[2014 Mid-Year Tests] England

[Patchey]

Our depth at lock is the best in the world right now. I would have Lauchbury, Lawes, Parling, Attwood and Kitchener all ahead of Slater right now but wouldn't be worried about him starting for England.

I'd say 'potential' depth. Kitchener and Slater have been very goo at Prem level but we haven't seen what happens to them when they have to step up.

Similarly Attwood has been a monster off the bench but hasn't started. I'm confident that of he started an international game he'd be just as effective but we don't 10% know until he does.

So yes, very exciting stuff at lock but I think we'll only know just how well off we are until after he NZ tour.

 

[j'nuh]

Stooke and Itoje on the way too.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Our depth at lock is the best in the world right now. I would have Lauchbury, Lawes, Parling, Attwood and Kitchener all ahead of Slater right now but wouldn't be worried about him starting for England.

What Parling (who I don't think will dislodge slater when he comes back and Kitchener don't agree with that. He is currently viewed as 4th choice Lock behind Launchbury, Lawes, Attwood and then Slater.

Kitchener maybe in the next couple of seasons, but I think in the first test the team will be (IF it a saints v Sarries final who knows)

4, Attwood
5, Launchbury

Bench
Slater

Stooke and Itoje on the way too.

Think Stookes best chance will be the barbarians game, he should improve his chances with a better front row but he is a far way down the pecking order imo. Itoje though could definatley be there in a couple of season has so much potential.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I'm going through the Quins/Oirish game online looking specifically at Sinckler, in particular his scrummaging - very impressive.
Wig will be licking his lips.

Way ahead of Thomas in my mind.

 

[Patchey]

I'm going through the Quins/Oirish game online looking specifically at Sinckler, in particular his scrummaging - very impressive.
Wig will be licking his lips.

Way ahead of Thomas in my mind.

I've found it odd no mention of Sinckler has been made of by the management. Lancaster is usually quite good at 'name dropping' who he is excited about.

Agree that he is ahead of Thomas in terms of scrummaging but I think that having had less game time that Thomas, especially prior to Christmas, may weigh against him. I'd still expect Thomas to go to NZ ahead of him, sadly.

Ben Youngs looked a bit livelier against Saints this weekend and Manu cut some very tasty lines. Kind of a shame Burrell doesn't play 13 at club level simply because if love to see what they would do facing off directly against each other.

 

[ratsapprentice]

To be fair, Sinckler has only started in two games - but our depth at TH (in terms of scrummaging quality anyway) is such that he could very quickly come into contention.

 

[TheSaffycen]

To be fair, Sinckler has only started in two games - but our depth at TH (in terms of scrummaging quality anyway) is such that he could very quickly come into contention.

When he started against Sarries , who have one of the best packs in the league, he caused such a problem for Vunipola that are 6 had to scrum at a 90' degree angle just too stop Vunipola popping out of the side of the scrum. He did have a little bit more trouble against Barrington but he is a very competent scrummer.

 

[ratsapprentice]

He was really dominant in the u20's from what I can remember and people have often talked about how freakishly strong he is.
I expect him to improve a fair bit over the last tranche of games too - his match fitness will hopefully improve no end - as Wilson's did.
At the moment he seems to tire a bit after 60-65 mins.

 

[Patchey]

He was really dominant in the u20's from what I can remember and people have often talked about how freakishly strong he is.
I expect him to improve a fair bit over the last tranche of games too - his match fitness will hopefully improve no end - as Wilson's did.
At the moment he seems to tire a bit after 60-65 mins.[/QUOTE]

I remember the good old says when tiring after an hour was expected of a front row.

 

[j-dawg]

Anyone know how or when i can get tickets for a couple of these games? Currently playing in christchurch and would love to get behind the guys

 

[ratsapprentice]

Why....?

...Because I'm a ****ing nerd - and I feel that the ERC numbers are much closer to the reality (not marred by "PR" or tactical tinkering).

**Black = no change or no listing.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Watched the Glos vs Wasps match, looking very keenly at the English players, I thought a few players really stood up to be on the NZ tour. Haskell vs Kvesic was an interesting battle which Haskell won comfortably, Launchbury vs Stooke was a good match up and I thought Simpson played brilliantly and could play vs The BaaBaas

 

[McTallshort]

I watched it too and was impressed with Haskell. None of the Glos team impressed me and I am dreading Burns coming to tigers next season. 36 was poor as was the whole glos pack. Kvesic needs to get into a team that can at least have a functioning front 5 or we are never going to see what he can do.

 

[nickdnz]

Any more news if Wade is likely to feature on the tour?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Unlikely, according to Dai Young (his Wasps head coach).

 

[TheSaffycen]

I watched it too and was impressed with Haskell. None of the Glos team impressed me and I am dreading Burns coming to tigers next season. 36 was poor as was the whole glos pack. Kvesic needs to get into a team that can at least have a functioning front 5 or we are never going to see what he can do.

Next year 1.Wood 2.Hibbard 3.Afoa 4.Galarza 5.Stooke so hopefully Kvesic can get the platform too start performing, for his sake because he is going to have problems getting into the England team playing like this. Unfortunately flanker is a position that we have some good options Haskell,, Robshaw, Fraser, Seymour and Wallace all at openside and he didn't do himself any favours last night giving way stupid penalties

 

[ratsapprentice]

Considering he has played far better in that Gloucester team than Morgan has I think it's totally unfair that he is potentially being punished for it.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Considering he has played far better in that Gloucester team than Morgan has I think it's totally unfair that he is potentially being punished for it.

I think it's because Morgan turned up for England before his move to Glos, and has always performed, so it's hard for him not too be selected and the 8 options are not as large as the flankers. The problem for Morgan is if Dickinson and Ewers start too really put their hands up(they are already giving it a go) and when Burgess comes in at 8 he might displace him then.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Matt played exceptionally well on the Argentina tour too though - he outplayed Tom Wood.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, Morgan is now a proven international and it's not exactly surprising for him to be gold for England and terrible for Gloucester.
Unfortunately for Kvesic he's not established in the England setup so not performing at club level (through his fault, or general pack problems - which I don't quite buy) isn't going to help break into it.