RugbyRebels

Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 6:22 pm

jngf wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 2:18 pm

SixAndAHalf wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 1:31 pm

I'm assuming it is due to squad issues (which is ridiculous) but we have stuck with a number of players who don't appear to be international class through this series: Mako; Dombrandt; BYoungs; Isiekwe (maybe Walker but we have barely seen him, which I suppose says everything) plus the likes of Sinckler; George; Ludlam; Malins; Slade who don't appear consistent enough to be top tier internationals.

The elephant in the room is Farrell who has been re-instated as captain despite being fairly limited - sets quite a low ceiling on the team having him as 10.

The addition of TCurry, Lawes and Ford plus the integration of Arundell should see an improvement. Also personally a big fan of Freeman as he looked a natural international when he played and I'd also still have a look at Jonny Hill as he's a big unit who had started to impose himself on games.

Unsure if there will be time to integrate all of these pre World Cup but I think VRR, Mercer and Kelly could all be good internationals. Martin and / or Ted Hill are good big blindsides if Lawes is unavailable. Our 9s building experience will be helpful though I think Quirke has the highest ceiling and hes barely featured due to injury.

Tighthead and Hooker (unless LCD is available) look like key issues in the short and medium term - any chance Barbeary goes back to hooker when returning from injury otherwise I think we are pining over barely tested options at Prem level like Theo Dan!

Have to disagree with you about Ludlam’s consistency I think he’s shown this 6 Nations that he’s our best test 6 (or blindside flanker for those who don’t like shirt numbers) by a significant margin. Massive improvement on Lawtoje!

Mate, you are the one obsessed with shirt numbers, I'm trying to get you to define the jobs that you expect these players to do. Blindside flanker meant something when you played about three phases...now, it means jack, other than packing down, and even then breaks down when in France.
Ludlam was out of his depth by a significant margin v France, and not a patch on the latter day Lawes at 6 ( I have ripped into Lawes for years as a 6, but his last few appearances he's been very good, which is why he played there for the Lions).

jngf wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 2:01 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 6:22 pm

jngf wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 2:18 pm

Have to disagree with you about Ludlam’s consistency I think he’s shown this 6 Nations that he’s our best test 6 (or blindside flanker for those who don’t like shirt numbers) by a significant margin. Massive improvement on Lawtoje!

Mate, you are the one obsessed with shirt numbers, I'm trying to get you to define the jobs that you expect these players to do. Blindside flanker meant something when you played about three phases...now, it means jack, other than packing down, and even then breaks down when in France.
Ludlam was out of his depth by a significant margin v France, and not a patch on the latter day Lawes at 6 ( I have ripped into Lawes for years as a 6, but his last few appearances he's been very good, which is why he played there for the Lions).

I wouldn’t think playing for the Lions backs up your point much given the outcome of those tests and totally disagree with your ranking of Lawes in comparison to Ludlam

Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 2:03 pm

jngf wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 2:01 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 6:22 pm
Mate, you are the one obsessed with shirt numbers, I'm trying to get you to define the jobs that you expect these players to do. Blindside flanker meant something when you played about three phases...now, it means jack, other than packing down, and even then breaks down when in France.
Ludlam was out of his depth by a significant margin v France, and not a patch on the latter day Lawes at 6 ( I have ripped into Lawes for years as a 6, but his last few appearances he's been very good, which is why he played there for the Lions).

I wouldn’t think playing for the Lions backs up your point much given the outcome of those tests and totally disagree with your ranking of Lawes in comparison to Ludlam

I'm shocked I tell ye.

stepsider wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 3:28 pm Here in Ireland they've already won by at least 40 points, according to the general public.

Complacency is very dangerous. Just wondering if we'll spring a surprise.

stepsider wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 3:28 pm Here in Ireland they've already won by at least 40 points, according to the general public.

Complacency is very dangerous. Just wondering if we'll spring a surprise.

stepsider wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 3:28 pm Here in Ireland they've already won by at least 40 points, according to the general public.

Complacency is very dangerous. Just wondering if we'll spring a surprise.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 3:59 pm Is anybody confident about a single unit of out team compared with Ireland's? If Chessum or Hill were alongside Itoje our 2nd row might be close. If a fully fit Lawes was at 6 that would help our back row but Dombrandt v Doris? Farrell might be feisty enough for their 9/10 not to dominate but Tuilagi's presence will do little for Slade and therefore the back three.

Our front row could make a game of it if they turn up and keep their discipline.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 3:59 pmFarrell might be feisty enough for their 9/10 not to dominate but Tuilagi's presence will do little for Slade and therefore the back three.

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:36 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 3:59 pmFarrell might be feisty enough for their 9/10 not to dominate but Tuilagi's presence will do little for Slade and therefore the back three.

This is a very strange point. I share your doubts about whether Tuilagi still has it, but Slade's best rugby has been outside Tuilagi's presence. I'd imagine precisely because he draws so much attention. I'm not expecting a lot, but I'm not really following the logic either.

There are lots of factors that will determine whether the Ireland half-backs can dominate the game, but I don't see how Farrell's feistiness is much to do with it, unless you mean he will shut them both down in defence?

16th man wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 3:36 pm Bookies have the Handicap for evens set at 11pts. I've absolutely stuck on that. Also pushed it lout to 21 to get 13/8.

I'll be okay if were within 14, relieved at less than 21, expecting it to be pushing 30 to 40.