The Official *England to Grand Slam Glory 2013* Thread

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

“It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we must do what is required.”
Winston Churchill

In just over 4 weeks, Stuart Lancaster's England will start their quest for Grand Slam glory. It has to be said that this is England's best chance since 2003 for a Grand Slam. Really, for the Northern Hemisphere's biggest Rugby nation not to have clinched a Grand Slam for 10 years is a poor return. That will surely change on the 16th March.

“My tastes are simple: I am easily satisfied with the best.”
Winston Churchill

This amount of optimism stems from a hugely encouraging 2012 for the English rugby team. 4 wins out of 5 in last year's Six Nations with a fairly new team, then a character-building tour to South Africa, running South Africa and Australia close at the home of Rugby, before ending the year by beating the World Champions and running in 3 tries against them. 2013 will be the year that it all comes together for England.

"The English have an extraordinary ability for flying into a great calm."
Alexander Woollcott

2013 for England will start with a game home to Scotland. Unless there's a downpour, Scotland have little hope. Expect England to rack up 25+ points and a multitude of tries against inferior opposition.

"Let not England forget her precedence of teaching nations how to live."
John Milton

Then, away to Ireland. Often, the Irish are seen as a bogey team for England but let's be rational. England are better in every department as they proved in 2012. I'll be looking for a very very good result from England in this game.

"You must hate a Frenchman as you do the devil."
Lord Nelson

The third game will be the biggest of the lot. Home to the French at Twickenham. Beaten by England in Paris in 2012, France will be beaten by England in London in 2013. No mistake though, this game will be the toughest challenge that England will face in the 2013 Six Nations. I expect England to just about edge out the French.

"We few. We happy few. We band of brothers."
William Shakespeare

On the 10th March, England will be on the home straight. Home to Italy, mere cannon fodder against the mighty mighty England. 4 wins out of 4, Grand Slam in sight.

"Ever the faith endures, England, my England."
W.E. Henley

The crowning glory will be against England's little brother, Wales. No doubt they'll be up for this game, they love a game against their bigger brother and the chance to upset the odds. What is it Wales, 7 losses out of 7 since last year's Grand Slam? After a tough 20 minutes, England's superiority and class will show. Grand Slam clinched.

“You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word. It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.”
Winston Churchill

[Morgannwg]

Haskell not at 8?

[Brian Moores Twin]

Hows Foden playing at the moment as I haven't seen him play for a while.

[AlastairW]

England Stick with Winning Formula

By the looks of it, still no place in the matchday squad for Foden. And it also doesn't seem like Morgan will be fit for Sunday, surely that will mean Wood at 8 and Haskell in at 6.

All speculation until we see the roster. Probably Friday.

[Jimpy]

It was dissapointing that the Saxons lost at Kingston Park though

Disapointing is not quite what I felt.

I was there!

Frostbite and trench foot comes into it somewhere though.

Beer was good - Ruckin' Mole from Wiltshire - good brew lads.

Having been there for the Christmas match v Scottish when the conditions were very similar, it amazed me that the Saxons resorted to kicking away posession in such windy conditions. I would have hoped that at hlf time, somebody said, "do you know what? It is far too windy to be kicking the ball up in the air. Hang on to it and drive it into the guts of them". That I think, would have worked.

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

Haskell not at 8?

I believe when he came on against Scotland Wood moved to * and he took flanker. Which seems odd but there you go.
That may have been something to do with freshness though, that they felt they wanted the more mobile player on the flank. England tend to play a big lump at 8 who stands around watching the game a lot and two flankers who run their socks off. Flankers wise its very much a left right rather than traditional 6 7 mix. A full backrow of Haskell, Wood, Robshaw will get through a hell of a lot of work and be very mobile, which could be needed to counter irelands tackle machines. The obvious problem is a lack of specialists and a real out and out boshing ball carrier to test and tire those tacklers. Which is where either Waldrom or Vunipola will come in, I suspect whichever gets selected might well start and England stick by formula thats worked for them.
The change with Flood confused the commentary team too, first they like everyone else) assumed he was swapping for Farrell as is customary somewhere between 60 and 75 minutes, then they assumed Farrell would go to centre but it was infact Flood (who of course has a lot of caps there).

[Duty281]

England leave Tuilagi on the bench

The mirror are running a story that Tuilagi will be only on the bench for the game against Ireland. I hope we don't go down that road, whilst 3 doesn't go into 2, Tuilagi is the best of the 3, and the competition is between Barritt and 12Trees IMO.

[Cyril]

England leave Tuilagi on the bench

The mirror are running a story that Tuilagi will be only on the bench for the game against Ireland. I hope we don't go down that road, whilst 3 doesn't go into 2, Tuilagi is the best of the 3, and the competition is between Barritt and 12Trees IMO.

Thing is, there's absolutely nowt in that article to suggest Lancaster has made the decision not to start Tuilagi.

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

England leave Tuilagi on the bench

The mirror are running a story that Tuilagi will be only on the bench for the game against Ireland. I hope we don't go down that road, whilst 3 doesn't go into 2, Tuilagi is the best of the 3, and the competition is between Barritt and 12Trees IMO.

Thing is, there's absolutely nowt in that article to suggest Lancaster has made the decision not to start Tuilagi.

Apart from the headline and content

[Cyril]

England leave Tuilagi on the bench

The mirror are running a story that Tuilagi will be only on the bench for the game against Ireland. I hope we don't go down that road, whilst 3 doesn't go into 2, Tuilagi is the best of the 3, and the competition is between Barritt and 12Trees IMO.

Thing is, there's absolutely nowt in that article to suggest Lancaster has made the decision not to start Tuilagi.

Apart from the headline and content

Ok When I said 'suggest' I actually meant 'prove'. If it turns out not to the case then The Mirror will then release a 'Lancaster in About-Turn Shocker' headline. They literally cannot lose (or ever be wrong) with this fantastic journalism.

I'm not surprised, but I am disappointed.

[Duty281]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/feb/07/england-james-haskell-six-nations-ireland

Guardian saying it as well now. I'll guess we'll find out for certain in a few hours!

[Luckless Pedestrian]

'You get the smell of the hot-dogs and the fans on those special Twickenham Saturdays.'

It's like reading Betjeman, isn't it?

[AlastairW]

Well, if Tuilangi hasn't been tearing up training this week and has been looking a little lack lustre after 2-3 weeks out injured, i can understand that. None of us have been privvy to training ground goings on.

Shame though, when he's firing, he tends to be a bit of a rampaging force.

[Jimpy]

'You get the smell of the hot-dogs and the fans on those special Twickenham Saturdays.'

It's like reading Betjeman, isn't it?

No, not really...

[Duty281]

So, 12Trees and Barritt retained. Gutsy to say the least by Lancaster. Also as expected, Wood moves to 8 and Haskell comes in at flanker. Tuilagi is going to be a smashing impact sub!

[Pal Joey]

Lancaster must be feeling rightly confident but I still would have gone with Twelvetrees and Tuilagi to start. Will be great when he comes on though.

[Cyril]

Seems The Mirror was right. I doff my cap in their general direction.

[Duty281]

Full team for Ireland then:

England: Alex Goode; Chris Ashton, Brad Barritt, Billy Twelvetrees, Mike Brown; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole; Joe Launchbury, Geoff Parling; James Haskell, Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw (capt).

Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Mako Vunipola, David Wilson, Courtney Lawes, Thomas Waldrom, Danny Care, Toby Flood, Manu Tuilagi

Final prediction for Grand Slam Eliminator Sunday - Ireland 14-24 England. One bad thing to consider - the weather forecast for Sunday is terrible. Still, England should hold superiority in the forwards battle...and the kicking battle.

"Come then, let us go forward together with our united strength."
Winston Churchill

[Thomond]

From a defensive point of view the selection of Twelvetrees and Barritt was a must. I wonder will it impact going forward though.

[Duty281]

LANCASTER: England must go toe-to-toe
FARRELL: England well prepared
England going to New Lands of Adventure
New Frontier beckons for Lancaster

We all excited then? Come on England, tomorrow is the second big step to an exciting new future, a future of broad, sunlit uplands.

"England! my country, great and free! Heart of the world, I leap to thee!"
Phillip James Bailey

[tatterd]

Bloody hell mate your book of quotes must be getting a bit dog-eared by now.........

[tatterd]

PS hope you've got the bollox to come back on here if you lose tomorrow.......

[Portnoy's Complaint]

D-Day has finally arrived.

Weather reports decoded at Bletchley indicate that the Lancasters can fly beneath enemy defences.

The final push to remove Europe from the scourge of Celtism has begun.

See you in Cardiff boys

[Morgannwg]

Let's take it one game at a time Portnoy. I know it's the 'big one' in the Diff but you don't want your boys losing concentration and slipping up before then do ya.

[Duty281]

2 out of 2. Home next against a French team in disarray - which is actually more frightening!

[Pal Joey]

I think you'll have their measure. France look shot at the moment. Beating Australia in November was their highlight so far this season. They have since put their cue back in the rack.

[Taffineastbourne]

It is all building nicely for the last day!

[Breadvan]

So....it's all set up for a final day drubbing by wales in Cardiff on the last day. Ala Dublin 2011.

[sirBiggles]

Duty, I assume you will disapear never to be seen again (under this name at least), when the wheels come off this chariot. I reckon France will win their remaining games, which will put Ireland out and England's Grand Slam will be in tatters. Better still, could set up a winner takes all game in Cardiff on the 16th March...

You've really set yourself up for a mighty fall....and possibly to the hands of the nation you love to hate and insult....

[Breadvan]

Its only a laugh sirbiggles, Lighten up..

[Duty281]

Duty, I assume you will disapear never to be seen again (under this name at least), when the wheels come off this chariot. I reckon France will win their remaining games, which will put Ireland out and England's Grand Slam will be in tatters. Better still, could set up a winner takes all game in Cardiff on the 16th March...

You've really set yourself up for a mighty fall....and possibly to the hands of the nation you love to hate and insult....

The wheels have come off other chariots...I didn't disappear then.

[Duty281]

The morning after the day before then, and England's best victory so far of the Six Nations:

Irresistible Force hits Immovable Object
Coming of age display by Lancaster's young guns
Winning ugly confirms England's Character
England Favourites after Fortress Dublin falls
Farrell boots England to Dublin Triumph

[Jimpy]

Duty, I assume you will disapear never to be seen again (under this name at least), when the wheels come off this chariot. I reckon France will win their remaining games, which will put Ireland out and England's Grand Slam will be in tatters. Better still, could set up a winner takes all game in Cardiff on the 16th March...

You've really set yourself up for a mighty fall....and possibly to the hands of the nation you love to hate and insult....

I think that by the time Wales meet England, the only thing to be decided is whether England will win the competition or whether they'll win it as GS champions. I think Wales will find it much, much harder to beat Italy in Rome than they did against France in Paris. Frankly, both sides looked clueless in attack and decided that given the nature of the pitch, they would engage in trench warfare. Wales won because they were the least worse on the day, neither side looks to be capable of troubling England at this moment in time. France look to be shot, fragmented and a bit bewildered by it all. England are at home, playing the best rugby of any 6N team and at least in recent years, had little trouble with France - home or away.

I'm not sure that you have the person setting themselves up for a fall to be correct actually.

[mystiroakey]

yep this is one DUTY predo that i have put money on!!

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Duty, I assume you will disapear never to be seen again (under this name at least), when the wheels come off this chariot. I reckon France will win their remaining games, which will put Ireland out and England's Grand Slam will be in tatters. Better still, could set up a winner takes all game in Cardiff on the 16th March...

You've really set yourself up for a mighty fall....and possibly to the hands of the nation you love to hate and insult....

The wheels have come off other chariots...I didn't disappear then.

In fairness to Duty, he's carried on through some pretty dire performances by the English cricket team at times over the past months

[nobbled]

I think if England can play the Wales that showed up in the last 9 games then it's a win for England by a decent score...however it won't be. They'll be at home, they'll be closer to full strength, they'll have got at least a couple of wins under their belt (I think Italy have had their best game of the tournament now) and above all they'll be looking either to upset en England GS or possible playing for the title....
Should be a bloody good game though!

[Breadvan]

IF..and if England win their next two games, you can garuntee a herculian effort from Wales. Much like Ireland in 2011, there'll be nothing more satisfying than denying Eng the slam. Pre match speeches about raping the countryside,stealling coal, second holiday homes etc. However, if it means us winning the championship, I'd take that now..

[nobbled]

IF..and if England win their next two games, you can garuntee a herculian effort from Wales. Much like Ireland in 2011, there'll be nothing more satisfying than denying Eng the slam. Pre match speeches about raping the countryside,stealling coal, second holiday homes etc. However, if it means us winning the championship, I'd take that now..

I think it's reasonable to say England are favourites for their next two games - probably being an arrogant Englishman...but we are at home.

It's never a given, however odds on I'd say.

[Morgannwg]

Wales have to win their next two games to be within a chance of beating England on the final weekend. Do that and I give us a slim chance. I think Lancaster's England that are chasing a Grand Slam will be much better than the previous team that failed to do so. England and their fans need not look further than France at the moment, as nobody knows what they might unleash after these two losses. Either that or they'll get a good pasting from England.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

There would be nothing sweeter than taking a GS against a HN.

They get so fired up against the English and lurve to bring us down. Which makes the rare English GS so special - it's a treat that no-one can savour in the same way.

Mind you there's the likely resurgent French and the Italian banana-skin to negotiate first.

But in GS finales so often England come a nasty cropper.
Given the choice and chance, I'd buy a loss against France against a TC and a championship in da Diff right now.

Odd years are hard way round for England.

[mystiroakey]

france have two weeks . so part of me says they have a chance.. but i personally cant see them doing enough even if they up there game to the level they showed last autum

[Ospreydragon]

"but i personally cant see them doing enough even if they up there game to the level they showed last autum" -- If they up their game to the level they showed last Autumn, they'll probably win. They demolished Aus, with ease.

[mystiroakey]

and we demolished nz with ease..

whats your point..

[thebluesmancometh]

Aus weren't sick!

[mystiroakey]

lol

love these arguments(not!!)- when france wins or loses its about them..

when england win or lose its about the opposition..

things will never change on here- ever..

[thebluesmancometh]

HAHAhA

Knew that would get you going

For the record though every fan says that about evryone elses team, I personally thought France were as good as I ever saw them in the last 20 years on saturday

[mystiroakey]

And I thought england were the best for 9 odd years an all..(nz being sick or not!!)

[Ospreydragon]

"and we demolished nz with ease..

whats your point.."

England had a great win against NZ, which I'm sure has massively boosted their confidence.

For the record, France won 33 - 6. That was a very heavy loss for Aus, heavier than NZ's loss. France were the best team in the NH in the Autumn -- they have fallen back since then, but they have the players to hurt any side.

I have no idea who will win the 6N. England are now favourites to win it, by virtue of their opening two wins, but there's a long way to go. I have long since given up on trying to guess how teams might perform for a whole tournament because of injuries, changes to team line-uops, changes to form as a result of changed tactics and the confidence of winning, etc. A lot of variables. We'll soon see who the winner of the 6N will be, but all the teams have something to play for.

[mystiroakey]

Engalnds depth is decent.. so injuries probally wont hurt us a bit.. not worried by that at all. we have plenty anyway.. but the lads that come in as replacements better the former.. good place to be..cant say that about the rest. england maseive massive favs

[thebluesmancometh]

IMHO everyone except France are in it to win it after round 2, we all have a win and could win the next 2, anyone of Wales, Italy (both must fancy their chances in Rome) Ireland, Scotland (again both must fancy it) and after round 3 we will have a sense of who's competing with England for the championship.

If France beat England then it'll be a free for all with 3 teams in it and those 3 teams will be boosted to go for it in round 4 (I personally hope this happens as it will really open up the tourny)

[mystiroakey]

we have italy at home!! and allready have a massive pts advantge blues!!

at present england massive favs, yes others are in it - but england will be odds on

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