He's not taking Wilkinson

[GHA EFM]

or Goode. Risky, that.

[Electric ~soul~]

Is this rugby again?

 

You always say that football is a poof's game - well, you'd know, being a Gooner!!

 

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[GHA EFM]

No Tindall either, but apparently if they prove their fitness in the next few weeks they could get on the plane.

 

O'Gara, Jones and Hodgson are currently in for the 10 spot.

[GHA EFM]

O'Driscoll's captain.

[GHA EFM]

Backs:

I Balshaw (England and Leeds)

G Murphy (Ireland and Leinster)

J Robinson (England and Sale Sharks)

G Thomas (Wales and Toulouse)

S Williams (Wales and Neath-Swansea Ospreys)

J Lewsey (England and Wasps)

S Horgan (Ireland and Leinster)

D Hickie (Ireland and Leinster)

T Shanklin (Wales and Cardiff Blues)

B O'Driscoll (Ireland and Leinster, capt)

G Henson (Wales and Neath-Swansea Ospreys)

O Smith (England and Leicester)

G D'Arcy (Ireland and Leinster)

W Greenwood (England and Harlequins)

S Jones (Wales and Clermont Auvergne)

R O'Gara (Ireland and Munster)

C Hodgson (England and Sale Sharks)

M Dawson (England and Wasps)

D Peel (Wales and Llanelli Scarlets)

G Cooper (Wales and Newport Gwent Dragons)

C Cusiter (Scotland and Borders)

 

Forwards:

G Rowntree (England and Leicester)

A Sheridan (England and Sale Sharks)

M Stevens (England and Bath)

G Jenkins (Wales and Cardiff Blues)

J White (England and Leicester)

J Hayes (Ireland and Munster)

G Bulloch (Scotland and Glasgow)

S Thompson (England and Northampton)

A Titterrell (England and Sale Sharks)

S Byrne (Ireland and Leinster)

D Grewcock (England and Bath)

B Kay (England and Leicester)

M O'Kelly (Ireland and Leinster)

D O'Callaghan (Ireland and Munster)

P O'Connell (Ireland and Munster)

M Owen (Wales and Newport Gwent Dragons)

R Hill (England and Saracens)

N Back (England and Leicester)

M Williams (Wales and Cardiff Blues)

L Moody (England and Leicester)

S Taylor (Scotland and Edinburgh)

M Corry (England and Leicester)

L Dallaglio (England and Wasps).

[CANV EFM]

hodgson... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

[The Lyrical Tarantula]

Where's the midfeild?

[CANV EFM]

got a worrying feeling henson is gonna get shown up as well..

not sure how is leg shaving attitude will sit with the pack when they start drinking paco raban after a 17 pinter

[Boot CleanerEFM]

Well if Tindall was playing against him in the first game he would of smashed him into next week so that would of settled it.

[GHA EFM]

Precisely, Henson can't cut it with the big boys. Should've taken Cohen too. 2-1 Kiwis in my opinion, but that could change...

[CANV EFM]

im happy to see cohen staying at home, not due to his playing ability but the fact that he is a total [****!!****]

[GHA EFM]

Bit of a pikey I'll grant you, but he's proved that on form he can be one of the best wingers in the world, and can outgas Howlett. If Williams starts in the tests the back three (Rococoko, Howlett and Muliaina) will walk all over him.

[CANV EFM]

lets do em up front then and not get those pesky backs involved at all

[AFF]

Hi Canv.

 

You wont remember but I contribute in a small way by assisting the coaching staff at O.A.R.F.C. Under 14s who have a reasonable record this season. I help with the forwards, predominantly, but I overheard one of the back division coaches in his address to t'lads during the pre-match preparation for the County Cup semi-final a couple of weeks ago.

 

"The most important thing today, no, the only important thing today for you guys in the backs is 'make sure you look good!'".

[CANV EFM]

morning AFF some things never change, but looking good standing on the touchline for 80 minutes with the occasional 'quickly taken line out' to block and your hands wedged up your sleeves to keep warm is the tricky task.. mind you , you can always see the backs practicing that at training (well you could way back in my day)

[GHA EFM]

Canv - 'wing forward?'

[CANV EFM]

no.8 was always my personnal fave.. it all seemed less fun though when they changed all the rules to keep the ball alive..

use it or lose it my [****!!****]!

[GHA EFM]

You and AFF, therefore, have no idea how hard it is out in the backs then. We take the raw ingredients that you forwards provide, and turn them into a work of art. It's not easy.

[AFF]

A quick reminiscence.

 

In the changing room following a match one late Autumn day during the September of my career. On the floor in the middle of the changing room, a pile of 8 shirts, steam slowly rising to form a vague cloud. Elbows on knees, 8 workhorses enjoying a first cigarette before the bath with the boys. To one side, two of the backs, looking immaculate, razor sharp creases in their socks untroubled by their endeavours. Two T-shirts, and sleeveless shirt beneath their club shirts to ensure that there was no risk of hypothermia during the game. Not a hair out of place.

 

Says one to the other:

 

"Did you notice the colour of the clubhouse roof in the early stting sun late in the second half, old chap? It was a perfect picture of England and the mists of mellow fruitfulness."

[CANV EFM]

walking of a bog of a pitch with a 1 in 4 slope having just shaken hands with 8 like minded chaps from the opposition who you had just finished trying to batter, looking forward to that first pint in the bar and an embassy number one and suddenly realising that the backs do serve a purpose...... as you glance back and see them skipping down the pitch to collect all the touch flags