[2014 Mid-Year Tests] England

[Patchey]

Well that was an incredibly awkward typo. Better go fixed that.

Had to stop watching just before the injury so will have to catch up on it, and the Blues apparent capitulation, later on.

 

[goodNumber10]

Well that was an incredibly awkward typo. Better go fixed that.

literally lol'ing here...

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Eastmong, the 'special' player from Hackney.

 

[Patchey]

Now now...

Moving away from my inability to use a keyboard, saw on Twitter earlier than Corbs may play for Saints this weekend. Which is an interesting development. i guess he's been training since the start of the year and was involved with the EPS camp during the Six Nations so you'd expect him to be fit for some game time by now. I just really hope he isn't rushed back into the England squad.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Croft on the bench for Tiggers this weekend. Hope he isn't rushed back into England as well (but for different reasons )

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I vaguely remember reading that Lancaster isn't going to risk rushing any players back from injury, he has the world cup as his goal above all else and is willing to sacrifice games in between in order to have the squad he wants for the big games. We don't want a repeat of Corbs coming back and immediately getting injured again, same with Cole. I agree with Lancaster on this, the injury rate is crippling (pun intended) and I'd rather we take a 2nd team to NZ if it allows us to have a 1st team for the WC.

Also Wales showed with JD that you can't just plonk a recently recovered player into an international and expect them to play as well as they had prior to injury.

 

[Shaggy]

I'll just quickly sneak in ... All Black squad of 35 due to be named on Monday (NZ time) ... and I'll sneak back out again

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'll just quickly sneak in ... All Black squad of 35 due to be named on Monday (NZ time) ... and I'll sneak back out again

Any idea if there's an opening for team chef?
I make a cracking raw-chicken-sandwich that I'd love for them to try.

 

[Shaggy]

Any idea if there's an opening for team chef?
I make a cracking raw-chicken-sandwich that I'd love for them to try.

I'm not sure your services will be need at this time ... Seems to be that time of year where the injuries are starting to occur

 

[ratsapprentice]

Lancaster down at Sandy Park to look at LCD apparently.

 

[Tmartin995]

Corbs is on the bench today for Northampton

 

[Maverick1987]

Lancaster down at Sandy Park to look at LCD apparently.

Surely the stoop would be the best place to go to keep an eye on sinkler, Garvey, fearns etc . We need some extra physicality I think ....

 

[Patchey]

Surely the stoop would be the best place to go to keep an eye on sinkler, Garvey, fearns etc . We need some extra physicality I think ....

I guess Lancaster knows for sure that Exeter won't make the final so he can be sure LCD will be available?I hope he isn't picked ahead of Ward though, still not 100% sold he's as good as people say.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He isn't at all.
He will be, he's got massive potential, but right now he doesn't look prem starting standard, let alone senior international.
I'd like to see him in the Baabaas game but not in NZ.

Also I hope Lancaster isnt at Sandy Park as the games in Newcastle!
There's also Slade Hill Wilson and Brookes knocking about so there's a few for him to consider there, but I don't think any should tour to be honest.

 

[Patchey]

If we needed locks then Barrow at Newcastle would be worth a watch too.

Lancaster should be at the Stood. Cracking game and lots of England prospect. George Ford is running through the Quins defense (well, Jordan Turner-Hall) beautifully.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Also I hope Lancaster isnt at Sandy Park as the games in Newcastle!

I've got a mental image of Lancaster just sitting in the deserted stands making notes with a cleaner going round the stadium cleaning up now

 

[goodNumber10]

Corbisiero played for Saints.

I hope they make this properly.

 

[Patchey]

Tigers/Sarries highlights are up, couple of things from an England POV:

Manu looked sharp, got a try.

Ben Spencer, who I'm a big fan of, looks like the kind of nine we've all hoped would come along and challenge the Care/Youngs/Dickson trio.

Itoje popped up a couple of times in the highlight reel, once with a massive tackle and the second time with some brilliant quick thinking and hands to set up the try that sparked Sarries comeback. You really wouldn't know he was an U20.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Only saw the highlights, but Itoje is a talent.

BT commentary suggested that Webber should be fit to tour BTW.

 

[Patchey]

Yeah, I heard that too. Great news.