Laughing stock. How Townsend survived the pathetic World Cup effort is anyone's guess and now the best and most influential player walks out. Be interesting to know if it's rugby related and that he's refusing to play under Townsend's inept tactics.
(01-23-2020, 02:24 PM)Pete Seeger Wrote: More likely to do with dough/bonus after his old mans history with the SRU I'd say. Just stick a pin in us either way.
Unfortunately you're probably right, and if it is about that then it'll be tricky to get him back in the squad any time soon.
Hopefully it's come from a big falling out with Townsend - in that case the SRU are backing the wrong horse
Will be interesting to see what eventually comes out about the Russell affair down the line. It's clearly more than him drinking and missing a session that he wouldn't have been involved in anyway (or if it isn't, Townsend needs to get over his personal issue with him). Doubt we'll hear the full story for a while though.
Outside of Finn, Darcy Graham has picked up a knock in training and will miss at least the first game Tournament doesn't start for a week and we're already missing our two most in-form players. Stick an absolute fork in it.
(01-30-2020, 11:35 AM)Ray Winstone Wrote: Kinghorn Starts at 11, Price and Hastings the pairing as expected. Johnson in at 12
Huw Jones returns at 13.
Would you have changed any of the backline like? Picks itself with no Russell or Graham tbh. Lot of strength under the high ball with that back 3 and Hastings in the team, should be important against Murray and Sexton.
Main surprise is Haining in but apparently Bradbury is struggling with a knock so probably quite an easy decision in the end.
(01-30-2020, 01:02 PM)Nicolas Sarkozy Wrote: Would you have changed any of the backline like? Picks itself with no Russell or Graham tbh. Lot of strength under the high ball with that back 3 and Hastings in the team, should be important against Murray and Sexton.
Main surprise is Haining in but apparently Bradbury is struggling with a knock so probably quite an easy decision in the end.
Probably lose by 15+ but you never know
Badly formatted - my only real issue is Johnson at 12, a definite weak point.
Ireland to edge it but I don't think it'll be the pumping people are expecting. It'll be interesting to see Ireland's tactics but I suspect they'll just try to run over the top of us.
(01-30-2020, 01:05 PM)Frank Uchewood Wrote: Struggling to get excited here. The World Cup was a massive let down and Townsend has chucked it.
That's where I'm at. The WC battered all the hope and enthusiasm out of me. Genuinely thought we were on the verge of something really exciting a year or so ago but we're still easy meat for the big boys.
(01-30-2020, 01:16 PM)Ray Winstone Wrote: Badly formatted - my only real issue is Johnson at 12, a definite weak point.
I thought that's what you were trying to say but was giving you the benefit of the doubt the wrong way it turns out
He was our best back other than Russell by a mile last year FFS, what more do you want? Also miles better than any of our other backs so could be quite handy up against Aki and Ringrose