Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 17, 2023 0:25:40 GMT
DannoAgreed re the surprises, or lack thereof, but I was still glad to see Worcester's ex-owners criticised so strongly; meanwhile, seeing Wasps' move to Coventry damned in similar terms struck an even stronger chord with me. How some people can still defend Derek Richardson is baffling.
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 21, 2023 14:24:11 GMT
Quins vs. Sharks is proving to be a damn fine game - 36-22 with 25 minutes still to play.
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Feb 2, 2023 14:56:07 GMT
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Post by Danno on Feb 2, 2023 15:24:30 GMT
Fuck me that's 13 out of 15 players in their proper shirts.
There's a lot to like here. Hill loses his chance to be an utter idiot, the pack could be pretty fearsome, OHC has been playing really well, pleased to see Lawrence rewarded for his Bath form (albeit I've only seen highlights) and Youngs isn't starting.
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Feb 2, 2023 15:53:36 GMT
It certainly seems like an improvement compared to most of Jones' selections during his tenure... ... but (there had to be a "but" coming!)... ... why oh why persist with the Smith-Farrell axis? It hasn't worked thus far, so unless Borthwick has a fresh approach in this regard, I see no reason why they'd suddenly click now.
EDIT: The BBC has updated its article to say that Farrell would've started at 10, but for Slade's withdrawal due to injury. That would explain why Farrell is playing at 12 on Saturday, but the idea of picking him at fly-half over Smith is still idiotic to me.
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Post by Danno on Feb 2, 2023 17:01:13 GMT
It's the same issue we've had for 20 years now. Who else plays 12?
I reckon Kelly was in with a shout, at least off the bench. Would be pleased if (it won't happen) Farrell plays 60 and then Lawrence gets a shout outside Marcus.
And yeah, Farrell at 10 would have me hoisting the old pitchfork
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Post by elstoof on Feb 2, 2023 17:05:04 GMT
Jack Nowell (29) dropped as we look to blood in the future generation, while Farrell (31) given a start wherever we can fit him despite being a fucking donkey
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Post by elstoof on Feb 3, 2023 9:49:36 GMT
It'll be a strange Six Nations without Butler or Moore
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Post by Danno on Feb 3, 2023 11:00:43 GMT
It'll be a strange Six Nations without Butler or Moore Hadn't considered that. Indeed. |
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Post by Danno on Feb 3, 2023 13:04:52 GMT
NO MORE FINISHERS
Thank gawd that term has been jettisoned. If someone could have a word with Matson....
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zephro
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Post by zephro on Feb 3, 2023 13:36:38 GMT
Don't know what to make of tomorrow.
Pluses:
- We've actually got a good record against England of late, 4 calcutta cups out of 5 (1 being that draw)
- Huwipulotu - full cats at a rave attacking flair
- New England coach, could go either way but the new systems could just be a mess leading to fucking carnage
Minuses:
- Huwipulotu - fuck knows what our defence will be like without Chris Harris
- New England coach could just go back to basics and grind out a vicious unpleasant win. Though you'd think you'd just take Farrell at fly-half for that plan
Anything could happen. 2017 or 2018 one sided games. 2019 absolute chaos. 2020s tight nail biting game.
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Post by Dougs on Feb 3, 2023 13:58:08 GMT
I think the last point is more than likely
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Post by Danno on Feb 3, 2023 16:09:38 GMT
New England coach could just go back to basics and grind out a vicious unpleasant win. Though you'd think you'd just take Farrell at fly-half for that plan This. Borthwick isn't going to run the structureless attack shite of the last 3 years. Set piece won't be creaking, we shouldn't kick the leather off of it (but if 2021-2 Leicester are any indication the kicking will be smart) the backs picked can really do some damage and both he and Sinfield (def coach) have a huge rep for getting player buy-in. As for Farrell, rumours are that if Kelly and Slade weren't busted he would indeed be at 10 and said rumours have some credibility based on what people saw at the camp earlydoors. Bit worried about our units. Second row, back row are new, midfield wasn't really clicking last year and the back 3 is new. Plus Mako is on the bench to get his head shoved up his arse in the last 20 (idk anything about Scotland 18, any good) |
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zephro
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Post by zephro on Feb 3, 2023 16:19:50 GMT
Yeah but he's also not taken Tuilagi, which you'd think if they were just going to go full nasty South African rugby you'd just pick a load of big lads and batter Scotland. He's actually picked a load of quite mobile forwards on top of that.
I'm not sure kicking the leather off it is a brilliant plan. Considering the last 2 Calcutta Cups the same thing happened and Russell, Hogg, Redpath were just better at it. Then again Jonny May was in the backfield looking like a confused toddler.
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Post by elstoof on Feb 3, 2023 16:34:47 GMT
Dan Cole might had evolved into an elusive, dynamic runner with the ball in hand since his last cap
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Post by Danno on Feb 3, 2023 16:45:50 GMT
Tuilagi just isn't the force he was, and he must have been shunt in training for Lawrence (who was only called up due to Slade/Kelly going down) to get the nod over him
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Post by elstoof on Feb 3, 2023 17:30:35 GMT
He was never that great to begin with imo, massively overrated
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zephro
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Post by zephro on Feb 3, 2023 18:59:02 GMT
Yeah Tuilagi is both overrated and basically the downfall of at least 2 England coaches who's master plan was "Eventually Tuilagi will be fit", then he'd get fit and it still wouldn't work.
Anyway I'm just looking forward to a big Glasgow reunion with Huwipulotu, Hogg, Russell and Horne all on at once.
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Post by elstoof on Feb 3, 2023 19:03:35 GMT
He’s decent enough, like any big man who can run fast would be, but you’d have thought he was Jonah Lomu from how every concession was made to build a team around him. I can’t recall a single moment where he dazzled
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Post by elstoof on Feb 3, 2023 19:06:05 GMT
Plus I suspect having him in the camp is mostly a negative influence on the squad, all I can remember him ever doing for England was the rabbit fingers and jumping in the harbour. Also punching matey in the face for Leicester
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zephro
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Post by zephro on Feb 3, 2023 19:36:56 GMT
I'm a Glasgow fan so slightly rose tinted glasses here. But I like Tuipulotu because as well as running hard and cutting a line, he's also got a decent distribution game and puts in a good range of kicks. He's just got a lot of all round skills. Though he can run hard, as anyone who saw Piers Francis both knock himself out and get yellowcarded for attempting to tackle Tuipulotu high can attest.
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sport✅
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Post by sport✅ on Feb 3, 2023 19:38:38 GMT
You get arrested for tackling high these days.
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Post by Danno on Feb 3, 2023 20:19:22 GMT
I don't think I could be mad at Boris fucking Johnson for punching Chris Ashton tbf.
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Post by muddyfunster on Feb 4, 2023 9:11:14 GMT
I get the sentiment but Tuilagi did have some immense performances for England. It wasn't exactly baffling that successive coaches were desperate for him to be fit. At his best he was unstoppable.
His debut was one of those where you immediately sat up and took notice. Also remember him wreaking havoc on the All Blacks back line.
It's kind of sad how his career has gone. As an England fan we haven't really had that many hugely exactly running backs to watch. He was definitely one. Had that sense of being able to do whatever he wanted on his best days.
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Post by Danno on Feb 4, 2023 14:21:28 GMT
Wales look like they're in for a long old afternoon.
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Post by Dougs on Feb 4, 2023 14:36:44 GMT
Wales look like they're in for a long old afternoon. Innit. |
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Post by Danno on Feb 4, 2023 14:38:12 GMT
Make that the driest of humpings
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Post by Dougs on Feb 4, 2023 17:01:02 GMT
That was pretty poor from England there. Massive hole.
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Post by baihu1983 on Feb 4, 2023 17:01:19 GMT
Terrible defending from England
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Post by baihu1983 on Feb 4, 2023 17:09:54 GMT
Much better.
Never mind. Fantastic try from Scotland.
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