Article: The Original Rugby Championship - Six Nations 2016

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="560377" data-time="1456248269">
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Could be down to a 2-horse race after the weekend, England could potentially humiliate Ireland at twickenham.
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There's a 81.2% chance that will happen.

Margin_Walker

England 23 for Ireland. Lawes drops out with Daly coming in to the squad as Eddie goes back to a 5:3 bench.
 
Forwards (13) Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) Jack Clifford (Harlequins) Jamie George (Saracens) Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) James Haskell (Wasps) Paul Hill (Northampton Saints) Maro Itoje (Saracens) George Kruis (Saracens) Joe Launchbury (Wasps) Joe Marler (Harlequins) Chris Robshaw (Harlequins) Billy Vunipola (Saracens) Mako Vunipola (Saracens) Backs (10) Mike Brown (Harlequins) Danny Care (Harlequins) Elliot Daly (Wasps) Owen Farrell (Saracens) George Ford (Bath Rugby) Alex Goode (Saracens) Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby) Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby) Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Catogrande

Lawes can feel a wee bit hard done by but I prefer the balance of this squad.

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="560586" data-time="1456304652">
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Lawes can feel a wee bit hard done by but I prefer the balance of this squad.
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Itoje, Kruis & Launchbury offer way more IMHO

Catogrande

I'd agree that they complement each other a bit better Mike and I don't disagree with Eddy's selection in this instance.

Catogrande

Launchbury out apparently, assume Lawes will drop back in.

Disgusted of TW

If Warren is serious about this, I will sign the petition in a heartbeat: 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/wales/12172513/Wales-vs-France-Warren-Gatland-calls-for-rethink-on-subs-rule.html'>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/wales/12172513/Wales-vs-France-Warren-Gatland-calls-for-rethink-on-subs-rule.html</a>

Bones

Ummm...make everyone more tired, slower and less skilful? Not sure that creates the better spectacle...

mariner4life

hahaha Warren Gatland thinks teams shouldn't be as big and play with more flair? He's on the wind-up surely?

Derm McCrum

Confirmed Ireland team for Saturday's match against England. 
Payne didnt recover allowing Stu McCloskey to earn his first cap at inside centre and move Henshaw to his more natural position at outside. 
McCarthy's loss through injury gives another possible new cap to Connacht's Ultan Dillane, on the bench with Donncha Ryan starting alongside Toner. 
Tommy O'Donnell, the Munster open-side could has given way to a third newbie, Leinster's young Josh van der Flier. 
Earls in for the injured D Kearney. Ross and Healy recovered from injury. 
It makes for a refreshing change in the back line. And a bit more solidity up front in the scrum. 
15 Rob Kearney (Leinster) 
14 Andrew Trimble (Ulster) 
13 Robbie Henshaw (Connacht) 
12 Stuart McCloskey (Ulster) 
11 Keith Earls (Munster) 
10 Johnny Sexton (Leinster) 
9 Conor Murray (Munster) 
1 Jack McGrath (Leinster) 
2 Rory Best (Ulster, capt) 
3 Mike Ross (Leinster) 
4 Donnacha Ryan (Munster) 
5 Devin Toner (Leinster) 
6 C J Stander (Munster) 
7 Josh van der Flier (Leinster) 
8 Jamie Heaslip (Leinster) 
Replacements: R Strauss (Leinster), C Healy (Leinster), N White (Connacht), U Dillane (Connacht), R Ruddock (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster), I Madigan (Leinster), S Zebo (Munster).

Catogrande

Van der Flier has to be the best name for an open side in world rugby - he does need to be quick though. :yes:

Derm McCrum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="560781" data-time="1456386418">
Van der Flier has to be the best name for an open side in world rugby - he does need to be quick though. :yes:</blockquote>
 
He is quick. And I reckon could be better than O'Brien in time. He disappointed the media when he did his first interview by telling them it was pronounced Fleer. Grandparents came to Ireland in the fifties and settled in south Leinster.

Catogrande

Ah! I did wonder with the name as to whether was a project player and was, of course, too lazy to research it. I'd like to say good luck for Saturday but I wouldn't really mean it - but hey, may the best team win. As long as it's England.

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="560611" data-time="1456340754">
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Launchbury out apparently, assume Lawes will drop back in.
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Itoje in
 
<img src="http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/13C4D/production/_88437908_england_lineup_graphic.png" alt="_88437908_england_lineup_graphic.png">
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35657348'>http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35657348</a>

MiketheSnow

Going for a Celtic Clean Up this weekend
 
Wales by 9-14
Scotland by 11-16
Ireland by 3-5

Derm McCrum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="560797" data-time="1456396120">
Ah! I did wonder with the name as to whether was a project player and was, of course, too lazy to research it. 
I'd like to say good luck for Saturday but I wouldn't really mean it - but hey, may the best team win. 
As long as it's England.</blockquote>
 
Of course, may the best team win. 
But the second best team might..... ðŸ˜€

Catogrande

Kick-off at 20.05 tonight (odd time that - why 5 past?). I have to say I'm not sure who I think will win. To be honest no one team has put their hand up as being on top of their game. Flashes from Wales an England and some resilience from France but that's about it. Hard to call it and also hard to know who i want to win. A nil-nil draw with a good few (non serious) injuries is too much to hope for I s'pose.
 
Anyway good luck to both and roll on tomorrow.

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="561199" data-time="1456502580">
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Kick-off at 20.05 tonight (odd time that - why 5 past?).
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NZ games mostly kick off at 19.35. I figure it's so everyone tunes in on the hour/half hour and songs can be sung (and over here a one minute torture session with Paloma can take place).

sparky

Another snore fest so far between Wales and France.

Disgusted of TW

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="561222" data-time="1456519519">Another snore fest so far between Wales and France.</blockquote>
 
Yes, worst game so far by a long chalk. (And there's been plenty of competition for that accolade in wks 1 and 2)

The Silver Fern

Article: The Original Rugby Championship - Six Nations 2016