The official KUMB Rugby Union Thread

[Loftyhammer]

Cheers for the responses! One to watch...

In terms of his style of play on a scale of Jonny to Cipriani....where does he sit?

[Patito]

Cheers for the responses! One to watch...

In terms of his style of play on a scale of Jonny to Cipriani....where does he sit?

Like a young Michalak

[Loftyhammer]

]


Like a young Michalak

Hopefully not as flaky!

[jacko]

I'm a bit worried about the 6 nations this time around. I think Ireland are going to win it. England seem to have been battered by injuries in key areas. Very frustrating that we never see Billy on the field much.

[Tenbury]

I've seen Mallinder a couple of times,only on BT mind, looks a bit raw.

[pablo jaye]

6 Nations starting this coming weekend;-

Will Englands injury list affect their chances
Will the Irish win it
Will the Scots continue their improved form
Will Wales promise a lot and deliver little
Will the French be their usual enigmatic selves
Will Italy properly compete in a game?

[DasNutNock]

Ireland will win this tournament, no Slam.

[ironstu]

Will Englands injury list affect their chances? Not as much as people are making out, the strength in depth of English rugby is second to none. Yes there are some injuries to big players but I think England are good enough to adapt their game with the players coming in. Expect England to be there or thereabouts.
Will the Irish win it? If they can win at Twickenham. They have to be favourites, but a lot will rest on that game I think. I see England winning it...
Will the Scots continue their improved form? They'll fall short in the big games as usual.
They've got great talent but I worry about their game management and see defeats to England and Ireland as definites. First game against Wales though could shape their tournament. No better time to play Wales in Cardiff.
Will Wales promise a lot and deliver little? I don't think they even promise a lot in this tournament. If you think England's injuries are bad, then Wales is like West Ham's! They don't have the depth that England do either. Can see them struggling and finishing 4th or below.
Will the French be their usual enigmatic selves? Yes. They've got a big win in them that could put a spanner in the works for others.
Will Italy properly compete in a game? I think games against Italy will be tighter this year.
John O'Shea is a clever coach. They will have improved but still lack the firepower to truly trouble anyone, especially with only two home games.

[dave_l]

[quote="ironstu"
Will Italy properly compete in a game? I think games against Italy will be tighter this year.
John O'Shea is a clever coach. They will have improved but still lack the firepower to truly trouble anyone, especially with only two home games.[/quote]

Connor O Shea if anything will get the youth structure sorted out there and it may take a few years for the results to bear fruit. If anything at Quins he got a bit Arsene Wenger, obsessing over youth rather than buying the players he needed to maintain the position.

England have great strength in depth, I just hope that Jones, the senior players and the coaches have got it into the younger lads just how much the Celts hate and want to beat them. England have 3/4 cup finals to win a 6N let alone a slam. The others not so much. If England don't win it I would expect Ireland to. That said, if England get a few injured players back I don't fancy their chances at Twickenham.

Marcus Smith looks a serious prospect. Lets just hope the press and public don't ruin him.

[sendô]

I'd make England favourites with Ireland and Wales both coming to Twickers, but I think Ireland will win it but with no slam.

[Patito]

England will win it. Eddie Jones always seems to have just about enough to get us over the line. No Grand Slam though.

[Patito]

England XV to face Italy tomorrow:

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Launchbury
5. Itoje
6. Lawes
7. Robshaw
8. Simmonds
9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Farrell
13. Te'o
14. Watson
15. Brown


Good to see Simmonds in there starting IMO. Surprised Jones has gone for Te'o over Joeseph.

[DasNutNock]

C'mon Scolun!

[dave_l]

Scotland doing their level best to beat themselves. Horrendous defence from them so far.

[bristolhammerfc]

Scotland's defence all over the place

[bristolhammerfc]

Halfpenny playing well for Wales. Wales look so good in the tackle.

[Slacking student]

Providing the Welsh don't win I'm happy when it comes to rugby. Awful awful supporters

[sendô]

Bugger me I expected the Jocks to compete this tournament, but they were awful. No doubt they'll still show up against England though.

[DasNutNock]

Scotch a massive disappointment. Taffs impressive.

13-12 to the Blurz at the moment. Will be hysterical if they beat the Irish, who've looked very good today.

[Johnny Byrne's Boots]

Fantastic Irish discipline and forward play, something like forty or fifty phases without error, to get within drop goal range and a brilliant kick from Sexton.

Well done lads