Re: Ashtons mantra

Uncle Bully wrote:
"didgerman" <didgerman@xxxxxxx> wrote in message news:kXRBi.47489$1G1.8572@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
simon s-b wrote:
Ashton, after all his mantra about the best player in his own
position, should stand by it now. On that basis, my starting XV would
be........

Front row - Stevens simply has to be in there. In the warm-ups he was
by some gap the best prop on the field. You can argue Vickery was
injured, but Stevens outplayed him anyway, and lets not start on
Sheridan. On merit, he should be starting on either side.
We're short on props, it all kind of picks itself. But Stevens is ahead of anyone, has been for the last two years at least.

Tell us oh great authority on IRB eligibilty, how does one go from the South African U19's straight into the England U21's?

Grand parents, something I'd do away with. Eligibility, not Granny herself.....



Hooker - Regan has not put a foot wrong since his comeback, and
doesn't give away the penalties Chuter does. His throwing is accurate
and he scrummages well. He might not offer as much about the park, but
for solidity I'd start him. Chuter and Mears would both be good impact
players.
Short there as well. Regan/Borthwick seemed to work well, stick with that.

Second row - Shaw, Kay and Borthwick have all done enough to make
Corry the #4 choice here AFAIC. Really don't mind which pair starts,
they all look on good form.
Shaw and Borth for me. I always rated Kay as highly as MJ, much to the guffaws of one and all. Hopefully he'll get that form back as the tournament progresses as I've no problem picking him, Tim.....

Back row - It appears that we have no choice now but to go for size.
The French back row totally did us for pace. At the moment, I am
favouring 6. Easter 7. Rees 8. LBND. I bet BA puts Worsely in though.
Yep, Worsely under strict orders would be my pick, with Dally on the bench swapping old wives tales with Corry.

9 - Richards is back from injury but Perry should start. He's
performed well and should keep the shirt, and Richards is another who
could be a good impact player with his pace.
Thank Allah that Richards is back. I worry about Perry lasting the tournament: natural fatties have a tendency to burst something under long term strain.....

10. JW, and pray he doesn't get injured.
The one and only.

11. JR - he keeps scoring.
Handy for moving to FB as well.

12 - Has to be Catt. I can see some instances where Farrell would be
useful, but Catty offers so much more.
I say we keep Catt away from the bruisers in the pool games, except SA. I'd start Tait against SA as well, he looked totally un-afraid of them, and has some unfinished business with a few of them as well.....

13 - Noon. I had hoped for more from Hipkiss, but Noon is up for it.
Tait as the impact player.
Noon's number one fan here. I'd happily play Hipkiss instead of him though, and judging by the likely nature of most of our pool games, we'll have to.
And don't forget we want the centres to get way over the gain line against SA, we got into too much trouble fizzing it out to the wings last time. Let the 13 cut back and wait for the steam rollers.....

14 - Sackey. I don't think Cueto did enough, and we need someone who
can create from nothing, and tackle all day long.
No question there, I just wish we had Strettle as well.

15 - Lewsey. He gives me more confidence than the other alternatives.
Got to be. But I reckon Tait or even Barkley could put him on the bench, where he'd be bloody handy.


Problem is with that side that it looks very similar to the one that's
been beaten by nearly everyone for the last 4 years.
Yes but now we have a master plan, don't we?

I dearly hope we
have a large clear out after the cup under a new coach.
Yeah but, maybe not instantly, just over the next year. Catt to become first player coach?



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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Ashtons mantra
    ... Front row - Stevens simply has to be in there. ... Tait as the impact player. ... I'd happily play Hipkiss instead of him though, and judging by the likely nature of most of our pool games, we'll have to. ...
    (rec.sport.rugby.union)
  • Re: Ashtons mantra
    ... Front row - Stevens simply has to be in there. ... I say we keep Catt away from the bruisers in the pool games, ... Tait as the impact player. ...
    (rec.sport.rugby.union)
  • Re: Ashtons mantra
    ... Front row - Stevens simply has to be in there. ... Kay and Borthwick have all done enough to make ... The French back row totally did us for pace. ... Tait as the impact player. ...
    (rec.sport.rugby.union)
  • Re: Ashtons mantra
    ... Front row - Stevens simply has to be in there. ... Kay and Borthwick have all done enough to make ... The French back row totally did us for pace. ... Tait as the impact player. ...
    (rec.sport.rugby.union)
  • Re: Ashtons mantra
    ... Front row - Stevens simply has to be in there. ... - Richards is back from injury but Perry should start. ... Tait as the impact player. ... Rees may be young and not as big as some, ...
    (rec.sport.rugby.union)