2014 QBE Internationals [EOYT] England

[TRF_Olyy]

Ah yeah, I forgot Slade was there.
He's a centre though

 

[Peat]

Yeah, it's a handy player, but no reason he couldn't have called up Cips/Burns/whoever as cover for Myler. Slade was already there.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Yeah, it's a handy player, but no reason he couldn't have called up Cips/Burns/whoever as cover for Myler. Slade was already there.

Exactly - why would he call someone up when he already has cover in the squad?

 

[Patchey]

Exactly - why would he call someone up when he already has cover in the squad?

In that case, why pick Myler at all though?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

In that case, why pick Myler at all though?

The question everyone's been asking since the EPS was announced

 

[Peat]

Exactly - why would he call someone up when he already has cover in the squad?

If he's really happy to play Slade at 10, a position he's barely played all season, against the All Blacks, he has some massive brass ones.

Besides, why not? Why not take the opportunity to get to know a player better and integrate them more? Granted, he's cut a bunch of players already, but why do we need 4 scrum-halves then?

 

[ratsapprentice]

I don't think he really believes he'll have to play Slade at all. He's probably just hoping that Ford and Farrell are going to be fit and that Myler will return to camp next week.

Maybe that's what he's doing with Slade, particularly as he's shown he fits the bill of a FH who can cover other positions - Burrell and Barritt are good examples of him not really giving a **** where a player has played.

 

[Peat]

Exactly. He's not terribly fussed about whether there's a third fly-half there or not. That's my point.

And yup, Slade's there to learn, and that's great. But I'd have had others. And if he starts getting all position agnostic about fly-half, I will feel quite worried.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Slade is a FH though - he's not forgotten how just because he's played 6 games at 13.

There are 3 FH's in the England camp at the moment, presumably next week Myler will return and there will be 4.

 

[Peat]

Slade's a green as hell fly-half. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that both Wigglesworth and Twelvetrees have more experience as fly-halves, and gods knows no one would suggest playing them there for England.

If Lancaster's happy to say Slade's his third fly-half, then it confirms to me he's not terribly bothered by who his third fly-half is.

 

[goodNumber10]

Slade's a green as hell fly-half. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that both Wigglesworth and Twelvetrees have more experience as fly-halves, and gods knows no one would suggest playing them there for England.

If Lancaster's happy to say Slade's his third fly-half, then it confirms to me he's not terribly bothered by who his third fly-half is.

he's not saying that though is he?

He is saying he's happy to let Slade train at flyhalf as he has his two match day 10's already available whilst his third is off getting treated.

He also has Goode and 36 in the squad who can play 10, so unless he loses both his flyhalfs in training this week it's a shoot out for the bench between, Slade, 36 & Goode to cover midfield if Ford or Farrell aren't fit.

What's the point of bringing Cipriani all the way into the squad, away from his club's prep, to just send him home to play when they cut the squad?

 

[Peat]

Actions speak louder than words and I don't see what you said there that actually contradicts what I said. The third fly-half in the squad is an irrelevance.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Irrelevance is a bit strong.

I think there are two possibilities:

1) As you say: Lancaster doesn't intend to use a third FH so isn't all that bothered by who it is, possibly a bit reckless.

2) He is impressed by Slade and is absolutely confident in his ability as a backup international 10 - this doesn't necessarily conflict with the first possibility.

 

[goodNumber10]

Actions speak louder than words and I don't see what you said there that actually contradicts what I said.

Did you miss this part?

What's the point of bringing Cipriani all the way into the squad, away from his club's prep, to just send him home to play when they cut the squad?

Seems to me you missed that part.

He isn't saying Slade is his third choice 10, he's saying he doesn't feel like he needs one this week as the disruption in bringing in an outside player for two three days will be detrimental.

Will Cip's make the match day squad? No, so dont' waste his and your time by bringing him in for Training on a Tuesday, when Myler will probably be back with the squad in a week. Let Slade have a run at 10 in training and see how he goes - if you bring in Cip's you can't then run Slade as a 10 as you have 3 10's.

The third fly-half in the squad is an irrelevance.

Then why is everyone getting so bent out of shape because Cipriani wasn't called up?

Irrelevance is a bit strong.

I think there are two possibilities:

1) As you say: Lancaster doesn't intend to use a third FH so isn't all that bothered by who it is, possibly a bit reckless.

2) He is impressed by Slade and is absolutely confident in his ability as a backup international 10 - this doesn't necessarily conflict with the first possibility.

I don't think it's particularly either, i think it's just lack of time getting Cipriani in, and for one or two days, is utterly pointless.

 

[Peat]

Rats, those are the two possibilities indeed. Number two may be true, although that might be pretty ballsy, but I'm pretty sure number one is true. Not overly bothered tbh, its unlikely to come up, but it is what it is.

GN10, if you think I'm particularly bent out of shape about no call up for Cips, you have completely misread what I'm saying and I cba to go over that.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Sort of OT: Burns is starting at Fullback for Tigers V Barbarians game tomorrow.

 

[goodNumber10]

GN10, if you think I'm particularly bent out of shape about no call up for Cips, you have completely misread what I'm saying and I cba to go over that.

I said everyone, not specifically you mate....

I think people are reading too much into cip's not getting called up.

 

[Patchey]

I said everyone, not specifically you mate....

I think people are reading too much into cip's not getting called up.

Nope. It's part of a larger anti-Sale conspiracy. The same one that is keeping Matk Cueto from a recall.

Seriously though, if Farrell or Ford fall over mid week I won't be too impressed.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Who's reading too much into it?
I just mentioned that it was weird he didn't get called into training when Myler had to be sent back to his club, injured - I'd just forgotten Slade was already there as a third 10 option.

 

[Maverick1987]

I said everyone, not specifically you mate....

I think people are reading too much into cip's not getting called up.

I'm reading into Cipriani not getting called up via the fact he is probably the best fly half we have .........

Oh and that Myler is a decent prem player at best I've had my knickers I a twist since the squad announcement .