2018 6Nations - Game 1: Italy

[p/d]

Te'o was a bit lost at sea in defence, tough to play with Farrell and a back row that doesn't slow ball in fairness

Indeed. And T’eo really is a 12, like Farrell is a 10 (or as SCW would say a world class inside centre)

He certainly should only be considered there.

Yep.

[Banquo]

Be interesting to see where the 9 chicken comes home to roost; I hope Diggers is wrong.

[p/d]

Be interesting to see where the 9 chicken comes home to roost; I hope Diggers is wrong.

Next game Wales......Jones will go with Wigglesworth & Care

[Banquo]

Be interesting to see where the 9 chicken comes home to roost; I hope Diggers is wrong.

Next game Wales......Jones will go with Wigglesworth & Care

That's Diggers view, too.

[Digby]

Final score flattered us a touch but we did look very good at times when attacking. We can score tries in clusters and that makes us very dangerous.
Set piece was very strong, the Ford-Farrell axis worked nicely and the bench offered real impact.
For all the talk of the back row, I thought Lawes was really good and Simmonds just outstanding. Watson took his tries with great aplomb. Brown our poorest performer, which is now becoming a trend.
Interesting to see who comes in at SH for Wales, and probably the rest of the 6N as Youngs has copped a nasty injury unfortunately.

Lawes too poor at the breakdown to have done well on the flank. And Hartley stood up to contend worst player alongside Brown, Care and Te'o

[Timbo]

Indeed. And T’eo really is a 12, like Farrell is a 10 (or as SCW would say a world class inside centre)

He certainly should only be considered there.

Yep.

His best role is impact off the bench. As powerful in contact as he is, it’s not enough to allow for the fact that he’s not able to pass or kick to a high standard.

[Digby]

Be interesting to see where the 9 chicken comes home to roost; I hope Diggers is wrong.

Next game Wales......Jones will go with Wigglesworth & Care

That's Diggers view, too.

Not sure, I think Wiggle is his plan for the WC as things stand. Right now he might look at someone younger and see if they impress him

[Digby]

Te'o was a bit lost at sea in defence, tough to play with Farrell and a back row that doesn't slow ball in fairness

Indeed. And T’eo really is a 12, like Farrell is a 10 (or as SCW would say a world class inside centre)

Nice to see a world class 12 throw the ball away for no good reason on attack in the Italian 22, just terrific hands again

[Banquo]

Next game Wales......Jones will go with Wigglesworth & Care

That's Diggers view, too.

Not sure, I think Wiggle is his plan for the WC as things stand. Right now he might look at someone younger and see if they impress him

We've had this chat before

1- why, given he will be 36 come RWC, and
b- its Wiggy.

[Digby]

Watching on ITV+1 now, how Simmonds wasn't MoM I don't know. Even before Watson running out of the line in defence

[Oakboy]

The result justified everything Eddie did. I want to say that I was disappointed that Italy breeched our defence relatively easily but until I've seen another XV play them, I can't be sure. I suspdct that Italy could surprise a few.

Robshaw was excellent, IMO. His turnover just before he went off (it ended as a penalty) was superb. But he's not a true openside? Bollocks.

I thought T'eo as a bosher with May working inside served a purpose for this game. Both will probably be lucky to get selected against Wales.

[Banquo]

Te'o was a bit lost at sea in defence, tough to play with Farrell and a back row that doesn't slow ball in fairness

Indeed. And T’eo really is a 12, like Farrell is a 10 (or as SCW would say a world class inside centre)

Nice to see a world class 12 throw the ball away for no good reason on attack in the Italian 22, just terrific hands again

He just isnt a world class anything, but bar that pass and whatever was or wasn't happening in defence, he was good in attack today.

[Banquo]

The result justified everything Eddie did. I want to say that I was disappointed that Italy breeched our defence relatively easily but until I've seen another XV play them, I can't be sure. I suspdct that Italy could surprise a few.

Robshaw was excellent, IMO. His turnover just before he went off (it ended as a penalty) was superb. But he's not a true openside? Bollocks.

I thought T'eo as a bosher with May working inside served a purpose for this game. Both will probably be lucky to get selected against Wales.

He's not a true openside at international level.

You didn't spot Teo's iffy defence then?

Who are you selecting ahead of May?

[Digby]

That's Diggers view, too.

Not sure, I think Wiggle is his plan for the WC as things stand. Right now he might look at someone younger and see if they impress him

We've had this chat before

1- why, given he will be 36 come RWC, and
b- its Wiggy.

For the same reasons given before. His fitness results remain high, Sarries can look after him too, his game is known and consistent, England like playing off a kicking 9, and you could easily partner him with a known 8 and 10.

It's not my plan, I don't like it even. But for there to be another plan we need to see it, and actually now we might get that chance

[Banquo]

Not sure, I think Wiggle is his plan for the WC as things stand. Right now he might look at someone younger and see if they impress him

We've had this chat before

1- why, given he will be 36 come RWC, and
b- its Wiggy.

For the same reasons given before. His fitness results remain high, Sarries can look after him too, his game is known and consistent, England like playing off a kicking 9, and you could easily partner him with a known 8 and 10.

It's not my plan, I don't like it even. But for there to be another plan we need to see it, and actually now we might get that chance

Ah yes, I remember that 'logic' now (though not a known 8 at present, or indeed 10, as he is at 12), I was thinking your certainty was derived from 'in the camp' knowledge.

For the record, fitness results remaining high mean jack in terms of 18 months away. I guess he could be ok.....I hope you are all round wrong tho.

[Raggs]

One turnover against the usually weakest side in the six nations is perhaps why he's not viewed as a real openside.

[Digby]

One turnover against the usually weakest side in the six nations is perhaps why he's not viewed as a real openside.

And we didn't look like making them, nor slowing their ball at the breakdown. Slowing their play stemmed from winning contact

[Raggs]

Apparently Eddie has said it'll be a kicking scrum half...

[Banquo]

One turnover against the usually weakest side in the six nations is perhaps why he's not viewed as a real openside.

And we didn't look like making them, nor slowing their ball at the breakdown. Slowing their play stemmed from winning contact

Well we did manage a few, but that's fair; and although EJ is wedded to the latter, there are people in the pack capable of competing over the ball, and others not selected.

BTW, lets not lose sight of what the real openside provides in attack....see Simmonds for some details

[Banquo]

Apparently Eddie has said it'll be a kicking scrum half...

Wiggy it is then; though both Robson and especially Simpson give it a whack.

[p/d]

Te'o was a bit lost at sea in defence, tough to play with Farrell and a back row that doesn't slow ball in fairness

Indeed. And T’eo really is a 12, like Farrell is a 10 (or as SCW would say a world class inside centre)

Nice to see a world class 12 throw the ball away for no good reason on attack in the Italian 22, just terrific hands again

One touch finder from a penalty would have gone further if he had thrown it. Though on the upside it did find touch unlike his later effort.

Oh, and Wilco needs to shave. Scruffy git!!! (No doubt Oakboy will argue that he got his grooming choice spot on )

[Digby]

Watching the tries back now, Te'o was good in defence when compared to his opposite number

[Banquo]

Watching the tries back now, Te'o was good in defence when compared to his opposite number

faint praise indeed

[Digby]

Watching the tries back now, Te'o was good in defence when compared to his opposite number

faint praise indeed

I hadn't realised quite how bad he was in the game, partly by dint of watching the England players more. Johnny May might be annoyed by some of the thinking that went into his play

(Btw, Invers has just suggested Wiggle for Wales)

[Banquo]

Watching the tries back now, Te'o was good in defence when compared to his opposite number

faint praise indeed

I hadn't realised quite how bad he was in the game, partly by dint of watching the England players more. Johnny May might be annoyed by some of the thinking that went into his play

(Btw, Invers has just suggested Wiggle for Wales)

That confirms several opinions I hold. Though I assume he said Wiggy.