From the touchlines: Six Nations gossip
The Six Nations is back on the agenda this week ahead of another weekend of action. We look at the latest gossip in our blog, "From the Touchlines"...
Former England coach Andy Robinson is being lined up to take over as Scotland coach after the Six Nations. Robinson, who was dumped as England boss after a series of woeful displays, has restored his reputation since taking over Edinburgh at the start of the season. And Scottish Rugby Union officials believe the former Bath and England back-row forward is the right man to replace Frank Hadden, who has failed to ignite the Scots in the 2008 tournament.
Wasps look set to completely transform their transfer policy in time for next season in the wake of the current Six Nations. The tournament has seen the team's squad massively depleted because of international call-ups and injuries. As a result, Wasps boss Ian McGeechan is reportedly on the verge of scrapping home-grown talent and instead bring in more foreigners. At present, their squad consists of just three foreigners - France's Raphael Ibanez, Eoin Reddan, of Ireland, and Samoan Daniel Leo.
Heard any transfer rumours or Six Nations gossip? We want to hear from you below...
People should lay off Ashton. He's trying to rebuild gradually and he knows what he's doing. He'll far rather have some average performances in this season's Six Nations than fail to lay the foundations for a World Cup winning side in 2011
Posted by: Jason | 19 February 2008 at 14:34
England squad's been named and Ashton's gone for Balshaw yet again. How that happens I have absolutely no idea? The guy's looked clueless in the two games to date. What's wrong with Josh Lewsey, who's tearing up the Premiership at the moment but can't even make the England 30-man squad. That's just a disgrace!!!
On a brighter note, it was about time Gomarsall went. Apart from being mouthy to the opposition he's done little else right in recent internationals. I'd perhaps have fancied Paul Hodgson from London Irish rather than Richard Wigglesworth but there we have it. These things can't be helped.
Posted by: David Philpott | 19 February 2008 at 14:28
I see AShton's about to name his england side. Looking through my crystal ball I reckon he'll go with: Balshaw, Sackey, Noon, Flood, Vainikolo, Wilkinson, Gomarsall, Sheridan, Regan, Vickery, Shaw, Borthwick, Haskell, Worsley, Easter.
that said, it should be: Lewsey, Cueto, Tait, Flood, Vainikolo, Wilkinson, Hodgson, Sheridan, Mears, Stevens, Shaw, Borthwick, Haskell, Lipman, Easter
Posted by: Brian Simpson | 19 February 2008 at 11:15
Anyone seen the France side to face England? England are clearly so rubbish that French coach Marc Lievremont has announced a virtually unheard of half-back pairing for the game. I'd say they've got the makings of Gomarsall and Wilkinson though.
Posted by: Andy Glester | 19 February 2008 at 09:38
How can people moan about foreign players in the Premiership. That list at Wasps of Ibanez and Reddan have been superb for them and I bet they're helping to mould and shape the young guys coming out at hooker and scrum-half. So stop moaning you lot!
Posted by: Carrie | 19 February 2008 at 08:45
I like Robinson - got too much of a hard time for such a passionate Englishman. I know the players liked him, he just never got the backing he deserved and the same's happening to Ashton. Just leave the England boss to his job... and that's being the boss! Stop meddling from behind a big RFU desk.
Posted by: Sinno | 19 February 2008 at 08:28
There's an argument for a decent quota system for foreigners. Leicester have some fantastic players lower down, but they also have quality English players who are largely ignored by Ashton. Anyone who chooses Balshaw or Cueto before Lewsey must be suspect. As for Tindall - even the Gloucs fans think he's crap. So the RFU won't panic, because they're totally clueless.
As for Robinson, why is he clearly more comfortable at Edinburgh? Is it because he is actually in charge there? There's only one way to run a national side - total charge by a tough character. England have always had too many blazers and, frankly, a stifling effect from Colts onward in the regions. They SO prefer white middle-class public school boys that the real talent in England leaves the game at that stage. I'm talking from actual experience in the last decade. Talented non-whites and roughyeads don't get selected.
Posted by: JGriffin | 18 February 2008 at 17:45
Anyway else think Robinson's one of the grumpiest looking people in world sport?!?!? It's not often he smiles. CHEER UP ANDY!!!
Posted by: Bealy | 18 February 2008 at 17:10
Not a bad shout Ruari but I'd be keen to have some sort of subsidiary knock-out tournament going on during the Six Nations - say the EDF Energy Cup or whatever. That way the non-international younger players get a chance to develop but Premiership sides with big-name internationals then don't suffer. Either that or play the Six Nations at the start/end of the season. At the moment it's not working and things are getting worse. You only have to look at the injury lists with the likes of Shane Geragthy the latest to suffer at the weekend
Posted by: Rich Babington | 18 February 2008 at 16:30
Although players from overseas bring fresh new talent and skills to the game I would be worried by a large increase in their numbers. For too long the club versus country row has raged on and ultimately the international side will suffer further. Young talent is finding it hard enough to get into top-flite rugby and this would make it even harder. Why not suspend the premiership season until the completion of the 6 Nations. This would remove many of the issues that have arisen in the past and allows the players selected the time to bond and develop their game as a squad instead of the current practice of a couple of days here and there!!
Posted by: Ruari Robertson | 18 February 2008 at 15:19
I don't fancy England's chances much against France.
Think it could be their biggest defeat ever!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jenny | 18 February 2008 at 14:15
Shame wasps have decided to go down the 'foreigners' route. It's what Leicester started doing a season or so ago and you can understand it because they lose all their top players during the Six Nations and there's no one to play for them. But more foreigners in the game mean less youngsters coming through the ranks and that'll make England worse in the long-term. If I was an RFU boss I'd be worried. Something needs to be done about it and done quickly to make sure we don't face a monumental downward spiral.
Posted by: George HH | 18 February 2008 at 12:50
Not sure about that one JonBoy. Why's Andy Robinson any worse than Brian Ashton? I don't see that Ashton's exactly taken England on leaps and bounds since he took over. Ok, he got lucky at the World Cup but that was more down to player power than anything he did. Basically, he's a good backs coach but when it comes to overall gameplans he hasn't got a clue. Robinson's Edinburgh have showed more attacking flair since he took over than Ashton's England have done during any 80 minutes. I reckon Hadden's job as Scotland coach is completely safe. There in a transition period right now and simply don't have the players to match the likes of Ireland, France, England and Wales. Give him time though and he'll get the players' pride and performance back. And as far as I can work out his squad seem to love the guy. Not sure you could say the same about Ashton and his players.
Posted by: Sam Betts | 18 February 2008 at 11:52
Robbo was pants as an international coach for England and he'll be the same for Scotland. I hope for the Scots' sake he doesn't get offered the job. He's an adequate club coach so let's just leave it at that shall we.
Posted by: JonBoy | 18 February 2008 at 11:29