[2015 Six Nations] England

[Patchey]

Oh I have a very big doubt if he'll make it in the EPs and that is Lancaster's selection.

You think so?

By my reckoning there are four centre spots in the EPS (not counting Farrell's status as a half-arse 12) and Burrell, Barritt, Eastmond, Twelvetrees, Manu and Joseph are the only players with a realistic chance of being selected. Manu is out so won't be named in the initial EPS but will come into the 'Six Nations Squad' later.

Who do you think he'll chose?

Actually, can we start guessing at the EPS yet, it gets announce on Wednesday right?

 

[Tony Manx]

You think so?

By my reckoning there are four centre spots in the EPS (not counting Farrell's status as a half-arse 12) and Burrell, Barritt, Eastmond, Twelvetrees, Manu and Joseph are the only players with a realistic chance of being selected. Manu is out so won't be named in the initial EPS but will come into the 'Six Nations Squad' later.

Who do you think he'll chose?

Actually, can we start guessing at the EPS yet, it gets announce on Wednesday right?

Sorry but why exactly is a player who has been injured for best part of a season, cannot kick and does not pass (no not Bosch) be expected to walk back into the English side?

Surely, surely Tuilangi has to show some fitness, not to say form, before a recall or are we all totally "frit" of his right hook?!!!!

 

[j'nuh]

You think so?

By my reckoning there are four centre spots in the EPS (not counting Farrell's status as a half-arse 12) and Burrell, Barritt, Eastmond, Twelvetrees, Manu and Joseph are the only players with a realistic chance of being selected. Manu is out so won't be named in the initial EPS but will come into the 'Six Nations Squad' later.

Who do you think he'll chose?

12. Barritt, Burrell, Twelvetrees, Eastmond
13.

 

[chippieolamus]

You think so?

By my reckoning there are four centre spots in the EPS (not counting Farrell's status as a half-arse 12) and Burrell, Barritt, Eastmond, Twelvetrees, Manu and Joseph are the only players with a realistic chance of being selected. Manu is out so won't be named in the initial EPS but will come into the 'Six Nations Squad' later.

Who do you think he'll chose?

Actually, can we start guessing at the EPS yet, it gets announce on Wednesday right?

I'd go for Burrell, Eastmond, Joseph and Slade/Barritt, with Manu replacing Slade/Barritt once he's recovered. However, I think Lancaster will go for Burrell, Eastmond, Twelvetrees and Barritt, with Manu replacing Eastmond or Barritt

 

[goodNumber10]

i think we'll get: BB, 36, Eastmond and Burrell.

BB & Burrell to start.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

From what I saw, Joseph was immense today. I have no doubt he'll make the EPS but I still don't think he'll be in the team. He clearly just isn't the type of player England are after at the moment.

You mean good ones? JJ offers up everything England need at the centres and Lancaster has said numerous times he intends to look at club form for selection. If JJ isn't looked at now then Lancasters words will again be worthless. 12trees has done nothing at club or international level recently to suggest his form is going to improve, with that brainfart where he didn't pass to May for a certain try being the tip of it. I know 36 and JJ are different positions but there is no argument that can be made for retaining 36 and not including JJ. Barritt is primarily chosen for his defence and JJ is hardly weak in defence. He also has a LOT more pace than Barritt and takes apart defences far better. A very slight drop in defensive ability for a massive improvement in attack, especially with a more creative 12 and 10 inside.

If Lancaster is going to try to genuinely win the world cup, he can't keep putting defence over absolutely everything else. Sure a strong defence is needed but having slight increases in defencive for a massive drop off in attacking ability will simply result in a team needing to constantly absorb pressure. No team can do that through an entire world cup, even the ABs would struggle if they were just defending constantly. Generally strong defences are combined with a good counter-attacking. NZ do this very well but the good England defenders have no counter attacking ability. The Bath players do counter attacking all the time.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Lancaster has said numerous times he intends to look at club form for selection.

Lancaster says a lot of things.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

So Courtney Lawes is likely to miss the start of the six nations, requiring ankle surgery...

So where does that leave us...

4. Parling
5. Attwood


19. Kruis

?


Impressed by the whole Bath side today. Would really love to see England adopt the Bath-like attacking structure.

 

[Irishkid]

Lawes is out of start of 6 nations.

 

[Peat]

While I still mourn Launch's absence, and am annoyed for Lawes that his fine run will be halted like this, there ain't nothing wrong with Attwood-Parling, and its probably our most balanced pairing anyway.

 

[Crapspray]

The scrum will improve. With Wales' current situation at tighthead it could be a prime opportunity for revenging two years ago. Their lineout's not spectacular either - at least at stealing.

Silver lining and all that.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So Courtney Lawes is likely to miss the start of the six nations, requiring ankle surgery...

So where does that leave us...

4. Parling
5. Attwood


19. Kruis

?


Impressed by the whole Bath side today. Would really love to see England adopt the Bath-like attacking structure.

In terms of Form Kitchener should be ahead of Parling and Kruis IMO.

Oh god I don't want Parling and Kitchener away with England.

 

[Goodey]

The scrum will improve. With Wales' current situation at tighthead it could be a prime opportunity for revenging two years ago. Their lineout's not spectacular either - at least at stealing.

Silver lining and all that.

Agree with that, Hibbard is by far the worst thrower in the 6N. Still we'll miss his work rate and line speed.

What will really count for us is what happens in the creative hub, last year we beat them thank in no small part to excellent performances from Care and Twelvetrees who seem to have drifted off to another planet in the mean time. We need a settled backline and we need it yesterday.

 

[Mumbles119]

The England Rugby website post these player focussed summaries after each round of Prem or Euro action.

http://www.englandrugby.com/news/six-european-talking-points-round-five/

With the upcoming squad announcement in mind, can we read anything into the focus on particular players highlighted in these articles?

Because they do indeed come from England Rugby HQ and could this represent the subjects of focus for the England selection group, Lancaster and others etc...?

 

[Willodell100]

Interesting article but not sure it's that different from what the other media outlets have produced.

If I was Stuart Lancaster my six nations squad would look like this (based on a 34 man squad):

1. Marler / Corbs / Mullan
2. Hartley / Youngs
3. Wilson / Brookes / (Cole)
4. Attwood / (Lawes)
5. Parling / Kruis
6. Wood / Croft
7. Robshaw / Haskell
8. Vunipola / Easter
9. Youngs / Care / Simpson
10. Ford / Cipriani / Farrell
11. May / Wade
12. Eastmond / Burrell
13. Joseph / (Tuilagi)
14. Watson / Yarde
15. Brown / Goode

Brackets mean player injured but willl be named in the squad.

My first choice is my starting 15. For me the pack almost picks itself but still extremely competitive for places. Lots of very good players miss out.

In the backs it is very unlucky on Burrell not to get in the 1st 15 but I can't see past the Ford/Eastmond/Joseph axis at the moment.

Sadly for all of us I don't think the England management (Andy Farrell- Saracens blitz) see it this way as still put defensive qualities ahead of attacking instinct which in reality means Farrell/Barritt/Burrrell - sad but true.

Any further thoughts on the potential squad after a scintillating weekend of european rugby?

 

[chippieolamus]

Interesting article but not sure it's that different from what the other media outlets have produced.

If I was Stuart Lancaster my six nations squad would look like this (based on a 34 man squad):

1. Marler / Corbs / Mullan
2. Webber / Youngs
3. Wilson / Brookes / (Cole)
4. Attwood / (Lawes)
5. Parling / Kruis
6. Wood / Ewers
7. Robshaw / Haskell / Kvesic
8. Vunipola
9. Care / Youngs / Cook
10. Ford / Farrell
11. May / Nowell
12. Burrell / Eastmond
13. Joseph / Slade / (Tuilagi)
14. Watson / Yarde
15. Brown / Foden

My changes made in bold (I would start Kvesic at 7 and Robshaw at 6)

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Interesting article but not sure it's that different from what the other media outlets have produced.

If I was Stuart Lancaster my six nations squad would look like this (based on a 34 man squad):

1. Marler / Corbs / Mullan
2. Hartley / Youngs
3. Wilson / Brookes / (Cole)
4. Attwood / (Lawes)
5. Parling / Kruis
6. Wood / Croft
7. Robshaw / Haskell
8. Vunipola / Easter
9. Youngs / Care / Simpson
10. Ford / Cipriani / Farrell
11. May / Wade
12. Eastmond / Burrell
13. Joseph / (Tuilagi)
14. Watson / Yarde
15. Brown / Goode

Brackets mean player injured but willl be named in the squad.

My first choice is my starting 15. For me the pack almost picks itself but still extremely competitive for places. Lots of very good players miss out.

In the backs it is very unlucky on Burrell not to get in the 1st 15 but I can't see past the Ford/Eastmond/Joseph axis at the moment.

Sadly for all of us I don't think the England management (Andy Farrell- Saracens blitz) see it this way as still put defensive qualities ahead of attacking instinct which in reality means Farrell/Barritt/Burrrell - sad but true.

Any further thoughts on the potential squad after a scintillating weekend of european rugby?

Welcome to the forum, good first post.

 

[Willodell100]

Thank you. I love this wonderful sport passionately (probably too passionately on the odd occasion!) of ours and it's so good to finally find a decent forum! Look forward to discussing the finer points over the coming weeks and months.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

While robshaw is fit do we ever think we will see anyone else in the 7 shirt?

It's almost like Lancaster saying "yeah I got it wrong and he was always a 6"

 

[Patchey]

While robshaw is fit do we ever think we will see anyone else in the 7 shirt?

It's almost like Lancaster saying "yeah I got it wrong and he was always a 6"

No one else in the '7 shirt' but could easily see a more 'traditional openside' type or whatever in the 6 shirt. Seeing as we play two flankers rather than defined blind and open.

IMO is Haskell doesn't start after the season he's had it will be a crying shame.