[2015 RWC] Warm Up Match: France vs England (22/08/2015)

[TobesHodges]

id say that is a first team other than Watson, Wood and Barritt/Burgess, yeah the BBC usually get the Official teams.

 

[HowieLO6]

is he out for the World Cup?




TBH he has the best inside centre attributes in England, big, good passer and kicker just need to remember how to do all that..

He "has" the best attributes for when we had a bulldozing 13. Although when has he shown all of these attributes?

For his supposed size, he doesn't half fail to impose himself. For his supposed distribution skills, I'm not sure I've ever seen him really show this on the international stage. At Gloucester doesn't count for much.

There's this old-fashioned notion of a second outhalf in the 12 jersey. When you've got JJ on the outside, that needs to be put to bed.

 

[Peat]

There's this old-fashioned notion of a second outhalf in the 12 jersey. When you've got JJ on the outside, that needs to be put to bed.

It does? I can't see why.

 

[Every Time Ref]

It does? I can't see why.

It doesn't put it to bed, there are many ways to balance a midfield, but with JJ one side and Ford the other a big ball carrier does seem the most natural fit don't you think?

I'd say that's a first team part from Burrell (although of course we don't yet know who Barritt's back up is, so maybe he is essentially first choice), Wood (who presumably needs a rest if he's expected to play Vs Ireland) and arguably Watson.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

TBH he has the best inside centre attributes in England, big, good passer and kicker just need to remember how to do all that..

Shown time and time again that he can't, though.
Would've rather seen Burgess getting some more game time, or even Watson on the bench coming on at fullback.

 

[TobesHodges]

Shown time and time again that he can't, though.
Would've rather seen Burgess getting some more game time, or even Watson on the bench coming on at fullback.

It has been in very short fitz and spurts.. I agree i don't think Burrell has a run in, he doesn't cover any other positions where as Burgess(flanker) and Slade do..

 

[Peat]

It doesn't put it to bed, there are many ways to balance a midfield, but with JJ one side and Ford the other a big ball carrier does seem the most natural fit don't you think?

I'd say that's a first team part from Burrell (although of course we don't yet know who Barritt's back up is, so maybe he is essentially first choice), Wood (who presumably needs a rest if he's expected to play Vs Ireland) and arguably Watson.

Ah, but he didn't mention Ford.

Yes, I agree that at international level a good bosh carrier seems a badly needed addition to that midfield, but that doesn't rule out a 2nd out-half style player if you have the right man available. And as Bath have shown, albeit at lower levels, there's other ways of balancing it.

My gut says Hask is ahead of Wood at the moment.

 

[ZeroTwo]

Ah, but he didn't mention Ford.

Yes, I agree that at international level a good bosh carrier seems a badly needed addition to that midfield, but that doesn't rule out a 2nd out-half style player if you have the right man available. And as Bath have shown, albeit at lower levels, there's other ways of balancing it.

My gut says Hask is ahead of Wood at the moment.

Did you have a dodgy curry last night?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd say they're pretty level pegging IMO.
Neither have had really shone for England recently. Haskell had the better game last week, but Wood is the better lineout option, which is very high up the blindside skill's priority list.

I just hope that neither are the bench option in the "big" games - I much prefer whichever of Binny/Benny aren't playing to be there, even if Wood/Haskell (in theory) cover all three backrow positions.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Croft has been training with the England squad is it to late for him?

 

[HowieLO6]

It does? I can't see why.

I should have clarified that I envisage Ford on the inside and JJ on the outside and, as such, we could need a little bit of beef in the middle. I'm not necessarily looking for the 120kg of midfield muscle, but a hint of an enforcer might be wise. In an ideal world, we'd have that legitimate 2nd receiver between the two, but I'm not sure we can have that AND someone who can crash into the line?

 

[Patchey]

Croft has been training with the England squad is it to late for him?

Probably. But he is the master at late surges into a squad so who knows?

As long as Clarke doesn't go, I'll be relatively happy.

 

[Peat]

I should have clarified that I envisage Ford on the inside and JJ on the outside and, as such, we could need a little bit of beef in the middle. I'm not necessarily looking for the 120kg of midfield muscle, but a hint of an enforcer might be wise. In an ideal world, we'd have that legitimate 2nd receiver between the two, but I'm not sure we can have that AND someone who can crash into the line?

With you now.

Twelvetrees offers that at his best, but I am increasingly pessimistic about ever seeing that consistently. You're probably right here, although I'd love to see Slade and Joseph given a go if just for lulz...

Did you have a dodgy curry last night?

I did actually have food poisoning last night as it happens!

My reasoning
a) Last week looked incredibly much like a B team and this very much like the A team; I'd very much question the idea that anyone in this isn't Lancaster's preferred choice (fitness aside)
b) He's the guy in possession of the shirt from the last tournament
c) He had a better game last time out
d) Wood's international peak was last seen... I forget when actually.

The only thing I have against this is that Wood's been a big Lancaster favourite and the lineout. But Lancaster could have pumped up the lineout at Hask's expense in the last 6N and didn't.

In any case, I'd rather have Croft, but fear it's too late.

 

[ZeroTwo]

I did actually have food poisoning last night as it happens!

My reasoning
a) Last week looked incredibly much like a B team and this very much like the A team; I'd very much question the idea that anyone in this isn't Lancaster's preferred choice (fitness aside)
b) He's the guy in possession of the shirt from the last tournament
c) He had a better game last time out
d) Wood's international peak was last seen... I forget when actually.

The only thing I have against this is that Wood's been a big Lancaster favourite and the lineout. But Lancaster could have pumped up the lineout at Hask's expense in the last 6N and didn't.

In any case, I'd rather have Croft, but fear it's too late.

Commiserations. London food though....

Anyway

a) Agreed although it won't be 100% first team. He'll still be wanting to give some players an extra half to have a look at. Especially Haskell on his resurgent path.
b) He did have some less than impressive moments though. A mixed tournament for him, although fair he is incumbent.
c) One swallow does not a summer make. Wood has been in that shirt and with this current system for a lot longer (I think, could be corrected?)
d) He does usually step up for the big games though. Think he'll take his chance against Ireland to prove it.

We'd all rather have Croft though, with you there. Not too bothered who they pick out of Wood/Haskell though. Think Haskell has the bigger chance to bolt and become an important player in the WC campaign but Wood on his day can do some damage.

 

[TobesHodges]

Don't get me wrong, Haskell did have a wonderful 6N, the best I had seen him for a long time.. But I don't feel he will give a full 80 performance wise like Wood can.. I think skill wise they are on a Par.. But the attrition of Wood pips it for me..

 

[ratsapprentice]

 

[Patchey]

As predicted in the Telegraph. 36 and Cips in last chance saloon.

 

[NickBD]

England team v France: Marler TYoungs Cole Lawes Launchbury Haskell BVunipola Robshaw - BYoungs, Ford, May, Burrell, JJ, Nowell and Brown.

Bench - JGeorge, Maku, Wilson, Attwood, Easter, Care, Cips, 36

 

[ncurd]

Well to be fair to Lancaster whilst some of those are dead-on certs he's giving everyone (I think) a chance to take their claim. I still would of been a little more experimental with this side especially in the backs.

Think May is the lone survivor from last week probably being told prove last week wasn't a flash in the pan in terms of decision making.

 

[Maverick1987]