[2013 EOYT] England

[ratsapprentice]

Oh yeah, I didn't mean it like that - but I didn't want to make a new thread about it.
Might allow for some extra flexibility in picking replacements though.

Also... anyone else think that Joel Tomkins looks like the most English man in existence?

 

[j'nuh]

Also... anyone else think that Joel Tomkins looks like the most English man in existence?

He looks like what Neville Longbottom should look like now.

 

[Peat]

Can't say I'd noticed it, but have thought Billy Twelvetrees looks a bit like Prince William on steroids.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I know what you mean - it's that private school hairdo.. every centre in English schoolboy rugby sports it.

But Joel looks English in the same way that Paul O'Connell could only ever be Irish.

Bad new for Corbs: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...utumn-internationals-due-to-knee-problem.html

His knee sounds like it's ****ed.

I also really hope that the rumours about Tom Johnson being promoted are incorrect.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Really bad news for Corbs. I don't really think Marler is up to it et and don't think Mako V is anywhere near staring material. he is a great impact sub but we will have to see.

So far then we have lost

1. Corbiserio
12. Barritt
13. Manu

That not too bad yet, three from Lancaster's first choice 15. I can't really see past this now.

1 Mako V
2 youngs
3 Cole/ Willson
4 Lauchberry
5 Parling
6 Wood
7 Robshaw
8 Morgan/ Binny
9 Care/Youngs/Dickinson
10 Farrell
11 Ashton
12 12trees
13 Joel T
14 Yarde
15 Foden/Brown / No Goode

Not exactly who i'd choose but what i think it will look like come November. Maybe just maybe eastmond will get in before 12trees if he puts some great games together but i can't see if yet.
So only TH, No.8 Scrum half and Fullback spots up for grabs!!!!

 

[Crapspray]

********.

I said he should be in an underground bunker. When will they learn!?

It looks like it's going to be a recurring thing, so Vunipola and Marler will need the caps. Luckily, both have looked a lot better in the scrum this year. Still not strong, but not a liability.

I hope Johnson isn't promoted. He's never going to oust Wood, and I'd prefer to put Kvesic on the openside and Robshaw at blind in the case of another injury at flanker. Another openside would at least suggest that Lancaster is looking at bumping Robshaw across.

Squad's announced today, so we'll get to find out soon enough.

 

[Patchey]

@Rugbyworldmag: Stuart Lancaster calls up Luther Burrell (Saints) Henry Trinder(Glos) Tom Johnson (Chiefs) and Joel Tomkins (Sarries) for QBE Internationals

Trinder? I don't believe it!

 

[Getofmeland]

England Squad for QBE Internationals: (Forwards) Attwood, Cole, Corbisiero, Johnson, Hartley, Kvesic, Launchbury, Lawes, Marler, Morgan, Parling, Robshaw, B.Vunipola, M.Vunipola, Wilson, Wood, T.Youngs. (Backs) Ashton, Brown, Burns, Burrell, Care, Dickson, Farrell, Flood, Foden, Goode, Eastmond, Tomkins, Trinder, Twelvetrees, Wade, Yarde, B.Youngs.

 

[Crapspray]

Nice trick pulled by Lancaster to get him into the squad.

Saxon brought into EPS to replace injury, Trinder brought into Saxons as replacement, Trinder brought into EPS as injury replacement.

Must have needed some club cooperation for that.

 

[ratsapprentice]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>SL update on Corbisiero injury: Fluid drained from his knee with 2 weeks recovery recommended. Hopes to play &quot;some if not all&quot; of QBEs.</p>&mdash; Official RFU (@Official_RFU) <a href="https://twitter.com/Official_RFU/statuses/390421796433846272">October 16, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Patchey]

Dickinson into the Saxons in place of Johnson. Any more EPS forwards injuries may see him promoted.

 

[ratsapprentice]

So basically the 13 shirt is between Tomkins and Trinder.
I can go along with that - they are the two best options we have there after Manu, until Daly is told which position to play in.
I would think Burrell is there as injury cover (as stated) but also with an eye on the future should his form continue and any of the other options fall away.
I hope we don't see him in favor of the others, as I think they are much more likely to step up.

I hope Johnson was only considered after Will Fraser was injured again (lingering issues from his surgery - he was brought back 6 weeks ahead of schedule).

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

So out of nowhere, Trinder is perhaps our best option(imo) - how did that happen!? I really expected Jonathan Joseph to be in the mix - not sure what he's done to offend Lancaster, I thought he looked sharp in Argentina.
Tomkins has rarely impressed me in his attacking game but I've paid absolutely not attention to his defence. comments?

I don't have a problem with Tom Johnson in the way that other people seem to - I think that game against Cardiff Blues at the weekend summed up what's good about him- I love that he gets the ball and likes to have a run with it - I haven't seen any stats but for a 6 I suspect his carrying stats must be pretty reasonable. I like him as a player provided he's in the right combinations - what those are, I'm not too sure. I think that his size(lack of) counted against him in South Africa, but that's South Africa.

 

[j'nuh]

I don't get Tom Johnson.

Mainly because in the event we burn through our flankers, I think Launchbury would be the next best 6. And to be honest, I think I'd prefer Binny at 6 with Morgan/Dickinson at 8 than Johnson.

Very pleasantly surprised about Trinder though!

 

[ratsapprentice]

Tom Johnson is just a ridiculous call whatever way you spin it.
He's not going to play as there are at least 3 people who are better than him - so you might as well bring in a player who will potentially be involved in the future.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Not surprised at any of that, to be honest.
Glad to see Dickinson in the EPS, hope we get to play him (slip some laxatives to Johnson/Morgan before the game?)

 

[j'nuh]

But the truth is that Wood/Robshaw/Kvesic/Fraser/(Croft) are probably currently miles ahead of any other potential flanker*. (Except for Garvey. He ought to be in the Saxons at least!) Johnson isn't a threat to any of them, and wouldn't be selected by choice. And if injury were to strike, I think we have a few internal options (Launchbury, Binny, Lawes) before we need to turn to Johnson. Whereas we are one injury away from calling up a hooker/tighthead to the 23. Webber should be in the squad imo.





* Except for Seymour who is better than life itself... don't hurt me Olyy!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

But the truth is that Wood/Robshaw/Kvesic/Fraser/(Croft) are probably currently miles ahead of any other potential flanker*.

When you think about it, this is really depressing.
None of these players are really world class - I mean, are any better than Lydiate? or Warburton? Kaino? Read? etc.

 

[Aristodemus]

If Lancaster starts with Farrell, Tomkins and Goode he has lost any remaining sliver of faith I had in him. I suspect he will too.

 

[j'nuh]

To be fair on Kvesic and Fraser, they've got time on their side.

But you're right. I don't think any would even get into a best players from the Premiership 23, with Flouw, Braid and Burger, never mind a world 23!

How frustrating would this back line be :

9. Youngs
10. Farrell
11. Brown
12. Burrell
13. Tomkins
14. Ashton
15. Goode