Ask Jeremy Guscott

By Jeremy GuscottFormer England and Lions centre

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments163

Six Nations captains

Among the topics making the headlines this week are:

- England going for the third leg of a possible Grand Slam against France

- France head to Twickenham in disarray after two losses

- Ireland's championship hopes hit by injuries for the trip to Scotland

- Wales hope to build on victory in Paris as they travel to Italy

- Lions coach Warren Gatland insists selection will not be based on nationality

- Saracens play on their new artificial pitch for the first time

If you have a question for Jerry on any rugby-related topic post it in the comments section at the bottom of the page. He will answer as many as possible but not every question submitted can be used.

You can also follow Jerry on Twitter.external-link

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163 comments

  • Hi Jeremy,
    No questions from me this week.
    Thanks
    Stevie

  • Hi Jeremy. Seeing as Gatland's words were clearly reported out of context by a news media determined to make up the news, isn't it time to draw a veil over the whole sorry affair, particularly as there are still sad, inherently biased individuals splurging drivel and nonsense about it on sports forums?

  • Hi Jerry,

    Seeing as Cian Healy only misses 2 internationals, do you think the ban is long enough? Surely the intent was there to warrant a longer ban, even if Dan Cole was lucky to escape injury.

    On another note, should bans be on a game basis instead of a week basis?

  • Hi Jerry,

    Fantastic contest between Quins and Tigers on Saturday, even without many internationals, but disappointing once again to hear Richard Cockerill's laughably one-eyed comments after the game - to my mind Tigers were well-beaten by a better team in a committed match. Why does he continue to feel the need to tarnish the game? Is he protecting his players' morale?

  • Hi Jerry,
    What will it take for the put in at the scrum to be properly refereed? After watching the Baabas vs NZ '73 again after it was recently featured on the BBC I was shocked lack of time scrums took. Also, do you think the 'hit' actually improves the scrum, or is it in fact the main reason we see so many have to be reset? Thanks.

  • @115 - James

    "debatable" - I suppose it is as you are debating it

    "stamping on Coles foot when trying to get the ball" - the ball was out and Cole's foot was nowhere near it when it was in

    "behaved like a stag party during the world cup not a lot was said" - I seem to remember not a lot else was discussed for several weeks

    "Are they bitter?" - no, mine's a Guinness thanks!

  • @ Dexter - Before making a lazy point you should do some proper research. There are 4 Welsh regional teams in the Pro 12, 2 Scottish, and 1 based in Belfast which, in case you don't know, is part of the UK.

    If you also consider that Ireland's national team as a whole includes Northern Ireland (part of UK) then that makes it 7 regional and 3 international. Fine work...

  • 91. dexter

    Regarding the perceived bias on the BBC website.

    This perceived bias doesn't carry through to the printed media, look at the national newspapers in the run up/during/and after the 6 Nations matches, and England get double spreads, while you have to look very carefully to find items about the other nations not playing England.

  • Hello Mr Guscott

    Do you think Scottish fans have a reason to be a bit optimistic about Scottish rugby, with Scotland A winning, Scotland U20 beating U20 Italy (and good players like Mark Bennett annd Jonny Gray coming through), the win last week, and Glasgow's thrashing of Dragons on Friday night? Thanks. A nervy Scottish fan.

  • Hi Jeremy
    I am seeing more and more players attempting to jump tackles and never getting picked up on it by referees. I have especially noticed it in welsh rugby (Shane Williams springs to mind). I was wondering if you've spotted it too and what you think should be done about it.

  • How much difference will it make to Wales' chances in Rome if Sergio Parisse is suspended? On a related note, you have often said about Parisse that although he is a great player, you believe Kieran Read to be the best 8 in the world. What makes him in your view better than the likes of Fernandez Lobbe, Parisse or Picamoles?

  • After Danny Care's performance for Quins at the weekend, who do you think should start at scrum half for England in the next round of the Six Nations?

  • Hi Jeremy,
    Just wondering, so much is talked about the Barclays Premier League as being the best domestic league in the world. Can the same be said of the Aviva Premiership do you think? If not, which one gets it? I would say the Top 14 maybe?

  • Hi Jerry,
    Just wanted to ask you Ben Foden. Last year he was arguably one of the first names on the England teamsheet yet now cannot make the 23 man squad. Barring an injury to Goode or Brown and even Strettle can you see him getting back in the squad any time soon as either full back or wing or is he just that low in the pecking order now? Thanks.

  • Hey Jerry, Watching the Quins vs. Leicester game on the weekend. It now seems that every time Leicester lose a game Cockerill blames the Ref. I don't mind coaches blaming Refs every now and then as sometimes it is due, but the amount Cockerill does it seems ridiculous and annoying. Should there be stricter rules or does Cockerill have a point? Thanks

  • Hi Jeremy,

    What is your view on continuity when thinking about the Lions. I personally see Farrell as a better option than sexton, due to his partnership with Ben Youngs. and possibly an England center as well.

  • With the referee unable to spot a stamp that was right in front of him during the Ireland v England game and a touch judge who is rated by many to be 'The best referee in the World' also unable to spot the infringement or do anything about a punch that happened right in front of him, coupled with generally poor refereeing in the top flight.

    Is it time for a complete overhaul of referees?

  • What moisturiser do you use?

  • @119 Regarding the citing system I have always found it a bit strange that the punishment is in weeks rather than games. Healy got 5 weeks but in reality only misses 2 games. Much like Hore in the AIs. Punishments sound harsh in weeks but then when you get down to games missed doesn't have the same impact.

  • @116 well said. I'd also add that as Warren Gatland seems to think the reporting of the England team's behaviour in the 2011 world cup was worthy of bringing up when looking at selecting his Lions team a lot still seems to be being said about it.

    With the Healy stamp he's got his punishment let's move on. However if you compare it to what Parisse might get the system seems flawed.

    Mines an IPA.

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