**6 Nations Starts Here**

[TheMightyTen]

Well it's that time of years again. Squads are starting to be announced and it's only a few weeks away.

Should be a good one as all the teams had World Cups contrary to their previous 6 Nations form.

Anyway

England squad:
Backs: Balshaw (Gloucester), Cipriani (Wasps), Cueto (Sale Sharks), Flood (Newcastle), Gomarsall (Harlequins), C. Hodgson (Sale Sharks), Noon (Newcastle), P. Hodgson (London Irish), Sackey (Wasps), Strettle (Harlequins), Tait (Newcastle), Tindall (Gloucester), Wigglesworth (Sale), Wilkinson (Newcastle), Vainikolo (Gloucester)

Forwards: Borthwick (Bath), Croft (Leicester), Chuter (Leicester), L Deacon (Leicester), Easter (Harlequins), Haskell (Wasps), Kay (Leicester), Mears (Bath), Moody (Leicester), Payne (Wasps), Rees (Wasps), Regan (Bristol), Shaw (Wasps), Sheridan (Sale), Stevens (Bath), Vickery (Wasps, capt), Worsley (Wasps)

Vainikolo in and no Lewsey is the biggest call there for me, followed by Vickery remaining Captain when Stevens is blatently the better tighthead. Feel sorry for James Simpson-Daniel and Tom Varndell who only make the Saxons squad but at least they can push a claim from there (We seem to have no shortage of quality wingers all of a sudden). Cipriani gets his first proper call as does Wigglesworth. I am very excited about what the back row could be, personally I would prefer 6.Croft 7.Moody 8.Haskell but I suspect Ashton might feel 6 & 8 wouldn't have enough experience to play the combo



Scotland Squad:
Backs: Mike Blair, Ben Cairns, (both Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Perpignan), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Rory Lamont (Sale Sharks), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Calum MacRae (Edinburgh), Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks (both Glasgow), Chris Paterson (Gloucester), Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh), Nikki Walker (The Ospreys), Simon Webster (Edinburgh)


Forwards:John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie, Kelly Brown (all Glasgow), Dave Callam (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Jim Hamilton (Leicester Tigers), Nathan Hines (Perpignan), Allister Hogg, Allan Jacobsen (both Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow), Gavin Kerr (Edinburgh), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Scott MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Fergus Thomson (Glasgow), Jason White (Sale Sharks)

Injured but invited to the training session: Andrew Henderson (Glasgow), Simon Taylor (Stade Francais), Rob Dewey (Ulster).

Biggest shout there is it looks like Scott Murrays long international career has finally come to an end as he's been dropped completely.



Italy Squad:
Backs: Mirco Bergamasco, David Bortolussi, Gonzalo Canale, Pablo Canavosio, Denis Dallan, Ezio Galon, Andrea Marcato, Andrea Masi, Ludovico Nitoglia, Enrico Patrizio, Ramiro Pez, Simon Picone, Matteo Pratichetti, Kaine Robertson, Alberto Sgarbi, Pietro Travagli

Forwards: Robert Barbieri, Mauro Bergamasco, Marco Bortolami, Martin Castrogiovanni, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Santiago Dellape, Carlo Festuccia, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Lo Cicero, Carlos Nieto, Sergio Parisse, Antonio Pavanello, Salvatore Perugini, Tommaso Reato, Josh Sole, Alessandro Zanni

Nick Mallet's first squad is not a great deal different to Berbizier's WC squad except the slightly surprising omission of Saracen's Fabio Ongaro



Wales squad:
Backs: Lee Byrne (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), Mark Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Sonny Parker (Ospreys), Gavin Henson (Ospreys), James Hook (Ospreys), Stephen Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Ospreys), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester).

Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Rhys Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Matthew Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Delve (Gloucester), Alix Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt).

Biggest shock for the Wales squad selection is Martyn Williams coming out of retirement, plus no place for Charvis or Sweeny. Also not sure about the selection of Ryan Jones as Captain.



Ireland squad:
Forwards: Neil Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Rory Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster), Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster), John Hayes (Bruff/Munster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster), Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster), Bernard Jackman (Clontarf/Leinster), Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Johnny O'Connor (Galwegians/Connacht), Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (St Mary's College/Leinster), Alan Quinlan (Shannon/Munster), David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster).

Backs: Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College/Leinster), Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht), Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster), Shane Horgan (Boyne/Leinster), Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Jonathan Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster), Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)

Not considered because of injury: Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins), Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster), Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)

No surprises there for me, Isaac Boss being relegated to the A team is justified since he just doesn't seem to have international class and Brian Carney not being included is justified since he's done sod all since his switch from League.



France Squad
Backs:Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, Morgan Parra, Francois Trin-Dhuc, David Skrela, Florian Fritz, Damien Traille, Vincent Clerc, Julien Malzieu, Cedric Heymans, Aurelien Rougerie.

Forwards: Julien Brugnaut, Lionel Faure, Jean-Baptiste Poux, William Servat, Dimitri Szarzewski, Loic Jacquet, Lionel Nallet, Arnaud Mela, Julien Bonnaire, Thierry Dusautoir, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Elvis Vermeulen.

Lievremont looks like he's trying to stamp his mark by not including Chabal, Poitrenaud and Thion.




6N fixtures

Saturday, 02 February 2008
England v Wales, 16:30
Ireland v Italy, 14:00
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Sunday, 03 February 2008
Scotland v France, 15:00
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Saturday, 09 February 2008
France v Ireland, 16:00
Wales v Scotland, 14:00
---------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, 10 February 2008
Italy v England, 14:30
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Saturday, 23 February 2008
France v England, 20:00
Ireland v Scotland, 17:00
Wales v Italy, 15:00
---------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, 08 March 2008
Ireland v Wales, 13:15
Scotland v England, 15:15
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Sunday, 09 March 2008
France v Italy, 15:00
---------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, 15 March 2008
England v Ireland, 15:00
Italy v Scotland, 13:00
Wales v France, 17:00

 

[Rotty]

been offered tickets to England v Wales, Ireland or France

France is away so not sure I can be arsed going to Paris, which would you good folks go for ?

 

[TheMightyTen]

It's a tough call, Paris is a great place to go and watch Rugby, but if I had to make the choice it would be the Ireland game as for the first time in 4 years we have a real chance of beating them(and I feel beating them well) just my opinion though

 

[semi-pro waster]

Personally I'd prefer the France game of the choices but if you only want to go to a home game then I'd choose Ireland, very much a coin toss type decision though since form in the previous couple of competitions seems to have been variable which makes picking the 'best' matchup rather difficult.

Shame about Scott Murray if it is indeed the end but he's had a pretty good career.

 

[kefkef]

So what do people think about the Volcano being selected. A Tongan who has played Rugby (League) for New Zealand now being selected for England on the grounds he has lived here a number of years. Not sure i agree with that myself as i think we should be promoting english players through the ranks.

 

[Haiku]

Missing Sean Lamont (due to injury) will be a big blow to Scotland. So often he's been our only creative player, hopefully someone else will step up.

 

[#Chri5#]

I've got tickets for England vs Wales

 

[TheMightyTen]

So what do people think about the Volcano being selected. A Tongan who has played Rugby (League) for New Zealand now being selected for England on the grounds he has lived here a number of years. Not sure i agree with that myself as i think we should be promoting english players through the ranks.

I personally don't have a major problem with it, let's face it, Matt Stevens, Mike Catt, Henry Paul, Perry Freshwater, Stuart Abbot, Mark Van Gisbergen and various others have all worn the England shirt and are not nationals, add to that Dan Ward-Smith when he finally recovers from injury will be in the mix and he's a Kiwi. Also it goes the other way the greatest Rugby Playing Englishman in history (imo ) Johnno nearly played Senior level for the All Blacks after having played for NZ Schools.

If the Volcano wants to pin his flag to our mast and he shows some passion and his undoubted try scoring skills I pitty the other nations who weren't quick enough to claim him

 

[Cob]

It's a tough call, Paris is a great place to go and watch Rugby, but if I had to make the choice it would be the Ireland game as for the first time in 4 years we have a real chance of beating them(and I feel beating them well) just my opinion though

Dream on!

 

[hogfather]

I don't have a problem with a Tongan playing for England in that the rules allow for it, and that's why the rules are there.

On the other hand, I do feel that there are better wings available, for example James Simpson Daniel, or Varndell, and have come from grass roots English game.

If he's passionate and good enough, fair enough I say, jsut a shame Ashton felt he was better than JSD!

 

[Freefaller]

Allez les bleus!!!

 

[TheMightyTen]

Allez les bleus!!!

It's London French you're going to be playing for isn't it? Isn't that a girls team


**Edit: Whoops forgot to add fixtures to the opening post, done now.

 

[Rotty]

went for the Eng v Ire game, got tickets but had to pay for them

 

[PurpleDinosaur]

What's the best way of picking up tickets? For Scotland vs England in particular, everywhere I look seems to have them as £300 odd.

 

[Rich_L]

Have inadvertently ended up in Dublin for a night out when the Ireland-Wales game is on, should be fun

 

[Pumpkinstew]

I personally don't have a major problem with it, let's face it, Matt Stevens, Mike Catt, Henry Paul, Perry Freshwater, Stuart Abbot, Mark Van Gisbergen and various others have all worn the England shirt and are not nationals, add to that Dan Ward-Smith when he finally recovers from injury will be in the mix and he's a Kiwi. Also it goes the other way the greatest Rugby Playing Englishman in history (imo ) Johnno nearly played Senior level for the All Blacks after having played for NZ Schools.

If the Volcano wants to pin his flag to our mast and he shows some passion and his undoubted try scoring skills I pitty the other nations who weren't quick enough to claim him

There's a difference between players like Ward-Smith and Stevens who came to the UK as children and, I believe, have GB passports and Vainikolo who has qualified on the three year residency ruling. If he hadn't been injured he may well have gone to France and won some Tongan caps.
I agree that we shouldn't have qualms about picking him, but wonder why Rikki Flutey doesn't at least make the Saxons squad depite being in a very simliar situation.

How the **** has Balshaw been selected again? And as the only recognised specialist full back in the squad. He must have video evidence of several prominent members of the RFU with thai ladyboys. It's becoming the only plausible explanation. He's sure as hell not there on form.

Reading between the lines Olly Barkley fails to make the squad purely because of his impending court hearing and fears it may bring unwanted negative publicity to the England squad.
Wrong decision in my opinion. He's been in great form for Bath and can cover right across the midfield. Consider this: France 17- 15 England, last five minutes, tricky penalty out wide, Wilkinson injured. Who do want taking it? Barkley, Flood or Hodgson?

 

[TheMightyTen]

As I understand it (having had a conversation with a friend of mine based at HQ Twickers) Flutey doesn't actually qualify until the end of the season, so I would expect to see him next year. Apparently the RFU started making overtures to Vainikolo the moment it looked like the Gloucester-Bradford deal was on so I'm not sure if he would have chosen Tonga for the WC particularly if you take what Iestyn Harris has said on Beeb to be true (i.e. He and his family are very settled into a 'British' lifestyle). All the above needs to be taken with a pinch of salt since the person I had the conversation with is not part of the 'inner' hierachy but apparently the RFU offices are the worst place for keeping information 'secret'

**Edit: Sorry forgot to say Pumpkinstew, he also confirmed your theory on Barkley

 

[Pumpkinstew]

**Edit: Sorry forgot to say Pumpkinstew, he also confirmed your theory on Barkley

But not Balshaw? Or is he on the tape too?

 

[hogfather]

Flutey is rather different, he's never pretended that he wouldn't play for NZ given the chance. Plus as said, doesn't qualify til the summer.

Besides, Flutey is good but not all that, we've equally good English born centres.

 

[Pumpkinstew]

Have inadvertently ended up in Dublin for a night out when the Ireland-Wales game is on, should be fun

Apparently they get extra stock of the morning after pill in at the chemists in Dublin in preparation for an Ireland home game.

HIGH FIVE!