Rugby - Last Feet!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
England have to be tested away from Twickenham. Although did I notice that you play them first at Twickers?

Yep!

Tough but interesting game to come. The previous years, England played a brilliant game against the celtic nations in the Tournament but defying logic adopted a different game against France, a classical one, far less daring and closer to the fundamentals.

Will the English team finally dare to play an ambitious game against France?

Most importantly, his game appears very well organised - he knows exactly what he's doing - and he seems to have the time to do it.

I think Ludovic Mercier is now an experienced player with a good vision of the game, from what I read he also seems to be confident in its skills which helps a lot in this case.

I suppose it's a question of whether he can take the next step up in class.

I have read he lacked physical capacities and defensive skills before going to England, he seems to have worked a lot and be ready on both ground (I have not seen him playing since he left).

Bernard Laporte would like him to be more "agressive" (in its way of playing not in its behavior of course ) and to "attack" the advantage line. Testing him with France A will show if he can play this way.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
Tough but interesting game to come. The previous years, England played a brilliant game against the celtic nations in the Tournament but defying logic adopted a different game against France, a classical one, far less daring and closer to the fundamentals.

Insecurity, probably. They didn't trust their expansive game. Fear of failure. When in doubt, be conservative.

Will the English team finally dare to play an ambitious game against France?

Very good question. Will they have the confidence to go for the expansive game? If they're ever going to, you'd think it would be at Twickers. And, frankly, they're going to have to play that game to succeed in the WRC. They might as well get used to it.

[finbar]

I'm nicking off till Jan 1st or 2nd!

Have a t'riffic time all of you!

Tamerlin - it's up to you to keep this thread alive for a week. It's okay, you can talk to yourself. It's only the second sign of madness.

[Drogue]

I am the lowest of the low I bet against England

Oh well, I guess with my luck, if I bet against them all the time, they'll keep winning

Insecurity, probably. They didn't trust their expansive game. Fear of failure. When in doubt, be conservative.

Probably. I'd like to see them playing a bit more adventurously, but I guess it's becoming more about winning than having good games.

[Drogue]

(from Havak's sig)

Losing the home record, especially to Northampton, has given us a wake-up call.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
I'm nicking off till Jan 1st or 2nd!

You wouldn't say that if you knew what nick**g meant in French Slang?

Have a t'riffic time all of you!

Thanks, have fun Finbar!

Tamerlin - it's up to you to keep this thread alive for a week. It's okay, you can talk to yourself. It's only the second sign of madness.

I think I am far beyond the second stage by now...

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Drogue
I am the lowest of the low I bet against England

Welcome Drogue and don't worry, Havak and I are almost the only one betting for England around here though I would never bet for England when France meets England as it is a matter of principle.

Oh well, I guess with my luck, if I bet against them all the time, they'll keep winning

My apolyton betting records are so terrific I have ceased to worry about them.

Probably. I'd like to see them playing a bit more adventurously, but I guess it's becoming more about winning than having good games.

You are right but it is rather frustrating as the English team is showing great things except when it plays against France. I hope this Six Nations Tournament will see the English team playing the ambitious game they have played against the Southern Hemisphere teams. In my own opinion, great forward play, strategy and light cavalry charges are what Rugby is all about.

And don't listen to those SH heretics who would like 15 backs on the field.

[LDiCesare]

You wouldn't say that if you new what nick**g meant in French Slang?

Or maybe he knows...

I will also back France against England, but if England bet France by playing the kind of rugby they used against Celtic nations, then it would be a lesser evil than their playing "á l'ancienne".

Now that the English have understood they could play with 8 forwards and 7 backs instead of 15 forwards, we just have to wait for SH to understand they don't need 15 backs but a mix of forwards and backs.

[Drogue]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
And don't listen to those SH heretics who would like 15 backs on the field.

I dunno, a couple of fast paced backs and you've won the game. But then I am a winger, so I would say that
It'd make for a fun game too

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Drogue
I dunno, a couple of fast paced backs and you've won the game. But then I am a winger, so I would say that
It'd make for a fun game too

Though not a very classical one...

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by LDiCesare
Or maybe he knows...

We will have to wait for his return...

I will also back France against England, but if England bet France by playing the kind of rugby they used against Celtic nations, then it would be a lesser evil than their playing "á l'ancienne".

Now that the English have understood they could play with 8 forwards and 7 backs instead of 15 forwards, we just have to wait for SH to understand they don't need 15 backs but a mix of forwards and backs.

[Tamerlin]

Edmonds strikes again

The Australian half-fly of the Union Sportive des Arlequins de Perpignan has produced last week-end against Narbonne what has been rated as a high class performance scoring 29 out of the 39 points scored by its team : two tries, two confirmations, five penalties.

The journalist of the Midi Olypique insists on the fact that few players can produce such a high class performance two times in a row that which he did as he had already played a very high level Rugby the week before.

Jean-Baptiste Ellissalde performances, half-scrum of the Stade Toulousain (former Half-fly of the Stade Rochellais), have also been acknowledged by the press. With Ludovic Mercier the French team has perhaps found potential successors to Fabien Galthié and Gérald Merceron.

[finbar]

I'm b-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-c-k!

Originally posted by Tamerlin
You wouldn't say that if you knew what nick**g meant in French Slang?

If we're talking about the same thing, there's a rough equivalent in English. "Get nicked" is a euphemism for "Get F***ed". "To nick off" is a nice euphemism for "to go" or "to leave".

Thanks, have fun Finbar!

I did! Played lots of cards, did lots of crosswords, walked the dogs on the beach a lot.

I think I am far beyond the second stage by now...

But endearingly so!

[finbar]

Re: Edmonds strikes again

Originally posted by Tamerlin
The Australian half-fly of the Union Sportive des Arlequins de Perpignan has produced last week-end against Narbonne what has been rated as a high class performance scoring 29 out of the 39 points scored by its team : two tries, two confirmations, five penalties.

The journalist of the Midi Olypique insists on the fact that few players can produce such a high class performance two times in a row that which he did as he had already played a very high level Rugby the week before.

That's Manny Edmonds for you. His problem here was that he could never produce twice in a row. He'd play a top game one week, then not be seen for the next few weeks. He also alternated between half back, fly half and full back because there were always first choice players ahead of him in those positions. I think what might have helped him with Perpignan is that he's a fixture at fly half, letting him build his confidence. He did well in that match I saw against Gloucester, even if some of his teammates weren't always anticipating his slick passing on the inside. Good luck to him, he deserves his success.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Drogue
I am the lowest of the low I bet against England

Welcome, Drogue. So you'd be a Saints man?

I've just been to the Zurich site to catch up on events while I was away. My Tractor Boys squeaked home against Saints 16-13, but poor old Havak won't have enjoyed his festivities with Leicester's 13-26 loss to Wasps.