Six Nations: Ask Jeremy Guscott

By Jeremy GuscottFormer England and Lions centre

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments169

Ireland fly-half Ronan O'Gara

Among the topics making the headlines this week are:

- Former Wales fly-half Stephen Jones announcing he is to retire

- England fly-half Owen Farrell being '50-50' to face Italy

- Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris missing the rest of the season

- England wing Chris Ashton taking on his critics

- Exeter winning away to defending champions Harlequins in the Premiership

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 in the next few days but not every question submitted can be used.

You can also follow Jerry on Twitter.external-link

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169 comments

  • What is your favourite flavour of crisps? Personally I'm a salt and vinegar man...

  • Ashton doesn’t know where this criticism comes from? He only got banned in autumn for poor tackling. Does he not remember?
    Maybe if he stopped just trying to hurt people and got the basics right (low and hard, head on their back side) he’d stop getting grief.

  • Jeremy, why is it that whenever we have a southern hemisohere referee in the six nations setting the scrums becomes a real problem? Can't the front rows get set first and then the rest bind on afterwards? With so much dependent on getting the timing and technical aspects of the "engage" right isn't it time to do away with this frustrating aspect of the game?

  • Jeremy, a question from an All Black fan:
    Don't you think England have become too predictable. Come 2015, if SBW returns, don't you think a Nonu, Williams combination could eliminate the Tuilagi threat and give England a taste of their own medicine? I know this is relying on England and NZ both reaching the knockouts but don't you think England need to vary they're game plan?

  • @110
    He's been playing all of the 6N games against teams playing blitz defence. When they employ that it leaves gaps most wingers should be able to exploit. All we evber hear is how great Ashton is. He isn't. He's average at best. He's petulant and with his latest 'I want to hurt someone' comment then he needs to be sidelined.

  • Jerry,

    With players are getting bigger how do you think this is reflected in scouting for the major clubs?
    For example will a talented 15 year centre who’s on the small side automatically get looked over so they can find the next Philips, Turner Hall or Manu? Or will smaller, guys still get selected?

  • I am saying that England ALWAYS outplay teams, they never play poor opposition. The media make out as if England are always the better of the teams even if the opposition are extremely poor. If Wal, Sco or Ire play a poor team the media will say so. Lets see what the headline will be on Sunday. "Dominant England, put Italy to the sword" "Grand Slam On after CRUSHING Italy" even if point dif is 10.

  • Dear Jerry,
    Given the similarities in the match stats and outcomes, why do you think that Scotland’s win over Ireland this year attracted adjectives such as “woeful” and “miraculous”, when England’s rather similar victory over Scotland last year was greeted with the likes of “great fight and resolve”? Is this just to do with general perceptions?

  • @ With Scotland and Wales gearing up for a must win game this weekend in terms of keeping their Championship hopes alive how do you see the teams lining up and their respective strengths? I see Scotland having the edge in the set piece but Wales maybe having the edge at the breakdown. Do you expect either side to make many changes ahead of kick off?

  • What do you think of Glasgow's form in the Pro12? Are they only doing so well because other teams are missing international players or does this show the Welsh regions problems. Maybe this hints at Irish regions starting to struggle with a similar problem? Returning to Glasgow: will they stand a chance in the end of season play offs?

  • Jeremy,
    It's just been announced that Kurtley Beale will miss the Lions Tour. With Quade Cooper not performing well and Will Genia still out injured, who do you think Robbie Deans will play at scrum and fly half. The Rebels have named Jame's O'Connor and Nick Phipps for their upcoming game against the Reds. Do you think this might be the partnership we will see against the Lions?

  • Hi Jerry,

    You are keeping your strong views on the Papal upheaval private, and I can respect that.

    I note from stories of recent years that rugby players are good at acting, and also natural with acting props such as fake blood.

    Do you think that more rugby players should do Pantomime at Xmas, and raise the profile of rugby players amongst the younger generation.

  • #91 russkijim 'What essential qualities does a grand slam winning team need?'

    Try asking Gatland :)

    In all seriousness - apart from doing basics very well, the belief and confidence in those that are on the pitch with you is key - IMO

  • Jerry who is realistically going to be Lions captain.While I rate Robshaw he has shown some dubious decision making in the past. Heaslip has struggled,BOD can't guarentee his position,is Ryan Jones front runner as Warbuton has suffered both in form & decision making not to mention his media handling. Perhaps an outside bet is Brown, not my first choice but he is playing and leading well.

  • Jeremy
    Perhaps you could answer the question probably most raised on all these blogs.....

    How do the BBC decide which articles to allow comments on ....

    There appears a large consensus that a blog opportunity on each of the match reports for aviva and Pro12 would be very well utilised.
    Thanks

  • @billywizz14, i love the fact that your comments are drowned in anti-english sentiment, yet your user name is the nickname of an england legend (jason robinson) fantastic!

  • 82.Edward Manning. I am sure I have read on so many blogs by English people saying "You can only play what's in front of you". We may have beaten an under performing France team, but the word you need to pick up on is not Underperfroming but BEAT. You beat an underperforming Scotland. Is this any different? I expect it is, as you are English, and you do not play poor teams, you are the better team

  • Jerry, with 2 six nations games left, can you see any Lions bolters from each of the national teams? For Scotland, I reckon Sean Maitland is in with a shout; for England, Joe Launcerbury is probably past being considered a 'bolter'; for Wales, maybe Scott Williams or Jonathon Davis as centres are few and far between; and for Ireland, Luke Marshall announced himself against Scotland. Your thoughts?

  • @67 - You're forgetting that France actually decided to play their best team against England. They were still playing the terrible one against Wales. Also, England scored 23 points, and the only reason France got as many as 13 is because Fofana was involved for the first time in the tournament.

  • Jeremy. As a centre you were known for guile and elusiveness. I wonder what you think of the three-quarters in the six nations. There seems to me to be too much bulk and straight running and not enough elusiveness.As a Welshman, I still think Wales miss Shane Williams

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