Day 34.
An interesting day at work. It was one of the few days when I couldn't be bothered to get into arguements or keep telling the students to put their phones away or to stop eating. So as long as the teacher didn't see then I couldn't be bothered to stop them. I did get a piece of chocolate orange out of it for not grassing on them. I didn't have a lunch today either as I chose to go to a lesson that I wasn't meant to be in. So I ended up having 6 lessons instead of 5. After work I did a mega workout with Woody and Jules. My back hurts a little bit now but I thought it was quite easy. Friday nights are when I help at the youth club. We were quite short on helpers tonight but it was still lots of fun, until an immature little teenager decided to draw on my arm. I'm only joking about the immature part.
The discssion topic tonight is:
How can England win the Six Nations with three new caps blooded against the Jocks?
First of all, England have minimal chance of winning the 6 nations. They are coming off the poorest world cup performance ever and have less experience than any other team in the 6 nations. The world cup was an embarassment. Although they made it out of the group stages with a stumble, they tripped and fell flat on their faces in the quarter finals against France, a team low on morale and respect for their coaches.
Out with the old.
The old faces have either retired, been axed from the elite squad or just slipped away from spotlight with their dignity intact. The most high profile retirement in recent years was Jonny Wilkinson. He was one player that gave his all every time and will sadly be missed. He wasn't expected to play in the 2007 rugby world cup let alone 2011 RWC. He has held the record for highest international points scorer, record for highest 6 nations points scorer and various other achievement that won't be broken for a long time.
Lewis Moody the captian for the past 18 months, retired from international duty in October 2011. He led by example from the moment he won his 1st cap to the last second of his last game in an England shirt. At times he was the best in the world and at times he oversteped the line but never gave up leading by example.
Others name missing from the team sheet include Mike Tindal, Shontayne Hape, Mark Cueto, Andrew Sheridan, Simon Shaw and Nick Easter. Most had a glittering career at the top of their game, some seemed like they could offer more but didn't.
In with the new.
There are several uncapped players in the squad and names that should have been in a long time ago. Chris Robshaw has been deserving of a chance to play for England for so long and he has finally be given a chance. Not only that, he has been made captain as well. Several Northampton Saints players have made it into the sqaud and they too have been deserving of a chance. Lee Dickson, Tom Wood and Phil Dowsen have all played exceptional for the past few seasons.
Englands don't stand much of a chance against a very physical, determined Scotish side tomorrow. They have had a major retirement in Chris Paterson last year who wanted to retire at the top of his game, and he was one of the most consistant kickers in the world. Scotland also have quite a dynamic backs division with Joe Ainsbro breaking the line regularly and one of the Lamont and Evans brothers using their speed and agility to finish. England should be able to match in the forwards but I think Scotland will turnover more ball and have more possession.
Whatever the outcome, it will be a good game. It always has been a hard fought contest for the Calcutta Cup.
I hope you have enjoyed the read. Its getting late now so I best be off to sleep.
Until tomorrow.
Jim
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