France

APV1 says...

@ makemehappy - need a cloth for that egg? It's all over you face, my friend.

Posted 10:22 19th March 2012

APV1 says...

@ makemehappy - you're right - he's 2nd in line at his club level. To, arguably, the number 1 TH Prop in the world at the moment (certainly one of the best - top 3, I would suggest). But look who DC's learning from - the #1 th prop in the world. And look how old he is - 24 - plenty of games in him for many years. Compare that to AJ (30) and MC (also 30). I know who I want on my developing team. And if you expect AJ to be the sole th prop on the Lions tour, I'm worried that you don't watch as much rugby as you claim to.

It's a bit like suggesting that all other fly halfs in the world are rubbish, because Carter's better. It's nonsense.

The problem is that you think that just because he's 2nd to MC, that makes him pants. Even if you haven't expressly stated as much, you have insinuated it (remember - communication is about the message received, not the message sent). He is a fantastic prop and to suggest otherwise is just daft.

Posted 10:11 16th March 2012

makemehappy says...

@lawynd - we keep on trotting it out, as sadly there are some rude idiots (rude taken from the tone of your email, and idiot due to ignoring the clear rational), that think a second choice club prob is a top draw international. Castro plays the bulk of the big games, so sorry, that means he is first choice. Let's be fair, he is just a lot better than Cole!! I've seen Cole have a few poor games this year, but not Castro.

As for how well they played against Wales, just look at the penalty stats. I really thought Gethin had his number that day. There were binding issues with Adam (twice I noticed), but lets be fair, that's got more to do with the stupid rules and stupid application. England lost out to the Lions props. But you'd expect that of course.

Now don't be so rude, and swallow humble pie! Enjoy your timeshare (what a load of rubbish you talk).

Posted 20:06 15th March 2012

lawynd says...

@makemehappy - why do you and others keep trotting out this 'not even first choice at his club' nonsense about Cole? Bear in mind that he's effectively in a timeshare with one of the best tightheads in the world, he and Castro generally play about the same amount of time for Leicester over the course of a season. Sometimes Castro starts, sometimes Cole does. Leicester just have the luxury of having several fantastic props is all. Regardless, Cole has been more effective in the scrum and loose than most props this tournament, as evidenced in particular by the game against France. Healy might be slightly better in the loose but hasn't been as strong a scrummager and the only reason the Welsh props seems so indomitable at the moment is because no referee has pinged them for binding on the arm at every scrum; even then, they didn't really get the better of Cole and Corbisiero, did they?

Posted 08:47 15th March 2012

makemehappy says...

@bluelion - Lydiate not played as well as Denton? You obviously don't like having someone doing the hard and dirty work in your team. A must for me all the time my 15! Denton has done well, but Lydiate is your man on the blindside, without a shadow of a doubt.

Certainly Fofana should be there if just based on the 6N.

Can't believe someone suggested Cole should be there LOL! Not even a first choice Leicester player!

Posted 21:01 14th March 2012

blametheref says...

You're on the money kybone and convince regarding Tualigi, without him England would be quite different and less effective.

Sheepversuslynx, totally agree with you re Halfpenny, notwithstanding that I'm a Leinster/Ireland supporter and think Rob Kearney has been fantastice during this 6 Nations, the difference has been that Halfpenny will probably be remembered for being the difference under pressure between Wales winning the Grand Slam and not winning it, so he should be in. Though I do think it's crazy announcing a short list with a game to go

Posted 19:10 14th March 2012

sheepversuslynx says...

In my opinion, Halfpenny deserves a spot on this list. He has had a fantastic tournament, despite the yellow card

Posted 17:29 14th March 2012

blametheref says...

Parisse has to have it in the bag if not on merit then as a consolation

Posted 15:22 14th March 2012

blametheref says...

No Halfpenny, no Fofana, no Healy, no Farrell, no Gray, no Sense; announcing players before the final round is plain daft

Posted 13:29 14th March 2012

quietbrit says...

Terrible list. Who picked it? It isn't enough to be best in an important position where no one is standing out... It also isn't enough to have had 1 blinding game just before the nomination...

Where are Ferris, Kearney, Grey, Fofona?

Given that I'm an Eng supporter that should say quite a bit...

Posted 13:05 14th March 2012