From the Touchlines: Six Nations gossip

This weekend sees a break from Six Nations action but there's still plenty of rugby gossip doing the rounds - check it out in our latest tournament blog, "From the Touchlines"...

England could be in for a dramatic overhaul for the game against France following their poor second-half showing against Italy at the weekend. Brian Ashton might go for broke and name both Jonny Wilkinson and Danny Cipriani in the starting XV, with Cipriani handed the No.15 shirt where he originally played for club side Wasps. Pressure is mounting on Ashton to put faith in Cipriani despite the 20-year-old's wayward kick which allowed the Azzurri back into the game in Rome.

The World Cup runners-up could yet have a further depleted pack with reports that stand-in captain Steve Borthwick is struggling to shake off a knee injury in time for the France game. Andrew Sheridan also remains a doubt. He missed the Italian game because of a heel injury but it now transpires he is having difficulties with his immune system and had to have an operation this week to clear up an infection in his ankle. Centre Mike Tindall is already out of the tournament after puncturing his lung and bruising his liver but it now seems he will be out for the remainder of the season.

Speculation is mounting over the Lions tour to South Africa and who will coach the team. Prior to the World Cup, Ireland boss Eddie O'Sullivan was the runaway candidate to take charge of the team. But following a dire display at the tournament and a mixed showing to date in the Six Nations, O'Sullivan is now believed to have fallen down the pecking order. Instead, Wales coach Warren Gatland is the new favourite for the role with Lions officials having backed down from their insistence on a British and Irish only coach.

One coach unlikely to be in the running on current form is Brian Ashton and the Rugby Football Union has even held talks about a possible successor to the Lancastrian following two woeful second-half performances in their opening two Six Nations matches.

Do you think Ashton's right for the chop, is Gatland the right man to lead the Lions and should Cipriani start for England? We want to hear your views and any gossip you might have...

Comments

[JP]

Ashton must go because he does not appreciate the style and finer arts of English rugby which has taken them to three RWC finals; one of which was won, the first of whch should have been won, and the last of which they got to by reverting to traditional English rugby; had they done so earlier in the tournament who knows what might have happened and with a different 4th official???? It is his emphasis on expansive rugby for the sake of it that is most concerning. Balshaw has had his day, but why no Lewsey who is far better than Balshawany day? Cipriani looks exciting, but is not yet ready for International rugby and reminds me very much of Tait's early international career. It is a simple game in whcih if the team procures and then keeps the ball matches can be won. Without the ball they most definitely cannot. Throwing the ball around like a bar of soap is not and never will be the way to win matches.

[Johnny Between the sticks]

You know, I think I prefer Hockey.

[Tom Ding]

Teams like England and France should be using the Six Nations as a building block for the World Cup, that doesn't include 37 year old hookers like Regan. Ciprianni, Geraghty Flood and Tait should all be playing to gain experience then in Four years time we'll have a settle experienced team. Minor rugby nation slike Wales can get excited about scraping through a couple of victories we'll concentrate on the bigger picture...because we can!!! As for Gatland for the lions, why are people getting excited about a lucky win against England and a scrape through against Scotland, lets face it peoploe aren't saying Wales played well against England surely, it was just that England were Rubbbish. Plus the Lions coach should always be from the British Isles, we have enough talent in our Nations to provide a coach for that.

[UglyKidJoe]

Worsley's back in the England set-up - Ashton's just announced his training squad. But I've never really rated him. He thinks too much of himself - he genuinely thinks he's better than he is. I wish he could have kept his mouth shut for his career and focused on his rugby. That would have made him a far better rugby player. Hopefully he's matured a bit now but not from what I've heard. Fingers crossed Ashton doesn't have another howler and pick him for next weekend.

[Gatters]

Cipriani's not even in the scrum so why's he have to wear a scrum cap the big nancy!!!!!

[Taff]

The Lions tour isn't until 2009 so why's everyone going on about it now. Let's focus on the Six Nations, which Wales are clearly going to win!!!!

[JGriffin]

I'll go with MJ on this one. Geraghty is a class act this year, Lewsey's always been a good 'un. Cipriani has looked flaky on the back foot this season and the botched kick is exactly what to expect. Centre alternatives abound in the Premiership and not only are there stars in the Saxons but Erinle is playing brilliantly in attack and defence for Tigers. England are not going to win the 6N so experiment by all means - but stop this bloody elastoplast selection stuff - and stop picking from fancied clubs and start actually looking at what's on offer. O'Sullivan is an example of a coach that has blinkers, like Ashton. Gatland and Lievremont have showed what can be done if you have the guts. Me, I blame that Randrew bloke most. He should go as well as ashton.

[James Spring]

The WRU seem to have told Gatland he's got no hope of leading the Lions so that's the end of that chat. I'd go with McGeechan - he's tried and tested.

[Jon DAwe]

why's everyone saying gatland's on for the lions. wales got a tad lucky against england and were no great shakes against Scotland. Wait till the end of the tournament before making rash decisions surely.

[Sinno]

I think people are wrong about Ashton. Give him a chance - he's been hit with injuries.

Remember he got us to the World Cup final. Also, his attacking style's a must for the Lions tour.

[Phil Bingham]

I didn't know Tindall's injury was so serious, I read somewhere he lost two pints of blood and was in a hospital intensive care unit for four days. Nice.

[joost]

I really see the sense in the idea of putting Cipriani at full-back. At fly-half he's thrown into the mix way too quickly, he doesn't have enough time to bed in and understandably he hits the panic button a touch too quickly. However, if he was at full-back he'd have that much more time. He's a really class player and, let's be honest, he couldn't be much worse than Iain Balshaw in that position right now can he?!?

[MJ]

Cipriani's not ready for international rugby just yet. there's a big difference between shining in the Premiership and doing it in an international. he looked out of his depth and too rushed. i'd rather flood or geraghty at number 10 and as for full-back what's wrong with josh lewsey. he's never done anythign wrong in an england shirt. Ashton's needs to wake up and stop being so narrow minded.