[2014 Mid-Year Tests] England

[Darwin]

Just a quick thought on Michael Paterson: is he big enough for an international lock? It's been a number of year since I've seen him play, but when in NZ always seemed slightly too small to make it as an international lock, and not mobile enough to make it as a 6. He is quite short for a lock (listed anywhere between 1.95m - 1.98m), but that isn't really a major issue (as he's an expert lineout operator), but I'm not sure he has enough MASS to be successful at the international level (unless he has bulked up a lot over the last few seasons). Obviously he's not yet an international lock (and may never be), I'm just curious what others think of him.....

 

[Peat]

Paterson could have stuck in Wales and probably had an easier run at their squad; he chose to come to England instead. Maybe money played a part, or maybe that means something.

Either way I look at his stats and am immediately struck by the same thought as Darwin.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Was asking the same questions when he arrived at ours, but he's been bloody brilliant in the second row. Workrate is absolutely through the roof, good hands and great in the lineout too. He's put in some big hits on attack and defence this season - you know what they say:it's not your size but the way you use it Knows his way to the tryline as well!
Lacks the speed of the tom crofts of the world, and the bulk of the dave attwoods, but is a great inbetweener.
If robshaws a 6.5 then pato's a 5.5.

I don't imagine for a second he'll get an actual cap by England, but for an uncapped baabaas game with a good number of players unavailable you could do alot lot worse.

 

[Thingimubob]

Is that Michael Patersons name I see? I thought he thought he was Welsh? When did he decide that he is now in fact English? Perhaps this situation should be known as the 'double poach'.....

Ha think he was after a Welsh cap when he signed for the Blues, didn't even realise that he became Welsh qualified before he went to Sale!

Paterson could have stuck in Wales and probably had an easier run at their squad; he chose to come to England instead. Maybe money played a part, or maybe that means something.

Either way I look at his stats and am immediately struck by the same thought as Darwin.

Well apparently not, according to wikipedia he's been eligible for us since the start of the 2012-13 season, and never got a look in. I know he was on Howley's radar around the time of the 2012 Aus tour, but then wasn't looked at for the Japan tour? Unless he was injured? Either way, we don't need him as a second row (and as the others have said, maybe a bit small) and can't see him getting past any of the current 6's we have, despite having an outstanding couple of seasons with both Cardiff and Sale.
That said, doubt he would've been looked at for England if it weren't for all those missing players.

Is the BaaBaa's game capped or not?

 

[goodNumber10]

Ha think he was after a Welsh cap when he signed for the Blues, didn't even realise that he became Welsh qualified before he went to Sale!




Well apparently not, according to wikipedia he's been eligible for us since the start of the 2012-13 season, and never got a look in. I know he was on Howley's radar around the time of the 2012 Aus tour, but then wasn't looked at for the Japan tour? Unless he was injured? Either way, we don't need him as a second row (and as the others have said, maybe a bit small) and can't see him getting past any of the current 6's we have, despite having an outstanding couple of seasons with both Cardiff and Sale.
That said, doubt he would've been looked at for England if it weren't for all those missing players.

Is the BaaBaa's game capped or not?

Uncapped.

Think it's always uncapped.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Also Wikipedia' s wrong about his eligibility - he would've been eligible from day 1 of this season (or whichever day marked 3yrs continuous residence). According to an interview I saw anywho.

 

[Patchey]

Brookes is a TH.

Gah! I just assumed he was a loosie considering Thomas had also been names.



Will be interesting to see if any Quins or Tigers guys get called into the squad next week if they lose this weekend or if Lancaster waits a week until after the European finals.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Is Farrell going to miss the first test in Auckland?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Is Farrell going to miss the first test in Auckland?

If Saracens make the premiership final (which is almost certain, imo) then yes.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Anyone involved in the Prem final will miss the first test.

 

[Peat]

Also Wikipedia' s wrong about his eligibility - he would've been eligible from day 1 of this season (or whichever day marked 3yrs continuous residence). According to an interview I saw anywho.

So the maths would seem to indicate... if you move there in 2010 (according to wiki), you don't qualify for three years at the start of 2012... not unless you're Doctor Who anyway.

 

[Maverick1987]

Ok I'm gonna say it after saints win tonight ! Is it ok if we miss the plane to NZ and just turn up on the 8th June ?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Currently unavailable for Test Numero Uno:

Alex Corbisiero (presuming he's picked)
Alex Waller (as above)
Dylan Hartley (if fit?)
Courtney Lawes
Tom Wood
Calum Clark (good, **** off you horrible **** - no guarantee he'd be picked, mind)
Sam Dickinson (not sure he'd be picked - Ewers has, but I think that's more for the Baabaas)
Lee Dickson
Stephen Myler
Luther Burrell
Ben Foden



Gained:
Graham Kitchener,
Geoff Parling (Is he crocked?),
Ed Slater,
Tom Croft (Is he ready/will they think he's ready?),
Jamie Gibson,
Ben Youngs,
Manu Tuilagi,
Mathew Tait,


In terms of going in to the first test, we've lost a lot and gained a little (4 starters vs 1?).

 

[Maverick1987]

Just a thought if quins lose tomorrow Lancaster May well go with a back row
6. Robshaw
7. Kvesic
8. Morgan

Rats would be literally loving life if that happened lol

Could potentially as far as England goes be the worst thing Tom Wood ever did scoring that try at the end especially if sarries win the final as most expect them to

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Aye, looks like it'll go that way.
Let's all cross our fingers that Kvesic still remembers how to play like a Warrior and not a Gloucester


I wouldn't be overly surprised to see Parling/Attwood in the donkey row, with Launchbury at 6 - presuming Parling is fit/tours, and then have Slater and Kvesic on the bench. Wood does a lot of work at the lineout, and while Kvesic is a solid jumper, I think Lancaster will look to have as strong-a-setpiece as possible in all aspects (as he did in the 6N where he'd bring on Attwood/Thomas at the same time to minimise damage at the scrum).

 

[Maverick1987]

I don't really like the launchbury at 6 idea . Just feel like he's a lock and I'm not a massive fan of playing locks at 6 whoever they are unless it's for emergency uses . Again on the presumption sarries win tomorrow the starting lineup I'd like to see would be
1. Marler
2. Ward
3. Wilson
4. Launchbury
5. Attwood
6. Robshaw
7. Kvesic
8. Morgan
9. Care
10. Ford/Cipriani (I'm undecided)
12. Eastmond
13. Tuilagi
11. Yarde
14. Rokoduguni
15. Brown

16. Webber ? (If fit)
17. No idea
18. Sinkler
19. Parling
20. Ewers (covering 6 and 8)
21. Robson (but will probably be B. Youngs
22. Ford/Cipriani
23. Watson

 

[ratsapprentice]

Advantage Ceviche.

There hasn't been a 7 with guns like that since Pocock.


Niether Corbs or Croft are being considered - they've got the summer off.

 

[Tmartin995]

I don't really like the launchbury at 6 idea . Just feel like he's a lock and I'm not a massive fan of playing locks at 6 whoever they are unless it's for emergency uses . Again on the presumption sarries win tomorrow the starting lineup I'd like to see would be
1. Marler
2. Ward
3. Wilson
4. Launchbury
5. Attwood
6. Robshaw
7. Kvesic
8. Morgan
9. Care
10. Ford/Cipriani (I'm undecided)
12. Eastmond
13. Tuilagi
11. Yarde
14. Rokoduguni
15. Brown

16. Webber ? (If fit)
17. No idea
18. Sinkler
19. Parling
20. Ewers (covering 6 and 8)
21. Robson (but will probably be B. Youngs
22. Ford/Cipriani
23. Watson

I'm guessing that Mullan will be the bench loosehead seeing as he played against Italy in the 6 nations off the bench when Marler was away. That team looks pretty decent, would like to see how it fairs.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Advantage Ceviche.

There hasn't been a 7 with guns like that since Pocock.


Niether Corbs or Croft are being considered - they've got the summer off.

Damn, his arms look as big as my legs.

 

[Maverick1987]

Damn, his arms look as big as my legs.

Beast mode !

Even though what's more likely to happen is Haskell or Johnson will play 6 and Robbo will play 7