[2014 Mid-Year Tests] England

[iINDOMINUSxx]

um yeah. thanks for that but who else ?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Which other scrum-halfs?...none.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

ok what about 10's ?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

They have Dan Robson at 9, as well.

They've got Billy Burns coming up from the Academy at 10, and have signed Aled Thomas - also Bentley on loan at Leeds. They'll be in the market for a 10 though, due to Burns (presumably) leaving, and Mills going to Worcester (terribly call from Glaws to let him go, he's looked very very good for them), and Taylor has retired.

Considering how crap of a DoR Nigel Davies is, it wouldn't surprise me to see him move Twelvetrees to 10 full time, and look for another centre, which would be the easier option as top quality 10s are hard to come by, especially this late in the season.

 

[TheSaffycen]

36 had never looked anything other than a mid table fly half. I know it is useful for a player who can cover different positions but he isnt a Frans Steyn, though I would love him to become a 10/12/15 too international quality but I dont think he has the all round game for a 10.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I agree completely - but mid-table is above what Nigel Davies has shown himself to be, so he might think 36 looks a world class 10.

 

[goodNumber10]

36 had never looked anything other than a mid table fly half. I know it is useful for a player who can cover different positions but he isnt a Frans Steyn, though I would love him to become a 10/12/15 too international quality but I dont think he has the all round game for a 10.

he's a decent emergency fly half - i guess in that aspect he's again similar to will greenwood, could do it if he really had to but was never going to be his first choice position.

 

[j'nuh]

Glos 9/10s for next season (bold for additions):

Robson (will probably start most games at 9, but can play 10)
Laidlaw (will switch between 9 and 10 a lot, presumably starting 10)
tbc scrum-half, rumour was Callum Braley

Aled Thomas (straight-up 10)
Twelvetrees (12, can and will play 10)
Mark Atkinson (12, can play 10)
Steve McColl (15, can play 10)
Rob Cook (15, can play 10)

So two specialist 9s, one 9/10, one specialist 10, and a bunch of players that can play 10 but mostly play elsewhere.

There's also Reece Boughton (9) and Billy Burns (10) in the academy. Billy might get some game time, but I'm not sure Reece will be ready.

 

[Patchey]

Yeah, no idea why Glos binned Mills, very good looking player.

I guess Falcon, Saints or Bristol (or whoever goes up) are Burns options in England. Connacht will be looking for a 10 with Parks leaving but that's a off the wall idea.

He's really been bummed by the Tigers move. Feel sorry for him tbh.

 

[ratsapprentice]

That's still just a rumour.

 

[j'nuh]

Yeah, no idea why Glos binned Mills, very good looking player.

I guess Falcon, Saints or Bristol (or whoever goes up) are Burns options in England. Connacht will be looking for a 10 with Parks leaving but that's a off the wall idea.

He's really been bummed by the Tigers move. Feel sorry for him tbh.

Injury-prone. When you have a regular international at 12, you want a deputy you can rely on to be fit.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Irish are looking for a new fly half! I haven't seen the Noakes rumour confirmed yet

 

[Patchey]

Irish are looking for a new fly half! I haven't seen the Noakes rumour confirmed yet

I think the BBC confirmed it yesterday? More fool them, would take Burns over him in a shot. Burns at least knows how to tackle.

If Glos do play 36 at fly-half next year I'm pretty sure that'll open the door for Eastmond at 12 for England.

 

[ratsapprentice]

The Noakes transfer was on the BBC - it's therefore true.

 

[TheSaffycen]

I would be really surprised if Northampton didn't make a move for him, all they have is Myler(standard fly half) and Hooley ? Can't remember his name but he was well below average when I did see him. Noakes at his best isn't even that good, seems like a terrible signing If it is true. I have heard that most of the Biarritz team are looking to leave and what if Perpignan go down they have a large amount of fly-halfs like Allan, Lopez and Hook who will want too leave in a world cup year, Hook to Glos possibly ?

 

[Tony Manx]

................. I have heard that most of the Biarritz team are looking to leave............

How very dare you?!!

To be honest, most of them that are going have already been declared as gone.....as far as I am aware, the only outstandings are Teddy Thomas's possible move to RM and Imanol's retirement unless "you (Biarritz or some one else) give me a decent contract to make it worth my while to prostitute myself for another year while I try to get my clothes shops off the ground".....

 

[TheSaffycen]

How very dare you?!!

To be honest, most of them that are going have already been declared as gone.....as far as I am aware, the only outstandings are Teddy Thomas's possible move to RM and Imanol's retirement unless "you (Biarritz or some one else) give me a decent contract to make it worth my while to prostitute myself for another year while I try to get my clothes shops off the ground".....

What happens in France if a team goes down ? Is it like in football where there is an exodus of players leaving or do they actually stay because if Bayonne or Perpignan go down there is a hell of a lot of talent available to other teams to try and secure.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Hooley?... he's only 20!

He made 17 tackles (missed none) and won a turnover in his first start (which also happened to be a midlands derby).
He didn't have a great day from the tee, and was clearly slightly behind the pace of the premiership going forward.
But considering the circumstances it was a very promising performance from a young lad - Wilkinson-esque defense.
And given he's probably got another 5-10kg to put on I think he could turn out to be fantastic.

We've seen how quickly the young guys adjust to the pace of senior rugby - I don't think Mallinder will be in any rush to sign a new FH.
I also think Saints rate Myler a lot more than people from the outside do.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Most players have clauses written in their contracts that is the team they play for is relegated their contract is nul and void and may leave, same applies to players who sign a pre contract with a club and then the club gets relegated they have an opt out clause eg Masi Matadigo signed a pre contract with USAP and if they go down looks like he could be going to Lyon, but players who have no clauses or the espoirs for example have to stay or buy themselves out of their contracts which can prove to be very expensive.

 

[Patchey]

Hooley?... he's only 20!

He made 17 tackles (missed none) and won a turnover in his first start (which also happened to be a midlands derby).
He didn't have a great day from the tee, and was clearly slightly behind the pace of the premiership going forward.
But considering the circumstances it was a very promising performance from a young lad - Wilkinson-esque defense.
And given he's probably got another 5-10kg to put on I think he could turn out to be fantastic.

We've seen how quickly the young guys adjust to the pace of senior rugby - I don't think Mallinder will be in any rush to sign a new FH.
I also think Saints rate Myler a lot more than people from the outside do.

Also, Mallinders son is a ten and currently in the Saints academy and England age grade set up at U18 level.