RBS 6 Nations 2013

[boyo]

Wales hasn't showed their class ever since they fell to Australia last year. I think they'll see an opportunity to destroy an opposition and use that to get back into it. I just don't know if it will be Wales or Scotland that they destroy.

???

 

[Italophile]

The Samoan is back for England but looks like Ben Morgan is out. If the Gun Show is lining up at 6 and Wood at 8 I'd fancy Ireland to have a serious upper hand in the back row

Yep. The Irish back row will be an entirely different proposition. And their defence. It was cracking in the second half against Wales. They won't give England the space to play that Scotland did.

 

[qwerty51]

I can't agree there, the English backrow is outstanding, subbing in Haskell for Morgan doesn't give away much. They're the form backrow of the NH I have to say.

 

[Italophile]

I think both Irish and England back rows were excellent against, relatively speaking, lacklustre oppo. Losing Morgan costs them a massive (in every sense of the word) ball carrier, at least until he either runs out of puff or gets injured. Hask isn't a substitute. Wood, though, is class wherever he lines up. I'll be interested to see how England deal with the Irish choke tackle.

 

[RoffsChoice]

???

That is a classic case of me being excited about rugby and not reading what I write I meant Italy or Scotland, I'll go back and correct that.

 

[Italophile]

I knew what you meant.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Looking at Italy's games, they have a great run really. Ireland and Wales at home, Scotland and England away. The only one I can't picture them winning is England.

 

[qwerty51]

O'Driscoll/Heaslip vs Robshaw for the Lions captaincy - this could be the decider

 

[Italophile]

Lions captaincy is a fascinating contest. If BOD stays fit, I'd go with him. Outstanding effort against Wales with virtually no rugby under his belt. His magic hands to Zebo aside, he led the defence in that second half. Heaslip was skipper, BOD was leader.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Heaslip was skipper, BOD was leader.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

 

[qwerty51]

I'd go for Robshaw, Gatland would want a forward being captain. He'd want the direct line to the ref to be from the pack, no doubt the scrum and breakdown battle is going to be a huge factor.

 

[Italophile]

I'm not sure that Robshaw is a nailed-on starter. I'd have SOB in front of him. SOB isn't a genuine 7 but then Robshaw isn't either. And it depends whether Gatland has fallen out of love with Warburton yet.

 

[qwerty51]

atm I'd play O'Brien at 8 instead of Heaslip. 6. Wood 7. Robshaw 8. O'Brien

 

[JSRF10]

I can't agree there, the English backrow is outstanding, subbing in Haskell for Morgan doesn't give away much. They're the form backrow of the NH I have to say.

Gun Show really weakens them I think, they'll be lining out with 3 6's. SOB, Heaslip and Best could make hay at the breakdown

 

[Italophile]

@ qwerty
Fair call. Exactly what Gatland will do in terms of Warburton is the question. Lucky to be starting in front of Tipuric for Wales.

 

[disco]

The Samoan is back for England but looks like Ben Morgan is out. If the Gun Show is lining up at 6 and Wood at 8 I'd fancy Ireland to have a serious upper hand in the back row

So who get's dropped Barrit or Twelvetrees?

 

[JSRF10]

@ qwerty
Fair call. Exactly what Gatland will do in terms of Warburton is the question. Lucky to be starting in front of Tipuric for Wales.

I think if Gatland was in charge of Wales St Sam wouldn't have started, he is more inclined to make the big call then Howley. At this stage would be shocked if Warburton even toured in the winter, too many back rows in better form and he isn't needed for his captaincy.

 

[Italophile]

So who get's dropped Barrit or Twelvetrees?

The Torygraph has sugested that Barritt might make way. They have an eerily accurate history of selection tips. As if they have a hot line to the RFU. I'd be surprised if Twelvetrees isn't benched.

 

[Italophile]

I think if Gatland was in charge of Wales St Sam wouldn't have started, he is more inclined to make the big call then Howley. At this stage would be shocked if Warburton even toured in the winter, too many back rows in better form and he isn't needed for his captaincy.

I wouldn't underestimate Gatland's influence over Howley and Wales, even if officially not involved. Warburton's decline is symptomatic of Wales' decline.

 

[JSRF10]

I wouldn't underestimate Gatland's influence over Howley and Wales, even if officially not involved. Warburton's decline is symptomatic of Wales' decline.

Thats true it is hard to know Gatlands influence. They had better get their selection against France, unlike Ireland the French won't let up and will keep going at Wales for the full 80, if Wales have a repeat performance it could get very ugly for them.