posted Feb 7, 2009

Does anyone else see the similarities to Delon Armitage and a young Guscott, or is it just me?!

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posted Feb 7, 2009

I was reminded watching a review of the last 6N that we came second. Our loss to Wales to my mind was due to Ashton's bench mistake that meant that Kay had to play 6. Our other defeat was up in Murrayfield during a monsoon that it was practically impossible to play rugby in.

As for Noon- I share the sinking feeling. But if the squad have been training on the basis of Tindall- and we must hope that this back-strain will heal quickly- there is a case for NOT changing the kind of foundations that have been prepared on the training ground for the whole 6N. Noon is far from ideal but he has experience and this will be the first 6N games for both Flutey and Armitage. Moreover if Noon is limited, physical and aggressive- so are the Italians usually.

I think that 12 is a much more crucial position. The pressure is on Flutey, especially as Goode is not a Cipriani. As I understand it Geraghty is just getting back to match fitness- but after his first cap against France it will be interesting to see what he could do to change the game in the second half. Starting with Jones and then bringing on Hook off the bench worked pretty well for Wales last year. Geraghty on the bench gives MJ the option of changing either 10 or 12.

Which brings me to the question of the bench. Foden is a very obvious example of someone who is on the bench because he can cover various positions. When Care dropped out Ellis came in from out of the 22. Tait has suffered from being able to do a good job in many positions- without ever making himself a first choice in any.

I wonder whether MJ sees something of Austen-Healey in Foden. It took a long time for AH to establish himself as an automatic selection to play somewhere in Sir Clive's England.

Cass

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posted Feb 7, 2009

Fascinating, so despite Tindall's injury, Tait the most gifted English centre since Guscott still does not start at 13 even when we're playing at home against Italy (no disrespect, it will be a hard game, but they're not New Zealand). If most England fans had seen half the tries he's scored for the Sevens team, they would despair. Ok, so there's more space in Sevens, but it mimicks a turnover ball situation in XVs.
England have more talented young players than they've ever had, our club rugby has not diminished since we were a good side in the early part of the decade, and we're still a mess at international level. The RFU need to take a hard look at themselves.

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posted Feb 7, 2009

Tait, Armitage, Clarke, JSD, Waldouck, Hipkiss . . . and he goes and picks Noon. I know Johnno has a game plan but the lack of ambition is startling.

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posted Feb 7, 2009

To be honest given the gulf in class between the northern and southern hemispheres, winning the 6 nations is the absolute minimum. Not sure if England are anywhere close to that at the moment

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posted Feb 7, 2009

I’ve been trying to get my head around MJ bringing in Noon all morning and still can’t figure it out. Perhaps casseroleon is right – it’s a like for like. Thing is, Noon wasn’t even in the Saxon team – or the squad - Waldouck and Turner-Hall were the centres. It really does send a strange message to those who were on the bench as well as in the Saxons. If Noon doesn’t sparkle pretty sharpish (and it’s a bit of a cert he won’t) then MJ should swallow some and get Tait on. All rather depressing, its like Ashton and Robinson all over again.

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posted Feb 7, 2009

WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY not Matthew Tait? James Simpson-Daniel?

Noon has about as much attacking flair as Andrew Sheridan!

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posted Feb 7, 2009

Like many i've been trying to understand Jonno's decision, and can't. Tinds offers far more than Noon; Noon tackles and that's about it - he's really a flankerplaying out of position. The message that jonno is sending out is appalling - surely Tait should have started with JSD or Clarke on the bench. I'm telling you, just watch out for a certain Neil Back to be drafted in soon

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posted Feb 7, 2009

What are you talking about politedebate?
This is just another classic England move towards s**tness

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posted Feb 7, 2009

Speechless, for two reasons! one how is it possible for a player to injure there back in pre-match weight lifting? i dont see the point in doing weights that close to a match anyway, all the conidtioning and fitness should of been done weeks ago... the team get together to gel and run through skills and moves! were was the trainer when Tindall was lifting? with scotland missing two key players, wales henson (tho no surprise there) the RFU need to look at why so many players are being injured in training!!

i have no words to describe my dis belief at the picking of Noon, there were many lessons that came out of the autumn internationals including Flutey and Noon dont gel! we know they dont work! does Johnson think swapping the fly for another will suddenly make the centre's run?

Goode, Flutey, Tait - has somthing to it

Either the fantastic second row that is johnson has spent two long with his head in a scrum and knows nothing about the three qaurters or he's been given some really poor advice

so then the score boards going to go up in 3's? well at least it will go up

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