2014 QBE Internationals [EOYT] England

[goodNumber10]

Maybe but is it going to be a recurring problem or can other few weeks with Farrell get it sorted ? It's certainly not a reason to finish his england career over unless it continues to happen over and over

He doesn't seem to have the same problem with bath to be fair

He doesn't but then he defends week in week out with Ford on his inside channel. He has confidence in his 10 and backrow.

I don't know, i have suspicion that they will have labelled him a liability, but then they do seem to give others more than one bite at the cherry - ashton (though i think he isnt as bad as he was a few years ago).

 

[Wendigo7]

1. Corbisiero
2. Webber
3. Wilson
4. Launchbury/Attwood (the guy is playing so well at the moment and can now play 80 mins)
5. Lawes
6. Haskell
7. Robshaw
8. Vunipola
9. Care (Moot point)
10. Ford
11. Yarde
12. Eastmond
13. Tuilagi/Joseph
14. Watson/Rokodoguni
15. Brown

16. Marler
17. Hartley
18. Henry Thomas
19. Launchbury/Attwood
20. Morgan
21. Youngs
22. Cipriani
23. Joseph/Foden/Watson

Other things to note:

- Let Slade and Hill get the full season. I think they are late for 2015 and this is their first proper full season as starters, it would reflect very badly on other members and it might hinder them if they think it's easy for a callup.
- Barrington deserves a call up currently. Mako is perma-crocked and he's a good replacement.
- Please not Longbottom
- Wade is a tough one. If Farrell plays, I'd pick Wade at 14, similar with Cipriani. If Ford plays though, I'd want Roko or Watson to start. Depends on the 10 as to the wingers.

I want us to believe we can win 4 from 4 and I believe we might well do. Not arrogance or blindness, just a belief that we really should dispatch Australia and SA, NZ will be the tough first hit out but if we did win it, the confidence through the side then and the steam it would build into world cup year would be immense.

- I'm also a person who sees Slade as a 12 option longer term for England and even then, Devoto is a pretty good option also.

- Can we please for once face NZ with a fully fit team. A fully fit team at home probably is 5 points better than them. Anything less and it becomes very debatable. . Savea hasn't been injured in his career since playing for the All Blacks. If he get's injured it's a very large and hard hole to fill.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Not a bad looking side TBH.

- Would prefer Lauch/Attwood to pair each other though, Dave plays at 5.
- Don't like the fact that there is still an 8 on the bench, would much prefer Kvesic there.
- Agree on Slade/Hill - no need to rush them.
- I see both Hill and Devoto as 10's that can cover 12.

 

[Wendigo7]

Not a bad looking side TBH.

- Would prefer Lauch/Attwood to pair each other though, Dave plays at 5.
- Don't like the fact that there is still an 8 on the bench, would much prefer Kvesic there.
- Agree on Slade/Hill - no need to rush them.
- I see both Hill and Devoto as 10's that can cover 12.

Sam Hill as a 10, that's like picking Malakai Fekitoa at 10. A great option off lineout ball but I'm not sure what other 10 qualities he has...

 

[ratsapprentice]

****, typo - meant Slade.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Parking could be in trouble 2 concussions in 3 weeks, on top of a fair amount already I think.

Leicester have sent him to a specialist to give medical advice on the matter.

Huge shame for him if serious.

 

[stus768]

Fair play to Cockers for acknowledging that Parling can't keep playing. Some of the things you hear happening in France are worrying.

 

[Wendigo7]

Parking could be in trouble 2 concussions in 3 weeks, on top of a fair amount already I think.

Leicester have sent him to a specialist to give medical advice on the matter.

Huge shame for him if serious.

5 this year now.

Surely that's it?

Horrible to say but, people retire generally after 3 concussions. Flatley being the one that really sticks in my mind.

5 is borderline dangerous I would have thought.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

After watching the Bath-Tigers game I do like the look of a Ford-Eastmond partnership. Good running and creativity. Ford seems to be in a completely different league to Farrell and Eastmond has been pretty good for Bath so far with some pretty nifty kicking at times. Also Watson and Rokoduguni have looked very threatening, definitely worthy of contention at least.

 

[Peat]

Farrell has only had one start this season and a short cameo in the Wasps game - think he's been rested by Sarries to manage his playing load.

To be fair he came off the bench against Wasps and tore into them, he didn't seem too out of sorts on Saturday.

Until he's getting some game time i don't think it's worth even saying others are in pole position.

This, this about everyone.

We're only three games in and club form doesn't mean that much anyway. I know its all for fun, but some of this is very reaching...

 

[goodNumber10]

Not a bad looking side TBH.

- Would prefer Lauch/Attwood to pair each other though, Dave plays at 5.
- Don't like the fact that there is still an 8 on the bench, would much prefer Kvesic there.
- Agree on Slade/Hill - no need to rush them.
- I see both Hill and Devoto as 10's that can cover 12.

Agree about the 8, lawes and Haskell can move to 8, as can Robshaw - it's enough to close out a game, but not chase it.

Kvesic for me is a starter not a finisher though, i don't really see the point in bringing a ground hog on tail end of the game.

 

[Maverick1987]

Agree about the 8, lawes and Haskell can move to 8, as can Robshaw - it's enough to close out a game, but not chase it.

Kvesic for me is a starter not a finisher though, i don't really see the point in bringing a ground hog on tail end of the game.

Please remember the Wood at 8 debacle . I can understand Haskell but not Lawes or Robshaw . I quite like the 8 on the bench One starts one finishes . Launchbury can go to the flank if we have an injury anyway . We could even put Vunipola to 6 and bring Morgan on . I don't see the point in having Kvesic in the bench tbh . He doesn't have the impact needed imo

 

[goodNumber10]

God, don't get me started on Wood at 8.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Dave Ewers could cover 6/8 and I bet he could cover lock as well.

 

[Geordie]

Dave Ewers is one that must be looked at if he's firing on all cylinders.

As for the Wood situation well its one that many England fans had suggested a trial at...and i think Billy V and Ben Morgan were injured or just returning etc.
Trialled, failed never again. Like the Manu trial on the wing.

I also think that Fearns and big Garvey (when he returns ) must be looked at closely.

I want to see the team putting some huge power in there...not be solely athletic now. A nice balance or mix.
Assuming they are fit and in top form...just for a change how about a slightly different lineup?

1 Corbs
2 Webber
3 Brookes
4 Launchbury
5 Attwood
6 Garvey
7 Haskell...or if you want a genuine 7 role..Robshaw, Fraser, Kvesic, S.Armitage??
8 Billy Vunipola

9 Care
10 Ford / Burns / CIps / Farrell

11 Yarde
12 Eastmond
13 Tuilagi
14 Nowell
15 Brown

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Not saying he will be in Englands plans but Miles Benjamin is said to be fit for this weekend.

A good run of games to the 6N though and who knows if he could get himself back into England plans.

 

[Geordie]

I think we're actually missing a big winger. Be interesting to see how he goes....but he's been out for a long time hasnt he.

We only seem to produce little tiddlers at the moment.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I think we're actually missing a big winger. Be interesting to see how he goes....but he's been out for a long time hasnt he.

We only seem to produce little tiddlers at the moment.

He played last season for 10 and scored 5 tries, then got injured again.

He played prob a bit to early but he sounds like he has been fit for a month now just not match fit.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Watched the Quins/Wasps game last night.
Wade is really not doing much to help his England chances, considering how much Lancaster values a strong defence (Ashton aside). Robshaw's try is going to end up on a Top 5 list somewhere.
Wasn't impressed with Yarde, either.


I really like Benjamin - very quick, and really did pack on the muscle towards the end of his time at Wuss. Did take him a few pretty poor games to get back into the swing of things last time around, so I imagine the Autumn is too close for him, but never say never!

 

[Geordie]

I think if he can show form and get a few tries (not just for the A team) Nowell could take that right wing spot.

Yarde and Nowell....i just have a hunch...