The Rugby Thread

[Deutsch Wolf]

Not happy. Truth be told I can't see it lasting particularly long.

 

[Stan Hullis]

It is a gamble but it could also be the making of Hartley.

The pressure and responsibility of being captain may calm Hartley down. The only thing I'm not keen on is the fact he doesn't tend to play 80 minutes.

 

[Tredman]

Could be a very good gamble - a sensible Hartley is very good player, the added responsibility might make him think twice. It will also give England more bite, we've been bullied in the forwards on occasion, that should never happen.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

He is 29 and has played over 60 tests. He shouldn't need making.

 

[Tredman]

As a player he doesn't, he's very good.

His disciplinary record, Wayne Barnes aside, isn't that bad over the past few years. The ban for abusing Wayne Barnes was odd.

 

[Dinowolf]

Rokoduguni called into the England squad.

I'm glad about this as I thought he was treated badly by Lancaster, after playing well against NZ.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Good player. Very physical winger and rapid as well.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Hartley is only in place for the six nations, a short -term solution until Jones sees what he has in the squad, he is not the best hooker in England (George is) and arguably not the best formwise at Northampton this year, but he has been captain there for 5 years leading them to a title, so has some form there, and is the most experienced leader in the squad (apart from Robshaw).

As someone alluded to England have been possibly being "too nice" in the last few years under Lancaster, under Hartley there is no doubt be an edge brought to things, controlled aggression is obviously good but he has a habit of stepping over the line, although in fairness to him that has happened at Northampton, I don't think he has ever seriously transgressed when playing for England.

 

[Dinowolf]

Hartley is only in place for the six nations, a short -term solution until Jones sees what he has in the squad, he is not the best hooker in England (George is) and arguably not the best formwise at Northampton this year, but he has been captain there for 5 years leading them to a title, so has some form there, and is the most experienced leader in the squad (apart from Robshaw).

As someone alluded to England have been possibly being "too nice" in the last few years under Lancaster, under Hartley there is no doubt be an edge brought to things, controlled aggression is obviously good but he has a habit of stepping over the line, although in fairness to him that has happened at Northampton, I don't think he has ever seriously transgressed when playing for England.

Good post.

I listened to his England video interview and to be fair he sounds quite reasonable, still got a NZ twang at times.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Hartley is a bloody good hooker, if he can keep himself under control.

 

[Jabbawolf]

Hartley is a bloody good hooker, if he can keep himself under control.

Having seen Tom Youngs fail to be consistent with the line out throw, I can see why Jones wants a hooker who can throw and hook, not one just good in the loose.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Ashton appealing the length of his ban. Seems a bit pointless. He was given a reduction of three weeks for good previous anyway.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Ashton appealing the length of his ban. Seems a bit pointless. He was given a reduction of three weeks for good previous anyway.

Yes but then they added 6 weeks on because everybody hates him.....

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Seems Sexton will be fit to play, has passed the various protocols regarding concussion, apparently it was a blow to the head rather then concussion that he suffered.

On one hand I am glad, on the other hand whole episode is a bit disturbing, hopefully he is not suffering long-term health issues, (it was 4 concussions he suffered in 2014).

We have now lost our 1st & 2nd choice tight-heads, with a light second row I can see our scrum going backwards a lot over the next few weeks

 

[Donegal Wolf]

http://www.jameshaskell.com/logic-dictates-james-haskell-is-the-natural-leader-for-england

This is one of the oddest things I have read about a professional sportsman, it is from James Haskell's website telling us why he is the natural choice to be England's captain....

 

[Tredman]

http://www.jameshaskell.com/logic-dictates-james-haskell-is-the-natural-leader-for-england

This is one of the oddest things I have read about a professional sportsman, it is from James Haskell's website telling us why he is the natural choice to be England's captain....

He's definitely a legend in his own mind.

I really like Haskell, but if he had anything to do with writing about his own team mates like that he should be out of the squad.

 

[Dinowolf]

Seems Sexton will be fit to play, has passed the various protocols regarding concussion, apparently it was a blow to the head rather then concussion that he suffered.

On one hand I am glad, on the other hand whole episode is a bit disturbing, hopefully he is not suffering long-term health issues, (it was 4 concussions he suffered in 2014).

We have now lost our 1st & 2nd choice tight-heads, with a light second row I can see our scrum going backwards a lot over the next few weeks

He's passed HIA 1&2 but he only takes HIA3 today.
I hope he is fit to play as the 6N would be poorer without him, but someone has jumped the gun by the sound of it.
Even if he passes the protocol he may not play against Wales, but be given a bit more time.

 

[Dinowolf]

Sexton has today been officially declared as fit for 6 Nations which is good news for him and Ireland.

 

[Dinowolf]

Kieran Brookes takes up his place in the England 6N squad, after proving his fitness at the weekend.

Could mean Paul Hill missing out as the back-up tighthead prop against Scotland.

 

[Tredman]

Never really been convinced about Brookes, always seems a bit slow.

Though if I said that down the local club I'd probably get punched, with him being a local lad.