Finnegan Posted 4 February 2010 Posted 4 February 2010 Or, they will now. :cry: When will the injuries stop!?
dandannieldanok Posted 4 February 2010 Posted 4 February 2010 Jenkins is an immense player and I hope England can capitalise on this but it won't be the difference between victory and defeat. Having Byrne return at full-back is key for Wales imo, Hook never really looked a danger there. Really looking forward to this 6 nations, unlike football, I far prefer the internation game to the club game in Rugby Union.
Guest Bilo Posted 4 February 2010 Posted 4 February 2010 If England win that game, then they could actually have a decent shot at winning the whole thing. In terms of quality, there doesn't appear to be much of a gulf in any of the Big Four's squads so it could be anybody's this year. My shout would be the French if they turn in up in the right frame of mind, a real quality side capable of beating anybody into a cocked hat on their day. The Irish look strong but their win over South Africa on their European tour shouldn't be over-egged, as it came at the end of a long tough year for the World Champions in which their second string looked poor at Tigers and Saracens. Tough trips to the Stade de France and Twickenham will probably ruin them in the end. With that injury list, the Welsh look up against it at Twickenham and losing the first game is not a good way to start the campaign. England are improving under Martin Johnsom, but probably not quite quickly enough to lift the trophy in Paris, arguably the toughest possible ending the campaign. Scotland and Italy will bring up the rear as usual, with Italy for once avoiding the Wooden Spoon thanks to victory in Rome. My prediction: 1. France 2. England 3. Ireland 4. Wales 5. Italy 6. Scotland
Finnegan Posted 4 February 2010 Author Posted 4 February 2010 Jenkins is an immense player and I hope England can capitalise on this but it won't be the difference between victory and defeat. Having Byrne return at full-back is key for Wales imo, Hook never really looked a danger there.Really looking forward to this 6 nations, unlike football, I far prefer the internation game to the club game in Rugby Union. The game will be won or lost in the pack. We obviously have much better quality in the backs than you do, with Cooper the only obvious flaw and even he has an embarrassment of international experience. Where we've struggled in the last eighteen months is in the break down and up front and Geth is a huge part of that. Lee Byrne makes a considerable difference to our backs, Hook was fine defensively but he offered nothing going forward. A lack of experience in his game meant he was never really confident to come and hit the line, he just stayed deep and did his job. Byrne on form is probably the best full back in the world at hitting the offensive at the right time and using his running lines to break the gain line. But we need to actually have the ball to get to that stage and that's where the game worries me, really. Going into a game against England needing your pack to outperform them is a scary thought. If England win that game, then they could actually have a decent shot at winning the whole thing. Uhm, agree and disagree. I see your position now as being somewhat identical to ours in 2005, even right down to the fact you've got a flip of the opening fixture to go with. Wales will be the favourites, I should imagine, but we're also there for the taking and if you can then - who knows? Momentum's a powerful thing in the Six Nations and a little bit of confidence could take you far. But still, you'll be massive underdogs in your games against Ireland and France, more so than we were. I'm sorry but if you don't think there's a gulf of quality between yourself and the Irish you're not paying enough attention. England have come on enormously since their lowest ebb but Jonno's got a lot still to do, he's almost caught up Wales but the Irish and the French are doing very well. I honestly wouldn't like to call the game at Twickers. I think if Wales could be relied on to produce consistent form like we did in the first year of Gatland's reign then I'd have us down to do you by ten or so points, I believe - even with the injuries - we have the better squad on paper. But we're so staggeringly inconsistent that it's just impossible to say, we were dire in the Autumn and the two staples of our previous grand slams (try scoring ability and Shaun Edwards' defensive rock) were both absent. Worrying times. I guess I'm known on here for being a little optimistic about Wales' chances and a little bit biased, but I do believe if we win at Twickenham on our opening game that we're just as much a contender for the tournament as the main two. We've got Scotland and Italy at home which should prevent any banana skins and we've got France in our own backyard, n'all. And our finish at 4th last year was deceptive. Had Stephen Jones made his final kick we'd have only lost out on first place on points difference, the Irish weren't streets ahead of us and we practically gifted France victory. The problem's not in potential skill it's in form, which Gatland needs to correct. As a closing note, I said this last year and it made me look a little silly - but watch out for the Scots and don't cancel them out. They're still genuinely coming along and are doing excellently at regional level. If they could find a quality try scorer they'd be a good side. Italy for wooden spoon, no doubt.
Uncle Albert Posted 4 February 2010 Posted 4 February 2010 This will be the 6 Nations where James Hook rules it, hopefully anyway, he is an unreal talent I think.
Finnegan Posted 4 February 2010 Author Posted 4 February 2010 This will be the 6 Nations where James Hook rules it, hopefully anyway, he is an unreal talent I think. Just a shame he can't get in the Ospreys side. (Hope you're right, mind, though you seem to slightly overestimate the lad!)
Uncle Albert Posted 4 February 2010 Posted 4 February 2010 Just a shame he can't get in the Ospreys side. (Hope you're right, mind, though you seem to slightly overestimate the lad!) I just really like his style of play and I dont really like Stephen Jones so got to back Hook! I'll support England but not arsed if they lose to be honest, always enjoy watching the Wales Ireland match.
Finnegan Posted 4 February 2010 Author Posted 4 February 2010 I just really like his style of play and I dont really like Stephen Jones so got to back Hook! I'll support England but not arsed if they lose to be honest, always enjoy watching the Wales Ireland match. Probably surprise a few people that know me to say I partly agree and I wish they'd have left Hook to just be an outside half, all this moving him around has done him no favours (though part of it is fall-out from the Henson mess.) I'm a massive Stephen Jones fan and right now, with Wales teetering on the edge, he does something very vital in providing experience, leadership and stability that Hook can't. But I hope Hook has a future at ten for Wales because he's a lot more creative and a lot more exciting than Jonesy. Have to wait and see, though, really. He needs to get a lot of confidence and form back.
Uncle Albert Posted 4 February 2010 Posted 4 February 2010 Whats your score prediction for Saturday fella? I'm going to have Wales by 5 I think, 28-23 to Wales. You may think that's a massive amount of points for an England Wales match but I think we're in for a treat of tries.
Finnegan Posted 4 February 2010 Author Posted 4 February 2010 Whats your score prediction for Saturday fella? I'm going to have Wales by 5 I think, 28-23 to Wales. You may think that's a massive amount of points for an England Wales match but I think we're in for a treat of tries. If Wales win the forwards battle and defend like they did in 2008, 2 - 0 or 2 - 1 to Wales on tries, ten point victory. If England dominate at the break down? Dull, kicking game, maybe a try a piece, England by 3 - 8 points. I can't see a try fest. I hear all the stuff about England playing a more attacking game than normal but I can't really see it. Tait and Flutey should be a good combination of speed and skill but typically speaking the England backs are below par for an international, first class side. I'm more nervous than I'm optimistic, though. We have a lot more, in my opinion, to lose than you do.
Sparky Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 I desperatly need to to win this, couldnt give a fook about injurys or bans to be honest. I cant bear to lose to Wales especially at Twickers. Losing 2 years ago when leading at half time was maybe the lowest point of me following the England rugby side. This aint a good England side and couldnt care less if we won 3-0 . WE MUST WIN !!
Finnegan Posted 5 February 2010 Author Posted 5 February 2010 I desperatly need to to win this, couldnt give a fook about injurys or bans to be honest. I cant bear to lose to Wales especially at Twickers. Losing 2 years ago when leading at half time was maybe the lowest point of me following the England rugby side. This aint a good England side and couldnt care less if we won 3-0 . WE MUST WIN !! that's more like it, love it.
Sparky Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 that's more like it, love it. The Wales game means more to me than the Scotland game nowadays, I think you have a huge part to play in that !!
Finnegan Posted 5 February 2010 Author Posted 5 February 2010 The Wales game means more to me than the Scotland game nowadays, I think you have a huge part to play in that !! It's always the same, aint it? Bit of banter always raises the stakes, I didn't give a fuck about Cov until I went to uni with some obsessive Coventry fan who was obsessed with hating Leicester, haha. It probably helps that Scotland are shit, mind, and we're better than you.
Sparky Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 It's always the same, aint it? Bit of banter always raises the stakes, I didn't give a fook about Cov until I went to uni with some obsessive Coventry fan who was obsessed with hating Leicester, haha. It probably helps that Scotland are shit, mind, and we're better than you. Thats the bit that really grates me !! For your benefit im hoping for it to be 17-17 in injury time and Jonny Wilko to slot a drop goal over .....If that happened this thread would need to be a hard hat area !!
Finnegan Posted 5 February 2010 Author Posted 5 February 2010 Thats the bit that really grates me !! Mate, we had to put up with being shit from the early eighties til about 2004. I think we're due a few years feeling superior! For your benefit im hoping for it to be 17-17 in injury time and Jonny Wilko to slot a drop goal over .....If that happened this thread would need to be a hard hat area !! Hahaha, I'd be proper fooking gutted. But to be honest if you're still in winning distance in the last few minutes I won't be surprised because I'm actually quite pessimistic and a little concerned about the result but I will be disappointed because I seriously believe we've the players to be doing better than we have. And I seriously believe England, er, don't.
Guest Bilo Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 England 22-16 Wales You heard it here first.
Finnegan Posted 5 February 2010 Author Posted 5 February 2010 England 22-16 WalesYou heard it here first. Probably, tbfh. With Jones missing a hatfull and Martyn Williams giving away most of our points due to the newest, stupid rule changes.
Guest Bilo Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 Probably, tbfh. With Jones missing a hatfull and Martyn Williams giving away most of our points due to the newest, stupid rule changes. Yeah it'll be tight I reckon. As will the whole tournament, I can't see there being any Grand Slam or even Triple Crown this year if I'm being honest. Ireland could be the best bet for the latter but trips to Twickenham and the Millennium won't be easy.
Finnegan Posted 5 February 2010 Author Posted 5 February 2010 Yeah it'll be tight I reckon. As will the whole tournament, I can't see there being any Grand Slam or even Triple Crown this year if I'm being honest. Ireland could be the best bet for the latter but trips to Twickenham and the Millennium won't be easy. Being an even year, Ireland have Wales at Croke Park as far as I know, unless I'm much mistaken. England and Ireland are our only two away games. I can relate to your enthusiasm and optimism and, who knows, as I said, if you do us at Twickenham tomorrow it may be warranted. But I do think you're setting yourself up for a false dawn if you really believe England are ready to compete with France and Ireland. You had a dreadful Autumn, to be honest, and there are almost no England players I'd put in a team ahead of the Irish. They are that good at the moment and I could conceivably see them taking another Grand Slam.
dandannieldanok Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 I shouldn't laugh... Great <_< , probably one of, if not the most, productive and exciting backs is missing from one of the most aesthetically disappointing backs line-up in international rugby.
Finnegan Posted 5 February 2010 Author Posted 5 February 2010 That's basically all of your creativity gone. In one blow. I must admit I feel a bit better now, but I always figured most of your points would come from our ill discipline and recent, rocky defensive stance anyway.
Sparky Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 I shouldn't laugh... Flood not played at 12 for a while
Finnegan Posted 5 February 2010 Author Posted 5 February 2010 Flood not played at 12 for a while That and, as much as I hate the Wabbies, he's like - half the player? That said, where's he pissed off too now? Brive? They were shocking in the HC.
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