off topic the Boxrec official rugby thread.

J · Post by J » 31 Jan 2006, 12:19

im starting to wonder about robinson .

who else did we say this about

he isnt picking on form!!!!

on a plus side im living the way ashton has changed the way bath play already, reckon he should be involved with the england backs as well.

states · Post by **states** » 31 Jan 2006, 12:34

I really don't think Robinson is the man for the job, I've felt that for a while. It's all favourites and conservatism. That backline has got so little penetration at the highest level. I'd have had Abbot and Varndell in there. Not sold on Simpson-Daniel at all though. Ollie Smith looked pretty good last time I saw him though. Jon Clarke at Northampton might be another one to keep an eye on, he's been in decent form in the Premiership.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 31 Jan 2006, 12:46

That squad has got me licking my lips. Looks to me like the plan is to win the game on set plays and power rugby which is not that pleasing to the eye. Robinson is pretty clueless if you ask me, I've thought that as long as he has been in charge.

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 31 Jan 2006, 14:00

It would be nice to have some rapier to go with the bludgeon.

Is plan B for Tindall and Noon to morph into Fijian sevens players and have Cohen running creative angles away from contact? Or do we have one way of playing and, Lordy, if it's good enough for Old Reigatians then it's good enough for England.

He's basically picked the most boring side he could, with the possible exception of Stevens over White at tight head and Ellis over Dawson at 9.

Disappointed, but I'll mask that with drink on Saturday.

Wrists · Post by **Wrists** » 04 Feb 2006, 18:20

I thought Noon looked good today - Tindall is finished, time for Abbot, Tait or Smith in there

the forwards were immense and I thought Ellis looked good

Voyce for Cohen for me and hopefully Lewsey is fit for the next game

All in all nearly 50 points 6 tries I dont think we can complain

Noon was excellent - it would be nice to see him get the credit he deserves

JC · Post by JC » 04 Feb 2006, 18:53

We seemed to get stronger as the match went on which is what you want to see in the first game of a tourniment. The backs looked a lot sharper than the lumbering unit we saw against New Zeland, although at times we looked undeniably vulnerable.

Bring on Italy!

states · Post by **states** » 05 Feb 2006, 13:39

Well, I did say that I thought Scotland would do better than was possibly expected. But fudge me, I didn't expect them to Beat France first up. What a great win.

England were good, if not great. And neither Ireland nor Italy ever got going. Wales really missed the players that were injured.

A fairly typical start to the 6 nations. Most teams misfiring, perhaps France more than I expected, but damn, Scotland played well.

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 05 Feb 2006, 14:03

states wrote:Well, I did say that I thought Scotland would do better than was possibly expected. But fudge me, I didn't expect them to Beat France first up. What a great win.

Get it on you stoater!!! I just wish the football team could beat France 20-16 as well

states · Post by **states** » 05 Feb 2006, 14:21

Jomo, would you be kind enough to translate the phrase 'get it on you stoater'? Is that an insult, or a cry of victory? And please forgive my lack of understanding.

Although if you are taking the piss, maybe forgiveness is not on your mind.

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 05 Feb 2006, 14:43

states wrote:'get it on you stoater'

v. stoter. also stoater and stauter.
To fell heavily; hit hard (C.17th, Scottish betting shops)

examples: Scotland landed France a stoter today
(when playing roulette) Ya stoter - I've goat a fiver halved wi 5 and 6.

states · Post by **states** » 05 Feb 2006, 15:08

Cheers for that, although, I'm not sure I'm any wiser*. But I take it you're happy Jomo?

*this has nothing, repeat nothing to do with the vintage wine I've been supping this afternoon. Nothing at all.

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 05 Feb 2006, 15:14

states wrote:Cheers for that, although, I'm not sure I'm any wiser*. But I take it you're happy Jomo?

That's the general gist of it yes

Not an out and out rugby man to be honest, but this certainly revives the interest. I was genuinly worried we might fornicate up totally this year and come bottom having lost to Italy, but it seems like we can hold our own this year. If we can give you soft southern sods a run for your money at Murrayfield that's all that metters

states · Post by **states** » 05 Feb 2006, 15:20

Whilst on a rugby tour up in the frozen north, I was once told that the entire Western half of Scotland couldn't give a toss about Rugby (which begs the question why we were touring there, it must be said), and that those 'poncy Edinburgh types' (not my words, honest) who did play the game weren't that fussed. Apart from one international match. I think you can guess which one.

I hope the Scots are on the way back up. The championship is a hell of a lot better when everyone's thinking they can win it.

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 05 Feb 2006, 16:29

states wrote:Whilst on a rugby tour up in the frozen north, I was once told that the entire Western half of Scotland couldn't give a toss about Rugby (which begs the question why we were touring there, it must be said), and that those 'poncy Edinburgh types' (not my words, honest) who did play the game weren't that fussed.

That's just about fair play. Rugby is pretty much confined to certain sectors of Edinburgh (partly connected to private schools, the refined areas and the likes) and the borders, where their egg-shaped ball handling is almost on a par with that of their sheep handling.

Largely I'd say interest in rugby is ltd here (other than scotland-England), certainly it takes a back seat to football, and definitely in Glasgow (why the fornicate they have a "professional team" I don't know. Ok, biggest population in Scotland, but I think they get really shitty crowds, and are having to try all sorts of things to get peopl in the gate.)

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 05 Feb 2006, 17:06

So Scotland as the touranment dark horses since the Autumn. The regions sides there have improved so much from last year - whereas ours have gone downhill.

I'm afraid the results/performances showed this.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 06 Feb 2006, 07:50

I thought Wales were excellent in the first half, but our forwards were always going to tire in the second half against England's battering ram! The better team won on the day. We really missed the suspended/injured players. Henson may be a complete nobjockey off the pitch but we miss him and Shanklin in the the centre, they make an excellent pairing. Roll on next sunday!

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 06 Feb 2006, 07:58

An excellent second half performance by England, the forwards ran riot. We (English) got a few lucky decisions which lead to a flattering scoreline, but the best team on the day clearly won.

Its a pity that both sides weren't at full strength, as I'd liked to have seen last years grand slam winning side face this years Grand Slam winning side

J · Post by J » 06 Feb 2006, 08:24

hmmk ijust hope thuis performance doesnt flatter to deceive, we stil have issues in midfield despite that perfomance, I was pleased for matt stevens to get th headlines for once over sheriden, thought he was outstanding as were grewcock and borthwick, all the leicester players were rubbish

in seroussness a bit of luck and the italians may have turned over the Irish, what was the ref doing not going up stairs?
unforgivable that.

the final england scoreline did flatter it was far from over til the last 20 mins or so.

I was still very shakey at halftime thats for sure, peel is a great little player isnt he.......

as for the scots great plan of attack, its becoming more obvious that if you get in Michelaks face he crumbles, lovely footballer though he is, he never gave ther French a go forward platform to build off. he simply cant operate if he is going back and that is the sign of a good half, either scrum or fly.

they also missed Jauzion terribly, but one man does not make a team.

Fair play to the scots though good on em. they played with a passion and a flair Ive not seen form a scots side for along time.

who would have though a possible England Scotland slam decider

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 06 Feb 2006, 08:29

J wrote:hmmk ijust hope thuis performance doesnt flatter to deceive, we stil have issues in midfield despite that perfomance, I was pleased for matt stevens to get th headlines for once over sheriden, thought he was outstanding as were grewcock and borthwick, all the leicester players were rubbish

in seroussness a bit of luck and the italians may have turned over the Irih, what wasd the ref doing not going up stairs?

unforgivable that.

the final england scoreline did flatter it was far from over til the last 20 mins or so.

I was still very shakey at halftime thats fro sure, peel is a great little player isnt he.......

as for the scots great plan of attack, its becoming more obvious that if you get in Michelaks face he crumbles, lovely footballer though he is, he never gave ther French a go forward platform to build off. he simplay cant operate if he is going back and that is the sign of a good half, etiehr scrum or fly.

they also missed Jauzion terribly, but one man does not make a team.

Fair play to the sctos though good on em. hey played witha passion and a flair Ive not seen form a scts side for along time.

who would have though a possible England Scotland slam decider

Peel is exceptional, he's well on his way to being the best scrum half in the world in my opinion. And he's only 24 he has some great years ahead of him.

J · Post by J » 06 Feb 2006, 08:30

as an ex scrum half and a postion i feel i do know a bit about.

i totally agree.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 06 Feb 2006, 08:32

Jauzion would have made a difference but he wouldn't have stopped that rolling maul from the 22, well done sweaties!

England did well but are still nowhere near the finshed article. Moody proved me wrong and had a good game although I would still rather see a more natural openside with Worsley and Moody battling it out for the number 6 shirt. Would like to see Abbott for Tins still but felt Noon did very well and deserves a proper inside centre alongside him. Cohen out for Voyce if Lewsey can regain fitness

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 06 Feb 2006, 08:34

Tindall is playing on memory and has been for a while - banging royalty obviously has its perks! Having said that he made a great offload for the first try, right after I'd been slating him like hell to my English mate - typical!

J · Post by J » 06 Feb 2006, 08:34

HMM it think you gotta find a place for varndell even if he is leics.

scored 4 tries again in the A game again. The one thing we are really missing is a out and out flyer and Varndell is that.

lets get him in now so by the world cup he is up to scratch all round.

Id like voyce as a full back optiion and play lewsey in the centre if you looking for a space..he wont do it of course.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 06 Feb 2006, 08:46

don't feel too bad about slating tindell before the 1st try, one of many mistakes in commentry over the weekend when it was actually Noon who made the pass out of the tackle to release Cueto.

Would love to see Vandell in there but can't see it happening

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 06 Feb 2006, 08:50

Lenny Albert wrote:don't feel too bad about slating tindell before the 1st try, one of many mistakes in commentry over the weekend when it was actually Noon who made the pass out of the tackle to release Cueto.

Would love to see Vandell in there but can't see it happening

Fair enough I didn't really notice the mistake as there was a bit of a maul going on around me after the try was scored. Noon had a good game, if they stuck Lewsey in beside him with Voyce at full back I think it would improve things for England. As good as Lewsey is at full back his pace and ball handling would be a great addition to England's midfield.