Comments on: Best of the Weekend: Premiership and PRO12 playoffs thrill

By: Benjit

Benjit — Tue, 20 May 2014 09:50:55 +0000

I’m not disagreeing but based on SL’s preference for incumbents I suspect May will be ahead if him.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 20 May 2014 07:53:01 +0000

Daly covers the same positions – but to my mind, it better at both FB and centre.

By: Staggy

Staggy — Mon, 19 May 2014 22:02:49 +0000

Ashton has now been warned by the England management.

By: Benjit

Benjit — Mon, 19 May 2014 18:21:24 +0000

Yep it is illegal. Tbh I’m just sick of his antics. I used to give him the benefit of the doubt as being a bit exuberant but now I just thinks he lacks class, humility and sportsmanship qualities. It all smacks of poor judgement, not a good sign for a player with international ambitions. Varndell and Cipriani have been asked to clean up their act. Why is Ashton not treated in the same way?

By: Jonny

Jonny — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:18:05 +0000

Genuine question here. Is there anything in the rules specifically relating to shouting at players during conversions? I guess it would fall under unsportsmanlike conduct, much like Danny Care calling for the ball from Vunipola, or the countless taps on the head that players get when they give away a penalty.

That said, Ashton doesn’t help himself.

As an aside, has anyone else noticed that Robshaw keeps getting told to stop asking for players to be put in the bin? It happened against Saracens and I’m pretty certain it happened against Bath too.

By: Benjit

Benjit — Mon, 19 May 2014 15:11:24 +0000

Surely May is ahead of Daly for the utility back role, covers wing, FB & centre?

By: Benjit

Benjit — Mon, 19 May 2014 15:03:19 +0000

Surely Ashton should be a contender for villain of the week for his childish antics. Can’t have impressed Lancaster who places so much importance on attitude and culture. I can’t remember the last time I disliked an England player this much.

By: Dazza

Dazza — Mon, 19 May 2014 12:56:04 +0000

Totally agree with you on Daly, and it’s a little ridiculous he hasn’t been considered before. He’s the ideal bench back player for England with his ability to cover several spots in the back line. Can’t help but think that Lancaster will pick Watson because he was included in the training squad before though. I don’t really think the back line is where the problem lies. It’s in the forwards (particularly front row) where we seem to be lacking in real depth.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Mon, 19 May 2014 09:56:00 +0000

Agree with you that I expect May to be in, less so Watson. To be honest I completely forgot about May. I picked Daly over Watson consciously. I just think Daly is a class act.

Haskell has certainly played most of his rugby at 7, but that is more to accommodate Ashley Johnson and Nathan Hughes in the back row with him. He basically goes round doing all the dirty work to allow the two to carry, and England will need the same style of player. Johnson is similar in that regard, but for me in then comes down to who is in the best form. So that’s why I went Haskell.

By: Dazza

Dazza — Mon, 19 May 2014 09:34:54 +0000

That actually still looks like a very good squad. I think Lancaster may have a few different players in there though.
11. May with Yarde at 14, and I think 23 will be Watson not Daly. May was in the 6 nations squad, and Watson has already trained with the current squad and seems to be in favour.
Shame because I’d prefer your wing choices, but I can’t see Lancaster leaving May out.

6. Johnson to start with Haskell on the bench to cover the whole back row. Haskell has had more time at 7 and 8 than Johnson has, and with the squad members unavailable he is the perfect option to come off the bench.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Mon, 19 May 2014 08:58:27 +0000

Really disappointed by some of the defending by Wasps yesterday afternoon. Two of the tries were literally given away. Was a weird feeling at half time; I’ve never felt so underwhelmed by a win.

Saracens and Saints both deserve their spot in the final – should be a great game.

Few issues for the first test though, with mainly wing, hooker and 12 being the issue.

Assuming those who have niggles get fit:

1. Marler.2. Webber 3. Wilson 4. Launchbury 5. Parling 6. Haskell. 7. Robshaw. 8. Morgan 9. Care 10. Ford 11. Yarde. 12. Eastmond 13. Tuilagi 14. Roko 15. Brown

16. Ward 17. Mullen 18. Thomas 19. Attwood 20. Johnson 21. Youngs 22. Cipriani 23. Daly

By: Chuckles

Chuckles — Mon, 19 May 2014 08:41:01 +0000

As a Saints fan, under any other circumstances I’d take umbrage that Tom Wood didn’t get Hero of the Week for leading his team to their first victory, home or away, against the hated Tigers in four years and a second consecutive Premiership final…but the Sharks are worthy winners of the accolade this week. Stupid Southern Hemisphere, always stealing the thunder.