Squads announced

[winchesterref]

^ That game is not a like for like comparison. Haskell spent the game defending, Easter and Robshaw attacking. He did play well though.

 

[OB..]

Seems like a good idea and would be great to watch but imagine the niggle, and the injuries.

There have been a few great match ups recently but in individual positions, such as back row, Quins v Wasps where Haskell outplayed Robshaw and Easter.

The problem with the old trial matches as a spectacle was that the team did not count, only your own individual performance (in so far as it is distinct, of course). Moreover it was not uncommon for the sides to be swapped around at half time to try new combinations.

This was all in the days before England training camps, of course.

 

[Dickie E]

still my favourite:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbvbQPq4LXk

and a new one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCV36jW3FVk

 

[Dickie E]

Imagine if the Saxons won !!

Do any nations have 'internal' fixtures of such similarity?

Was done here a few years ago in cricket. Ultimately discontinued - not because Aussie A panced the Poms, but because the Aussie fans gave more support to the A team than the real team

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_A_cricket_team

 

[didds]

that's just the support-underdog-thing though Dickie

The main issue for me about one opff selection days such as P v P etc is that especially in a game like rugby, one's own performance is very much dependent on everybody else's. A possible #9 is unlikely to impress with an all round game if his #1-#5 are themselves being stuffed at scrum time. Add to that one off, on the day issues like feeling unwell, or some persoanl, domaestic issue playing on one's mind then that could be affecting a performance.

Its a long term, all round appraisal that is required.

didds

 

[SimonSmith]

I'd challenge that slightly Didds.

The famed (well, he is in my house anyway) Roy Laidlaw was recognized as an excellent scrum half despite playing the majority of his career behind an indifferent at best pack (classic back row in 84 including David Leslie notwithstanding)

 

[Lee Lifeson-Peart]

I'd challenge that slightly Didds.

The famed (well, he is in my house anyway) Roy Laidlaw was recognized as an excellent scrum half despite playing the majority of his career behind an indifferent at best pack (classic back row in 84 including David Leslie notwithstanding)

What about Colin Deans?

Arguably the best Hooker in the British Isles and missed out on 1983 Lions caps because Fitzgerald was skipper.

 

[SimonSmith]

Ciaran Fitzgerald couldn't hit the floor if he poured piss from an upturned boot. His lineout throwing was worse

 

[Browner]

still my favourite:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbvbQPq4LXk

and a new one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCV36jW3FVk

Well done the Taffs, for their production ingenuity & wit.

Watch someone from within the 'too easily offended brigade' complain about some aspect of it.

 

[Phil E]

Most of us have learned not to follow any links posted by Dickie :nono:

 

[Dickie E]

Most of us have learned not to follow any links posted by Dickie :nono:

You know you could never resist Phil. Not even a sneak peek?