Well, I obviously disagree with you on Hickie. I think his play on Saturday was one of the few things keeping us in it. However, yeah. With the wailing and the gnashing etc. etc.
To be honest with you I think that there has been a real decline in the quality of the Six Nations over all and that has created false expectations
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I agree with the welsh slam. People seem to forget that the world beatign slam team was fairly much the same team that had previously won the wooden spoon finishing below an italian team that was a shadow of todays
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I think that the world cup coming at the start of the northern hemisphere domestic season and at the end of the southern gives a headstart to the tri-nations teams. It helps them to hit the ground running.
However it is clear that there is a massive gap in the level of technical skills possessed by the SH and NH sides. I've lost track of the number of boring forward slugfests I've seen on saturday afternoons over the last few years. A whole generation of skillful backs sitting idly around the park hoping to get a touch of the ball, their talent ebbing slowly away.
With particular regard to the irish side, I believe that the policy of not picking players who play outside of Ireland is crazy. Amongst other things it cuts down drastically the competition for places which I believe is essential for any team to thrive.
The timing issue is one that has been raised before and I agree to a certain extent.
However, all the home nations had plenty of friendlies and played second string teams and then wondered why their first teams were a bit ring rusty when the tournament starts.
Sure, check out the fringe players, especially as when the inevitable injury list piles up you'll need them, but thats why clubs have 1st XV's and 2nd XV's have your friendly and put out your best 15, then send out a second team to play a lower tier nation, like the english do with the saxons sometimes. then you get best of both worlds!
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Waiting for the USA under 14 Girls team to beat us... just to round off a shite 2 years...
England - living off past glories since the beginning of time...
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Still I've heard that Trimble is replacing him for the france Match. I'd have gone for Murphy as he's a more stable player.
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One England squad, hardly used, totally fucking useless.
Contact anybody in England for a speedy sale.
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Optimistic mate - this England team can't do anything at pace. :(
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However it is clear that there is a massive gap in the level of technical skills possessed by the SH and NH sides. I've lost track of the number of boring forward slugfests I've seen on saturday afternoons over the last few years. A whole generation of skillful backs sitting idly around the park hoping to get a touch of the ball, their talent ebbing slowly away.
With particular regard to the irish side, I believe that the policy of not picking players who play outside of Ireland is crazy. Amongst other things it cuts down drastically the competition for places which I believe is essential for any team to thrive.
Reply
However, all the home nations had plenty of friendlies and played second string teams and then wondered why their first teams were a bit ring rusty when the tournament starts.
Sure, check out the fringe players, especially as when the inevitable injury list piles up you'll need them, but thats why clubs have 1st XV's and 2nd XV's have your friendly and put out your best 15, then send out a second team to play a lower tier nation, like the english do with the saxons sometimes. then you get best of both worlds!
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