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Season 6- Six Nations Preview image

Season 6- Six Nations Preview

The Fantasy Rugby Yanks Podcast
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98 Plays9 months ago

How excited are we about 2024 6 Nations? Enough to babble on about it for an hour plus and make it a special episode. We are diving in to each team, position by position to see where each stands. Have a listen as we give our predictions on who is in good shape for the next few years and who is in deep trouble. Get a glass and get ready to hit that angry or like button with us.

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Send us your thoughts for the show and questions for upcoming shows via e-mail [email protected]. Of course, we welcome feedback via e-mail, twitter or by rating/reviewing the pod on Apple Podcast.

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Transcript

Introduction and Controversy

00:00:03
Speaker
It is. The Fantasy Europeans. My name is Jared Dyk. I wanted to say it's stupid and let's move on, but then you kept going. I'm Ben Glauser. I don't like any way anybody handled that. Collusion. Collusion.

England's Rugby Squad: Changes and Expectations

00:00:32
Speaker
But could it be him? Okay. Um, this is a new thing, right? Only one of the oldest in the world. Um, let's do, so let's just, you know, we'll go team by team as we usually do alphabetical order, all that shit, which of course brings us to the one of the more talked about squads. Now everybody's very talked about this, this go around. Cause there's lots of changes, obviously. But, um, one of the more talked about squads is England. You know, this is Steve Wirthwick second.
00:01:02
Speaker
Six Nations in charge. So people are obviously expecting better things than last time where they only beat Wales in Italy. I I I consider this I know he coached them last time I consider this his first six nations because This is now when he gets to like this is his team last time it was he had basically just been hired Yes, and had to go with what was existing there and you just kind of play through it
00:01:31
Speaker
Now, and you saw that evolve over time, and I thought they kind of opened it up in the in the World Cup. So to me, I'm interested in seeing what this is his first time to me going through this. What is your team look like? This is your blueprint, your say so from the jump. So I'm giving him kind of like a wash on last year.

Rugby Websites: Praise and Critique

00:01:47
Speaker
This I want to see what he does this year. Yep. It's how does he play it, too? Yeah. All right, so let's go kind of as they have it listed position position. Thank you. This is the most competent.
00:01:59
Speaker
rugby website, we've seen it a bit. So that's not saying a whole lot for Prim Rugby or Champion's Cup, but at least these folks seem to have done their fucking homework.

Sinclair's Exclusion: Should We Worry?

00:02:11
Speaker
Props. Sinclair left out, but meh? Personally, it doesn't bother me either way. No. And we actually, I think we saw it.
00:02:24
Speaker
This past weekend. This past weekend that, yeah, he's not really that, he's not that guy in the scrum. So this is like, we've also seen how much England relies on their scrum, even if they, they open it up, they're still going to want a dominant scrum. And it's just not his, his specialty. You know, it's he, we know he's a great loose ball open play guy and the years he was very good were the years he was competent in the scrum, but yeah, Nope. Nope. It's just not there anymore. And that's.
00:02:53
Speaker
You know, that doesn't make him a terrible player, but just makes him maybe not international quality at the moment.

Injuries and Hooker Position Changes

00:03:00
Speaker
So that's fine. Uh, hookers, I think one of them got called in because of injury. So, um, there's four of them though. So I mean, in a pinch, you could put either of them, I, or Dan at lose forward. You could.
00:03:18
Speaker
So should that happen, you know, maybe you shouldn't need to, you know, in international, you shouldn't need to, but just saying like, should you have a problem in the middle of

Jamie George as Captain: A Resilient Leader

00:03:28
Speaker
the game? That's that's, that's, that's the, you know, the brick glass in case of emergency thing. You won't, you won't lose a ton. Right. Jink's a captain. Yeah. If he's, if he's playing, he can go 80 in an international game. Like that's not a problem for Jamie George.
00:03:45
Speaker
You've done it many times. Hasn't been, no. So like, yeah, in that case, you can consider it that way. He gives you that option. Yeah. So while we're here, let's let's talk about Jinx and the getting of it because we didn't get a chance to really hit on it last week because we were trying to, we talked about Pharrell and we didn't talk and we had to talk about a lot about the rugby. But yeah, let's talk about Jinxy and, you know, I don't know if I had that in my head and I actually wasn't even anywhere

Lineout Skills and Theo Dan's Rise

00:04:15
Speaker
I had no idea who was going to be captain and staff Farrell. It wasn't, it wasn't on my radar because thinking about other things, you know, and so forth. I gotta say, I love it. You know, Jinx has done, has taken a shit ton of criticism over the, over the years. And, you know, some, also some terrible body shamers. Fuck you guys. Um, but you know, it's, he, he, he'll have a joke at it, you know, body like a melted candle. It's fine.
00:04:40
Speaker
But the people that are just calling him a fat piece of shit, it's like, dude, shut up. Come on. Get over it. He's one of your best players, whether you're talking about England or Saracens or anywhere else he chooses to damn well play. He's going to be one of your best players. He may be.
00:04:58
Speaker
I don't think it distresses. He may be the best hooker in the world right now. And it's been that way. You know, there's there's been other challenges here and there.

Jinx: Best Hooker in the World?

00:05:05
Speaker
But like at this point, as far as doing everything, he can throw a line out as well as the best of them, because most of them fucking suck at it now. I know a lot of people that's and it's so lost on people right now like that, like that skill has been just and yes, I want an open, a good open play hooker. But yeah, your job is number one to win the goddamn line out and make sure you throw a good ball.
00:05:26
Speaker
Yeah. And if that's, if you're losing sight of that, like there's a reason Theo Dan got put into a flanker position for Saracens for a long cause his lineups were terrible. And I mean downright terrible. So the fact that he got, you know, eventually promoted to starter while Jinx was out is.
00:05:42
Speaker
And also that he's in the England squad. That's a full credit to him because he's there because, honestly, that goes for Theo Dan too, because now he's one of the guys who can hit a line out.

England's Leadership Future: Who's Next?

00:05:56
Speaker
He's very good at it. It's a surprise when he misses, unlike many others.
00:06:04
Speaker
But as you said, he's amazing and he does all the things. He's like, so it's talent rich for Saris and for England. Absolutely. Crazy that it worked out. Because there's plenty of other options like Blomire, but his line out throws are kind of iffy at times and his playing the loose can be questionable. So he's one of those guys who I think they're really trying to bring along. It just hasn't popped yet.
00:06:27
Speaker
play for, for Falcons. I'm not sure how many opportunities he's really getting. Not exactly fair. I wonder if he's considering a move at some point here. He might have to, unfortunately. Yeah, sadly. I, I do hope we can get into Falcons at another point, but I do hope that things change for the better and he is able to stick it out and progress as an England player. You know, I think that that for the, for all scenarios, that is the best one possible, but

Second Row Potential: New Stars Emerge

00:06:54
Speaker
barring that, you know, actually coming to fruition. Yeah. He may have to move. Okay. Um, yeah. Second row. Yep. I like, I like everything I see. No problems. I know. I know you'll get called into the squad, but he won't see game time. No, but it just wasn't his last act as an England player or red card. But yet, um,
00:07:23
Speaker
Chasm and and and Mauro and Colsey. I would I want to see Kohl's out there in his actual position, please. Like, like he might be a six at club level, but he is not a six international. Like, let's just not be silly. Yeah, there's that's that that'll play. And that that gives me hope because these guys each we've seen them run with the ball a little bit and play. I mean, it's OG.
00:07:52
Speaker
doesn't have that attacking skill as much. But man, when he is when he wants that ball, he gets the ball even still. We kind of saw like a spark of that in Champions Cup. So hopefully that comes back. Yeah, England will be. It's been a while. We haven't seen that Maro told you in a while. This is to me. It's to me whether Maro wants to continue being like you're you're bang on starter, I think, or if he's going to be just go, OK, you're in the rotation and when it's your turn, you get called because
00:08:20
Speaker
He could be the best player in the world, and he just hasn't been that good lately. Yeah, could be. Yeah. Becrow. I mean, let's start with the things that you and I both know. Like, roots over Martin is just criminal. I'm sorry.
00:08:36
Speaker
George Martin has been playing great for Tigers. And I don't see it from Ethan roots. I'm sorry. Yeah, I don't see a player, but not a, not an international quality player whatsoever. I don't believe, you know, and I know Mark, we kind of said the thing, same thing about Martin, but roots, I don't think roots is that young either. That's the difference. Like Martin was young when he first came out. So, yeah, you know, I see. Yeah. Roots hasn't been that impressive. He's 20 or he's 24. He's not that old. Yeah, but he's not that old, but he's not that young.
00:09:02
Speaker
He's not that good either. Like, yeah, I mean, like you look up and down this lineup to me, the best lineup out here is involving maybe Earl Pearson and Tom Brent. Hmm, maybe. But you're going to have Curry out there at some point, you know, and Kerry's getting thrown out there. I don't know what underhills going to look like here or or cutting himself. This might be a.
00:09:26
Speaker
They give him a look see yeah, he's he's sitting in the drop. He's sitting in the backseat. Just waiting for his chance That's all he's doing him and but then roots is behind him like that's the way I would see it anyway like You're in the trunk, dude. I don't know like I think they're giving him a cup of coffee. I think we all know that there's a certain coach who loves having a good moaning sesh and has Still a lot of pull around the RF you and think and
00:09:56
Speaker
I think he made sure he's getting some of his guys on, on the team. And so I think this, I think roots is there as a fucking like a pity fuck, you know, I just hear like the Charlie Brown teacher voice when he talks. Yeah. Right. But I think that I honestly think that's why roots is there. Yeah. Fuck them. Why not send to the pastor doesn't whine at them. Why not send fist allow that? At least he's more dynamic. Yeah. I don't know. That that's, that is a good question.
00:10:21
Speaker
Yeah. If you got, if you got to send one, it should have been this loud. Yeah. Although maybe not the way fizzle out played this, this weekend. Chocolate up to the entire team. Just like in Billy Vuna polar impersonation. Yeah, that's right. In front of Billy, that's such disrespect. Uh, scrohaves finally, Ben Spencer gets the deal. Like good God, it's been way too long. He's been, and especially this, and there's no doubt.
00:10:50
Speaker
in my mind that Finn Russell has had an influence on that. Mm hmm. Anybody that thinks otherwise is silly, but it doesn't mean that he hasn't done well to take such an opportunity because you can have Finn Russell and totally bottle it, too. Absolutely. You know, he hasn't. Right. And it's it was hard to judge Ben based on the fly haves he's been dealing with. And now it's, you know, again, fuck Eddie Jones for doing this to him because he should have been in there all along with Alex Mitchell anyway. But
00:11:20
Speaker
You know, made him move and then it was like, Oh yeah, now your team sucks. So no, I'm not picking you. It's like, what the fuck, dude, another fly half. I can't do much on my own. Um, but yeah, and Alex Mitchell and then Danny cares there too, for, for some more, like again, I, any of those three on my team. Yes. And no, no question. It's, it's hard to know which one you're going to leave off each game. Yep.
00:11:42
Speaker
I agree. I like them all. Well, Marcus is and some other guy. Marcus is hurt. So yeah, he's going to miss this. This game is captured. They've already they've already confirmed that. Yeah. OK, well, still, I think you're going to see. I think a lot of good, a lot of good for this position. And this is this is the time to do the thing and just let these guys have a go. And
00:12:12
Speaker
deal with it. You're playing Italy. Throw Finn out there. I agree. Throw him out there. I think it should be Finn Smith right away. You can leave Ford on the bench and if things go real hairy, then all right, you can call him and say, all right, go do the stupid spiral bomb thing and do your thing. But other than that, yeah, let Finn Smith have the run because he needs it.
00:12:38
Speaker
It's a tough one because it's Italy in Italy. And we saw last year that it doesn't matter. They're, they're hard to beat. Yep. They are tough. They're tough team in general right now. So you're walking into that. Maybe you lose with Finn Smith and you know what? It's just like, you know, Eddie, Eddie didn't get a lot right. But one thing you did get right is that yes, you play young flyheaves and you lose, but you take those losses and they build them to victories later. I mean, that's just like a quarterback too. Same thing.
00:13:05
Speaker
Yeah, you got a long run out there. And look, if you have the guy, you don't have the, you know, it does suck that you don't have Ollie Lawrence, too, but. Yeah, the guys around him around Finn should be able to help him through it, and they should still should have more than enough to to stomp Italy. Not that Italy is bad, they're not, but.
00:13:25
Speaker
If, if you do it right, they do it right. Yep. I agree. And he, you know, we've seen how he can operate as a 10 in the saints attack and just, he has boatloads of talent around him and he lets it, he lets them do the job. You know, he, yes, he takes, you know, he takes the ball and carries now and again, and tries to make things happen and attack in not quite the Marcus way, but also in the Marcus way. And that's perfectly fine.
00:13:54
Speaker
If he is well, well adept to knowing how to use the talent around him and I say, yeah, let him ride, you know, um, centers. Yeah. We know Lawrence has hurt a Jomo. I have no idea what the fuck daily is doing in there. Um, I, I hope it's, I think it's going to be dingwall and slayed. I think so. Or it could be dingwall and daily. Oh God. No. I mean, neither is great, but I, I, I, I'm happy that I would have to be happy to see this.
00:14:21
Speaker
Dilly sent back to the stone. Actually, honestly, it could be, uh, it could be, uh, Freeman, cause he's been playing at 13 a lot. That'd be interesting. Yeah. But I mean, he's, he's, he's a, he's a very tall wing to say the least. He is, but I mean, like he could be that, um, uh, Georgia North type 13 too.
00:14:42
Speaker
We've seen how fucking strong he is. He may develop into that eventually, so we'll see. Right. And again, if they're playing it right, this is not just for now, but for the future. And I don't know. I don't know what you need to see from Slade out there. Like, again, if I'm playing anybody, I'd play daily over Slade because he does more. But if I'm really like, man, then who else goes? Like, I'm wondering who he's actually going to play at Wing. Is Feiyuoboso going to play? Or is that? I don't know. I mean. Like, he's going to feature, I mean.
00:15:11
Speaker
Who else is that? It's Robuck. I like, I like Robuck. I like mirror or, you know, we'll both say yes. We know Freddie's going to be the nailed on fullback. That's not news. Right. Um, unless they put for bank there and move Freddie to wing, which they've done. Yeah, that would not be, I'd switch those probably for bank on wing and Freddie at fullback. No, no, no, no. Yeah. I think you're going to have, if you, if Freeman's playing on in the back there, he's at the wing.
00:15:40
Speaker
And then yeah, you got to have really, if you're, I mean, we always bang on about England and not having like a true attacking wing. And if there's one that's an attacking wing in this whole thing, it's definitely for you about so. So really, if you're going to live to that and actually, you know, maybe
00:16:00
Speaker
get bums in seats and out of seats, hopefully, then yes, that's where you go. Um, Oscar Beard, no idea what the fuck he's doing there. Um, again, cup of coffee situation, possibly, you know, nothing. So overall love what has been done with the England team, interested to see what direction it goes. So we'll see how that goes. Um, let's go to the blue.
00:16:30
Speaker
Uh, Antonio has done, has done his, uh, if anybody wasn't aware already, uh, he did a winning and as is in the team. So that's the good news for everybody in France. Um, France will not be playing their home games at Stade, France, uh, Stade de France, by the way, they are, um, preparing that for the Olympics. Um, I think they're playing in Lille for at least one or two games. Sorry. Yeah. They're not playing in Paris. I know that.
00:16:59
Speaker
But that's so anyway, you know, throw that into the wrench, but I'm sure these guys will not give a shit. No, I don't think it'll get. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, some new games was said tough of Noah and Jesus. I don't know the new guy here, Thomas LaClia, something like that. Sorry. I'm not. Yeah, I was the one I was looking at did not have everybody or the
00:17:28
Speaker
have been separated. So I was looking at a different one just for students. Like I said, the fixation website is very good. Yeah.
00:17:40
Speaker
Right. That's my guess. In any case, 26 years old, pretty good for a prop nut. That has not been called in yet. Right. I mean, we know Bi and Winnie and Tony are the nails on starters, especially for this weekend with the big one that they're going to be playing in. Yeah, not taking any chances. No. Wardy's probably going to be the backup, and then it's just a matter of who's going to be the other one.
00:18:10
Speaker
But yeah, a little bit of a refresh. We won't see how us for a while, thank Christ. Nope. Because we were watching the full contact and I was like, well, we're not going to see him for a while because they obviously showed him getting the red card. She's like, why? I'm like, well, why don't you type his name into that search bar and see what comes up in the videos out there? And she's like, oh, oh, yeah. There's that.
00:18:40
Speaker
And the French aren't like opposed to touching someone like him afterwards, but like that's the team. That's like the league, not necessarily the team. Right. You know, the team may be like, nope, you're not, you're not. Nope, nope, nope, nobody. Nope. So anyway, hookers, no boogery this time around, but he's banged up. So that's all that is. But Mavaka and Marsha, and I mean, they're just going to sit there on his hands for a little while.
00:19:08
Speaker
Unfortunately for a whole lot else happening. Don't see much help. Um, but yeah, so I mean, it's one A and one B make your pay. Right. Right. Just stupid. Like fuck you both. And the crazy thing is like neither of them has like, you know, can I had Kelleher and she and fighting over this in the same kind of position, not that long ago in Ireland, but, but that, that, that,
00:19:37
Speaker
That conversation's over now. This one is still going on, and I think we'll go on for some time because they're both going to lay claim to it every time they put the jersey on or any jersey on. That's unfortunate for anybody playing against them. Very, very, very.
00:19:54
Speaker
Uh, second row. Um, I think one of them's banged up because he's not listed here in the six station site, but, uh, so to align, he has been called into the France while the 19 year old from Perpignan. Yes. That is Henry sun and good fucking God. He's enormous. Scary. I think, I, they gotta play him. Oh, I can't wait to see him. That's a lot of fucking beef. So much beef.
00:20:21
Speaker
Yeah, I will say they usually tend to play kind of a, you know, a big Brelie bastard and then someone like Woki or Flemon who's a little bit more mobile. Right. So it's going to be one of the other. Mayafu getting the call is awesome. He's been great for Toulouse for a while now and him finally getting the call is really, really awesome. So good on him. I'm, I'm really, I was really happy to see his name on the, on the,
00:20:44
Speaker
on the list for France. Mm hmm. So we'll see. I mean, they can pick and choose any one of these guys. And it's going to be bad news for the other team. Always. Yeah, that back that second row is not fun to even approach. Nope. Neither is the back row, really. Nope. Well, they're going to be missing to launch an olive on for the olive on for a bit. And she'll answer things. I miss the whole tournament. I could be wrong. But I don't know. Yeah. I mean, they both got named. So I'm guessing.
00:21:14
Speaker
They'll both like they're expecting both back. I assume. Yeah, I know. Well, I know Geelong is definitely missing time for sure. And we know that all the ones missing at least the first week. Right. Which still doesn't leave them with that many holes. No, it really doesn't because they've got just. I mean, you know, close can play like there's nothing wrong with that.
00:21:41
Speaker
He must have hurt his knee right after they named it because he's listed, he's, he's reported to be missing the whole tournament. Oh, okay. That sucks. Sorry, dude. Um, um, yeah, but like Ruma has been great, playing great for, um, Toulouse, obviously Aldrich back and, and fresh ready to roll cross has, you know, as an old, reliable type of guy, um,
00:22:06
Speaker
Boudin has been very good for La Rochelle for a while now, so they're not suffering by any means whatsoever. We'll see how it plays out. Halfbacks, obviously, no DuPaul. Lageric, good for him. That's really awesome stuff for him. I thought he was playing brilliantly for Rossing, and he's certainly one of the more exciting players at the club.
00:22:34
Speaker
He's, uh, you definitely tried to put his team on there, but, uh, his team on his back during champions cup for a bit. And I don't think, I think they're first in top 14. So as well. So, and he's playing like a mad man, like even like, even in their losses, he's like their best player. So going to be hard to keep off the pitch there. And like, Luke who's like, wait, what the fuck did I do? Nothing wrong. No, like, like we're talking about with, uh, she had like, no,
00:23:04
Speaker
Legarek I think has done enough to I believe what he's he's gonna be there. They're nine if I'm not mistaken I don't I don't know. I mean, it's gonna obviously that's what I mean. I'm okay I wasn't sure if I was just getting that feeling from the one of those vibes from people reporting on it or what but maybe Yeah, in which case awesome for him. Yeah rustling our top of the top 14 by the way I have his his lager X Partner in G bear and then obviously shall you bear? Mm-hmm
00:23:33
Speaker
Like for like a lot of reports or a lot of people believe that Ramos should play 10. And I really believe that that's a port that would be a poor decision because we've talked about how, you know, especially at this level, like going from four, I have to 10 is asking a lot or from pullback to 10 is asking a lot. And if you're used to being like that second distributor, okay, great, then you're going to be okay. But if, and then if you're like, Oh, well, then just put in my second distributor. So who's your main distributor then?
00:24:04
Speaker
Might as well just start a proper 10 then. Yeah. Yeah. So that's, that's my, that's my thoughts on that one. But yes. Um, guys, they can do it too. So, and put ramos, like you already have the positions filled, like. Yeah. I mean, no slouch. We found that out already. Right. So.
00:24:26
Speaker
I mean, really, to say that France did not win the World Cup because Jallibare was playing ten and not Intimac is wrong. No. So I don't know why you all of a sudden take the shirt away from him. And you obviously still waiting on Intimac to come healthy, which won't happen any time during this tournament, but it's worth it. OK, so then because if if you put so what do you like, what do you switch them? Do you go put because if you put
00:24:53
Speaker
Ramos at 10, that means like your other wings are Pinot, Billy Abari and LaBelle. That's your other back three. So does that mean you're going to put Ramos at 10 and then what, Jolly Bear back at 15? They probably put, I mean, I assume they put Jamuna at 15. Or Jamuna, yeah. Yeah. No, I don't love it. I think I'd rather see Jolly Bear at 10 and Ramos at 15. It's the better choice. Midfield.
00:25:23
Speaker
Um, I mean, one of the more frightening duos to try and run through Ficchio and Dante, like, Oh, that is just not fun. And then a change of pace with Moafana. And we have some, some fresh blood getting thrown in there as well. So it's like, I don't want to, it's like, you can't make me. It's crazy though. Cause I, so I'm not sure how far you've gotten in the series. I know we both kind of started a little late and our sluggish, slugging our way through it. Um,
00:25:52
Speaker
I'm on the last episode. I've not watched the last episode. Okay, cool. So then you've seen the, when they did the feature on Fiku and they're talking about like, Oh yeah, he was the future. And I'm like, he's not that old. And then they were talking about it, but it's like, that was 2012. And I'm like, fuck you. That was 12 years ago. Yeah. Absolutely. Fuck you. He's a baby. He's a baby. Comparatively. It's like, Oh, that's ridiculous. Yeah.
00:26:16
Speaker
Yeah, I figured he's been kicking ass for so long and yeah, it's just it didn't seem like it's been that long. No, it has been. It's pretty wild. But yeah, it has been. Yeah, outside. And then the outside like we is anybody besides the Bordeaux guys on the wing? The L.A.B.A. and Pinot? No, no, no, no.
00:26:43
Speaker
Yeah, well, Bell's been playing great for to lose. It's probably the only reason he's in there is because to lose are just in great form as well. So yeah, like he might be the the back three reserve. Mm hmm. Like, you know, if it's not Germany, if it's not German. Yeah. So. Mm hmm. Me, me, me. Yeah, it's Panno Panno. Well, you're not pulling Panno that or that jersey off Panno. And no, Billy Barry, you want him getting as many
00:27:12
Speaker
I mean, it looks as possible. Like he just gets down that sideline, man. Right. Because you're they're preparing to make him the next big thing. And that means he's got to play. Yep. And they'll play him. It's the beauty of it. Amazing. It was just not as leary without that long ago.
00:27:30
Speaker
And I don't know what the hell he did, but he's not even on the team anymore. No, he's not. But he may be called in should an injury. That's true. He's not that he's not that far off the pace. OK, I didn't think so. I'm like, damn, that's cold because he's not that old either. No, no, he's still very young. So loads of bags of paste to say the least in the French. Right. Props over to props of the defending champion Ireland and.
00:28:00
Speaker
Yeah. I, I mean, we know, we know who they're going to be. I wonder how many games can he gets? I don't think he, honestly, I think he should be just a camp guy. I think so too. And help him warm up and get ready for the match. I mean, I love, I love him as a player and respect him tremendously for all he's done for a long time. But yeah, I think he's just,
00:28:27
Speaker
Should be there to lead the youngsters or the inexperienced guys around like O'Toole's not been in the team that often. Loughman, this is like one of very few times he's been in the team, so. Right. Yeah, I think he needs to be in there to just kind of wipe noses and deal with it. Right. But like Porter and Beelum and like. For a long, yeah. For a long, yeah, they don't need. Yeah. Nope. Nope, nope. Yeah, Porter might not need a sub anyway. Right.
00:28:56
Speaker
She'd be like, nope, you're driving me out of here. You can go back to the bench. It's already been announced. What did I say? What did I tell you? Back to the bench. Tom Stewart, not Rob Herring at the hookers. Um, and then Sheehan and Kelleher, obviously, which is okay. Kind of stand up and take notice. You know, one else from and over the other. Yeah. But does Herring need the, need the experience? I don't know.
00:29:22
Speaker
I don't know how much you get anyway. Right. So yeah, but I mean, by that, I mean, you know, does he need the experience of being in the camp? Because. Probably not. Sheenan and Callaher, that's it. That's you know, that's what your your hooker is going to be. So Stuart to come in and get some some reps and some work with the team, I think, you know, I mean, maybe he plays in a match, maybe he's a backup in one of them. Certainly, like he I think needs it.
00:29:51
Speaker
or could use it much more than, uh, his teammate who has been around the team before. Yeah. Yep. Yep. Uh, engine room, uh, McCarthy in the big, big Linster second row. Good on him. Um, I know he's been, I know he's been in the team before, but I feel like he's going to play a slightly more prominent role this year and we're going to see like Baird and burn kind of, or,
00:30:20
Speaker
There's four guys, Ian Henderson's the odd person out, unfortunately. Yeah. There are four guys that are competing for shirts in that engine room. Right. Ryan McCarthy, Baird, Byrne. And, you know, we might see Baird slide out to six as he has. I doubt it because they have Peter Armani as the captain. Right. And so that'll I don't know what that's going to be like there. I mean, good problems to have if you're Ireland, but right. Yeah. No, it just kind of sucks for for guys like Henderson and
00:30:48
Speaker
Um, and Baron who can play six and really, you know, compete well there. But, you know, with Vander Fleer and eight kind of wrapped up that really, you know, Omani being captain means he's playing and where is he playing? He's playing six. I don't see him. I don't see him playing seven. No, no. I mean, he's won the seven shirt before, but not often. Not then not, not these days. No, probably not the greatest idea. So yeah, it's, it's a,
00:31:17
Speaker
It's a plethora of treasures there for fireland and that. Oh yeah. It's not too much. There's not too much intrigue. There's some, some interesting selections as you noted. Um, to me, the intrigue comes in the backs. Yeah. We're almost, we're getting there. We're getting there because it's going to be very interesting. Uh, back row. Yup. I mean, you don't go wrong. And even in the, with the fresh kid, Timoni, like we saw wonderful, he wasn't,
00:31:45
Speaker
champions cup and I'm sure URC have also taken note as well. So I don't know where you go wrong. Honestly, like, yes, so I should play six and then you can pick, you know, Timoni seems to be a Swiss army knife. You can play anywhere. Yeah. Um, Doris can play six or eight, Conan same. Um, and then bender player can play all the back back row as well. Right. So yeah, like again, lots of, lots of goodies.
00:32:14
Speaker
sitting right here in front of you for Andy Farrell. Yeah. And I wonder if it's going to be a money playing like 40 or 40 to 60. And then around that 60, you know, maybe 50 to 60, depending on how the games go and like Tiffany comes in for him. You switch over your captain to someone else, but like, you know, money leads you in and sets the tone with the intention that he that he comes out. Yeah. So I.
00:32:40
Speaker
Possibility for sure because yeah, I'm like how else are you gonna get Tim and Ian? It's gonna be really tough Especially with all those other guys like there's too many there's there's too many good players for too few positions. It's Kind of wild good problem. Yeah Halfbacks I'm Connor Murray I'm I Don't know who else you pick necessarily but like at the same time like hmm
00:33:08
Speaker
I was pretty sure we were kind of over Connor Murray at this point. Hmm. So maybe I missed something. I know he didn't retire, but like. Yeah, but he's still the again, some more veteran leadership in the, in the, in the team. You got Jameson Gibson park. Who's your nine? And I don't know. They really should be moving on from him though. Yeah.
00:33:34
Speaker
That's a, I think that's a, the, the first real mistake we've, we've seen in any of this. Um, Oh, well, you know, because this, it's an opportunity missed. We've got guys who were, you know, we talked about the, um, shit, who was the hooker that you were talking about? Um, Stuart. So yeah. Who was his teammate? Um, of hearing, of hearing. Yeah. Like.
00:33:58
Speaker
Harry's been around this. Murray's been around this. It's time to move to someone, you know, new for like, you know, getting these experiences now. It's the farthest away you've got, you know, the most time you have in a World Cup cycle. Start building up your next, you know, your next round. Yep. Yeah, I think I think that's probably the one big one. But yeah, and I would like per case, I think should definitely be someone that is rotated as a starter in games. I feel like they could win.
00:34:26
Speaker
Um, rather easily. And then Jamison Gibson park is obviously your nails on nine and just leave Connor Murray on the, in the, on the sideline on a bar, one game, maybe, you know, and maybe you just send them off with some respect and that's it. All right. Another 10 position to talk about. Hmm. Yeah. The only other question about England is who the hell? Yeah.
00:34:53
Speaker
Oh, yeah. France, we don't know what they're going to do. They have to have questions at nine. Yeah. Yeah. But this is just as intriguing, I would say, if not more so, because they take their place to an absolute legend of Irish rugby and rugby in general and Johnny Sexton and their old captain as well. So it's like.
00:35:12
Speaker
And I like where they've gone. We've, we know that Karen Frowley has played very well for Lindsay. We know Harry Byrne has played very well for once or Ross on the other hand is kind of tumbling down the wayside here. Um, so then, and then Jack Crowley was clearly someone that Andy Farrell favored by the time the end of the world cup rolled around because he was getting named at the bench more often than anybody else behind Sexton to relieve him. So I'm guessing that's the, that's who gets the nod week one here. Right.
00:35:40
Speaker
But man, if things go sideways, I wouldn't be shocked to see, you know, Frawley in there the following game. No, I would not. I wouldn't be surprised to see him start out right. And I wouldn't be surprised if it's a switch, a quick switch over if if it doesn't click right away or just to honestly, it's like one of those. Again, you've got all this time before your next World Cup. You got to figure out who you got and what you got. So it might even, you know,
00:36:08
Speaker
Even, um, even if Crowley does play well, depending on who, you know, um, and maybe they pick him because it's, it's France and because it's, uh, you know, they want someone who has had that experience a little bit. Um, and then it wouldn't be surprised to see, um, probably the next day or the next, um, the next match. Just to be like, okay, you show us what you got. And then we'll, we'll go from here and there and.
00:36:35
Speaker
Um, eventually by the next, you know, maybe not this cycle, but every next, this year, next year, but you know, around year three of the cycle, that's when you're going to figure out who the 10 actually is. So yeah, we'll, we'll have more answers by then. I mean, we'll pretend we have answers by the end of this thing. Exactly. Well, we'll have, we'll have, we'll have a less muddy, there's like no picture here at all. It's like completely clean slate. So we're going to have like a sketch maybe by the end of this.
00:37:01
Speaker
Rough sketch. Be a fucking sketch of that draw. Yeah. That's what it's going to look like. All right. Midfield. Again, you know, lots of goodies here. I think Ringrose needs to be your 13 and then good luck figuring out your 12. That's what I think that's what it comes down to. You can pick any one of those guys, although I do like overall, I like Ken Shaw, but I'm okay with any of those guys in there.
00:37:31
Speaker
I think we're, you know, we, we talked about this with, um, with Manu to lagi and, and Bundy has been great. Um, but like, once again, Bundy is not going to be your 12 at the next world cup. He's not going to be in the contention. You probably won't be on the team. So it's good. These on the team here, but I would not be playing him. I would be going with the guys who are going to be your leader, you know,
00:37:58
Speaker
Um, yeah, to me, it's, it's, it's Henshaw and Ringrose. Yeah. Um, and then rotate some of, um, McCloskey McCloskey in there too. Yeah. Yeah. I'd like to see Hume eventually get a nod to McCloskey's teammate. And he's, he's not, I was looking for, I was just looking for him. I was like, how is Hume not, Hume should be here, but he's not. I thought he was pretty good this year. This thus far, I should say, but yeah. And again, interest may change the picture. Never know. Um, back three. I mean,
00:38:28
Speaker
So we have low who we know Keenan. Yes. And then Mack Hanson is going to miss the tournament. So that spot is up for grabs. We know Larma, we know Stockdale, and then we get a glance at Calvin Nash, someone, a fresh face in Calvin Nash. There has been scuttlebutt. The butt has scuttled about Calvin Nash. So I would love to see that again. Do you, do we need to see Stockdale? Do we really need to see, do we know like, is he going to be like, why, why that again,
00:39:00
Speaker
because it's way too many people who shouldn't be here on this team to be perfectly blunt in the backs. Murray, Aki and Stockdale, I don't know why you'd pick all three. Yeah, that it's it's suddenly making a lot less sense to me. But yeah, like I would love to see Nash, I like put him out there, see what he can do, especially against France. Mm hmm. Let him let him sink or swim.
00:39:28
Speaker
Yeah. Find out. Yeah. And Stockdale, I don't think Stockdale's fast enough anymore. Who what? I don't think Stockdale's fast enough anymore. I think he's reached, I get the impression anyway, that he's reached like Johnny May territory, but I could be, I could be mistaken. That's just the- We'll find out if he gets tossed into a game. Yeah. I think my last impressions of him were not good the last time I saw him. So. Yeah. I think a lot of people felt that way as well for the most part.
00:39:59
Speaker
OK. Also, I like that they have Ahern and Pendergast out there is as training panelists. So they're those two guys. I mean, yes, definitely in the mix for the next day should be. They were they were both brilliant until they picked up injuries. So, you know, the eager to another another. God, we've been hearing his name forever because he's been playing for Crusaders, but damn, it's good on him. Good on him.
00:40:29
Speaker
Yeah. Anyway, let's go and talk about Gonzalo Quesada's team and that is Italy. And so there's a lot of talk about how, you know, Frawley is very good about bringing teams from basically, you know, the nether regions to, you know, notable. Right.
00:40:51
Speaker
In case Sada is better and he did a pretty good job with stop front say, you know, stop front say, it was not a team that we, that the team that we all remembered and, you know, bonded over at some points and he has brought them back from the brink and has made them a thing now. And, um, guys like Macklelu have gotten noticed and so on and so forth. So.
00:41:15
Speaker
You know, you got Brad Weber to sign for them. Like, you know, so it's, it's Dan's to, you know, be said that he could
00:41:28
Speaker
punch them into that next category where they get over the line in some of those shitty games where they have a chance. The France game, the Wales game, the Scotland game. I got to say that that's Six Nations. Once again, we're going back to that, because first of all, it's an amazing show if you haven't watched it. Once you're done with this part on it, man. Yeah. I thought I don't think Italy's coaching staff came across as
00:41:57
Speaker
All that impressive. I liked the, the consultant they brought in. I can't remember his name, but yeah. Um, but here to them, I was like, just not, I, he was way too, like, I get that you wanted them to be physical. And I know it was, he didn't get it. He wasn't seeing how they were cutting it. So, um, maybe, you know, it didn't look good when your players start, you know, um,
00:42:23
Speaker
with Negri, he's talking about how he's having trouble, like he's finding his physicality after he almost died on a pitch. And he's just talking about being physical. And it's like when you're, a lot of coaches don't understand, and you and I do understand this, because we've been there and at the club level, it sucks. When you're the guy that the team looks to to be physical,
00:42:45
Speaker
When your coach says we need to up the physicality that just puts the pressure on you because who is he like who else is he putting pressure on is it? Capozzo fuck no No, is it is it Varni? Hell no Is it like, you know? It's your sex you're asking your your four five and six to start fucking fighting people and your props but like That's not who Italy is
00:43:14
Speaker
That's not what makes them like, yes, it's been these, he has helped kind of help them, but man, they're at their best when they're flinging that ball and they're, they're using the space and they're, they're, they're really putting that flare to it rather than smash him. Um, and I, so I don't like that. I don't like coaches who, who resort to whenever, and it just seemed like he, everything was resorting to the physical. So.
00:43:40
Speaker
new coach, I think is going to change that. And this team, I think could benefit greatly. This is a scary team now, because if they still have a little bit of that physical edge that helped them in a lot of matches, but then they come with some intent to to play wide, that's going to scare it. That's going to be. I think I guys, you can do it. Yeah, I agree.
00:44:02
Speaker
In any case, no Ruchioni, he's hurt for the props. So they're going to be laying on. I know. Boy, can't catch a break. Fisketi will obviously be the leader up there along with Nicotera and Lucchese, which is great. Yeah, I think they have some good guys to lean on in that. Zilachi's been there and done that for a little bit as well. So they'll be OK in that. And then they'll obviously develop some fresh faces.
00:44:30
Speaker
around the whole thing. And yeah, I'm glad they moved on from Luca Beegee. I liked Luca Beegee for what he was for the team at the time, but Nicotera is that next level. And I'm glad they just moved on from Beegee said, thank you, Luca. Well, we appreciate you, but we're going this direction. Right. And that's appropriate for this. That's another, you know, like we were just talking about with Ireland, like there's no need for him to be around. No. Nope. Second row.
00:44:57
Speaker
It's Ruzan Kenoni. I don't know why we're going to talk about anybody else besides those two. I know they've both been around the block and they're getting on the upper side of age, but they're still, they're still seasoned veterans that are in their prime. But Kenoni is what, like 25, 26? Something like that. He's still been around for a while. Yeah. Yeah. They'll be, they'll be okay. Freddy's not even, Freddy Ruz is not even 30.
00:45:28
Speaker
Jesus, that's crazy. Yeah. Um, Nico Canone is 26. Yeah. So yeah, he's got, he's got not just this cycle. He's probably got two more, um, world cup cycles to go. Yup. Back row. Interesting. One into two more after that. Yeah. Um,
00:45:47
Speaker
Interesting. We know Lorenzo Canone is going to be nailed on. I love what I saw Zulani last time, Lamaro, same thing. A name to keep an eye on is the Alessandro Yzikor. Big, big boy. Almost like almost two meters tall.
00:46:09
Speaker
He's a 196 centimeter stall, which I probably am converting that like a fucking idiot. Well, it's like six, five, six, six. Yeah. So he's a big boy. He's playing second row or playing back row rather.
00:46:21
Speaker
He's about 230 in terms of weight, 110 kgs. He is not a small man and people are blowing up his spot with how he's been playing in the URC. So keep an eye on that. Might be a bolter to get shot into your team. Yeah. I don't know why Ross wasn't here. No, I mean, can't even start for his own fucking club. No. And they're not that good. No. Scrum halves.
00:46:50
Speaker
I love the piece on Steven Varney. I still think the best Scrum App in this group is Pajarello from Leon. So I think he needs to be their nine. And I think they really, they need to consider Garbisi Jr as well. So a little Garbisi, cause Varney, again, not unlike Beegee, like for what they were at the time, fantastic. Got them there, moved them forward.
00:47:18
Speaker
I think his time's gone and not, he's not old by any means whatsoever, but I just think there's better. So you keep him around for a bit and you know, maybe that backup role and you know, let him start. Yeah, he's only 23. Jesus Christ. Right. Fucking hell.
00:47:34
Speaker
Well, that was a crazy thing I thought Varnie was old like when they had him and um and Lewis resam it that he went they were 16 together Yeah, holy crap. I didn't realize Varnie was that young too. Yeah. No, they got they got a future right there. That's that three right there That'll be the three for a long time. Yeah I'm sorry if you're Italian in a scrum half and your name is not any of those three because you're probably not getting a look
00:48:00
Speaker
at all. I think almost one was broken. That's it. Yeah. Find it. Don't be asking for that because that's bad news, man. Right. And then my advice is to find an American relative and play for the Eagles. Yeah. See Oscar London. 10, Gerbisi and then I love Tommy Allen. I don't love him in this team. Go say. I can't disagree. That's kind of what I was thinking. I was like, I really like Tommy Allen.
00:48:31
Speaker
I'm not sure. I'm not sure what he's doing here. Where he fits exactly. It's almost like when they had him at 15 for Quinn's at times and it was just weird.
00:48:44
Speaker
Um, and they like to do that here too. Sometimes. Yeah. That's to me what I could see him then using him for. We'll see what can set a cassette case out of it does. I am of the team teams that will be picked. His first six nations team is going to be very, very interesting to me up for sure. Um, midfield Brex and Monticello.
00:49:09
Speaker
Minicello. Minicello. Excuse me. I had some notes on my brain. Yeah, clearly. Yeah, Minicello and Brax. Maury's just not in for me anymore. No. And I like Minicello and Brax a lot, so I don't don't mess with it. Keep it. Yeah. I just yeah, I don't know what else.
00:49:36
Speaker
And yeah, Brexit is great. So right. Work on work on that. Yeah. Just go with that. Yeah. Back three, there is this is definitely this place. They are just spoiled like without a doubt. You know, Bruno and Patavani isn't Patavani. Capuzzo like he's hurt. Patavani must be hurt, isn't he? He's on the team here. Oh, is he? Oh, he's on. OK, he's on the team. I'm looking at him. He's 30, 31.
00:50:04
Speaker
Although maybe he's going to miss the first game, which is why he would, why they called someone else in. Okay. Which would track. Hey, he's 31. So he's, he's, this is probably his last go for this team, but damn, like I thought he was still some really good players back there for this team. And just woo. Yeah. Like I said, this is the one place they are definitely spoiled. Um, the Google search says, is there an Italian rugby player called lemon cello?
00:50:34
Speaker
Not quite. Right. And I'm looking up Pataponi and I'm like, what the... No, not on the gel. No, no, no. Tasty. Anywho. Yeah. So they have got some real nice pieces back here. Obviously, Monty is who he is. Bruno's been great. Capuzzo is lightning in a bottle. So it's like...
00:51:00
Speaker
Yeah, you have some, they have some good stuff and they brought, they brought along a couple of, um, youngsters. One guess you've got one camp last year, I think, but that's it. This team should, they should again, make some noise. Last year was like, certainly the world cup was disappointing. There's no other, there's no way. There's no way around that. Yeah. Um, but yeah, I think the new coach, new energy,
00:51:25
Speaker
Let's see what they do. I think they'd gone as far as they could with, um, what's his ass. So, so let's go to, and Quesada sounds delicious. That's a quesadilla buddy. Or queso. Yeah, there's, there's, there's cheese in there somewhere and I'm eating.
00:51:53
Speaker
I should make it something that sounds delicious, not right to it. Let's go to Scotland. Right away in the props, like, why are you calling Will Hurd and Al Keprin in it exactly? I don't know. And Xander Fagerson is like one of those guys that's got like a hex on people that has everybody fooled that he's like this amazing prop and
00:52:17
Speaker
He has a good game once in a blue moon, but that's it. Honestly, that's a lot of this roster. Gilchrist, both figure sins. I was looking at yesterday when I was watching the Six Nations Full Contact. What if we get rid of Gilchrist?
00:52:39
Speaker
And we pushed Matt Fagerson forward and we actually put dynamic back rowers into the back row. I want to see fucking Sam Skinner in there. We pulled Gil Chris, we throw in Skinner. To me that's a swap out and immediate improve. Yeah, I don't disagree. Everybody's favorite.
00:53:00
Speaker
Glasgow Warrior these days, Johnny Matthews is in, Ewan Ashman's back, George Turner. Yeah, nice department going on in that two spot. Yeah, a lot to like about that at least, so that's good.
00:53:15
Speaker
Second row, like we said, yeah. Gil Christ, I love Gray, always have. New guy Glenn Young, we'll see what he does. Yeah, like Cummings and Gil Christ, I'm kind of over. Yeah, I don't see any reason. No. But yeah, like, yeah, if you have to have Matt Packerson on the field, all right, get rid of Gil Christ and push him forward into the second row. Yeah. I mean, I want to talk about these back row players because this is just so many good ones.
00:53:46
Speaker
Like not in Matt Fagerson. Right. Right. And then you go and why is Matt Fagerson in this team at all, even like. No, I'm sorry, just even starting at, you know, the kind of the toppy toppish in a way like Bayless, not the top top, but like the other way around like Bayless, Christie Crosby. Right. Just just those three right there are guys who they should be on this team. And yeah, if they get to get a start here and there, no questions asked. Nope.
00:54:14
Speaker
like Rory Darge, Jamie Ritchie, you know, that's when you get to the, towards this, like on the top of the top of the, you know, and you get to those two and you're like, yeah, bang on easy. I still need to be convinced of Jack Dempsey, but I like him in sports. I've, I've seen, I've liked what I've seen of him. Um, I, yeah, I want to see more. It's not, I really don't want to see more of Matt Fagerson. No, me neither. There's no need for me to see it.
00:54:42
Speaker
Please don't make me. I mean, neither, like you said, neither Ferguson really needs to be here. No, just in the way. While everyone else is trying to win a rugby game. It's just in the fucking way. Yeah. Why are you in the way? And the thing is, Xander, I get it because he is a prop and the props get in the way. OK, I can accept it. It's the the map. The back rower, you better not be in the fucking way. Right. And he's just.
00:55:09
Speaker
hump gave viewers motherfucker. Basically. Yeah. Uh, half facts. No surprises really. Although Ali price, I won't be surprised if this is his last go around for the six nations. So though he's right, he's younger than them right technically, but is he shit? Yeah. Uh, George horn love his explosiveness. I think he needs to be the guy off the bench. Me too. Just really, really just pop all day with him. So yeah. Like that a lot. Um, horn's actually younger than,
00:55:40
Speaker
price, but older than Ben White. Damn. He looks like a fucking five year old sometimes. So how are you this young? Well, I have Hastings is out. So that's an incorrect listing there for me. Ben Healy. Yeah, we know what he's going to probably do. He's going to be filling in for Finn Russell. Winston Russell is not able to go. Right. We still are pushing, as we saw in
00:56:03
Speaker
you know, last year's documentary, but also in general, still pushing Blair King, where has attended it. Again, he's that second receiver. And that's his, without a doubt, his best role is that second receiver, not that second distributor, not right. First, first, you know, first five, like, no, no, you, you have, you brought, but you made sure you kept Ben Healy for a reason. Use it. You know, that's the thing. Like you made sure he was locked into Scotland, like use it, you know,
00:56:32
Speaker
Don't don't be on. Don't be on making them want to quit. I'm like, no good, man. Midfield, again, just embarrassment of riches over there. Right. Red path. I like McDowell. I like Hutchins. Huey Paloto, Hutch Jones. Yeah. Huey Paloto is working out so well. I don't know. I mean, you have to you have to start looking at new options soon, but I don't know. How old are they? Not that old. The Huey Paloto combination. Yeah.
00:57:02
Speaker
Like they could still be like, there's no reason that they, they wouldn't be your, your center pairing at the next world cup. Unless again, someone, unless someone else steps up like a hutch. Um, which is 27. Yeah. So 31 he'll be, he'll be good for the next one. He'll be all right. Um, and Hugh Jones is do, do, do, do six. He, he Jones is 30. So maybe, okay. Now you're looking at the new, okay. So they're looking at a new 13 then.
00:57:32
Speaker
Probably depending on how his form goes. Right. I'd say that's probably what that's dependent on. But like Redpath and Hutchinson, I think you got some guys who can fill in if you, if you need them. Yep. Agreed. Agreed. Agreed. Love it. And then back three, um, another Graham and, and do on gotta be the two. I know, I know Graham's heart. So they're going to have to fill someone else in, but yeah.
00:57:56
Speaker
Kyle Rowe has been amazing. Aaron Reed's been great. They got guys who can who can step in if they get the ready to step up. I like Kyle Rowe a lot, so I I don't really care for Kyle Stane. No, not so much him. Yeah, just a lot, a lot, a lot of them, as we call them, Johnny May tries. Yeah, that's about it. That's all he's going to give you. Whereas Reed and Rowe will will put on a show.
00:58:26
Speaker
Yeah. Yep. Uh, yeah. Graham's going to miss the opener. Okay. Oh, well then. Yeah. So I'll miss the Wales game. That's it. That's okay. And then they, they brought in a young, a young kid in Harry Patterson to challenge the ropes and stuff. And I know people say that about Reed, but
00:58:43
Speaker
reason sparkling for him despite the fact that he can't get the fucking ball. So, well it's great to him in that case. Well luckily Sam James is not on the Scotland team, so maybe- No, for everyone's sake. Right, so maybe Aaron Reed can get the ball.
00:58:59
Speaker
Yeah. Let's go to Wales. Oh man. Can I just say one thing about Wales? Yeah. That sums up the Wales team. Daffy Jenkins is your captain. Daffy. I got to say, under the strongest possible terms, I object. Yeah.
00:59:27
Speaker
This guy, that's your captain. Come on, man. That's just, that's captain that the world cup or heard. So I get it. But I mean, I get that you got, yeah. Like, I mean, you're looking up and down the team, but, but damn, this is. So you, so their starters in the second are going to be Jenkins and beard. Yeah. It's just to me, Jenkins is a helmet.
00:59:50
Speaker
neither of them are super impressive by any means what's right. It's just, it's just, it's the state of the game in Wales really. It's pretty bad. Between like looking at the, looking at the front row where it's like, yeah, you got Elliott D and Ryan Elias neither, which is like going to blow your skirt off. Um, you know, props, you got a lot, you got some fresh, you got one, two,
01:00:11
Speaker
I mean, this is the time to do it. You got four fresh faces, like, and I know Dymachowski was, I'm pretty sure he was at the World Cup, but. Yeah, he was. Or he's been up recently. Yeah, so, yeah, back row, I think Basham, I think Wayne Wright's got to start in the back row and Rafal. I'd like to see basically anybody not Wayne Wright start in the back row. Basham has to, in my opinion.
01:00:39
Speaker
Rafale probably will because he's got a ton of experience in there. Mm-hmm Yeah, and that's that We'll see so it's so poor It's that's a I mean It's sad that's a sad forwards lineup, although not nearly as sad as where we're going now
01:01:02
Speaker
I know back lines going to get there next here. Um, that scrum half room is getting a little long on the tooth. Williams and Davies are up there. Hardy's right behind him. Like Hardy's probably is the, I think he's the youngest of the three. So yep. Williams is 29 and Hardy's 28 and Davies is 30. Oh, why are these that these three are your scrum?
01:01:32
Speaker
How do you not have a 21 year old? Like you just grab one and be like, come here. What do you need to see Thomas Williams for? What do you need to see Gareth Davies for? What do you need to see? You don't need to see Gareth Davies anymore. Come on, man. Like what are we doing here? Yep. Like the problem is it's the real, the problem is that, um,
01:02:00
Speaker
They're kind of fucked as far as they want to win versus like this is the best team that they could pick to win as many games as they can at that Six Nations. But I don't know how much I'm capping it to. Right. What the fuck? Just take a spoon and you maybe you don't even do that if you if you play your cards. Right. But at the same time, get some new blood in here. These are all a bunch of recent like they talk about, you know, hiring retread coaches, like I mentioned, like McCarthy.
01:02:30
Speaker
Right. These are all street tread players. You're running on guys who just have proven over and over again that they're not at this level. Awful. We're at one point, but not anymore. Right. That should be interesting. What was it? From Major League. Has been in a couple of never will be's kind of thing. Yeah. That's what you got. Yep. Yep.
01:02:53
Speaker
Yeah, so fly off will be interesting. I assume we're going to see Sam Costello in that first in that first 10 shirt there. Kai Evans, interest me. You and Lloyd, less so. That's the question is, you and Lloyd, is he there as a fly half? Because if he is, I wouldn't. I wouldn't personally. Yeah, I just don't know. It's been tried. It didn't work. That's true. That's fair.
01:03:17
Speaker
Um, centers. I mean, it's Nick Tompkins nailed on, and then good luck to everybody else. Maybe, and probably North coming into 13. Right. Like Owen walk-in, meh. Mason Gray is a big fella and he's young, so I'd give him a look. Uh, they brought in the Roberts kid. I know that. So yeah, Mason Gray is 22. Yep. That's somebody you definitely need to play, play the hell out of. Right. I bet he, I think he's going to start over Tompkins, honestly. He may.
01:03:46
Speaker
Just my yeah, I mean Tom Tom Tom has never been a Favorite of any of the coaches of whales He's he's been you know, you gotta give him credit. He's always been incredibly good whenever they have allowed him to play Yeah, but and a lot of people like to shit on to write. It's too bad back three
01:04:11
Speaker
Josh Adams and Rio Dyer, and then either one of these pups. Yeah. Like, good luck. I'm guessing they put Adams at fullback at this point. That wouldn't shock me. Because who else are you going to put back there? I can't believe he did that. What's that? I can't believe Reesamit did that. That's hilarious. He's going to go and spend three years on a fucking NFL practice squad, do absolutely nothing, and then come back, like, in the middle of his prime. Like, way to go, dumbass.
01:04:41
Speaker
or he's going to be a fantastic wide receiver. They don't, this is the problem. Like this is the problem that I've talked about for years in terms of the NFL. Like if American football player were to go to a, you know, a championship team in England, they have other teams that they play or, and they have other ways that they get these guys games and reps, right? You don't get reps if you're not on the first team in the NFL, right? Even a little bit in preseason, that's it. Like,
01:05:12
Speaker
you're not getting the reps you need at that level. I know there's like a European player development. They don't have the system for that. No, like they claim it's a development program, but what they don't tell you is there's no way, there's no other place to play games and you're not going to get a ton of reps. So good luck to me. That's also a function of the fact that, I mean,
01:05:33
Speaker
I can't be easy playing for Gloucester this year. And it's certainly not going to be easy playing for Wales. So I think it's more of like it's also like a head clearing thing. Let me try this while I can, because what the fuck do I care? Because he he can walk back into this squad and be one of their best players in three years anyway. So I think that's him just not tears his ACL in the NFL with that, which I hope he doesn't. I'm just saying that's that's like the going rate of what happens right now. Yeah. You know, I think he could actually be a very good wide receiver. I think it was a stupid of Wade to try to play running back.
01:06:04
Speaker
There's too much a running back does in terms of like every play they do something different whereas a wide receiver Yeah, you might have to block sometimes but mostly you're running up the field and that's what he's good at so
01:06:16
Speaker
There's potential there to me. I think this is a better opportunity for him than it was when Wade went. I think that was silly. This is less silly than Wade. That's not saying much. I'm just saying it's less silly than Wade. Yeah. I still don't see it. He's going to be pissed at himself after a few years. Maybe not. I'm sure he's got a good mindset to just not think about that, but at the same time. Anyway, all right. Click predictions and then we'll go to the prep.
01:06:45
Speaker
I mean, France has got to be, I think like just based on where everybody is, France is number one. Yeah. Go back to the top. Yeah. I, I, it could happen another way. I'm just going with the most likely. Fair enough. Wouldn't spoon diddly or does somebody else decide to cock it up? Wales. Wales. Okay. Going back that road. All right. All right.
01:07:16
Speaker
Going back to the scene of the crime this year, aren't they? I think yes, they are. That'll be interesting. I still think they'll become way better. I'm excited about it. I really am. This has been the Fantasy of the Yanks podcast.
01:07:39
Speaker
If you'd like to ask a question or leave us general feedback, email us at fantasyrugbypodcastatgmail.com. You fart, you die, by the way. Yeah, exactly. The ticky tackiness kind of absolutely pisses me off. Be sure you check out our Patreon at patreon.com slash thefantasyrugby. Yeah.