Squad named

[Mellsblue]

It also doesn’t really answer the question of whether our top players spending a few years at the top clubs in France and returning as better players couldn’t allow the RFU to have its cake and eat it.

Yes, because the RFU absolutely prevented Mercer or Marchant, for example, from going to France / New Zealand for a few years and returning as better players...

They prevented them from going abroad and representing England whilst improving themselves…. or are you saying Jones could’ve picked Mercer if he’d wished?

[Banquo]

anyhoo- wales look like they may well be on strike. Huge fallout if so.

[jngf]

But Lawes... isn't a lock any more

I think it’s like the foreign legion, once in you never really leave

[Puja]

anyhoo- wales look like they may well be on strike. Huge fallout if so.

The strike'll never go through. The WRU will fold - they can't afford not to. I suspect it'll go down to the wire though, so it could compromise their buildup.

Puja

[Banquo]

anyhoo- wales look like they may well be on strike. Huge fallout if so.

The strike'll never go through. The WRU will fold - they can't afford not to. I suspect it'll go down to the wire though, so it could compromise their buildup.

Puja

you'd think so. But stranger things 'ave 'appened

[Banquo]

according to t'other board, welsh team announcement postponed....presser at 1230 instead.

[Scrumhead]

anyhoo- wales look like they may well be on strike. Huge fallout if so.

The strike'll never go through. The WRU will fold - they can't afford not to. I suspect it'll go down to the wire though, so it could compromise their buildup.

Puja

I agree, although if the game goes ahead, I’m expecting it to fire the Welsh players up rather than it being a hindrance.

[Raggs]

anyhoo- wales look like they may well be on strike. Huge fallout if so.

The strike'll never go through. The WRU will fold - they can't afford not to. I suspect it'll go down to the wire though, so it could compromise their buildup.

Puja

I agree, although if the game goes ahead, I’m expecting it to fire the Welsh players up rather than it being a hindrance.

If they choose to play it, they'll be wanting to prove their worth.

[stepsider]

Always preferred the Five Nations

[Banquo]

what's Ireland's policy on playing outside out of Ireland, out of interest?

[Oakboy]

what's Ireland's policy on playing outside out of Ireland, out of interest?

Do they need one?

[Danno]

what's Ireland's policy on playing outside out of Ireland, out of interest?

Do they need one?

[Banquo]

what's Ireland's policy on playing outside out of Ireland, out of interest?

Do they need one?

lol well played

[Spiffy]

what's Ireland's policy on playing outside out of Ireland, out of interest?

At present they pick only from Irish based players. A few years ago they made an exception for Sexton who was playing club rugby for big money in Paris. The preferential treatment did not go down that well with many Irish fans. At the time Sexton gained himself the nickname of "Jonny Cash."

[p/d]

That must of Hurt

[Banquo]

That must of Hurt

Must have Hurt FFS. The descent has begun.

At least he was by a Big River.

[p/d]

That must of Hurt

Must have Hurt FFS. The descent has begun.

At least he was by a Big River.

Have you just lumbasted me!

[Banquo]

That must of Hurt

Must have Hurt FFS. The descent has begun.

At least he was by a Big River.

Have you just lumbasted me!

Berry'd you

[francoisfou]

Must have Hurt FFS. The descent has begun.

At least he was by a Big River.

Have you just lumbasted me!

Berry'd you

Launchberry’d. Talking of whom, do we all think he’ll be recalled by Borthers?

[Danno]

Unlikely unless injuries strike. We have Itjoe, Chessum, Isiekwe, Hill (blorp) and Lawes* in or around the squad.

*#notalock, but apparently Sub Meatballs disagrees

[Mellsblue]

Sadly, I think Dingleberry will never play for England again. One of my favourite ever players, unless fielding a restart!

[Stom]

Luckily, he'll be playing in the quarters next year, so we'll finally have quality in the engine room. But, yeah, unless he has an absolute stormer of a few seasons, I think it's time for the likes of Chessum to really go to town.

Saying that, Launchbury is easily better than Isiekwe and Hill.

[p/d]

Sadly, I think Dingleberry will never play for England again. One of my favourite ever players, unless fielding a restart!

Any player that runs on looking absolutely f/cked and then bangs out 80mins of nonstop work is a legend in my book.

[Banquo]

Unlikely unless injuries strike. We have Itjoe, Chessum, Isiekwe, Hill (blorp) and Lawes* in or around the squad.

*#notalock, but apparently Sub Meatballs disagrees

also Ribbans, and I still have hopes for Coles. And George Martin maybe as a lock.

[Mellsblue]

Sadly, I think Dingleberry will never play for England again. One of my favourite ever players, unless fielding a restart!

Any player that runs on looking absolutely f/cked and then bangs out 80mins of nonstop work is a legend in my book.

Amen