Official Rugby Thread

[BoyBrumby]

England's team for The Millenium on Saturday

1) G Rowntree (Leicester)
2) S Thompson (Northampton)
3) J White (Leicester)
4) D Grewcock (Bath)
5) B Kay (Leicester)
6) L Moody (Leicester)
7) A Hazell (Gloucester)
8) J Worsley (Wasps)
9) M Dawson (Wasps)
10) C Hodgson (Sale)
11) J Lewsey (Wasps)
12) J Noon (Newcastle)
13) M Tait (Newcastle)
14) M Cueto (Sale)
15) J Robinson (Sale, capt)

Replacements: A Titterrell (Sale), P Vickery (Gloucester), S Borthwick (Bath), J Forrester (Gloucester), H Ellis (Leicester), O Barkley (Bath), B Cohen (Northampton).

Not a bad team at all considering our injury problems. I've highlighted the players I expect to make The Lions starting XV. Interesting to see White & Rowntree retained; probably our two best scrummaging props, but Vickery far better in open play. Suggests to me we're going to try to win it up front; confirmed header Danny Grewcock's presence @ Lock ahead of the more cultured Borthwick seems to confirm it.

Pleased to see Daws back at scrum-half, he's served his penance now, obviously. Aging gobshite he may be, but he's still the best we've got. He also gives a half-decent place kicking option should Charlie H have one of his mares with the boot. Feel a little aggrieved for Henry Paul, I'd have had him on the bench ahead of Barkley.

I haven't seen too much of the new "boy wonder" Tait, at least he's got his clubmate there to look after him in the centre. It's still a big ask for an 18 year-old on debut. Bold move, but I'd have been inclined to go for any one of three others (Paul, Catt or Smith @ Leicester) ahead of him.

 

[marc71178]

Must say I'm glad to see Dawson back - always liked him as a player.

 

[Smudge]

There's a special announcement coming for the NZ sevens team - the squad has been named except a slot for one player has been left. The NZRU are flying some media down to Wellington for the press conference.

The good oil is that Lomu will play in the Wellington sevens tournament later this month.

 

[BoyBrumby]

There's a special announcement coming for the NZ sevens team - the squad has been named except a slot for one player has been left. The NZRU are flying some media down to Wellington for the press conference.

The good oil is that Lomu will play in the Wellington sevens tournament later this month.

Good stuff; nice to see the big fella on the mend. He's one of those players whose fame has spread beyond the confines of the RU fraternity. I bet if you asked non-Rugby fans in England to name a non-English Rugby player his would be the name that would still be mentioned most!

I'd be hard pushed to see him making the ABs back three tho.

 

[Smudge]

Good stuff; nice to see the big fella on the mend. He's one of those players whose fame has spread beyond the confines of the RU fraternity. I bet if you asked non-Rugby fans in England to name a non-English Rugby player his would be the name that would still be mentioned most!

I'd be hard pushed to see him making the ABs back three tho.

It seems the media were a little too excited - the press conference was just to name a new sponsor...

 

[KennyD]

Hey what happened to Mike Tindall? Thought he would be in the centers for sure. And I like Henry Paul too, he deserves more of a chance.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Hey what happened to Mike Tindall? Thought he would be in the centers for sure. And I like Henry Paul too, he deserves more of a chance.

Tindall is injured; out for next game too. Abbott out for season with busted leg (tripped up by Betsen in the Heineken, a real cheap shot) & Greenwood's crocked too. We're right on our uppers, centre-wise.

Paul just dropped, which to me is harsh. Noon has a dead-leg, so he may yet be reprived.

 

[Smudge]

It seems the All Blacks may end up adding Wales to their end of year tour this year, thus giving them the chance to go for the Grand Slam.

Eternal AB optimists are now pontificating as to whether the ABs can win all their major stoushes this year - Lions series, Tri Nations and the Grand Slam - and make it a landmark year for the team.

I still think the Tri Nations is a tough ask for us to win, although if we can sneak one away win, we've got every chance.

The only problem with this proposed Grand Slam is the Wales match would fall outside the international window in November allowing players to be released from their clubs.

 

[BoyBrumby]

It hopefully wouldn't affect Wales too much now they've gone down the regional franchise route. As I understand it all the Welsh players who play for Welsh teams are ultimately employed by the WRU, so they'd obviously let 'em play.

Off the top of my head the only two regulars who don't play in Wales are Stephen Jones & Gareth Thomas (although they are fly-half & captain admittedly).

BTW, people are talking up Thomas for The Lions; do these people not actually watch Rugby?!? He's very one-dimensional & not nearly quick enough. I'd have Ben Cohen ahead of him & that is saying something!!

 

[BoyBrumby]

Farrell & Radlinski for Union

Seems English Rugby Union is so desperate we're doing an Oz & trying to sign some more League boys:

http://www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,10-1170542,00.html

Not entirely sure I buy it (they're both knocking on a bit for starters & where would Farrell play?), but £200k is a lot in Rugger terms.

 

[Smudge]

Looks like the Northern Hemisphere are going to take the tsunami match seriously after all:

A full-strength northern hemisphere team is being assembled for next month's tsunami fundraising rugby match at Twickenham, much to the delight of southern coach Rod Macqueen.


There had been fears the leading players in the Six Nations championship would be unavailable for the match but Macqueen had learned northern coach Sir Clive Woodward is free to select from them for the match on March 5.

"We understand they're close to naming a team which will be full strength, a very strong team," Macqueen told NZPA.

The match falls in a weekend between the third and fourth rounds of the Six Nations.

The team could provide some early indication of British and Irish Lions coach Woodward's thinking ahead of the Lions' tour to New Zealand later this year. However, the northern team is also sure to feature players from France, Italy and North America.

Umaga, Mehrtens, Jerome Kaino (how good could this kid be?) and Carl Hoeft have been confirmed, with either Stephen Bates or Jonno Gibbes to be the fifth Kiwi rep. Gregan, Latham and Phil Waugh are confirmed from the Aussies, while John Smith is the only South African confirmed so far.

 

[marc71178]

I have to say I expect we'll Johnson skippering that side.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Farrell for Union

At least according to the Beeb:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/4255897.stm

I can see it makes a lotta sense for Andy (financially), but I'm less convinced it's a good investment by the RFU. The only position realistically he's gonna be able to play is Loose Forward (& then only blindside or No 8, don't think he's quite fast enough nowadays for openside) which is a pretty specialist position. At 29 time is definitely against him.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I've just seen a truly stunning rumour circulating about a current English international (& potential Lions tourist).

I won't repeat it or name the party; but for UK users if it's to be believed there'll be an exclusive in tomorrow's Current Bun.

 

[Langeveldt]

I've just seen a truly stunning rumour circulating about a current English international (& potential Lions tourist).

I won't repeat it or name the party; but for UK users if it's to be believed there'll be an exclusive in tomorrow's Current Bun.

ehh???

 

[BoyBrumby]

ehh???

I don't wanna libel anyone or spread (possibly groundless) rumours, but if what I've read elsewhere is true there's gonna be a huge story in The Sun tomorrow.

 

[Langeveldt]

Ahh, thanks for the translation...

 

[BoyBrumby]

If I say "Ian Roberts" Oz League fans may have some idea about the nature of the story.....

 

[Smudge]

BoyBrumby,.

Are you sure you aren't just joshing?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Dunno what you mean....