2012 IRB Junior World Championship

[big ginger 8]

Ulster requested that Paddy Jackson be withdrawn from the squad to go through a full pre-season with the Ulster team and the IRFU granted their desire.

Thanks was wondering. Have you seen much of Farrell at 12? He was shown up quiet badly defensively at 13 against England.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

The provinces should take precedence in my view so Jackson's ommission is a good thing. I'm not on the Shane Layden hype train either. He's a good attacker but suffers from the Irish disease of putting boot to ball far too often when he has support. Coach that out of him and he may become a quality fullback because he runs some nice lines cutting through defences. For now, he's a good winger.

 

[Peat]

England Under 20 starting XV to take on Italy

15 Charlie Walker (Harlequins)
14 Marland Yarde (London Irish)
13 Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
12 Tom Heathcote (Bath Rugby)
11 Josh Bassett (Bedford Blues)
10 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
9 Dan Robson (Gloucester Rugby)

1 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Cheifs)
2 Nathan Morris (London Wasps)
3 Ross Harrison (Sale Sharks)
4 Sam Twomey (Harlequins)
5 Dominic Barrow (Leeds Carnegie)
6 David Sisi (London Irish)
7 Chris Walker (Leeds Carnegie) (C)
8 Billy Vunipola (London Wasps)

Replacements
16 Max Crumpton (Saracens)
17 Alec Hepburn (London Wasps)
18 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
19 George Merrick (Harlequins)
20 Jack Clifford (Harlequins)
21 Ben Spencer (Saracens)
22 Ryan Mills (Gloucester Rugby)
23 Ben Ransom (Saracens)

Thanks was wondering. Have you seen much of Farrell at 12? He was shown up quiet badly defensively at 13 against England.

A bit. I worry about his defence in general, he's often looked a bit uncomfortable. I think it'll come in time. He is a far more natural 12 though, it's where he played for Clogher/Campbell.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That's not a bad England side - disappointed at no Addison (would've had him at 12 and Heathcote at 10) and Bell (at 15 or on the bench in place of Ransom) and would've starter Spencer. Should get the job done against Italy though.
Look forward to seeing Harrison get a start at 3 - he played there from the bench a few times during the 6N but hasn't ever started there for England or Sale, I think.

 

[j-dawg]

I played against Ross Harrison about a year and a half ago. Big boy is an understatement.

 

[Draggs]

Cory Allen called in to replace Harry Robinson.
15 Ross Jones
14 Tom Prydie
13 Jack Dixon
12 Owen Williams
11 Luke Morgan
10 Sam Davies
9 Jonathan Evans
1 Rob Evans
2 Kirby Myhill
3 Samson Lee
4 Cory Hill (capt)
5 Matthew Screech
6 Luke Hamilton
8 Dan Baker
7 Daniel Thomas

Replacements: Darran Harris, Gareth Thomas, Willgriff John, Rhodri Hughes, Ellis Jenkins, Tom Habberfield, Matthew Morgan, Cory Allen.

 

[big ginger 8]

It's unbelievable Tom Prydie is still eligible.

 

[Draggs]

Yep, considering he was called up at 17, it makes him seem like he has been around ages.
George North could be in this side as well.

 

[Peat]

You could make an absolutely insane backline out of people missing this tournament

Perenara
Ford/Goosen
Robinson - am assuming he's been withdrawn for the full tour
Jackson
Daly
North
Hogg

 

[big ginger 8]

A back three containing Prydie, Robinson and North would really rip **** up at this level.

 

[Draggs]

A back three containing Prydie, Robinson and North would really rip **** up at this level.

In attack, yes. In defence, not sure. North's position in defence is still questionable, while Prydie lacks the confidence needed while at fullback.
I think he will improve with more time, but he still has problems with the high ball.

 

[big ginger 8]

Yeah that's what I meant though not the same superstar quality our backthree of Gilroy, Conway and O'Hallorn was pretty good.

 

[Peat]

Yeah that's what I meant though not the same superstar quality our backthree of Gilroy, Conway and O'Hallorn was pretty good.

Has more to do with nationality than talent tbfh

 

[Draggs]

Jimmy Norris, Leigh Halfpenny, and Daniel Evans. Quite a few quality players were in the 2008 squad.
Bevington, Andrews, Turnbull, Tipuric, Warburton, Webb, Biggar, Davies, Halfpenny, Evans all getting capped.

 

[big ginger 8]

Has more to do with nationality than talent tbfh

What?

 

[Peat]

What?

If Gilroy and co were Welsh, then Gilroy would have a handful of caps and one of TOH and Conway would be joining Gilroy on the tour this summer. While if North and co were Irish, North would be some promising lad and Tom Prydie would be 'Tom Who?' The former would be seen as the superstars, the latter as the quite good lads. North would be making inroads I guess, as he is a freak, but then so is Farrell and look how far he's come. The Welsh teams are handing out opportunities young in a way the Irish aren't, helping players reach their potential earlier and increasing their profile.

In fairness, that isn't just a conservatism thing. I'm struggling to name a top quality Welsh winger over the age of 24 who's not Shane Williams. Ireland by contrast are absolutely stacked.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

England side of 2010 had Marler, George, Gibson, Wray, Clegg, Burns, Wade, May and Homer, which wasn't bad (though still lost to the Baby Blacks in the final :lol

 

[big ginger 8]

If Gilroy and co were Welsh, then Gilroy would have a handful of caps and one of TOH and Conway would be joining Gilroy on the tour this summer. While if North and co were Irish, North would be some promising lad and Tom Prydie would be 'Tom Who?' The former would be seen as the superstars, the latter as the quite good lads. North would be making inroads I guess, as he is a freak, but then so is Farrell and look how far he's come. The Welsh teams are handing out opportunities young in a way the Irish aren't, helping players reach their potential earlier and increasing their profile.

In fairness, that isn't just a conservatism thing. I'm struggling to name a top quality Welsh winger over the age of 24 who's not Shane Williams. Ireland by contrast are absolutely stacked.

Oh right didn't realise what you meant at first.

 

[coonor]

If Gilroy and co were Welsh, then Gilroy would have a handful of caps and one of TOH and Conway would be joining Gilroy on the tour this summer. While if North and co were Irish, North would be some promising lad and Tom Prydie would be 'Tom Who?' The former would be seen as the superstars, the latter as the quite good lads. North would be making inroads I guess, as he is a freak, but then so is Farrell and look how far he's come. The Welsh teams are handing out opportunities young in a way the Irish aren't, helping players reach their potential earlier and increasing their profile.

In fairness, that isn't just a conservatism thing. I'm struggling to name a top quality Welsh winger over the age of 24 who's not Shane Williams. Ireland by contrast are absolutely stacked.

Absolutely right! I would say that's the case for the whole of the Welsh team. It seems that Wales have a lack of talent between the ages of 25ish and 30ish meaning they have had to back their youth and have rapidly developed them. Luckily for Wales this has payed off and the kids have stepped up very well.

 

[Draggs]

Absolutely right! I would say that's the case for the whole of the Welsh team. It seems that Wales have a lack of talent between the ages of 25ish and 30ish meaning they have had to back their youth and have rapidly developed them. Luckily for Wales this has payed off and the kids have stepped up very well.

It's a conspiracy! We relied upon older players during the start of the regional era (2003 onwards) and weren't really producing as many players to start with.
Through the academies and sevens, we are seeing much more exposure.