Barritt played at 12 in the two games to date.
Farrell is a 13 and that's where he wants to play. Unfortunately we have yet to see if Barritt and Farrell can be an attacking force. I think they should be given more time.
Flood has been good enough for you at 10 and if he has no reaction to his injury I would start him. Dickson is a clever scrum half and should start.
I would have Tuilagi on the bench and introduce him around the 55 minute mark.
Morgan should start as I agree on Dowson. I'm not convinced you have the best two flankers in the side either.

Rav, bizarrely not - they swapped club positions, presumably to give Hodgson another distributing option outside him?

For Saracens, Barritt wears 12 and Farrell 13, but they line up differently depending on what is happening in the game rendering the shirt numbers redundant. Farrell is a 10/12, but at present doesn't pose a massive running threat from 12, and most see him as ultimately ending up at 10 long term.

Flood by all accoutns was not great against the Chiefs (Asbo???), and only has Tigers game this week at Saracens to prove his form and fitness. Continuity is also important and I would be loathe to make to many changes to a side that has won two from two in the competition to date.

red_stag wrote:Reading back - Lucky I am still enjoying this Six Nations despite the cancelled match. There was a great togetherness by the fans on tour and the pre match atmosphere at stadium was excellent. I have taken a new mindset and am liking it all the more for it.

Stag I seem to have swapped places with you. I'm not enjoying this 6N at all....its usually my favourite sporting event but I can't wait for it to be over!.....

For me Rodders Wales v Ireland was without a doubt the best 6 Nations match I have ever been to.

It wasn't a "give it a lash against better opposition". The team talk wasn't "they oppressed us for 800 years and took our land and women" . It wasn't a narrow margin against inferior opposition.

It was an absolute grudge match for rugby reasons against an almost perfectly equal rival. A rugby rival.

I also think we have had more positives than some people let on. Too many people saw Darcy on the team sheet and decided that it was a bad Six Nations. Thats disgraceful support and a terrible reason to lose interest (not saying it was yours but I deal with Irish fans a lot at work).

France v Ireland was a full house. I met several players in Paris and they were absolutely fired up for it but it was cancelled.

Managed to figure out how to publish Ozzy's article
http://www.v2journal.com/harlequins-vs-london-irish.html

I think Charlie Hodsgon has been underrated and his experience has been vital in such a group of new players. To me having him at 10 with either Barritt/Farrell at 12 and Tuilagi at 13 is the way to go.

He's joint top try scorer in the tournament too!

Stag I think I'm suffering from a delayed RWC hangover.... and its frustrating that we've been so disappointing compared to the other sides....was really positive about the French game so its very frustrating that we have to wait another two weeks for a chance for our 1st win whilst our rivals have marched on....its been bitterly disappointing from an Ireland perspective so far.

Yes exactly and I have no doubt that the presence of someone who has been on Lions tour, toured with England, been to Rugby World Cups, won trophies and is the highest Premiership points scorer of all time is a real boost to have in the squad when the other backs aside from Ashton, Flood (not playing at all well enough) and Foden have all less than 10 caps.

I knew someone would come up with stats on this sooner or later but here’s the reason that Ian Madigan hasn’t been placekicking for Leinster this season – our kicking %’s are:
Sexton 82%,
Nacewa 80%,
McFadden 93%

roddersm wrote:Stag I think I'm suffering from a delayed RWC hangover.... and its frustrating that we've been so disappointing compared to the other sides....was really positive about the French game so its very frustrating that we have to wait another two weeks for a chance for our 1st win whilst our rivals have marched on....its been bitterly disappointing from an Ireland perspective so far.

Were we that disappointing. A last minute kick lost us the match against Wales. Thats all. Had we got a last minute kick everyone would be saying "its great we've beaten Wales without BOD and have home matches against Scotland and Italy where we can get some momentum ahead of the final matches"

It certainly has not been "bitterly disappointing" at all. We lost one match by a last minute kick against a team who had beaten us twice in a row.

red_stag wrote:

roddersm wrote:Stag I think I'm suffering from a delayed RWC hangover.... and its frustrating that we've been so disappointing compared to the other sides....was really positive about the French game so its very frustrating that we have to wait another two weeks for a chance for our 1st win whilst our rivals have marched on....its been bitterly disappointing from an Ireland perspective so far.

Were we that disappointing. A last minute kick lost us the match against Wales. Thats all. Had we got a last minute kick everyone would be saying "its great we've beaten Wales without BOD and have home matches against Scotland and Italy where we can get some momentum ahead of the final matches"

It certainly has not been "bitterly disappointing" at all. We lost one match by a last minute kick against a team who had beaten us twice in a row.

I agree but we didn't win and can't win the GS now and the French game was called off. Wales and England continue to gather momentum and Scotland and Italy are finding their form.

So far its not been great to be an Irish fan....

Yea we can't win the 6 Nations Grand Slam and French game was called off.

But we can still win the tournament or at very least win all remaining games and the French was wasn't called off. . . it was postponed. We still get to play them.

Felix Jones is back from injury!!!!!!!!!!

Yes but the postponment is pretty disruptive and things are already stacked against us in a tight tournament.

We've dropped a home game and may now have to play 4 on the bounce, with two away and we've yet to get a win on the board.

Not good stag, not good at all....

I think losing to Wales hurts very, very badly. It's essentially a derby game. It's supplanted England as our biggest international rivalry for the time being.

It wasn't that we played badly, its that we never played as well as we can. Plus I think most Irish fans need to see some positives now after 2011. 2011 we lost 50% of our games including test defeats to Wales, England, France and Scotland.

Viewed in that light being turned over at home by Wales is fairly illustrative of a team in steady decline.

Feck Notch that post didn't cheer me up anyway!

Honestly Rodders, I think it just seems that way now. When we are travelling back to Paris on March 3rd and have beaten Italy and Scotland and old thing of "we're either brilliant or useless" has got everyone an eternal optimist we will be talking up our chances and all will seem fine.

If we don't beat either Scotland and Italy it will be a disaster.

Now I think thats an exaggeration to claim its that.

No thats not an exaggeration Stag.

Look if we'd have beaten France we could have went into the break in a good place and been well in title contention.

Now we are a game behind with a home loss on the board. I think we are in serious threat of 4th or 5th place now which would be a total disaster.

I'm not throwing in the towel but things are not good right now.

British and Irish Lions to play Australia Saturday:

15 Kearney
14 Cuthbert
13 Farell
12 Jonathan Davies
11 Ashton
10 ROG
9 Phillips

1 Jacobsen
2 Best
3 Cross
4 Ryan
5 Gray (c)
6 Ferris
7 Rennie
8 Faletau

16 Jones
17 Ford
18 POC
19 SOB
20 Murray
21 Hook
22 Roberts
23 Trimble

Coach
Eddie O'Sulivan.

I still can't get in to this pub. My tea'll be stone cold by now.

EDIT: Oh, I can get into the pub. Can I have a fresh please?

Ashton, ? Ashton ? Get the nurse for Glas

Rodders are you honestly suggesting that our record of losing one match with a last minute kick is a "disaster".

It obviously is bad that we lost and there were a lot of things that weren't good about the match. But really a "disaster"???

We are no worse off that we were last week.

Its like how European Quarter Finalists Ulster are in "CRISIS"

Honestly fans make me laugh so much. Its always either brilliant or disaster.

Glas a du wrote:British and Irish Lions to play Australia Saturday:

15 Kearney
14 Cuthbert
13 Farell
12 Jonathan Davies
11 Ashton
10 ROG
9 Phillips

1 Jacobsen
2 Best
3 Cross
4 Ryan
5 Gray (c)
6 Ferris
7 Rennie
8 Faletau

16 Jones
17 Ford
18 POC
19 SOB
20 Murray
21 Hook
22 Roberts
23 Trimble

Coach
Eddie O'Sulivan.

Owen Farrell won't be playing at 13 in two years! The lad is an outhalf learning his trade in that position before he moves to 10 permanently.

Unless you meant Chris Farrell? Which is a big, big call.

Notch wrote:

Glas a du wrote:British and Irish Lions to play Australia Saturday:

15 Kearney
14 Cuthbert
13 Farell
12 Jonathan Davies
11 Ashton
10 ROG
9 Phillips

1 Jacobsen
2 Best
3 Cross
4 Ryan
5 Gray (c)
6 Ferris
7 Rennie
8 Faletau

16 Jones
17 Ford
18 POC
19 SOB
20 Murray
21 Hook
22 Roberts
23 Trimble

Coach
Eddie O'Sulivan.

Owen Farrell won't be playing at 13 in two years! The lad is an outhalf learning his trade in that position before he moves to 10 permanently.

Unless you meant Chris Farrell? Which is a big, big call.

Glas has an obvious eye for talent