No Elliot Daly either. Might be them resting his dodgy knee, might be promotion straight to the senior squad... I think we can probably be sure that no Anthony Watson is injury rather than senior squad considering his age though :lol:
I have to say, although I called it, I'm not convinced by the move of promoting Ford.
Anyways.
That's... well, it's not bad, but it's not great either.
Forwards wise, a lot of them are a year young and it does show. Kyle Sinckler was the pick of the ball carriers in the 6N, he is like a 6ft version of Steffon Armitage. Ben Nutley and Matt Kvesic are the two most experienced players there, both have ranked up a lot of Prem and European appearances already - 15 and 19 respectively - both have made their names as 7s, but I imagine Kvesic will play 6 to accommodate Nutley. Could be other way around. They're likely to play Jack Clifford with him, who's a lanky 8 who runs great support lines, although I'd quite like to see David Sisi in there somewhere, as he is f**king huge. No Billy Vunipola either, no idea why.
Backs wise, there's a lot of talent there. Ben Spencer's had a fantastic season for Sarries as a distributing 9 and has already played for the Saxons, Dan Robson is a playmaking 9 who offers a lot more sniping. Tom Heathcote's had a real breakthrough season at Bath and is a classy option to have at 10, Ryan Mills has been in the 22 most of the season for Glaws and is an all-round 10/12. Charlie Walker will probably play at 13, he's a bit light but is seriously quick with a great step and has played a bit of 7s for England this year along with a great 6N, while outside him all of Addison, Yarde, Elliot and Bassett have played a lot of club rugby this season with plenty of success. The problem with the back-line is a lack of cohesion and the fact that most of them like to go around people rather than through, it could all get a bit lateral.
Ultimately, I don't think we have the pack to win it, and we don't quite have the backs to Australia our way out of it.
I have to say, although I called it, I'm not convinced by the move of promoting Ford.
Anyways.
That's... well, it's not bad, but it's not great either.
Forwards wise, a lot of them are a year young and it does show. Kyle Sinckler was the pick of the ball carriers in the 6N, he is like a 6ft version of Steffon Armitage. Ben Nutley and Matt Kvesic are the two most experienced players there, both have ranked up a lot of Prem and European appearances already - 15 and 19 respectively - both have made their names as 7s, but I imagine Kvesic will play 6 to accommodate Nutley. Could be other way around. They're likely to play Jack Clifford with him, who's a lanky 8 who runs great support lines, although I'd quite like to see David Sisi in there somewhere, as he is f**king huge. No Billy Vunipola either, no idea why.
Backs wise, there's a lot of talent there. Ben Spencer's had a fantastic season for Sarries as a distributing 9 and has already played for the Saxons, Dan Robson is a playmaking 9 who offers a lot more sniping. Tom Heathcote's had a real breakthrough season at Bath and is a classy option to have at 10, Ryan Mills has been in the 22 most of the season for Glaws and is an all-round 10/12. Charlie Walker will probably play at 13, he's a bit light but is seriously quick with a great step and has played a bit of 7s for England this year along with a great 6N, while outside him all of Addison, Yarde, Elliot and Bassett have played a lot of club rugby this season with plenty of success. The problem with the back-line is a lack of cohesion and the fact that most of them like to go around people rather than through, it could all get a bit lateral.
Ultimately, I don't think we have the pack to win it, and we don't quite have the backs to Australia our way out of it.
And maybe on Addison, they preferred Walker through the U20s but that's no guarantee, either promises some real gas.
