YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    Oval Talk

    Time for Lancaster to roll the dice?

    England Rugby Head Coach Stuart LancasterEngland Rugby Head Coach Stuart Lancaster

    After a defeat as comprehensive as England's against Wales at the weekend, it is tough to draw positives. In the wake of their heaviest ever loss to the neighbours across the Severn, however, that is exactly what players, coaches and fans will be trying to do.

    One thing that it could do is finally convince head coach Stuart Lancaster to make some changes. There are some players who have not looked up to it this Six Nations, and while loyalty is a valuable characteristic, when it starts to blind selection issues it can become a problem.

    The next England matches come on their summer tour to Argentina. It coincides with the Lions tour, and is consequently an opportunity to blood some youngsters and introduce new players to international rugby. Having said that, after Saturday's capitulation there may be fewer England players away on Lions duty than previously expected.

    Read full article from Jamie Hosie of Yahoo! Contributor Network

    About Oval Talk

    Rugby has to fight for its voice in the football-obsessed world of British sport, but thankfully there are enough fans of the oval ball to warrant a weekly look at issues affecting the game. Oval Talk cannot promise the same level of scurrilous tittle-tattle and unfounded rumour that emerges daily from football columns, but - casting off its Barbour and adopting the refreshing candour of an Aussie commentator – it can bring you the kind of debate that would have had old farts at HQ spluttering into their Fullers.

    POLL

    Have the Lions' warm-up matches been suitable preparation for Australia?

    Loading...
    Poll Choice Options

    FANTASY FOOTBALL

    • Free To Join
      Free To Join

      Think you can do better than Fergie or Mancini? Sign up now and pick your winning team. … More »