Monday 14 January 2013

6 Nations Squads: Italy, France, Scotland, England and Wales

Italy

Clear to see changing away from the old guard, with no Bergamascos in the squad. This is a young squad, that is gaining experience, and it's clear to see who will be the backbone of the team for years to come. Italy are improving as a nation, and will start challenging the established order soon. Benvenuti, Botes and Masi are quality players not to be taken lightly.

France

Interesting calls here to bring Bastareaud back into the fold. This squad is noticeable in that it's the first time in 8 years or so that France have picked the best players available. Which is scary and ominous. Unfortunate to see Fickou injured as I think he will be the best 12 in the world in a few years.

The only strange call is the stripping of Dusautoir of the captaincy. He is a natural leader, and one of the best captains in the world. But it wouldn't be France without the madness.

Scotland

Scotland need an encouraging tournament. At the very least some strong performances, that have been lacking from their club teams.

They've started well in bringing in some new blood, and bringing back some great players like Johnnie Beattie.

Interested to see Sean Maitland, was a big fan of his when he was playing Super Rugby, but haven't seen what he's capable of up here. A back three of Maitland, Visser and Hogg excites.

Some interesting selections ahead with the Lions tour approaching. Richie Gray and Kelly Brown will want to have good tournaments to try and get themselves on the plane.

England

Like France, England haven't been picking their best players for a long time. Unfortunately for Ireland, they seem to be doing that under Lancaster.

I think some of the young players like Twelvetrees and Burns are fantastic talents, and while it's a bit soon for them at the moment, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

The Saxons squad is just as important to keep an eye on with some talented youngsters like Billy Vunipola in there too.

Again with the Lions coming up, Ben Foden, Joe Launchbury and others will want a big tournament to get themselves on the plane.

Wales

Eli Walker is a fantastic prospect, and a potential bolter for the Lions. I think it's disappointing that Rhys Patchell didn't get a place, considering there is only one natural out-half in the squad. It's a great chance for Biggar to stake a claim for the Lions.

This is an important competition for Wales, who have the players, but haven't been performing well enough.

Will be interesting to see.

Australia Training Squad

Seen here

As it's a Lions year this is particularly interesting.

Having said that, with 49 named, there isn't much scope for controversy.

However, two things to note. 1. Israel Folau is not selected, 2. Quade Cooper is.

Folau is a young rugby league convert, who dabbled in Aussie Rules for a bit, suggesting he'll be fit and talented in the air. It is surprising to me that Deans didn't think he warranted a look at.


Lions Watch

With most 6 nations squads about to be announced, it's worth having a look at some of the players that shone over the weekend.

Eli Walker.

How this man hasn't gotten a Wales cap yet I don't know. According to wikipedia, he hasn't got an underage cap either, which would be astonishing. What a year he is having. He looks accomplished against the very best in the Heineken Cup and should walk onto the Welsh team irregardless of the incumbents in the jersey. From Welsh wing at the moment. A back three of Walker, Halfpenny and North excites. Only just outshone by Kahn Fotuali'i at the weekend. A mention to for Niall Morris who played well in this game too.

Owen Farrell

I feel like I have to mention him after that kicking display. Owen, I'm not your biggest fan, but respect where it's due. Probably going on tour as he can cover centres.

Tom Court.

Now, I'm not for one second suggesting that he should be in the Lions. But I can't let that awesome scrummaging performance go without giving him a kudos. Signal to Deccie not to discard him yet. With Kilcoyne answering nicely yesterday and another Irish loosehead's awesome performance, Irish loosehead props are in rude health.

Cian Healy.

The aforementioned awesome performance. It may only have been 40 minutes, but it was packed full of stats that players dream of over 80. Has to be nailed on for the Lions no.1 jersey.

Luke Fitzgerald.

The Luke that we have been expecting for years is beginning to show up. What a performance. Packed with impact and enthusiasm, and more importantly with a smile on his face. Things are looking up for Fitzgerald, Leinster, Ireland and possibly more if he keeps it up.

Mike Brown.

Great performance from Brown. He's unlucky that there are so many good fullbacks in England, never mind the British Isles, otherwise he'd be a shoo-in. As it is, he might miss out. He's on form though, and performing better than Foden. Notable performances from Care and Easter too.




Munster vs Edinburgh

First off, Scottish Rugby is in a bad way.

From losing to Tonga, a sacked coach, some awful play and performances by their teams, and atrocious following at games.

For all intents and purposes, this was a Munster home game in a different venue. Barely over 6,000 at a Heineken Cup game is a bit of a disgrace, no wonder the English and French sides are throwing their toys out of the pram.

I digress, to the game.

Rob Penney has brought his style to Munster. And it's not working to well. There is nothing wrong with his philosophy, in fact it's probably the best way to play. One thing that Penney hasn't seen is that some of this players are not good enough.

One of the reasons Munster (of old) played the way they did was to hide some of the deficiencies of some of the forwards in attack. But, Munster (of old) were able to play wide and fast if they wanted.

Of the current crop; Murray, Coughlan, Jones and Downey can't play that way. And they aren't the only ones. But when the spine of your team aren't capable of playing your philosophy, things are not going to go well.

One of the things about watching Leinster on Saturday versus this Munster team was even though Leinster went for the bonus from the start, and Munster were right to try and win the game first, Leinster always looked dangerous and capable of scoring tries, this Munster side don't.

They rarely make ground, and too often were going backwards with ball in hand. Even some short neat kicks along the touchline a la Nacewa would at least get them going forward.

Bottom line, the philosophy isn't working with the current crop, but when some injuries come back, it might work. Penney needs to find something that will get Munster performing and beating teams. If they play like they did on Sunday next week, they won't even win never mind a bonus point to get them through.

This doesn't get away from the fact that there were some good and bad performances.

Good first; Tommy O'Donnell is quite a find. He MUST be in at least the extended squad for the 6 nations. He's young, and a very good backrower. Need to see more of him at the breakdown, but so far so good.

Dave Kilcoyne is coming on leaps and bounds to, contributing to a far superior scrum.

Donnacha O'Callaghan isn't going away quietly, making oodles of effective tackles and being a general nuisance.

And bad;

Ronan O'Gara what a brain-fart.

Conor Murray is so slow from the breakdown which doesn't help trying to play a more expansive game. How many steps do you need to take before you pass the ball away?

Keith Earls is a one-trick pony that defenses everywhere have figured out a long time ago. He is boring and unpredictable and not good enough. He needs to be discarded to give him a kick up the arse and hopefully he'll improve like Trimble and Bowe did.

Damien Varley is one of the biggest idiots on a rugby pitch; stop giving away cheap penalties that will cost your side.

Felix Jones; this might be due to his injuries, but I expect more from him. He's labelled as a talent, but from yesterday it's hard to see why. He made no impression on a game that was crying out for a bit of spark.

Peter O'Mahony officially won man of the match for his carries, but I expect more from him everywhere. None of the carries were particularly memorable, nor was much of his performance.