The Official English Rugby Thread

[pjm1]

The English centre conundrum deserves a thread of its own really.

Carling/Guscott
Greenwood/Tindall

Beyond those two pairs, it's difficult to really think of another pair that were both enduring and effective.

Noon/Tindall?

edit: beaten to the line by Crash

[Crash669]

The English centre conundrum deserves a thread of its own really.

Carling/Guscott
Greenwood/Tindall

Beyond those two pairs, it's difficult to really think of another pair that were both enduring and effective.

Noon/Tindall?

edit: beaten to the line by Crash

Obviously it was the first that came to mind...

I was watching highlights of the 03 six nations just to cheer myself up, and I'd forgotten the efforts to shoe horn Hodgson in at 12 with Greenwood outside him, even though it was an obviously terrible idea. It seemed to negate the best attributes of Hodgson, Greenwood and Wilkinson, but England carried on with the idea of having a second 10 at 12 for several years - then brought it back with Farrell. The idea that 12 is a position with its own set of skills that needs a specialist there really doesn't seem to get through to the national side.

[sockwithaticket]

The English centre conundrum deserves a thread of its own really.

Carling/Guscott
Greenwood/Tindall

Beyond those two pairs, it's difficult to really think of another pair that were both enduring and effective.

Noon/Tindall?

edit: beaten to the line by Crash

Obviously it was the first that came to mind...

I was watching highlights of the 03 six nations just to cheer myself up, and I'd forgotten the efforts to shoe horn Hodgson in at 12 with Greenwood outside him, even though it was an obviously terrible idea. It seemed to negate the best attributes of Hodgson, Greenwood and Wilkinson, but England carried on with the idea of having a second 10 at 12 for several years - then brought it back with Farrell. The idea that 12 is a position with its own set of skills that needs a specialist there really doesn't seem to get through to the national side.

And in his absence we seem hell bent on playing 13s there.

[Crash669]

And in his absence we seem hell bent on playing 13s there.

And there was that time Jason Robsinon lined up at 12. I know it was only Italy, but why do so many coaches think 12 hasn't got its own skillset and needs a specialist player there?

[Ovals]

And in his absence we seem hell bent on playing 13s there.

And there was that time Jason Robsinon lined up at 12. I know it was only Italy, but why do so many coaches think 12 hasn't got its own skillset and needs a specialist player there?

I'm always surprised they haven't tried to push Nowell into inside centre - he appears to have the sort of skillset that would suit - if you must play someone out of position !!

[Crash669]

And in his absence we seem hell bent on playing 13s there.

And there was that time Jason Robsinon lined up at 12. I know it was only Italy, but why do so many coaches think 12 hasn't got its own skillset and needs a specialist player there?

I'm always surprised they haven't tried to push Nowell into inside centre - he appears to have the sort of skillset that would suit - if you must play someone out of position !!

Might be an idea given he's lost a bit of pace, but it would still be nice to produce some actual centres - or pick those we do produce.

[Kawazaki]

I played 12 as an adult but 10 as a youth. I remember the conversation went something like, you've filled out a bit and like tackling so we'll move you to 12 and that was that. The best player in the club was also the first team flyhalf so if I wanted to play in the first XV then 12 was the only real option.

In my humble old amateur experience, playing 12 is much more like being a 10 than being a 13. I did play at 13 a few times and it really was quite different to playing 12. Played left and right for a season with another 12 which actually worked quite well but that went out of fashion in RU even while I was still playing but it's what they still do in RL and I'm surprised it's not tried again.

[Woddy]

It's all part of the eternal Proper Centre (e.g. Carling) vs 2nd 5 (e.g. Catt) or something in between (Greenwood?) debate. Either system can work well if you have the right players. It's just annoying when you get someone who is not quite either and not good enough as a hybrid (e.g. Farrell).

I wouldn't say Nonu was closer to being a 10 than a 13, but he excelled at 12 (to my surprise, thought he was just a bosher to begin with).

[Slick]

I played 12 as an adult but 10 as a youth. I remember the conversation went something like, you've filled out a bit and like tackling so we'll move you to 12 and that was that. The best player in the club was also the first team flyhalf so if I wanted to play in the first XV then 12 was the only real option.

In my humble old amateur experience, playing 12 is much more like being a 10 than being a 13. I did play at 13 a few times and it really was quite different to playing 12. Played left and right for a season with another 12 which actually worked quite well but that went out of fashion in RU even while I was still playing but it's what they still do in RL and I'm surprised it's not tried again.

yeah, 12 & 13 are totally different positions and very hard to be good at both. At my last club the 13 was one of the best players but he would have struggled to get in the 2nd XV as a 12. Also was mainly a 10 who dabbled occasionally at 12 and 15. Think I played twice at 13 and was completely exposed both times.

[Madness]

Ultra cynical view is that starting Randall vs fired up Italy at home will mean that he has the hard time and then our saviour Ben comes on as game opens up, scores a jammy try and seals his place for another 2 years. Back up scrum half roulette wheel dumps Randall and moves onto Maunder junior

[sockwithaticket]

Ultra cynical view is that starting Randall vs fired up Italy at home will mean that he has the hard time and then our saviour Ben comes on as game opens up, scores a jammy try and seals his place for another 2 years. Back up scrum half roulette wheel dumps Randall and moves onto Maunder junior

Well without Hill our ridiculous mullet quota is going unfulfilled despite Slade's efforts with his asymmetrically buzzed 'do.

[Ovals]

England u 19s getting schooled by Italy in the scrums. Too many errors and penalties but just 3 points in it atm.

[Lobby]

England u 19s getting schooled by Italy in the scrums. Too many errors and penalties but just 3 points in it atm.

Not just in the scrums, they’re better everywhere at the moment. They just need to score some points.

[Oxbow]

Pretty scrappy so far, England can't string anything together.

[tc27]

England hardly in it at the moment. Getting humped in the scrums.

[Ovals]

Great defence from Italy but England a bit one dimensional.

[sockwithaticket]

England fortunate to only be 3 points down at the half.

[Ovals]

Our scrum got obliterated there. I think we should be taking the points whenever they are on offer - we've already turned down several simple 3 pointers. HT 3-0

[ASMO]

Italy definately the better side, have the England team just met one another today? The lack of basic skills is very evident, the England 9 is bloody awful, a more youthful Ben Youngs

[Oxbow]

Just flicked round to Tigers v Saints, Mitchell makes a cracking break and ends up finishing off the move. 50 more caps for Ben Youngs though.

[Slick]

Italy very impressive. Don’t know how they didn’t get someone binned for all those penalties though

[Ovals]

Italy very impressive. Don’t know how they didn’t get someone binned for all those penalties though

TBF we gave away 7 pens n the 1st 22 mins. We'll have to be a bit more precise in the 2nd half. There's no a lot in it - we should have scored a try but one of our own players got in the way and was done for obstruction - and we could have scored several penalties. But the scrum defecit could be telling as the game goes on it'll be a penalty everytie they have the feed and could end up with a sin binning.

[petej]

Tigers Saints fun so far. Saints defence seems to have some holes. Kelly having a decent one so far.

[Oxbow]

Saints being Saints, so frustrating at times.

[petej]

Wigglesworth showing his experience. Can understand why he is selected but would like to see van poortvliet.

Saints being Saints, so frustrating at times.

Indeed.
Not stopping Nadolo from that range.

[ASMO]

England U20 deserve to lose this just on being so fucking dumb.

[petej]

Hegarty is an awful 10. Glad Burns past his concussion assessment.

Dumb from Wells.

[Ovals]

England don't really look like scoring - they have upped their tempo in attack but that is just leading to more handling errors - Italy aren't giving any ground in the tight and are marshalling the backs until the mistake is made - and then dominating the resulting scrums.

[ASMO]

If this is the future of English rugby, we are royally fucked. Not one of the players on show tonight will make it as a full international. I dare say most of them wont make regular club starters

[Kawazaki]

Fair play to the Azzuri.

I hope the big lads in blue put on a similarly resolute display.

FYE









(Fuck You Eddie)

[Torquemada 1420]

What's this moaning English staff doing on the pitch hassling the ref for foul play? GTFO the pitch you w*nk*r.

[Kawazaki]

This ref is better than 90% of the blokes.

Imagine being her husband/boyfriend?!

[Ovals]

Very poor performance from England - but why wasn't that a penalty and a yellow card

[tc27]

If this is the future of English rugby, we are royally fucked. Not one of the players on show tonight will make it as a full international. I dare say most of them wont make regular club starters

Agree..a really poor showing.

[Torquemada 1420]

Well done Eyeties

[sockwithaticket]

What's this moaning English staff doing on the pitch hassling the ref for foul play? GTFO the pitch you w*nk*r.

Yeah Physio has no business asking about whether they're looking at foul play and the doctor should well know that there's an independent match doc who can insist on an HIA.

[Kawazaki]

Well played Italy. Full deserved.

Bella.

[Ovals]

What's this moaning English staff doing on the pitch hassling the ref for foul play? GTFO the pitch you w*nk*r.

They were asking why our player was being forced off to have a HIA

[ASMO]

Well done Italy, thoroughly deserved that win. England simply not good enough, and a bunch of whiney little bitches too, thought the ref had a great game.

[Torquemada 1420]

What's this moaning English staff doing on the pitch hassling the ref for foul play? GTFO the pitch you w*nk*r.

They were asking why our player was being forced off to have a HIA

No. He was asking whether the ref would look at foul play.