The Rugby Thread

[Paul]

Excellent news

 

[Dinowolf]

Billy Vunipola got through 72 minutes unscathed today. He and brother Mako looked good.

 

[Dinowolf]

England's matchday squad +1 to face Scotland:

Forwards (13): Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

Backs (11): Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Bath Rugby), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

For me it's either Watson or May to be dropped.

 

[Nando]

Nowell, Joseph and Youngs back in for May, Te'o and Care.

The bench is outrageous. Ridiculous amount of power.

 

[Dinowolf]

England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Courtney Lawes, 6 Maro Itoje, 7 James Haskell, 8 Nathan Hughes.

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Tom Wood, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Danny Care, 22 Ben Te'o, 23 Anthony Watson.

May is the one dropped and despite the rumours, Binny starts on the bench along with brother Mako and Ben Te'o.

This will be the first time Itoje and Daly have faced Scotland.

 

[Dinowolf]

England will delay a decision on whether Farrell will be fit to play, until an hour before kick-off.

No-one else will be called up to the squad so England will rely on the 24 picked earlier in the week, with May moving onto the bench if Farrell doesn't make it.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Cracking game of rugby breaking out in Cardiff. Superb first 25 minutes.

 

[Paul]

It just got better

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Looking good so far.

 

[Paul]

It's a bit frantic !

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Mental game at the moment. Incredible intensity. God knows who is coming out on top

 

[jd1981]

Really don't know why the crowd are moaning about as blatant penalty as you'll see.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Agreed. Clearly tackled and out of the game.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

That is an absolutely correct decision by Barnes but Ireland would have scored. Monster rickett by Henshaw.

 

[jd1981]

So England will be champions tomorrow if they win if Ireland lose this.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Not any more. Bonus points and whatever means not the case.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Still should be obviously but maths isn't done

Unlike this game!

 

[jd1981]

Wouldn't leave England 7 points clear at the top meaning Ireland would or Scotland would have to score 12 tries to get sufficient bonus points. Whilst it would be on paper it would effectively leave England as champions.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Effectively, but not quite done I think. Failure to get your Italy bonus point means you have to wait!

 

[jd1981]

We did get a bonus point against Italy.