[2013 EOYT] England

[Wasps For Life]

Watched the highlights and was on the verge of tears He's so much better. Grrrr

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, I watched the highlights this morning and he's just a class above.
If he doesn't start over Ashton vs Argentina there's something seriously wrong with Lancaster's head.

 

[Wasps For Life]

Him Brown and Yarde will be immense

 

[psychic duck]

What was the opinion on Tomkins' debut? I thought Joseph was the player that was seen as having the most potential and he did quite well in his brief chances, has he dipped in form?

 

[Wasps For Life]

Thought he would thrive at bath but.. Obviously not according to ithers

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, Joseph hasn't played particularly well for Bath.
Not necessarily bad, but looked better at Irish - this could be due to gameplan though, as none of Baths backs have looked particularly special this season.


I have no strong feelings either way on Tomkins' debut. Wasn't bad, wasn't good - pretty much anonymous for the most part, from my recollection. Considering he had Farrell and an off form Twelvetrees playing inside him it's kind of understandable (or at least is an excuse).
Will reserve judgement until after the Argentina game, presuming he starts.

 

[Wasps For Life]

Who else do we think will be in the back line then?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Yeah, Joseph hasn't played particularly well for Bath.
Not necessarily bad, but looked better at Irish - this could be due to gameplan though, as none of Baths backs have looked particularly special this season.

It's not necessarily Bath's first choice gameplan that's the issue, Bath have been pretty clear that they want to attack (and I believe them based on the players they have acquired).
We've played about half our games in torrential rain and in those games Ford has only looked to kick.

For example in last friday's game against Wuss, George Ford passed the ball twice.... 2 times in 80 minutes.
You can't expect a backline to do anything in that circumstance.

This isn't necessarily a criticism of Ford, btw.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The times reckon none of mako, wade and yarde will be fit for nz.
Bugger.


If this is true then Lancaster has to call at least one winger into the squad. I've no doubt that he'll put out the same 23 as this weekend, but what if one of Brown/Foden/Ashton twists an ankle in the team run, or something?
I'd call up Johnny May: He's in the Saxons all ready, and can play wing, 15 and (at a push) centre as well.


Looking at the Saxons, we've got a choice of:
Daly (yes please)
Joseph (more of a centre who can cover wing)
May (yes please)
Monye (would do a job - has the experience to come straight into a 23 with minimal fuss, and playing very well for Quins)
Sharples (not on amazing form, but could do a job)
Strettle (Nononononononononnononononononnoononononononononono, however he'll be Lancaster's first choice)
Nowell (very good player, pretty inexperienced though)
Tait (injured)

Bolded would be my two choices, obv. They can both play 15, as well, which will appeal to Lancaster



For Mako: The only loosehead prop in Saxons is Nick Wood. Is he still banned? He's gone to pots, anyway.
Not sure who they'd go for, probably Matt Mullan as he's been in/around the EPS/Saxons before.


I also think they'll call up Wigglesworth to train with the squad, if Youngs is out.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Mullan called up to the camp, Watson the only additional back.

 

[McTallshort]

Bet Ashton starts Saturday, he might do us all a favour and get sent off in the first 5 minutes then the score might stay below 40.

 

[Wasps For Life]

Bet Ashton starts Saturday, he might do us all a favour and get sent off in the first 5 minutes then the score might stay below 40.

Unfortunately I think he might but on Saturday wade seemed to be fit by Monday. But there have been reports that he'll miss it.

 

[McTallshort]

Unfortunately I think he might but on Saturday wade seemed to be fit by Monday. But there have been reports that he'll miss it.

Even with Wade unfit I would rather have anyone on the wing. Put a prop there they couldnt do any worse, isnt May, Sharples or Daly in the Saxons? carnt we call them up?

 

[Wasps For Life]

Even with Wade unfit I would rather have anyone on the wing. Put a prop there they couldnt do any worse, isnt May, Sharples or Daly in the Saxons? carnt we call them up?

The only one I could properly justify would be may? Because sharples I feel isn't up to scratch and daly is a full back and if Yarde isn't fit we can't have 3 full backs..

 

[McTallshort]

The only one I could properly justify would be may? Because sharples I feel isn't up to scratch and daly is a full back and if Yarde isn't fit we can't have 3 full backs..

Compared to Ashton I could justify Steve Borthwick

 

[ratsapprentice]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Lancaster said Marler was subbed at HT with concussion, but likely to be ok. B.Youngs (hip) &quot;should be fit&quot;,M.Vunipola (knee) is out <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ENGvNZ&amp;src=hash">#ENGvNZ</a></p>&mdash; Official RFU (@Official_RFU) <a href="https://twitter.com/Official_RFU/statuses/399879294446743552">November 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Mako definitely out.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

So how long is our injury list at the moment?

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

So how long is our injury list at the moment?

Not bad enough to complain abut to be honest; I thnk the only player we can't replace of equal quality is Tuilagi.

I'd be happy for May to fill in for Wade, and happy for around 6 other players - Sharples, JSD etc to fill in for Yarde. I prefer Twelvetrees to Barritt and Dickson/Care to Youngs. Mako is better than Marler on balance but I'm happy with this 'resurgent' Marler instead.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, injury list isn't too bad. From the top of my head:

Mako
Marler*
Youngs*
Yarde*
Barritt
Tuilagi
Wade*

*Potentially.
Barritt's injury has allowed Twelvetrees more time in the 12 shirt, so really it's only Tuilagi that's a blow (plus Wade/Yarde missing the last game).

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

pretty much - Tuilagi is one hell of a blow though!