[2014 Mid-Year Tests] England

[Goodey]

The only reason you'd want Gibson is if you're really desperate for an extra lineout option. Hardly seems the priority.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

He did look like a really good 7 I'm the making and were hoping tigers would have him as a salvi understudy (for England's sake). But they stuck him at 6 (maybe due to injuries) and now he looks soooo average!

 

[Peat]

You say he has age on his side... do mean relative to Johnson or generally - because I wouldn't say 29 was young.

Tbh, for me, Haskell does have age on his side at 29 in the sense that he's now in his prime. He's got a huge amount of experience, I think he's the only back-rower available with 50 caps, his body is fully developed - and realistically, there is probably another 4 years in him if we want it, maybe 5 if we want him for the next World Cup (maybe).

I would really like him to come back into the reckoning.

As for Jamie Gibson - huge fan of the player he was at LI, think next year he could be very strong as he gets used to what Cockerill wants from him and how he can shine in that team. Now is not his moment.

Pests fans - how is Sam Jones doing?

 

[TheSaffycen]

Jamie Gibson was just unfortunate with the amount of injuries at Tigers. I think Mafi has come back but hasn't been there for long and Croft obviously has been out ages. Now with Barbieri, Croft and Mafi he will get a chance at 7. Salvi is a good player but I think that Gibson can easily overtake him in a year or 2.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I'm not saying Haskell is too old btw, as I agree he is in his prime with a number of years ahead of him.
I just don't see him as having time on his side unless you are comparing him to Johnson - Kvesic is 8 years younger than him, Wallace 6, and Fraser/Fearns 5.
So the nearest to him in age (of the uncapped potential guys) theoretically has about double the potential career span from this point onwards - with Kvesic having up to 3 times longer to serve.

Quins vs Sale is going to be very interesting - hopefully we get to contrast Sinckler and Thomas in the same game.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

We can't constantly have young guys in the squad though. There should always been a place for the older player who has more experience and will add to the squad even I'd they don't make the match day 23.

With that role it's got to be croft or Haskell as they are the only ones with experience of a World Cup to add.

Yes bring in the youngsters but don't forget the older players just because of their age.

 

[ratsapprentice]

That's not what I'm saying - you can't say he has time on his side when the vast, vast majority of his competitors have significantly more time on their side.

It's like saying Ashton has pace on his side when comparing him to Wade.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Jamie Gibson was just unfortunate with the amount of injuries at Tigers. I think Mafi has come back but hasn't been there for long and Croft obviously has been out ages. Now with Barbieri, Croft and Mafi he will get a chance at 7. Salvi is a good player but I think that Gibson can easily overtake him in a year or 2.

Yep and with Matera rumoured to be off (New Zealand way apparently) due to value for money, that spot will be open. I reckon he was signed originally as a 7 but injuries force our hand.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Just for the record, I was saying that Haskell has time on his side compared to Johnson, as that's who I was comparing him to.

Quins vs Sale is going to be very interesting - hopefully we get to contrast Sinckler and Thomas in the same game.

I'd be surprised if Henry got more than 10minutes at the end of the game, injuries aside. Think Diamond has finally lost patience with his inability to do his job.
Seymour vs Robshaw - now there's a battle I'm looking forward to

 

[ratsapprentice]

This weekend is going to be great - the three games BT are showing are all crackers.

It will be interesting to see what England do with Thomas - because they surely can't ignore the current situation, regardless of their recent efforts to improve him.

 

[TheSaffycen]

I'm not saying Haskell is too old btw, as I agree he is in his prime with a number of years ahead of him.
I just don't see him as having time on his side unless you are comparing him to Johnson - Kvesic is 8 years younger than him, Wallace 6, and Fraser/Fearns 5.

I forget how young Kvesic is, very useful already for his age. Wallace in the little I have seen of him hasn't really done anything. Fraser im bound to be in love with but he has got genuine ability and if injury hadn't hit him he would have got England caps by now.

 

[Patchey]

Just for the record, I was saying that Haskell has time on his side compared to Johnson, as that's who I was comparing him to.


I'd be surprised if Henry got more than 10minutes at the end of the game, injuries aside. Think Diamond has finally lost patience with his inability to do his job.
Seymour vs Robshaw - now there's a battle I'm looking forward to

You say battle, I say one side slaughter.

I wonder if SL or someone will be there?

 

[ratsapprentice]

http://www.therugbyblog.com/england..._campaign=Feed:+TheRugbyBlog+(The+Rugby+Blog)

England coaches Graham Rowntree and Mike Catt have confirmed that they are considering several young players, stretching as far as those currently in the Under-20 squad, for England's tour to New Zealand in June. With their resources set to be stretched thanks to several players' likely participation in the Aviva Premiership final, Rowntree insists England will not hesitate to include any young players they deem ready.

"We're looking at a big pool of players, right down to the Under-20s," said England's forwards coach. "We're looking to the future and planning for after the World Cup. What will be will be – they're not great cards that we've been dealt, but we'll get on with it."

Interdasting.

Maro Itoje and Scott Wilson are the only two from the current U20's I can think that he could be talking about.

 

[McTallshort]

Itoje is a bit good.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Yep, and he was one of the players Lancaster talked about being a 2015 RWC player during his job interview apparently.

 

[Peat]

Not sure we're short in the lock/blindside area, although I get that he's one of the guys that they'd be keen to fast track.

I suppose technically Anthony Watson is still an U20.

Scott Wilson is the obvious one to go.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Dunno... seems to be referring to the current u20 squad, I can't imagine that he's talking about Watson.

 

[Peat]

Dunno... seems to be referring to the current u20 squad, I can't imagine that he's talking about Watson.

Yeah, its why I said technically. Mindyou, he was in the original squad named at the start of the season.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Also, if he's looking at Wilson, you'd have to imagine that he's looking at Sinckler too.

Whatever the case may be... I think we are going to have seen a lot of new players by the end of the summer - for better or worse.

 

[Patchey]

If Scott Wilson were to go and Sinkler was left behind that would be a travesty IMO. Although I guess as Wilson has had more game time this season than Sinkler there is an argument for it I guess.

Itoje could do a job at test level already, he's a hell of a specimen, but I kind of hope he doesn't make it in as a bolter. Introducing players young is great, as long as they are actually ready. We don't want another Matthew Tait situation. Bearing in mind Itoje has no senior rugby experience as far as I know, and should probably be doing A levels in the first few weeks of June rather than playing the All Blacks, I'd rather he stayed at home. Yes he'd do okay, but I think it would be better for all concerned for him to get involved next season, after he's played some Premiership rugby. Also, imagine the situation Sarries would be in if he did play for Eng;and this summer. They'd effectively be forced to pick him even if they didn't think he was ready.