Sasquatch says...

Canterbury need to stop this nonsense with national uniforms (England in purple, Ireland in black, Scotland in that ridiculous white with the blue advertising paint smudged all over it) and just stick to the basics. Adidas uniforms look far better, simple and modern with traditional elements. I mean seriously, who actually approved England in purple?

Posted 12:00 22nd November 2012

ArmchairGeneral says...

Port Elizabeth was the conclusion of a winless tour. A whitewash to me. If that is the ambition its poor. And Hartley was the spirit in that game anyhow. Certainly not Robshaws lonesome lacklustre leadership

Posted 15:00 21st November 2012

Warrior7 says...

JJ's defense is poor, watch the third try for Worcester off the back of the scrum. JJ gets shunted backwards about 8 metres before failing to do anything about holding up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euxMXyikmz8

Posted 11:37 21st November 2012

heart_of_oak says...

The colours England wore for the Australia game were indeed revolting. What was the inspiration for this choice of colour - Barbara Cartland's knickers ?

Now as to the SA match, I'm not going to do a Guscott and try to predict the outcome. But like Jmanngod, I hope we will see some good back play. JJ on the wing seems an odd move to me but then I can't see him getting the ball much. In the scrum, I think we'll be stronger for having Haskell and Morgan though Haskell is on the bench. I know Haskell isn't everyone's cup of tea but he tends to perform well against the Boks. Which, in my view, demonstrates the need to pick different players depending on the opposition. The Boks are usually more physical than other teams so players who can stand up to and even counter that are better suited to this game. So I think it's right not to play Sharples who I believe can be a great wing for us, but against specific types of opposition. However, is JJ the right man to play on the wing against the Boks ?

I personally would have picked Delon Armitage even though I know we have this wonderful rule that we can't pick players playing in France.... and we've all just about debated this until we're fed up with it. But Armitage is fast, has good defence, can cover full back and can be aggressive - just what we need to face the Boks. For me, JJ is a bit on the delicate side. I hope I'm proved wrong.

The scrum is going to face it's toughest physical battle yet but many of them will know that from their tour to SA not so long ago. To pick as many of the players who finished that last drawn test as are available is not a bad move in my opinion. We are really missing Courtney Lawes and Dylan Hartley at the moment. Having Hartley in the scrum provides extra experience and Lawes is quick and physical around the pitch. We need him back.

Posted 08:16 21st November 2012

Dafydd29 says...

have just watched a replay of England v Australia. Two questions (amongst others)

:- why play in Pink?

:- why use an overweight, underperforming, Kiwi at #8 - is England that desperate?

Posted 20:54 20th November 2012

Isograford says...

Please England, wear White, for Rugby's sake.

Posted 19:16 20th November 2012