Just as the Irish have the Rog/Sexton debate, England have the Jonny/Toby one,

Personally I'd play both the kids in the starting fifteen and have the oldies on the bench.

The oldies will win you knock out matches.

biltongbek wrote:The oldies will win you knock out matches.

Well it wasn't Jonny that stole a win against the sweaties Biltong.

If Flood started and Wilkinson came on, then he would have.

The replacement gets the plaudits, regardless of whom that happens to be.

greybeard wrote:If Flood started and Wilkinson came on, then he would have.

The replacement gets the plaudits, regardless of whom that happens to be.

You have to add the addendum - if they win.

In Ireland vs Australia, O'Gara took territorial control.

johnny kept england in the game today regardless of his missed kicks.

Now we've got the Slade/Carter on cortisone debate. Or the Bring Back Nick Evans debate whatever takes your fancy

biltongbek wrote:In Ireland vs Australia, O'Gara took territorial control.

johnny kept england in the game today regardless of his missed kicks.

Ireland have to thank ROG for controlling a pretty much negative game (and I thank them for that for inventing the NvS hemisphere RWC).

Jonny played a game which is more suitable for a last twenty minute.

The ROG/Sexton and Jonny/Toby comparisons are palpably stark in their similarities in really tough must-win games.

Not wanting to waste a point:

"This is the nub of the Jonny/Toby debate. I sort of make the analogy with wicket-keepers in cricket.

Jonny I'd compare with a great specialist WK who can restrict the opposition's score whereas Toby does most of those things but not quite as well but bats a lot stronger."

Would the Irish see their analogy?
I don't. I see Sexton as an identical straight replacement for ROG and so for the Irish OH have secured a continuity of options of play.

I think Wilko and Flood are both cack at the moment, Wilko hasn't played well since England beat Wales at Twickenham in the Warm ups...

AlynDavies wrote:I think Wilko and Flood are both cack at the moment, Wilko hasn't played well since England beat Wales at Twickenham in the Warm ups...

.............................................................................................................................................................................................
And yet England have won all their games so far. They maybe Cack in your eyes but they keep ENGLAND ON A WINNING STREET.OK

disneychilly wrote:Now we've got the Slade/Carter on cortisone debate. Or the Bring Back Nick Evans debate whatever takes your fancy

Wilko/Flood and ROG/Sexton are real dilemmas.

As long as Dan Carter has a pulse he is a better 10 than Slade or any other 10 in the world for that matter. I don't think the All Black can win the world cup without him and add in a 75% fit McCaw it looks bleak. New Zealand Have the best collective 30 in the world cup but only Carter makes them a team. You only have to look at France today to see what happens when you have 22 better players who are not a team.

Priestland / Hook / Jones ?

I reckon that come the 6Ns it will be time to let the youngsters out on a long leash.

Senior players don't create themselves - they have to learn to shoulder the full burden of responsibility.

Each of the HNs has to a varying degree a potential crock of gold to take over the mantle. The longer the current kings stay on over the next twelve months or so the less time the new princes will have to establish themselves - and their heirs apparent won't in their turn have the challenge for the crown.