England a brave new world

One match in a scrappy win versus Scotland,who were willing but limited under EJ the new broom a must win,achieved well done.
The team was a conservative choice given the injuries,experienced to do a job not many new faces,scrum went ok,ditto Lineout,
i.e nothing in it.[to many penalties conceded].
Breakdown area in conclusive,Haskell had a huge tackle count,Vunipola powerful in contact,tried to milk penalties Scrumtime
not clever with a Hooker who strikes for the ball.
Having watched all three matches both Wales [despite injury problems] and Ireland both looked good,but are away to
England.
Italy goalkicking aside looked promising,don`t feel it was a case of just France making them look good,so not to many
changes please.
France last up away could well be 6Ns decider,EJ has a point about fitness every player should be capable of 80 mins plus
but few can.

Is there something you want to say emack? - its not clear

So are you saying you have England as favourites but fitness is an issue as we don't have players who can play 80 min?

Apart from the whole team playing close to 80 minutes of course!

Sounds to me like emack feels it's a very close call as to who will be champs.

My reasons were to open the field open to debate,we are talking about a side that
has`nt won many titles post 2003.
SL lost as few or as many matches to the NH sides as SCW 2000-3,SCW was lauded
SL rubbished.[points difference is virtually a 3 way tie]
The difference was of course the SH wins BUT SCW had a group of players that don`t
happen every day.
There were players who given the chances could have been world class but weren't
persevered with.[Flood,Barkley,Hodgeson,Tait,Cipriani,the Armitages etc.]no continuity.
Also SH 2000-3 only Aus were at there usual standard,Eales,Horan,Burke,my cousin Joe
Roff,Owen Finnegan,Stephen Larkham,Elton Flatley]there last Great side EJ inherited from
previous coach.
Unlike recent years when SH in general and NZ in particular have been very strong so
harping back to 2003 all the time doesn't help.
England Rugby roughly runs at 3 levels the "suits",the clubs,the country side,the first
at a financial success.AT picking Coaching personel .
When during a RWC campaign which in my opinion was far from a failure the Chief Executive
after awarding his coaches a 4 year contract extension.
"Says I never thought he was up to the job" and "IF England fail to win the RWC its
down to me"
THEN holds a SECRET RWC revue when all the coaches are sacked,many approached
won`t touch with a barge pole.
Then gets the Clubs backs up by making back door approaches,and doesn't have the decency to resign
EJ picked a side very much like SL`s in the first match to do a job,there are a lot of
good untried players at club level.
WHO may make very good test players,BUT the club before country bit needs to be over come
.I know opinion on that differs from person to person.
At Test level you expect players to have mastered the basics,pass of both hands.kick with
both feet,tackle,field a high ball etc.
Also specifics Props who can scrummage legally and support jumpers,a hooker who can
rake a ball,and hit his jumpers.Locks with lineout/retake skills as well as scrimmage.
Back rows who can control the base of the Scrum/Lineout options and act as a unit at
breakdown etc.
In the backs a preferably quick passer at 9,10,12,13 either SH style 5/8[EJs choice]
or classic cruncher/creator 12/13
Backs that can create and complete a simple two on one,as EJ says we don`t have to
be the ALL BLACKs just ourselves.
Priorities is what it`s all about and before Cyril has a go I`m firstly a AB supporter,
but I`m proud of my national sides too. [England/Scotland]
The draw definitely favours England,on any known form to beat Italy,home games
v Ireland/Wales[neither easy].Then know what they have to do v France.
Stating the obvious players in Clubs impressing the winning sides will look good.
Those currently struggling bath/ford etc.new players will be fed in as and when
in the modern game.EVERY player cleans out rucks,acts as first receiver,kick/chase etc.
Fitness was EJs statement not mine but totally agree with him.

03 side or rather the side leading up to it were a bit special. Can't agree that any of those players had potential to be world class bar S Armitage. Do you not feel England are fit enough. Proud to be plastic, ha!

Fitness as in aerobic as opposed to Gym fitness ?on Saturdays showing ?no Eddie does`nt
think so either.
The players may never have been world class but they were hardly given an extended run
were they.
I would love to see BOTH England and Scotland winning regularly again frankly,don`t
think there is much between England/Ireland/Wales.
France with them who knows they could be very good,for them the only way is up
recently.
Incidentally don`t really care what you think of my allegiances they like my opinions are as
valid as any.
For example I`ve waited 10years for England to win something BUT theres been nothing
between the 3 sides mentioned above for the last 3 years.
EJ has been around the block and knows what he wants,this year may just settle for
winning matches.With minimal changes this term with newcomers getting time off the
bench.

Thats why he left them on so long? I know you don't care, just wish you could stop trying to justify it.