I think the problem for England is the Elite Player Squad, restricting the choices of players, regardless of whether or not they're on form or not. Seven of England's 22 were Wasps players, but Wasps are severely lacking the form they had when they won the Premiership last summer.
Payne and Vickery are second best to Sheridan and Stevens. Sackey was a pale shadow of the high-speed try-scoring machine he used to be and Cipriani has quite frankly, failed to cut it at international level.
Really, only Haskell and Rees justified their selection. London Irish, meanwhile, have topped the table and are enjoying their best season ever, yet had only two players representing them on Saturday. How about a recall for Topsy Ojo (who ran in 2 tries against NZ last summer) and Shane Geraghty? Gloucester are second, their latest victory coming courtesty of 5 England rejects (again, no representatives in the England Squad). In fact, out of the six teams at the top of the table, it's only really Leicester and Bath that seem to be fairly represented. Let's ditch this EPS system and have England represented by in-form players. Oh, and a swift recovery for Johnny Wilkinson as well - that would help.
Posted 14:37 1st December 2008
Peter Hannam says...
As a England supporter i would be lying to say i enjoyed wales beating austraila but on the other hand i think england were a little to lose by that margine against new zealand but its not the the man in charge that is to blame if england get a tough draw for the 2011 world cup but i only hope that england get beyond the quarter finals and prehaps play south africa in the final
Posted 13:02 1st December 2008
Gareth Crees says...
Following last year's world cup Wales appear to be the only nation that have improved with the exception,perhaps, of some Scottish performances. Whilst Leigh Halfpenny is very talented, he's still got a long way to go but the introduction of Andy Powell to international rugby has been a breath of fresh air, a real Lions candidate. Warren Gatland and his team are building something solid and consistant and introducing some new faces. Wales should be confident going into the six nations but must continue to play rgularly against the Tri nations to develop.
The six nations form players should dictate Mcgeechan's Lions but at the moment should read; Lee Byrne, Shane Williams, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Steven Jones, James Hook, Ryan Jones, Martin Williams, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Gough, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones,
Posted 12:26 1st December 2008
Oliver Van dongen says...
The problem is attitude. Especially with England. In England we hope that we can beat the All Blacks, we hope that we can beat South Africa. In NZ they expect to win, they want to win and they simply have to win. Its the same with South Africa and its been the same throughout history. The All Blacks are so proud of their history and their team that every defeat is scarring and it must be avenged. Improvement comes almost instantaneously. Every player leads the other. In England we talk of wanting a leader in the team, why not every player be a leader?
From 2000 to 2003 is the only time really that we've seen anorthern hemispehere side break the mould. The result is immortal, but the cause? England simply went into every game believing that there was no way they could possibly lose and as a result it affected other teams psyhcologically. Yes England lost every now nd again, but always came back harder. England punished teams evry time they got into their half, they played with confidence and stubborn belief that they would not lose.
Perhaps it is time we stopped accepting the long term results argument that the RFU have said for the past 4 years, and start demanding and expecting that England produce the results, like at the start of the decade. It works in New Zealand.
Posted 12:18 1st December 2008
Kevin Williams says...
As a South African supporter it was particularly pleasing to see England get whipped after all their trash talking leading up to the Test.
As a whole though one of the problems with the nothern hemisphere must surely be an inability to execute basic attacking moves consistently. As a result as soon as any of the teams get into an attacking position their lack of precision is costing them dearly.
There is a lot to do if the Lions wish to have a successful tour to SA. You need only look at the last two major results (demolishing Australia and doing the same to England) to realise SA at home will be very tough. Add into that the return of overseas based players and you get a sense of the task at hand.
Posted 08:59 1st December 2008
Richard Hinman says...
I think that at this time Italy as a rugby nation has hit a cross roads! we are on the up and have been for a few years! I can honestly say that i was there when we won our first away game in the six nations!! but i was in cardiff in february where we lost very badly and losing at home to the pacific islanders was really bad. it was the first time that the islanders had won away and it did remind me of edinburgh 18 months ago.
i am going to scotland for the game in the six nations and i think that it is the most important game for italy ever. if we can get another win then we can really push on and see if for the first time we can get 3 wins in one six nations. if we lose then we have some really problems. in the end italy can either way now. we can push on and become a real force in rugby or we could slide down the scale and end up where were 9 years ago.
forza italia!!!
Posted 21:16 30th November 2008
Ben Royds says...
although all blacks were good, it's really their ability to finish off opportunities that set them apart. All sides miss opportunityies to score apart from the all blacks. Wales and france are the form teams right now but a lot can happen come six nations time. I think it will be between wales, france and ireland. But what will decide it will be the opening round results - who ever gets momentum will do well - so scotland could have a good six nations and so could england, you never know maybe even italy too....
Posted 19:48 30th November 2008
Steve Jones says...
As a Welshman I would be lying if I didn't admit to taking pleasure from seeing England being humbled, but why?
The answer isn't because I have any particular dislike of English playing style (though it usually lacks flair or imagination) or is it because of the them across the border thing. Its the English media, press pundits and so called experts who regularly ignore the achievements of others to lament the state of their own.
England have never really gone for flash moves or intracate 3/4 play, its solid 10 man suck in the defence rugby that gives the back line the space that they don't find themselves. So when an outside half with a bit of something turns up the english media don't know what they make of it, their response is to turn him into the great hope, a certain lion, a man to reverse England's waning fortunes. Pressure that a young man just embarking on his internatioanal career could do without, when it goes wrong then its cricket bats out and beat the young man down destroying what confidence that he's built up. Ciprani has the potential of being a competent international out half, face it he's the only one out there who can do a job for England!
Posted 18:01 30th November 2008
Daryl Rogers says...
Wales are the best - truly magnificent.
Posted 16:37 30th November 2008
Conor Kissinger says...
David Wallace was excellent in my view. Should certainly be the Irish seven or eight, and the Lions' too.
Looking to the Six Nations it is hard to see past Wales on current form. Italy will be combative but won't seriously threaten, Scotland might get two wins but little else, France are weakening match-by-match, England are bereft of confidence and ability and will be mid-table.
Ireland are also extremely low in confidence and Alan Gaffney really needs to earn his money as backs coach - they're offering nothing at the moment. However, give Declan Kidney a few months and I think he just might get them back on track and into a top two finish. And if Wales suffer a dip in form then Ireland might, just might, nab the title.
Comments (10)
Thomas Dugmore says...
I think the problem for England is the Elite Player Squad, restricting the choices of players, regardless of whether or not they're on form or not. Seven of England's 22 were Wasps players, but Wasps are severely lacking the form they had when they won the Premiership last summer. Payne and Vickery are second best to Sheridan and Stevens. Sackey was a pale shadow of the high-speed try-scoring machine he used to be and Cipriani has quite frankly, failed to cut it at international level. Really, only Haskell and Rees justified their selection. London Irish, meanwhile, have topped the table and are enjoying their best season ever, yet had only two players representing them on Saturday. How about a recall for Topsy Ojo (who ran in 2 tries against NZ last summer) and Shane Geraghty? Gloucester are second, their latest victory coming courtesty of 5 England rejects (again, no representatives in the England Squad). In fact, out of the six teams at the top of the table, it's only really Leicester and Bath that seem to be fairly represented. Let's ditch this EPS system and have England represented by in-form players. Oh, and a swift recovery for Johnny Wilkinson as well - that would help.
Posted 14:37 1st December 2008
Peter Hannam says...
As a England supporter i would be lying to say i enjoyed wales beating austraila but on the other hand i think england were a little to lose by that margine against new zealand but its not the the man in charge that is to blame if england get a tough draw for the 2011 world cup but i only hope that england get beyond the quarter finals and prehaps play south africa in the final
Posted 13:02 1st December 2008
Gareth Crees says...
Following last year's world cup Wales appear to be the only nation that have improved with the exception,perhaps, of some Scottish performances. Whilst Leigh Halfpenny is very talented, he's still got a long way to go but the introduction of Andy Powell to international rugby has been a breath of fresh air, a real Lions candidate. Warren Gatland and his team are building something solid and consistant and introducing some new faces. Wales should be confident going into the six nations but must continue to play rgularly against the Tri nations to develop. The six nations form players should dictate Mcgeechan's Lions but at the moment should read; Lee Byrne, Shane Williams, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Steven Jones, James Hook, Ryan Jones, Martin Williams, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Gough, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones,
Posted 12:26 1st December 2008
Oliver Van dongen says...
The problem is attitude. Especially with England. In England we hope that we can beat the All Blacks, we hope that we can beat South Africa. In NZ they expect to win, they want to win and they simply have to win. Its the same with South Africa and its been the same throughout history. The All Blacks are so proud of their history and their team that every defeat is scarring and it must be avenged. Improvement comes almost instantaneously. Every player leads the other. In England we talk of wanting a leader in the team, why not every player be a leader? From 2000 to 2003 is the only time really that we've seen anorthern hemispehere side break the mould. The result is immortal, but the cause? England simply went into every game believing that there was no way they could possibly lose and as a result it affected other teams psyhcologically. Yes England lost every now nd again, but always came back harder. England punished teams evry time they got into their half, they played with confidence and stubborn belief that they would not lose. Perhaps it is time we stopped accepting the long term results argument that the RFU have said for the past 4 years, and start demanding and expecting that England produce the results, like at the start of the decade. It works in New Zealand.
Posted 12:18 1st December 2008
Kevin Williams says...
As a South African supporter it was particularly pleasing to see England get whipped after all their trash talking leading up to the Test. As a whole though one of the problems with the nothern hemisphere must surely be an inability to execute basic attacking moves consistently. As a result as soon as any of the teams get into an attacking position their lack of precision is costing them dearly. There is a lot to do if the Lions wish to have a successful tour to SA. You need only look at the last two major results (demolishing Australia and doing the same to England) to realise SA at home will be very tough. Add into that the return of overseas based players and you get a sense of the task at hand.
Posted 08:59 1st December 2008
Richard Hinman says...
I think that at this time Italy as a rugby nation has hit a cross roads! we are on the up and have been for a few years! I can honestly say that i was there when we won our first away game in the six nations!! but i was in cardiff in february where we lost very badly and losing at home to the pacific islanders was really bad. it was the first time that the islanders had won away and it did remind me of edinburgh 18 months ago. i am going to scotland for the game in the six nations and i think that it is the most important game for italy ever. if we can get another win then we can really push on and see if for the first time we can get 3 wins in one six nations. if we lose then we have some really problems. in the end italy can either way now. we can push on and become a real force in rugby or we could slide down the scale and end up where were 9 years ago. forza italia!!!
Posted 21:16 30th November 2008
Ben Royds says...
although all blacks were good, it's really their ability to finish off opportunities that set them apart. All sides miss opportunityies to score apart from the all blacks. Wales and france are the form teams right now but a lot can happen come six nations time. I think it will be between wales, france and ireland. But what will decide it will be the opening round results - who ever gets momentum will do well - so scotland could have a good six nations and so could england, you never know maybe even italy too....
Posted 19:48 30th November 2008
Steve Jones says...
As a Welshman I would be lying if I didn't admit to taking pleasure from seeing England being humbled, but why? The answer isn't because I have any particular dislike of English playing style (though it usually lacks flair or imagination) or is it because of the them across the border thing. Its the English media, press pundits and so called experts who regularly ignore the achievements of others to lament the state of their own. England have never really gone for flash moves or intracate 3/4 play, its solid 10 man suck in the defence rugby that gives the back line the space that they don't find themselves. So when an outside half with a bit of something turns up the english media don't know what they make of it, their response is to turn him into the great hope, a certain lion, a man to reverse England's waning fortunes. Pressure that a young man just embarking on his internatioanal career could do without, when it goes wrong then its cricket bats out and beat the young man down destroying what confidence that he's built up. Ciprani has the potential of being a competent international out half, face it he's the only one out there who can do a job for England!
Posted 18:01 30th November 2008
Daryl Rogers says...
Wales are the best - truly magnificent.
Posted 16:37 30th November 2008
Conor Kissinger says...
David Wallace was excellent in my view. Should certainly be the Irish seven or eight, and the Lions' too. Looking to the Six Nations it is hard to see past Wales on current form. Italy will be combative but won't seriously threaten, Scotland might get two wins but little else, France are weakening match-by-match, England are bereft of confidence and ability and will be mid-table. Ireland are also extremely low in confidence and Alan Gaffney really needs to earn his money as backs coach - they're offering nothing at the moment. However, give Declan Kidney a few months and I think he just might get them back on track and into a top two finish. And if Wales suffer a dip in form then Ireland might, just might, nab the title.
Posted 15:57 30th November 2008