 |
|
|
#36
27-01-2008, 19:08
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
I am looking forward to seeing the selection that England make for the opening game next Saturday. Old faces have retired, and there are a bunch of exciting new players coming through. Wilkinson is being challenged by Danny Cipriani and I hope they can find a place for him in the side. They still need a younger ****** with Regan and Chuter getting on. Lee Mears hasn't proved himself yet. Wales with Warren Gatland have a lot to do, but he is a good coach. It may take a while to get results though. Scotland look to be improving at last, and I agree that Frank Hadden is doing a good job there. They may surprise one or two teams. France have a new coach, and it will be interesting to see how they play. Ireland and Italy meet next week, and it should be a good clash. Italy did pretty well in last years 6 nations, and will hopefully improve some more. Ireland are the side that could be in trouble. Too many old faces with no strength in depth. A poor RWC and Eddie O'Sullivan could be under some pressure to get results. My guess for the final table? England France Scotland Ireland Wales Italy I could be totally way out as well 55555. I'm sure Steve (@thaib) will comment on this post.
__________________
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers 
|
|
#37
27-01-2008, 19:56
|
|||
|
|||
|
[quote=dawsey;432749]I am looking forward to seeing the selection that England make for the opening game next Saturday. Old faces have retired, and there are a bunch of exciting new players coming through. Wilkinson is being challenged by Danny Cipriani and I hope they can find a place for him in the side. They still need a younger ****** with Regan and Chuter getting on. Lee Mears hasn't proved himself yet.
It would be interesting to see Cipriani play at this level. He has got a huge amount of talent and an eye for a gap.. There has been talk about him playing at fullback. i hope that he makes it.
|
|
#38
27-01-2008, 21:01
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
I see tour naughty word was bleeped out Dawsey, shame on you  I think you summed it nicely as it happens. I'm not sure that Wales will be quite as poor as you think but they have been struggling haven't they? I think France have made a lot of changes so might come unstuck, but I can't see Wales or Ireland troubling them. Maybe Scotland can take the next step and give France a game? I've not seen the fixtures yet, but I think Scotland can run France very close if they play at Murrayfield. England are looking promising. Reagan was injured yesterday so it will probably be Lee Mears. He's playing for Bath on the TV now as it happens and he has a great loose game, if he can throw straight he gets my vote. I would give Cipriani or Ryan Lamb a run at 10, it's time to look beyond Sicknote now and Charlie Hodgson is not on fire at the moment. There is talk of Wigglesworth at scrum half, and he is a top player so maybe it's his turn too? I do hope we have seen the last effort at trying to shoehorn Andy Farell into the backs, they looked so much better without him. Tait would get the outside centre slot for me but I think he will play at full back. Lewsey is a bit out of sorts at the moment, so inside centre and full back are not obvious picks. It will be interesting to see who gets the nod there, I still like Olly Barkley at centre. Tom Varndell seems to have learned to tackle and has always been a great finisher, but I think Paul Sackey earned his place by his efforts in the world cup and Strettle should get the other wing. We will see. I can't argue with your finishing order too much Dawsey, though I think a lot will depend on which Ireland side turn up. I'm not convinced Italy will finish on the bottom though, so Wales for the wooden spoon for me.
__________________
|
|
#39
27-01-2008, 21:30
|
|||
|
|||
|
I can't argue with your finishing order too much Dawsey, though I think a lot will depend on which Ireland side turn up. I'm not convinced Italy will finish on the bottom though, so Wales for the wooden spoon for me.[/quote]
On Italy It will be interesting to see what effect Nick Mallet has on them. He is a great coach, but he can be very abrasive and he does not mince words. Will his style suit the Italian temperament? I personally think that he will battle there.
|
|
#40
28-01-2008, 03:25
|
||||
|
||||
|
agree with Rog....but with a slight twist...reverse England + France
Super 14 starts in 3 weeks.....
__________________
 ....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
|
|
#41
28-01-2008, 03:29
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Bollox Nels, wishful thinking fella Too many new faces for France and some odd selections, Chabal is not even in the squad.
__________________
|
|
#42
28-01-2008, 10:06
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
555....and the big fish bite.....  Chabal is a great club player and full of passion...but to me he is at best a decent late second half forward utility replacement.....he's just too small for a real No8.....  can see England slipping back into another period of undeserved self satisfaction now.....Ok I'm ducking as I say this....555
__________________
....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
|
|
#43
28-01-2008, 12:05
|
||||
|
||||
|
Chabal is seen as a bit of a talisman and quite a character, but he's not a true World Class player in my book. Impact player at best as Nelson says.
I expect Ireland to do well this year if not, see the dismantling of the whole show. England should beat Wales next week, but it's the one first week upset possibility. Depends if Wales bother to bring a forward pack, they still seem to be making a mistake in not picking Cockbain in my book.
__________________
|
|
#44
28-01-2008, 14:05
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
When can we expect team announcements’? Taking in to account the usual Post WC retirements and changes in coaching staff, we should see some of the teams being vastly different to those that were playing last year. I suspect top of the list will be France when it comes changes.
|
|
#45
28-01-2008, 16:31
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
WTF? ******* undeserved ******** self ***** satis ****** faction? They've lost a total of two games in the last two World Cups, whilst certain other under-achieving nations have been taking the plane home right after the first serious questions are asked. Ahem. On the Chabal point, us Sale fans are quietly pleased that he will be available for his club rather than getting splinters in his butt watching France. I do take the point about him not being the biggest No8 out there, but he's quick and mobile and knows where the try line is. I think he carries a bit of an aura as well, he puts the wind up people. England had a decent world cup and they should be able to build on that, but France et al came unstuck so should not be as settled. I do think Scotland will have their best 6 Nations for a long while though, so would like to take a look at the fixtures because they will be hard to beat at home.
__________________
|
|
#46
28-01-2008, 16:39
|
||||
|
||||
|
Saturday 2nd February 2008
Ireland v Italy Croke Park, Dublin (14:00) England v Wales Twickenham (16:30) Sunday 3rd February 2008 Scotland v France Murrayfield (15:00) Saturday 9th February 2008 Wales v Scotland Millennium Stadium (14:00) France v Ireland Stade de France (16:00) Sunday 10th February 2008 Italy v England Stadio Flaminio (13:30) Saturday 23rd February 2008 Wales v Italy Millennium Stadium (15:00) Ireland v Scotland Lansdowne Road (17:00) France v England Stade de France (20:00) Saturday 8th March 2008 Scotland v England Murrayfield (13:15) Ireland v Wales Lansdowne Road (13:15) Sunday 9th March 2008 France v Italy Stade de France (15:00) Saturday 15th March 2008 Italy v Scotland Stadio Flaminio (13:00) England v Ireland Twickenham (15:00) Wales v France Millennium Stadium (17:00)
__________________
Last edited by steve@thaib : 29-01-2008 at 01:31. Reason: Oopsy!
|
|
#47
28-01-2008, 16:43
|
||||
|
||||
|
Italy are up against it, they could have done with the Wales game being played at home.
France get England in Paris, so that maybe favours them, but then they go to Murrayfield on the final day which should be a big test. Maybe a bit of wishful thinking on my part to say that Wales would finish last, Italy will struggle. Wonder how Ireland will go?
__________________
|
|
#48
29-01-2008, 00:13
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Gatland names his first side on Tuesday 12.30GMT He only picked a squad of 28 with no real suprises except he got Martin Willimas to change his mind about retirement and 1 or 2 new faces but it looks like the same old faces on the pitch. Only injury doubt is Dwayne Peel (shoulder) Musta been when he signed his transfer to Sale, But their is a strong voice for giving Mike Phillips a start there, Peel isnt in the best of form. I think the new challenge at Sale will get him back to his best. Good Signing for you Steve.
__________________
 Played 5 Won 5 Grand Slam 2008
|
|
#49
29-01-2008, 00:32
|
||||
|
||||
|
I'm a bit sad about Peel signing for sale as it happens, we have a good No9 who will surely get snagged by England soon, so there will be opporunities there, but Sililo Martens has been around for a couple of seasons now and we really like him. Martens will just be pushed further down the order I guess.
__________________
|
|
#50
29-01-2008, 01:18
|
||||
|
||||
|
Hey Steve.edit your date for the last weekends fixtures. I think we are into March 5555
Edit - I think you have repeated the last weekends fixtures. Final weekend is 15th March
__________________
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
|
|
#51
29-01-2008, 01:31
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Doh! 
__________________
|
|
#52
29-01-2008, 01:49
|
||||
|
||||
|
Only two home matches for England I notice. The first and the last.
The away games at Murrayfield and Stade de France will be tough.
__________________
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
|
|
#53
29-01-2008, 04:38
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
BTW AB's have also only lost two games in the last 2 RWC's....maybe a litle earlier....sure...but only 2 games nonetheless...555 certain RWC under achieving nations have won just about everything else thrown at them in between RWC's and certain other teams have won almost nothing.....and just a reminder....this is not the RWC we are talking about...its the 6 nations....(scratching chin) now how did England go last year....555 oh BTW....AB's to do a clean sweep of the Home Nations teams at the end of this year....you heard it here first!...
__________________
....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
|
|
#54
29-01-2008, 06:03
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Hmm, you got me there. Quote:
Second to France mate, or France 20 New Zealand 18 as we like to think of them over here, who you will recall fell at the SF stage of their home World Cup to?? Quote:
We shall see, but I wouldn't bet against it. I also wouldn't put too much on England winning the Six Nations, the fixtures favour France this time and Scotland at Murrayfield are going to be a tough test for everyone.
__________________
|
|
#55
29-01-2008, 07:24
|
||||
|
||||
|
England were not second to France in last years 6 Nations, Ireland were. England lost to Wales and ireland last year. France only lost to England and Ireland only lost to France.
They've finished 4th, 4th, 3rd in the last 3 competitions as I remember it.
__________________
|
|
#56
29-01-2008, 08:57
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
have to agre with Scmeen on this one steve...I remember Ireland almost getting there...... so you agree with me on France winning and England second??? and when was the last time Scotland beat the AB's...anywhere??
__________________
....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
|