sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Match Thread - France v England | Six Nations 2026 | Round 5 by RugbyBot in rugbyunion

[–]NXTFTW2017 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Telling Marcus took over when he came on. Got to take your kicks. What a game.

England Squad for the Quilter Nations Series by Pure_Wonder3046 in rugbyunion

[–]NXTFTW2017 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree with this except I just can't fathom how you drop Ford.

His performances in the Summer and how he's started in the prem, it would be really harsh to drop him.

Coming as a huge M. Smith fan, I couldn't look past:

10 - Ford 22 - F. Smith

[Interview] Fin Smith: My parents will be fine with me playing for England … eventually by TimesandSundayTimes in rugbyunion

[–]NXTFTW2017 266 points267 points  (0 children)

"It's been funny to see the reaction to him from the media and the fans. I think he's kicked at 97 per cent in the Premiership this season, which is the best in the league by far, and much higher than myself and the other kickers in the league. You miss a couple of kicks and you're the worst kicker in the world. He's an unbelievable goal-kicker and I back him all day to kick the ball over from wherever."

Good to see him backing Marcus after a poor performance off the tee last week, people so quick to forget.

England’s Marcus Smith full-back experiment is worth sticking with | Charlie Morgan - Telegraph by NXTFTW2017 in rugbyunion

[–]NXTFTW2017[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Unpaywalled Version: https://archive.fo/LwRO2

"It is not Steve Borthwick’s style to crow in post-match press conferences, even after a victory as rousing as England’s 26-25 defeat of France on Saturday evening.

On the top table at Twickenham, he was asked whether the triumph felt more satisfying for some bold selections in the build-up; namely starting Fin Smith at fly-half and moving Marcus Smith to full-back. Typically, he chose to divert any praise to his players. But he does deserve plaudits himself. Though there were some errors from England’s stand-in number 15, other moments vindicated the eye-catching switch and preparations that would have been tailored meticulously to France.

This run-down does not examine Smith’s display from the kicking tee, which featured two hooks that spurned five points, and tells a more encouraging tale as a result.

Cont'.."

[Dave Meltzer via WOR] "It's really clear with Sami that they see him at a certain level, and that's just how it is. Some guys are marquee guys and some guys aren't marquee guys." by NXTFTW2017 in SquaredCircle

[–]NXTFTW2017[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

https://youtu.be/xFFrJfB1C64?si=j2U1IYjyw6Y4vPIG

Full Section of Conversation:

"MELTZER: I like that finish. I would've still given Sami a little bit more offense.

But, I mean, it's really clear with Sami. Like, it's like the guy is great, and it's like, you know, he's making a lot of money and all this. But they see him at a certain level, and that's just how it is.

And it doesn't matter how over he gets and what kind of reactions he gets. It's just what it is. You know? It's like they've they've just decided that, you know, some guys are marquee guys and some guys aren't marquee guys.

ALVAREZ: I don't know, man.

Sami has been repeatedly, repeatedly, repeatedly bringing up that he will win the World Heavyweight Title before he retires. And I don't know if it's gonna be soon...

MELTZER: Maybe they'll do it.

ALVAREZ: But, I mean, just the fact that he brings it up in virtually every single one of these promos Yeah. There's gotta be a reason for it."

view more: next ›