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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. Sam
2. pullthestrings
3. Bathite

Looks like the Telegraph are doing a greatest XV:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/greatestxv/8676811/Greatest-Rugby-World-Cup-XV-loose-head-props.html

Big Os for me....didn't know Roncero was quiting Int rugby after WC!

If it's on World Cups, then it can only be the Ox or the Funbus, no point in having a list of 4 as nobody else comes near their World Cup records.

In my mind I was looking at Warburton as 2017 captain (Long term i know) but it is looking like he could captain Wales at the WC which will be a massive challenge for him.

England team announced on Thursday from the sounds of it - Will Carling has said that he's found out that Moody will captain with Tuilagi starting at 13 with Banahan on the wing.

Think Tuilagi is a definite after reading Johnsons opinion of him over the last couple of days - if they shift Banahan back to being a winger then I can see Sharples not being included.

Also read that he Johnson only wants two 10s and will pick Flutey instead of Hodgson as he covers 10-12 and compliments Wilkinson better than any other 12...

Moody as Captain does not cut it for me. would much rather have someone else.

These warm up games will be different sides for each game as everyone has to have a chance. Banahan will go to the WC but as a centre/wing.

Sharples can play 11,14 and 15 and that may put him in good stead against monye who can only really play one wing.

I hope sharples does not go as gloucester need him in real life and on here

Monye can play fb...badly...but he can still play there! I get the impression that Johnson goes for people who can defend and that's why he likes Monye. Saw him in a few games for Quins at the end of last season and he looked very good, seemed to have recaptured some form, but wasnt as good as Sharples...

Johnson has said a lot of positive things about him in the press recently - wonder what the team will be like against Wales at Twickenham. I'm going to watch it and sounds as though the game is a complete sell out.

I was meant to be going this weekend but cant now as i am off to the wales game the following week and am now confirmed to be doing the WC so the mrs has pulled rank

Cueto will be used as a third full back if anyone is chris. Monye won't even be allowed to say the word full back nowadays

I reckon we will end up takings someone who covers fb too as can see Johnson opting to take just two no9s as he will see Foden as adequate cover there...not sure that is wise though!

Foden is no where near an international 9. I personally don't think that they will take Tuilagi. I think Flutey, Hape, Tindall and banahan will cover centres with ashton cueto monye armitage and foden as the back 3 cover

Are we doing the 'Guess the 30' someone talked about?

I will give it a shot Luke

Props

Sheridan, Cole, Stevens, PDJ

Hookers

Hartley, Mears, Thompson

Locks

Lawes, Palmer, Shaw, Deacon

Back row

Moody, Croft, Easter, Haskell, Fourie

Half backs

Youngs, Care, Simpson, Flood, Wilkinson

Centres

Flutey, Hape, Tindall, Banahan

Back 3

Ashton, Cueto, Monye, Armitage, Foden

Steven I think that is going to be very close, I am umming and aaring about whether Johnson will only take 3 locks and use Croft/Easter as a makeshift for the lesser games, which then allows Wood to come in.

Also thinking he might just take two no9s - if one gets injured then they can call a replacement up, which would be Simpson.

Think you could be right about Flutey, but from what I've been reading in the papers Tuilagi is definitely getting on the plane...

In terms of this game, I'll be happy if he leaves Corbisiero and Wood at home Steve!

I would rather see Corbs go that PDJ but don't think it will happen. I completely forgot about Wood!

Props
Sheridan, Cole, Stevens, PDJ

Hookers
Hartley, Mears, Thompson

Locks
Lawes, Palmer, Deacon

Back row
Moody, Croft, Easter, Haskell, Wood, Fourie

Half backs
Youngs, Care, Simpson, Flood, Wilkinson

Centres
Hape, Tindall, Flutey, Banahan, Tuilagi

Back 3
Ashton, Cueto, Foden, Armitage

I would like wood to go. Quality player and offers us some depth although i would not start him

Real close between props with PDJ the better backup TH, all depends if Stevens scrummaging at TH is up to standard. Corbs is much better at LH so would expect to see it between him and Steven at LH.

I think lukes selection is the most likely of the two so far.

I'd like to see Sharlples over Armitage, pretty close I reckon though. Robshaws still in the mix, hopefully get a game against Wales.

Both Robshaw and Botha nearly got selected by me.

be interested to see if Armitage is in. personally he had a poor season and his attitude stinks.

Johnson like SCW is big on team and not on having people who suck out the team atmosphere so for me Armitage will not go.

Be very unjohnson like to take him.

To be fair Mat, when he played, he actually played pretty well, his main problem was stupidity in getting banned twice and missing half the season.

He is the second best full back that we have behind Foden, provides a kicking option in the back three and covers wing and outside centre. As long as he has trained well and shown a decent attitude during this training camp, I think Johnson will take him, and for me it is the right decision.

Agree with that Pete. Armitage easily the second best 15.

Just watching the Munster v Quins amlin semi last year. Didn't realise Clegg played most of the game for Quins!

Evening guys, just a quick reminder to join the v2 premiership prediction league if you haven't already:
https://www.606v2.com/t10360-prediction-league-partnership

wasps have signed Southwell, getting stronger and stronger now

Great signing and a good player. Not world class but a perfect signing. Also shows youth will not be picked at fb eg Wallace, wade in most games

Good player and with lock/front row prob their weakest position. Wasps are looking pretty tidy...

Wentzel and Thompson will go someway to sorting out there lineout at least. Still short of props though unless I'm forgetting a few signings.

Filipo, Poff, Robinson and Bell are astute signings for me.

http://planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_7078823,00.html

Also ab's picked what maybe there strongest possible side save for woodcock, Guildford.

Big opportunity for weepu

That is strong.

I suspect that Jane and Gear will be the AB's first choice wingers come the World Cup. Reckon Cowan, Woodcock and Whitelock would also be in there fitness permitted.

Not so sure how Aus will line up. Leaving out Sharpe would suggest to me that it won't be full strength but I reckon it will be strong enough.

For me guildfords work rate offers ab's something different. Like Ashton in that he follows the ball.

Gear and Jane for me is very powerful and will score but think with nonu and smith in centres you need more creativity on the wing. Either way they will have great wings with guildford gear Jane and less so sivivatu. Still the option of dagg on the wing also and plays this weekend

Delighted with the signing of Southwall, he was very good for Stade over the last 2 seasons and he isnt going to the WC either.

Now made 13 signings - first time in years that I have looked forward to a season with Wasps! Front row we've signed two props, Argentinian and Frenchman and Thompson - add that to Webber, Payne, Taulofo and Baker and our front row is pretty good.

Second row is set with Shaw, Wentzel, Filipo and emergence of Launchbury as well as Birkett, who is always a good club player.

Backrow will see Rees back and injury free for the dirst time in 3 seasons, add that to Poff, Ward-Smith, Worsley and we are sorted there too, espc when Haskell comes back home!

I think only Shaw and Simpson will go to the WC and would be disappointed if Wasps arent top 2 by end of November!

Chris he's not going to the WC because his injured lol.

dammit_chris wrote:Backrow will see Rees back and injury free for the first time in 3 seasons

Sure we've heard that before

Southwall is fit mate and able to play, he just isnt fit enough for an international game - when I say fit, he'd be ready for the start of WC.

LLL - all other seasons Rees has had played with an injured shoulder, now he isnt injured. I'm hoping he comes back to form, should also make a difference that he's in a pack that will go forwards for once!

Australia unchanged. So its Simmons and Horwill again in the engine room.

Would have liked to have seen Higginbottom at 8

I'll be very excited to see Tuilagi play if he starts for England, could hopefully bring our midfield to life with some powerful and dynamic running.

Its not a bad game to break Tuilagi in. Especially if its Roberts and Henson in midfield looking to crash it up. If Hook or Jonathan Davies were playing midfield Id be a little bit worried that they would target his positioning and look to run around him. He should do well its a good game to debut in

Will be a good test of him. He needs to know sides are going to try and wind him up and has to let it pass. A lack of discipline could lose him his place on the tour.

He is a quick learner and i think this stuff over his positioning is nonsense. He was shaky at start of the year and by the end of it he was no longer suspect defensively.

For me Jonathan Davies will not exploit anyones positioning as his own is not too sound. Rate Roberts, Hook and if ever back Henson but for me JD will only ever be a very good club player.

I think and hope wales struggle in the WC. they have a lot of Key players who need to get fitness back like Roberts, henson, jenkins and most importantly Adam Jones who is a key player for them

Adam Jones is one of the World's best TH's on his day. Wales have a very strong first choice front row.

15 Delon Armitage London Irish
14 Matt Banahan Bath Rugby
13 Manusamoa Tuilagi Leicester Tigers
12 Riki Flutey London Wasps
11 Mark Cueto Sale Sharks
10 Jonny Wilkinson RC Toulon
9 Danny Care Harlequins
1 Alex Corbisiero London Irish
2 Dylan Hartley Northampton Saints
3 Matt Stevens Saracens
4 Simon Shaw London Wasps
5 Tom Palmer Stade Francais
6 Tom Croft Leicester Tigers
7 Lewis Moody (C) Bath Rugby
8 James Haskell Ricoh Black Rams

Replacements
Player Club
16 Lee Mears Bath Rugby
17 David Wilson Bath Rugby
18 Mouritz Botha Saracens
19 Tom Wood Northampton Saints
20 Richard Wigglesworth Saracens
21 Charlie Hodgson Saracens
22 Charlie Sharples

Wilkinson and Flutey is as strong as you get when it comes to 10/12 defensive channels.

Interesting team. especially wiggles on the bench. Gives that steady option which is why i think he will go the WC.

HAs a kicking game without being dynamic. however youngs and Care are really dynamic

Not really sure why Shaw is playing - he won't last 50. WOuld liek to have seen Botha given a run.

Assuming MJ is looking at Haskell as 8 cover - could mean Wood and Fourie get the nod...

Id prefer to see Robshaw in over Fourie personally. Both Wood and Robshaw are modern 6.5s and can do a bit of everything. Big fan of Robshaw. Wouldnt have minded seeing 6. Croft 7. Robshaw 8. Haskell

I like Fourie he is a proper 7. i would have him above robshaw every day of the week same with wood.

Fourie in a beaten team for Leeds was nothing short of outstanding last year. Surprised he can walk after the beatings he took.

Robshaw has been tops for Quins for the best part of 3 years now though. Very good modern day back rower. looked good when called upon last summer as well against the Maori. Definately deserves a shot for me