Rugby World Cup (other teams)

[simonokeeffe]

Johnathan Davies out for Wales, bit of a blow but Scott Williams presumably cover 13 (not North) as Gatland broke up with Cuthbert

North to cover centre on matchday, but if hes not fit or gets a headknock then theyre in serious trouble in the backs

[IanD]

Will England have a squad for the World Cup? First Manu than Hartley and now possibly Cipriani.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2015/0602 ... ni-arrest/

England wait on details of Danny Cipriani arrest

England are waiting for more details before commenting on Danny Cipriani's arrest on suspicion of drink driving following an early morning car crash.
Cipriani was unhurt in a collision between his Mercedes and a Toyota in the Chelsea area of west London just hours after he had finished man of the match against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
The 27-year-old, a member of England's World Cup training squad, was given a breath test and taken to a west London police station before being released on bail.
Cipriani's arrest is yet another headache for head coach Stuart Lancaster, who will only decide what action to take once a clearer picture of the incident and its causes emerge.
England are still three weeks away from beginning their summer training camp, but have already been forced to remove established internationals Dylan Hartley and Manu Tuilagi from their World Cup plans on disciplinary grounds........


On second thoughts this means England may be getting close to their 'exceptional circumstances' that will allow them to pick foreign based players. Do you think Chris Robshaw gets a bit worried when he sees a police car.

[Morf]

Andy Goode?

If anything England needs in a RWC is a guy to kick the points . . .

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I don't think they'll do this because someone like Alex Goode is probably a better fit for the squad but I'd take Slade. Think he's a sensational player and could actually transform that England team if there were injuries and he got a chance to play.

[leinster4life13]

Any news on the Pacific Islands and their squad release debacle, think it was Census Johnston who retired as part of his new Toulouse contract and a few others are essentially in retirement for the same reasons. Is the IRB stepping in or are the Islanders to be forever consigned as the high tackling whipping boys of world cups

[simonokeeffe]

I don't think they'll do this because someone like Alex Goode is probably a better fit for the squad but I'd take Slade. Think he's a sensational player and could actually transform that England team if there were injuries and he got a chance to play.

I read that as Andy Goode, they should take him, he looks like he can hold his drink

Any news on the Pacific Islands and their squad release debacle, think it was Census Johnston who retired as part of his new Toulouse contract and a few others are essentially in retirement for the same reasons. Is the IRB stepping in or are the Islanders to be forever consigned as the high tackling whipping boys of world cups

not quite same issue but PRL have reached a once off agreement with IRB to release all players from today for any world cup duty and they dont report back til after their teams involvement in Europe (even they have cop on to know they benefit from strongest possible teams in RWC promoting the game in England). France will probably do the same

[Morf]

Any news on the Pacific Islands and their squad release debacle, think it was Census Johnston who retired as part of his new Toulouse contract and a few others are essentially in retirement for the same reasons. Is the IRB stepping in or are the Islanders to be forever consigned as the high tackling whipping boys of world cups

It's not just a matter of the clubs influencing players.

The players are happy to have more money and security than internationals - they are (some at least) providing for extended families at home so actual money is more important than playing for the nation to them.

The Samoa union is corrupt siphoning off money and gear supposed to be for players. Fiji is a military junta with the union being run by the army - New Zealand have banned government/army and a lot of the union from entry/something similar but possibly less well documented could exist for OZ too.

Long story short - the top 14/English prem teams aren't always the bad guys in this situation.

[simonokeeffe]

As expected Strauss and Nel in Scotlands training squad, the Samoa v Scotland clash for 2nd place behind the boks could be some game, though Scotland are boned if anything happens to Russell

[domhnallj]

Anyone that wants one - the NZ and England jersies are up for pre-order on Lovell. True, they don't actually show the tops ( ) but at a guess one will be black and the other one white.

http://www.lovell-rugby.co.uk/shop/Coll ... V5-England

[IanD]

http://www.the42.ie/scotland-world-cup- ... 7-Jun2015/

Scotland are bringing in a hostage negotiation specialist to prepare team for World Cup

A SIDEWAYS MOVE from Vern Cotter.
In a World Cup, teams will try everything they can to give themselves the edge over the course of the tournament, and it seems Scotland and Vern Cotter are trying out a particularly unusual tactic to prepare themselves mentally.
The Scotsman report that a French hostage negotiation specialist has been drafted in to coach players on their critical decision making at their pre-World Cup training camp, which started this week.
Eric Blondeau has trained negotiators at the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN), who worked on the hostage situations in Paris earlier this year, following the killing at the Charlie Hebdo magazine.
Head coach Vern Cotter confirmed to The Scotsman that Blondeau has been drafted in, after previously working with him at Clermont Auvergne.
“There’s a chap who’ll be coming to meet us in France called Eric Blondeau, who has worked in hostage negotiations and with the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN), which is the French SAS equivalent.
“He has a lot of experience in traumatic, or let’s say difficult, decision-making situations and he’ll come and speak to a few of the players.
“He’ll be periodically coming in and having a talk with myself. I met with him a month or so ago and we spoke about the challenges we have ahead. He’s very good at throwing up ideas, Cotter said.
Despite his extensive background in high-pressure life-or-death situations, it remains to be seen how Blondeau can help Scotland prepare for their World Cup opener with Japan on September 23.

[kermischocolate]

Better idea would be not play Laidlaw for starters!

[leinster4life13]

http://www.the42.ie/scotland-world-cup- ... 7-Jun2015/

Scotland are bringing in a hostage negotiation specialist to prepare team for World Cup

A SIDEWAYS MOVE from Vern Cotter.
In a World Cup, teams will try everything they can to give themselves the edge over the course of the tournament, and it seems Scotland and Vern Cotter are trying out a particularly unusual tactic to prepare themselves mentally.
The Scotsman report that a French hostage negotiation specialist has been drafted in to coach players on their critical decision making at their pre-World Cup training camp, which started this week.
Eric Blondeau has trained negotiators at the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN), who worked on the hostage situations in Paris earlier this year, following the killing at the Charlie Hebdo magazine.
Head coach Vern Cotter confirmed to The Scotsman that Blondeau has been drafted in, after previously working with him at Clermont Auvergne.
“There’s a chap who’ll be coming to meet us in France called Eric Blondeau, who has worked in hostage negotiations and with the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN), which is the French SAS equivalent.
“He has a lot of experience in traumatic, or let’s say difficult, decision-making situations and he’ll come and speak to a few of the players.
“He’ll be periodically coming in and having a talk with myself. I met with him a month or so ago and we spoke about the challenges we have ahead. He’s very good at throwing up ideas, Cotter said.
Despite his extensive background in high-pressure life-or-death situations, it remains to be seen how Blondeau can help Scotland prepare for their World Cup opener with Japan on September 23.

LOL, a mental coach brought in to help serial bottlers not be bottlers, clearly didnt work.

[simonokeeffe]

after year sof being asked Brendan McKibbin, Waratahs scrumhalf has said he wants to play for Scotland, signed with London Irish for next season but he would probably be a better 9 than anything they have right now

[LeRouxIsPHat]

You think you're building a good squad and then you see the one New Zealand have named for the rugby championship...

Backs:
Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Ben Smith, Nehe Milner Skudder*,
Cory Jane, Waisake Naholo*, Julian Savea
Malakai Fekitoa, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Ma'a Nonu, Ryan Crotty
Colin Slade, Lima Sopoaga, Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett
Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow

Forwards:
Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Liam Messam, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Richie McCaw, Matt Todd
Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Jeremy Thrush, James Broadhurst
Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor*, Hika Elliot
Wyatt Crockett, Tony Woodcock, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Joe Moody

[simonokeeffe]

just have to hope Carter continues his duff form

still think the Samoa and Fiji training squads the most impressive relatively speaking

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Carter has actually been much improved over the last few weeks. Nowhere near his prime but much better than the early and middle parts of the season when he ranged from being anonymous to an outright liability. If he keeps up this form he'll be a good option for them at the WC, especially with Barrett to come on and spark them into life.

[simonokeeffe]

Carter has actually been much improved over the last few weeks. Nowhere near his prime but much better than the early and middle parts of the season when he ranged from being anonymous to an outright liability. If he keeps up this form he'll be a good option for them at the WC, especially with Barrett to come on and spark them into life.

there goes clutching at straws

Big English scrums and a northern hemisphere ref might stop them

or Australia are dark horses in general

[simonokeeffe]

Liam Williams has just had a foot operation, Wales being very cagey on return time/availability for world cup

Huge blow for them if he is out, Cuthbert would come in but then big gaping hole in 23 jersey and knock on effect of weakening the midweek side for the Fiji game

[Peg Leg]

Liam Williams has just had a foot operation, Wales being very cagey on return time/availability for world cup

Huge blow for them if he is out, Cuthbert would come in but then big gaping hole in 23 jersey and knock on effect of weakening the midweek side for the Fiji game

There are alternative Williams's available for deployment to the 23 jersey.

[simonokeeffe]

Liam Williams has just had a foot operation, Wales being very cagey on return time/availability for world cup

Huge blow for them if he is out, Cuthbert would come in but then big gaping hole in 23 jersey and knock on effect of weakening the midweek side for the Fiji game

There are alternative Williams's available for deployment to the 23 jersey.

Hes playing 13 instead of Davies who is out with torn ACL

backline was going to be Webb, Biggar, North, Roberts, S Williams, L Williams, 1/2p

but if Sanjay is now out then Cuthbert comes in at 14, who is out of favour with Gatty, Phillips and Priestland are 21 & 22, Hallam Amos probably 23 then with North covering centre