2014 QBE Internationals [EOYT] England

[TommiG88]

Can anyone tell me how Burrell played for Saints? I'm happy with him at 13 in principle, but if he hasn't showed any form in his only game back we could have another F*****l on our hands ...

I'd also prefer to keep Eastmond in there, give the Ford-Eastmond axis which has torn many a defense apart a chance at international level. Of course I'm biased but I've been happy with Eastmond's contributions in noth games, by and large.

Hasn't been as good this year but has had a couple of small injuries. Not playing badly though.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Farrell at 12?!
FFS!

He's not over an injury he picked up 6 months ago, could barely walk when coming off the pitch last week....I know, let's stick him at a (relatively) unfamiliar position against some of the most physical players in rugby!
Farrell and Ford being on there together means they're just gonna be told to hoof the ball away at every opportunity.

If those are the centres then I might just have to cheer on Johnny Leota instead.

 

[Patchey]

I'm going to have to get very drunk while watching this if Farrell is at 12. Good thing it's an evening game I guess...

That being said, I'm not going to get too depressed unless the rumour is in tomorrow's Evening Standard. Weirdly, I've noticed that in the last few years anything related to a gland squads that appears in the Tuesday edition of the Standard is almost always true.

 

[j-dawg]

I'm going to have to get very drunk while watching this if Farrell is at 12. Good thing it's an evening game I guess...

That being said, I'm not going to get too depressed unless the rumour is in tomorrow's Evening Standard. Weirdly, I've noticed that in the last few years anything related to a gland squads that appears in the Tuesday edition of the Standard is almost always true.

It's the journos peeping over the fence during training sessions. Why Farrell at 12? Can someone give me an unbiased reason why Farrell should go 12, especially after how he's performed?

 

[Every Time Ref]

Hasn't been as good this year but has had a couple of small injuries. Not playing badly though.

Sorry, I worded my question badly - I meant to ask, how did he play this weekend, ie back from the hand injury?

As it goes, I'd have had his form down as hit and miss from what I saw before - he seems to have dropped more balls this season than he did last...?

Farrell at 12?!
FFS!

Eloquently put. I've never understood which of F*****l's qualities qualify him to play inside centre - as far as I can see, aside from defense, he doesn't offer anything which you expect from a centre even at club level?

 

[TheSaffycen]

It's the journos peeping over the fence during training sessions. Why Farrell at 12? Can someone give me an unbiased reason why Farrell should go 12, especially after how he's performed?

Maybe to take pressure off Ford having to take kicking duties on his first start ? Not a good reason but a reason none the less.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

If clark is in the 23 I swear I will support samoa when i'm there.

I hope to god I don't have to watch Faz play 12 for England.

 

[TommiG88]

Sorry, I worded my question badly - I meant to ask, how did he play this weekend, ie back from the hand injury?

As it goes, I'd have had his form down as hit and miss from what I saw before - he seems to have dropped more balls this season than he did last?

Just his normal amount, I prefer him at 13 like others have mentioned. Don't think he has the passing for a 12. I think he's a step up from Barritt at 13 but it would be nice to see him outside Eastmond.

I can't answer your question about his appearance on Friday. I haven't caught up with the game yet. Was gonna check out rugby tonight on BT. I take it he didn't set the world a lot after losing even though we put out a strong team.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Burrell appears to have better awareness in attack than either Tuilagi or Barritt so if he plays it could mean the wingers actually get fed for a change.

I hope Leiua plays. Would dearly love to see him make a fool of Fazlet, though you can't pick and choose who gets made a fool and I suspect it will be our whole backline!

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Burrell appears to have better awareness in attack than either Tuilagi or Barritt so if he plays it could mean the wingers actually get fed for a change.

I hope Leiua plays. Would dearly love to see him make a fool of Fazlet, though you can't pick and choose who gets made a fool and I suspect it will be our whole backline!

Not really been the case in the games he has played so far.

 

[goodNumber10]

Not really been the case in the games he has played so far.

Did you watch England vs Italy in the 6nations, he was the best attacking 13 in the tournament. Admittedly that was back when Englands pack had a clue.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Did you watch England vs Italy in the 6nations, he was the best attacking 13 in the tournament. Admittedly that was back when Englands pack had a clue.

One game against lacklustre opp. I'm not saying he wasn't the best attacking 13 in the tournament he was very very good in the 6N's but there was multiple games he only passed a couple of times, I'm just saying it is more to do with Englands game plan IMO than the players awareness.

 

[Peat]

A Farrell-Burrell centre partnership would honestly be about the last thing I'd pick. Joseph must be wondering what the hell he has to do. Lancaster needs to change his name and address so big Faz can't find him.

Not sure what to add at this time. It's all been debated to death.

Ah yes. Discipline. Revised stats have the Saints boys looking less stupid.

But I am completely in agreement that guys who concede 3 penalties simply can't be a 7/10. But then, it seems that all the hard won discipline and defensive integrity is sliding out of the window. We've conceded so many dumb penalties over the last two games. We're not good enough to be at the top table if we're giving away ground, opportunities and points for cheap.

Also... on the Farrell thing... I notice GN10 pointing out the various flaws of other players in not offering support. Fair enough. But when I pointed out that Twelvetrees' big error in the summer could have been mitigated by better tracking back and not allowing a first phase try from 60 yards out, that was given short shrift. What can I say, I'm a big believer in consistency of logic.

http://www.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/story/248191.html

Happy that the idea of the RFU buying clubs has been put out there... not a ****ing chance of it happening, but still...

I'll be happier if it was someone related to the RFU, because your last sentence is spot on.

 

[goodNumber10]

Also... on the Farrell thing... I notice GN10 pointing out the various flaws of other players in not offering support.But when I pointed out that Twelvetrees' big error in the summer could have been mitigated by better tracking back and not allowing a first phase try from 60 yards out, that was given short shrift. What can I say, I'm a big believer in consistency of logic.

er, what?

 

[ratsapprentice]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Lancaster on Farrell: &quot;By his own admission he hasn't played to the level he would have hoped... [but] we trust him &amp; will stick by him.&quot;</p>&mdash; Christopher Jones (@chjones9) <a href="https://twitter.com/chjones9/status/534393665012367360">November 17, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[goodNumber10]

not really sure what he's supposed to say.

He's not going to publically hang him out to dry, plus you know, i gave him a call earlier and said don't worry Stewie, Faz didn't play that badly. He was relived, thought he'd been got it wrong.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

The argument that showing confidence/faith in players out of form is key doesn't wash with me, because surely its offset by the equivalent lack of faith shown in the 2nd choice player, who you will, at some point, need to play a role?

Also, it seems to me to be very rare that out of form players play themselves back into form on the international stage when they remain top choice. Does it ever happen?

Usually its being demoted and falling down the order which stimulates players to improve.

There's also the fact that very often the coach will say these things, need to show faith blah blah blah, but then ultimately drop him anyway just a few games further down the line, because surprise surprise the player still hasn't improved! Then the coach just looks foolish.

Either way I don't like these noises from the England camp.

 

[Shaggy]

It's the journos peeping over the fence during training sessions. Why Farrell at 12? Can someone give me an unbiased reason why Farrell should go 12, especially after how he's performed?

Building his utility value for the RWC?

http://www.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/story/248191.html

Happy that the idea of the RFU buying clubs has been put out there... not a ****ing chance of it happening, but still...

Yep, centralisation seems to work for us ... the only other way (player welfare wise) is to pass regulations as to how many games a player can play during a season, and then that still doesn't solve the problem, as the clubs will want the international players playing those games for them

how have you done anything differently?

If it's that important to you then feel free to break each penalty down then in minute detail.

Right now, watch:

First thing is good chase by Serfontain, Farrell has no option but to run - why is brown ambling back. Regardless good show and go, and good pace by Farrell to get away from Sefrontain and JPP - notice how Watson is running a very straight line off Farrell, no angles no drifting. There is no poitn Farrell can kick, to kick would have meant slowing down and getting tackled by JPP.

Then Notice Farrell has actually created a 2 vs 1 against Le Roux if Watson had drifted out and held the touchline, Farrell has taken out Cotzee and Le Roux who is hankering for the intercept instead Watson cuts the angle back against the grain. If he'd held his width farrell could have let the ball go after he'd dummied Le Roux - it's Watson decision to cut not Farrell.

Also where the hell is the backrow, all just ambling back - Wood is there, then Marler and Wilson.

The one thing Farrell could have done different - other than kick it - was to keep going after he'd sold Le Roux the dummy.

It's a lot easier in 20/20 hindsight, but Farrell should have taken the ball into contact IMO, Watson should have been right up his backside to clear the ball, giving those retreating English forwards time to regroup/form a ruck

 

[Every Time Ref]

Even Lancaster he is worried about damaging Farrell's confidence (which I think is crap, if he has a problem with being dropped he either doesn't know he isn't playing well enough, or he's too fragile to take it), now would be a good time to do it because he has a "get out" - sorry Owen, my bad, you're obviously not match fit, obviously still a fantastic player but I rushed you back in. My bad. Go back to Saracens and get match fit and we'll see you in February.

Although personally I think that loyalty is admirable, but it's reached the point where the conversation needs to be, Owen, you're not playing well enough. Go back to Saracens and earn your place. Like I said earlier, Twickenham is not the place to get your form back, your club is.

 

[goodNumber10]

Right so Farrell is now not good enough to even be on the bench?

I don't buy that, if he's going to be dropped he should stay in the squad, he should drop out for Samoa, but he should be in the match 23 for Australia.