2015 RBS Six Nations General Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

.ak · 15-01-2015 11:48am

Some interesting calls at 9/10 there.

thomond2006 · 15-01-2015 11:56am

.ak wrote: »

Some interesting calls at 9/10 there.

Same selections as November but Tales and Kockott are probably lucky to still be selected given how Castres are going. Wisniewski at Grenoble is in great form.

No Szarzewski is a surprise unless he's injured.

thomond2006 · 15-01-2015 1:58pm

Toulouse, Clermont, Racing, Toulon = 5
Castres, Stade Francais = 3
Bayonne = 2
Montpellier, La Rochelle, Bordeaux = 1

sydthebeat · 15-01-2015 2:04pm

England

havent seen too much top 14 this year, but has vahaamahina been too crap to make the squad?

Bridge93 · 15-01-2015 2:15pm

England

Medard out too

sydneybound · 15-01-2015 2:16pm

Does anyone know when the 2016 fixtures come out?

.ak · 15-01-2015 2:39pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Same selections as November but Tales and Kockott are probably lucky to still be selected given how Castres are going. Wisniewski at Grenoble is in great form.

No Szarzewski is a surprise unless he's injured.

Has Machenaud fallen out of the squad al together then? And Freddie?

thomond2006 · 15-01-2015 3:12pm

.ak wrote: »

Has Machenaud fallen out of the squad al together then? And Freddie?

Machenaud - fallen out
Freddie - shoulder injury since before November

Fireball07 · 15-01-2015 3:39pm

England

Swiwi. wrote: »

Most of the Irish team picks itself these days. Only positions open for debate are loosehead prop, but injury to the Munster options probably means there will be no dramas for McGrath; openside flanker, but injuries once again means TOD should be safe; flyhalf; who pairs with Henshaw in midfield and whether Robbie is at 12 or 13 (I will be disappointed if it's Darcy/Fitzgerald), and left wing. If Fitzgerald keeps playing well and injury free, he should be 13, 11 or worse case 23.

Is McGrath suspended for the opening game or not?

The backup LH should be interesting either way, although we are expecting Healy back.

At openside, we're looking at a straight shoot-out between TOD & Murphy most likely, unless POM gets moved and Diack or Copeland or Conan or someone like that gets picked.

.ak · 15-01-2015 3:48pm

Fireball07 wrote: »

Is McGrath suspended for the opening game or not?

The backup LH should be interesting either way, although we are expecting Healy back.

At openside, we're looking at a straight shoot-out between TOD & Murphy most likely, unless POM gets moved and Diack or Copeland or Conan or someone like that gets picked.

McGrath will be available to play.

total former · 15-01-2015 6:42pm

England

Italy Squad:

Backs: G Bisegni (Zebre), M Campagnaro (Treviso), A Masi (Wasps), L McLean (Sale Sharks), L Morisi (Treviso), S Ragusi (Treviso), L Sarto (Zebre), G Venditti (Zebre), M Visentin (Zebre), T Allan (Perpignan), K Haimona (Zebre), E Gori (Treviso), G Palazzani (Zebre), M Violi (Calvisano).

Forwards: M Aguero (Zebre), M Castrogiovanni (Toulon), D Chistolini (Zebre), A De Marchi (Sale Sharks), L Ghiraldini (Leicester), A Manici (Zebre), G Biagi (Zebre), M Bortolami (Zebre), J Furno (Newcastle), Q Geldenhuys (Zebre), R Barbieri (Leicester), M Bergamasco (Zebre), S Favaro (Treviso), F Minto (Treviso), S Parisse (Stade Francais, capt), A Zanni (Treviso).

Mauro Bergamasco still going, fair play to him.

Fireball07 · 15-01-2015 6:51pm

England

No Botes/Tebaldi, no Orquera, no Garcia, no Sgarbi particularly no Benvenuti. That's a lot of changes in the backline.

Did Canale actually retire?

And does anyone know how Furno has got on at Newcastle?

thomond2006 · 15-01-2015 6:57pm

Benvenuti fell off the radar when he moved to Perpignan. He signed with Bristol recently.

Hunterbiker · 15-01-2015 7:00pm

Journeyman_1 wrote: »

Lancaster must really want to bend the play at home rule!

Maybe but that rule is worded loosely enough that if he needs to make a phonecall to France he can do that easily. I think Steffon would be only too happy to oblige and would make an impact.
Saying that there are still options based in England that can cover / go in front of Billy V fir selection. Easter might be a call too far though at 36 but that experience and current form might give him a fighting chance to get a call from Lancaster.
it will be an interesting back row for England. As a team and as always they have the potential to win this outright.
It all depends on which version turns up and how much they ignore the looming pressure of the World Cup and emulating the performances of teams past...

thomond2006 · 15-01-2015 7:01pm

If England win a 6 Nations and/or World Cup with Armitage playing a key role than nobody will give a monkeys about the consequences / can of worms of picking him.

Hunterbiker · 15-01-2015 7:04pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

If England win a 6 Nations and/or World Cup with Armitage playing a key role than nobody will give a monkeys about the consequences / can of worms of picking him.

Exactly.
although his French paymasters would be very upset at the prospect of factoring fatigue from international duty all of a sudden.

Fireball07 · 15-01-2015 7:11pm

England

When do we actually pick our squad?

We picked a 34-man squad last year, so assuming a similar format, I'm gonna guess, we go for the following:

Hooker: Rory Best, Sean Cronin
LH Prop: Jack McGrath, James Cronin (just on the basis he was ahead of Buckley before, Buckley might get the nod)
TH Prop: Mike Ross, Martin Moore
Lock: Paul O'Connell, Devin Toner, Dave Foley, Mike McCarthy, Mick Kearney
Back Row: Peter O'Mahony, Robbie Diack, Dominic Ryan, Tommy O'Donnell, Jordi Murphy, Jamie Heaslip, Robin Copeland
Scrum Half: Conor Murray, Eoin Reddan
Out Half: Johnny Sexton, Paddy Jackson, Ian Madigan
Centres: Gordon D'Arcy, Stuart Olding, Robbie Henshaw, Luke Fitzgerald, Jared Payne
Wing: Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Fergus McFadden, Simon Zebo
Full-Back: Rob Kearney, Felix Jones

That's purely based on the format of last year's squad, which I did think was slightly odd at the time. As in, we picked 5 2nd rows, 7 back rows... including 2 out-and-out number 8s in Copeland and Heaslip (poor Coughlan), 5 centres. Yet we only picked 2 players in essential positions such as hooker, both props and scrum-half. We did call up players after

If I was picking it myself, I'd trim down down on 2nd row and back row, drop Kearney, Ryan and Copeland from there, maybe take Jones out of the backs (although I think he'll make it) and bring in Duncan Casey, Denis Buckley, another TH prop and Kieran Marmion.

.ak · 15-01-2015 8:55pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

If England win a 6 Nations and/or World Cup with Armitage playing a key role than nobody will give a monkeys about the consequences / can of worms of picking him.

The clubs would.

b.gud · 16-01-2015 11:25am

England

Fireball07 wrote: »

When do we actually pick our squad?

That's purely based on the format of last year's squad, which I did think was slightly odd at the time. As in, we picked 5 2nd rows, 7 back rows... including 2 out-and-out number 8s in Copeland and Heaslip (poor Coughlan), 5 centres. Yet we only picked 2 players in essential positions such as hooker, both props and scrum-half. We did call up players after

If I was picking it myself, I'd trim down down on 2nd row and back row, drop Kearney, Ryan and Copeland from there, maybe take Jones out of the backs (although I think he'll make it) and bring in Duncan Casey, Denis Buckley, another TH prop and Kieran Marmion.

Before I read this the first thing I was thinking pretty much exactly what you said that we'd need another person in each of the front row positions and another scrum half.

I'd imagine White or Ah You will go as the third Tight head if one is brought. Strauss surely as the third Hooker and Buckley would certainly appear to be the best choice for a third LH.

On the second rows was Henderson listed as a second row last year? He got some game time at 6 as well didn't he. Maybe it might be only 4 locks this year, 5 seems a bit overkill to me.

.ak · 16-01-2015 4:03pm

Fireball07 wrote: »

When do we actually pick our squad?

We picked a 34-man squad last year, so assuming a similar format, I'm gonna guess, we go for the following:

Hooker: Rory Best, Sean Cronin
LH Prop: Jack McGrath, James Cronin (just on the basis he was ahead of Buckley before, Buckley might get the nod)
TH Prop: Mike Ross, Martin Moore
Lock: Paul O'Connell, Devin Toner, Dave Foley, Mike McCarthy, Mick Kearney
Back Row: Peter O'Mahony, Robbie Diack, Dominic Ryan, Tommy O'Donnell, Jordi Murphy, Jamie Heaslip, Robin Copeland
Scrum Half: Conor Murray, Eoin Reddan
Out Half: Johnny Sexton, Paddy Jackson, Ian Madigan
Centres: Gordon D'Arcy, Stuart Olding, Robbie Henshaw, Luke Fitzgerald, Jared Payne
Wing: Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Fergus McFadden, Simon Zebo
Full-Back: Rob Kearney, Felix Jones

That's purely based on the format of last year's squad, which I did think was slightly odd at the time. As in, we picked 5 2nd rows, 7 back rows... including 2 out-and-out number 8s in Copeland and Heaslip (poor Coughlan), 5 centres. Yet we only picked 2 players in essential positions such as hooker, both props and scrum-half. We did call up players after

If I was picking it myself, I'd trim down down on 2nd row and back row, drop Kearney, Ryan and Copeland from there, maybe take Jones out of the backs (although I think he'll make it) and bring in Duncan Casey, Denis Buckley, another TH prop and Kieran Marmion.

I can see Strauss featuring, has been pretty solid since his return.

That backrow selection looks poor, no matter what way you spin it. The lads are all top players, but not international class bar Heaslip and POM. Whoever players 7 will be playing keep up.

Tox56 · 16-01-2015 4:26pm

.ak wrote: »

I can see Strauss featuring, has been pretty solid since his return.

That backrow selection looks poor, no matter what way you spin it. The lads are all top players, but not international class bar Heaslip and POM. Whoever players 7 will be playing keep up.

Very solid. If Best was to get injured he would be next in line for me and I'd have started him for Leinster this week

.ak · 16-01-2015 4:33pm

Tox56 wrote: »

Very solid. If Best was to get injured he would be next in line for me and I'd have started him for Leinster this week

Yeah, kinda surprised he didn't start for Leinster, but mostly because I think Cronin offers more impact off the bench. Still, both are playing well, both deserve a chance at a test cap - it'll be interesting to see who gets in there.

Fireball07 · 16-01-2015 4:43pm

England

.ak wrote: »

I can see Strauss featuring, has been pretty solid since his return.

That backrow selection looks poor, no matter what way you spin it. The lads are all top players, but not international class bar Heaslip and POM. Whoever players 7 will be playing keep up.

There is no denying it... we are missing Ruddock, Henderson, SOB & Henry who I'm guessing would all be ahead of the rest. And then you have the retirement of Ferris too. But maybe in general we don't have the depth of back row that we once had?

There are some promising young players around the provinces but I'd say most are at least 2 or 3 years from being international contenders. I would expect TOD to do a good job, and Murphy is a good impact player, even if neither are at the level of POM & Heaslip.

.ak · 16-01-2015 4:45pm

Fireball07 wrote: »

There is no denying it... we are missing Ruddock, Henderson, SOB & Henry who I'm guessing would all be ahead of the rest. And then you have the retirement of Ferris too. But maybe in general we don't have the depth of back row that we once had?

There are some promising young players around the provinces but I'd say most are at least 2 or 3 years from being international contenders. I would expect TOD to do a good job, and Murphy is a good impact player, even if neither are at the level of POM & Heaslip.

I think the over all depth is there, and better than ever in the sense you've got players that can all do a good job there at international level, but we would generally have a massive star fit in the form of Wallace, SOB, Ferris etc.

Fireball07 · 16-01-2015 5:03pm

England

.ak wrote: »

I think the over all depth is there, and better than ever in the sense you've got players that can all do a good job there at international level, but we would generally have a massive star fit in the form of Wallace, SOB, Ferris etc.

Around 2009 though, the back rows we had available:

A great Munster back row in Quinlan, Wallace and Leamy; all well capable of playing at international level.
You had a Leinster Heineken Cup winning back row, with SOB having a super season, you had Heaslip and then you had Jennings and Locky who perhaps weren't on the level of some of the others but I would say they'd have done as much of a job as the likes of Murphy & TOD now, if not better. They were both playing really well.

Then you have the monster that is Ferris. And I think Muldoon had been called up to international squads around that time too, always an option.

The Pheasant2 · 19-01-2015 1:05am

England

Looks like Courtney Lawes will be missing for England for the first few weeks of the 6N.

That's a blow losing both Launchbury and Lawes in the row

irishbucsfan · 19-01-2015 1:10am

England

Fireball07 wrote: »

Around 2009 though, the back rows we had available:

A great Munster back row in Quinlan, Wallace and Leamy; all well capable of playing at international level.
You had a Leinster Heineken Cup winning back row, with SOB having a super season, you had Heaslip and then you had Jennings and Locky who perhaps weren't on the level of some of the others but I would say they'd have done as much of a job as the likes of Murphy & TOD now, if not better. They were both playing really well.

Then you have the monster that is Ferris. And I think Muldoon had been called up to international squads around that time too, always an option.

In 2009 the Leinster back row was Rocky, Jennings and Heaslip.

Given you're talking about SOB having the great season and Locky being involved I think you might be confusing that season with 2011, which was when SOB broke through as truly world class.

Fireball07 · 19-01-2015 1:23am

England

irishbucsfan wrote: »

In 2009 the Leinster back row was Rocky, Jennings and Heaslip.

Given you're talking about SOB having the great season and Locky being involved I think you might be confusing that season with 2011, which was when SOB broke through as truly world class.

That is a very distinct possibility

Fireball07 · 19-01-2015 1:27am

England

The Pheasant2 wrote: »

Looks like Courtney Lawes will be missing for England for the first few weeks of the 6N.

That's a blow losing both Launchbury and Lawes in the row

Atwood/Kruis to start so? Certainly not as intimidating as Launchbury & Lawes. Who were both brilliant against us in the 6N iirc, will be a big boost to us this time around if they are missing.

tommyteetoes · 19-01-2015 1:31am

Wales

whats the news on o brien and healy, any chance they will be back for 6 nations

total former · 19-01-2015 1:33am

England

Fireball07 wrote: »

Atwood/Kruis to start so? Certainly not as intimidating as Launchbury & Lawes. Who were both brilliant against us in the 6N iirc, will be a big boost to us this time around if they are missing.

Parling ahead of Kruis maybe?

Lawes is due back for the Ireland game I think.

Fireball07 · 19-01-2015 1:38am

England

total former wrote: »

Parling ahead of Kruis maybe?

Lawes is due back for the Ireland game I think.

I'm a big fan of Parling, but he's been missing for quite a while. I suppose this is his chance to get back into the frame.

England beat us up front last year, the pure physicality of Lawes is one of the reasons why. Joe's been in charge for longer now, I think we'll have more to our game now, even with the injuries.

PTH2009 · 19-01-2015 7:08pm

Scotland

I think England will win the championship this year

Wales will win the Triple crown

Ireland will finish 3rd or 4th

We are not that concernced about the six nations its all about the world cup

Pudsy33 · 19-01-2015 7:10pm

England

You think Wales with beat us and England but not win the championship? I'd say that's unlikely.

its_phil · 19-01-2015 7:14pm

PTH2009 wrote: »

I think England will win the championship this year

Wales will win the Triple crown

Ireland will finish 3rd or 4th

We are not that concernced about the six nations its all about the world cup

We (as in the fans) or the team? I'm very concerned with winning it with a WC on the horizon and so are the IRFU (€€€) historically. We've only won two in the 6N era, not gonna start turning a nose up at it now.

irishbucsfan · 19-01-2015 7:19pm

England

Joe Schmidt isn't the type to neglect the 6Ns for the World Cup. It'll be very much a priority for us.

Personally I think we'll win both the 6Ns and the WC and also Leinster will win the Champions Cup and the Pro 12, Connacht will win the Challenge Cup, Conor McGregor will be the champion of everything and the Irish soccer team will be undefeated for the next 20 years. But then I suppose I'm a little optimistic at times.

Fireball07 · 19-01-2015 7:31pm

England

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Joe Schmidt isn't the type to neglect the 6Ns for the World Cup. It'll be very much a priority for us.

Personally I think we'll win both the 6Ns and the WC and also Leinster will win the Champions Cup and the Pro 12, Connacht will win the Challenge Cup, Conor McGregor will be the champion of everything and the Irish soccer team will be undefeated for the next 20 years. But then I suppose I'm a little optimistic at times.

Munster get nothing

sydthebeat · 19-01-2015 7:35pm

England

Fireball07 wrote: »

Munster get nothing

Irb fair play award?

thomond2006 · 19-01-2015 8:21pm

Duncan Weir out for 4 months, bicep injury.

penybont exile · 19-01-2015 11:39pm

Scotland

18 sleeps till we get under way ..... can't wait!

Not a fan of regional rugby - disenfranchised by the shoddy treatment of the Celtic Warriors ........ so this is my only outlet when it comes to the professional level.

Injuries seem to be shafting both Ireland & England ..... I'm sure the coaches will have fingers crossed this weekend.

Feeling kinda lonely as the only person on the poll who thinks Wales will prevail .....

Looking forward to some banter. May the best team win.

aimee1 · 19-01-2015 11:45pm

penybont exile wrote: »

18 sleeps till we get under way ..... can't wait!

Not a fan of regional rugby - disenfranchised by the shoddy treatment of the Celtic Warriors ........ so this is my only outlet when it comes to the professional level.

Injuries seem to be shafting both Ireland & England ..... I'm sure the coaches will have fingers crossed this weekend.

Feeling kinda lonely as the only person on the poll who thinks Wales will prevail .....

Looking forward to some banter. May the best team win.

Ireland arent in too bad a state.

Lot depends on this weekend injury wise and Conor Murray being ok for the Italy game. We have got some players back recently too so time for some good fortune on that front hopefully

Zzippy · 20-01-2015 12:02am

England

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Joe Schmidt isn't the type to neglect the 6Ns for the World Cup. It'll be very much a priority for us.

Personally I think we'll win both the 6Ns and the WC and also Leinster will win the Champions Cup and the Pro 12, Connacht will win the Challenge Cup, Conor McGregor will be the champion of everything and the Irish soccer team will be undefeated for the next 20 years. But then I suppose I'm a little optimistic at times.

You probably think you'll get laid this year too.

Flipper22 · 20-01-2015 12:22am

Tuilagi likely to miss the whole tournament. He's had a very bad run of injuries.

total former · 20-01-2015 1:03pm

England

No major surprises, Anscombe is included. 9 of the 34 playing outside Wales. 19-year old centre Tyler Morgan included, unlikely to see game time.

Notable omissions maybe are Adam Jones, James Hook but the one I'm most disappointed in is Owen Williams, certainly looks a better OH than Anscombe.

Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Bath), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), James King (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Backs: Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon).

Webbs · 20-01-2015 1:31pm

Anscombe is a direct replacement for Hook in that he can play across most of the backline. I would prefer O Williams over Priestland any day.
I was surprised that Josh Navidi was left out has been having a storming season for Cardiff, there is no specialist backup at No8.

sydthebeat · 20-01-2015 1:41pm

England

absolutely ridiculous that Navadi wasnt included.

Thats a quite an aging set of forwards selected....

irishbucsfan · 20-01-2015 1:44pm

England

It's really weird that there's noone else capable of playing 8 in the Welsh squad and they've left Navidi out. He's not necessarily superior to the guys they've selected, but you'd assume there's room for one more to cover 8.

Webbs · 20-01-2015 2:55pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

absolutely ridiculous that Navadi wasnt included.

Thats a quite an aging set of forwards selected....

I'd say the forwards average 27 which I wouldnt say is that old.

ssaye2 · 20-01-2015 3:00pm

http://www.the42.ie/scotland-six-nations-ireland-vern-cotter-1892033-Jan2015/?utm_source=twitter_self

32-man Scotland squad for Six Nations:

Props: Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby), Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors), Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors) Geoff Cross (London Irish), Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors)

Hookers: Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors)

Locks: Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Saracens), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh Rugby)

Back rows: Hugh Blake (Edinburgh Rugby), Blair Cowan (London Irish), David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby), Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby)

Half-backs: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester, captain), Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors), Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby)

Centres: Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby)

Back threes: Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby).

Fireball07 · 20-01-2015 3:13pm

England

Has Kelly Brown retired from internationals?

2015 RBS Six Nations General Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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