[2017 Six Nations] - England

[ratsapprentice]

I agree that Tompkins is likely to be one of the guys brought in over the next few years.

I wouldn't say he's got zero chance though, if Jones wants a more physical centre, then he's get less competition in that style than he does in the centre more generally.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

If all the stuff we're hearing about Underhill is true he could be a round peg in a round hole. I think the day of the "classic 7" has gone, but a barnstorming aggressive in your face flanker in the O'Brien mould is something we've been missing for years. Hopefully Underhill can be that man, really looking forward to seeing if the hype's justified.

Then all we have to do is find a couple of ball carriers in the front row and sort out 9, 12 and 15....

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I agree that Tompkins is likely to be one of the guys brought in over the next few years.

I wouldn't say he's got zero chance though, if Jones wants a more physical centre, then he's get less competition in that style than he does in the centre more generally.

Suspect James will also be ahead of him. Hill is a strong runner but I wouldn't put him in the T'eo, Manu strength category.

Can see Max Clark getting game time in the future as well.

 

[Which Tyler]

Mercer, Denton, Underhill, Faletau, Garvey, Louw, Mercer... anyone I'm forgetting in the Bath backrow?

Ellis, Sisi, Grant

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Suspect James will also be ahead of him. Hill is a strong runner but I wouldn't put him in the T'eo, Manu strength category.

Can see Max Clark getting game time in the future as well.

I wouldn't have thought there's much between Hill and Te'o, and even if there is, Hill makes up for it with extra pace and better footwork. I'd also say he's got a better passing game. The only area in which I'd say Te'o clearly out plays Hill is in defence. At 30, Te'o's not gonna be around for a lot longer and unless I'm forgetting anyone, Hill is the closest like for like replacement for Te'o in that 22 shirt.

 

[Raggs]

Ellis, Sisi, Grant

Ah yeah, so basically someone fairly useful is going to be missing out, along with another four or 5...

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I wouldn't have thought there's much between Hill and Te'o, and even if there is, Hill makes up for it with extra pace and better footwork. I'd also say he's got a better passing game. The only area in which I'd say Te'o clearly out plays Hill is in defence. At 30, Te'o's not gonna be around for a lot longer and unless I'm forgetting anyone, Hill is the closest like for like replacement for Te'o in that 22 shirt.

Yeh but T'eo is in there becuase he is T'eo, just like when Manu was picked it was becuase he was Manu. I doubt it was part of Jones vision to have a physical ball carrier on the bench but that is the cards he is dealt with. (And defence is a pretty big thing for a international centre).

Hill in my mind is behind Lozowski, Slade, Thompkins, James (Eddie seems to stick with players he likes regardless of Club form etc), for that 22 shirt.

And I think Clark is a better option long term than Hill.

 

[tsof]

Yeh but T'eo is in there becuase he is T'eo, just like when Manu was picked it was becuase he was Manu. I doubt it was part of Jones vision to have a physical ball carrier on the bench but that is the cards he is dealt with. (And defence is a pretty big thing for a international centre).

Hill in my mind is behind Lozowski, Slade, Thompkins, James (Eddie seems to stick with players he likes regardless of Club form etc), for that 22 shirt.

And I think Clark is a better option long term than Hill.

Malinder too. I know he's not having the best of seasons at present, but a 6ft5, 17st no.12 with play-maker abilities isn't to be sniffed at.

 

[Which Tyler]

Malinder too. I know he's not having the best of seasons at present, but a 6ft5, 17st no.12 with play-maker abilities isn't to be sniffed at.

Depends if he grows a pair.

Until he's willing to tackle, then he very much IS to be sneezed at.

I know the commentators were saying that it's him protecting his shoulder as he recovers from surgery - but that doesn't explain why he had a yellow belly before injuring his shoulder.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Malinder too. I know he's not having the best of seasons at present, but a 6ft5, 17st no.12 with play-maker abilities isn't to be sniffed at.

Totally agreed. And having a bit of a rough time this year might really help him in the longer term. Make him realise what it really takes. I think he has a very high ceiling.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Mallinder seems like a a bigger version of Twelvetrees - skilful, but flaky and prone to really bad decision making.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

He's 20, so of course he'll get things wrong. Might take a couple of years, but it'll come.....provided he wants to learn and he's managed properly. Not being coached by Dad would help.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I watched him in the u20's and he was the same there (where other players weren't).

He's fairly skilful and he's obviously a massive unit, but I haven't seen much from him to suggest he'd be a standout international.

 

[ALJ]

Mallinder seems like a a bigger version of Twelvetrees - skilful, but flaky and prone to really bad decision making.

Ooof!

Great summary of Twelvetrees - Mallinder looks like he has a little more to me but I completely see what you're saying.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

He's young so plenty of time to work on his glaring weaknesses - or to start playing sports involving differently shaped balls

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Mallinder will play for Wales with the amount of Whinging he does

 

[Peat]

I think all of the would-be England centres need to improve their game by a level to be contenders. If Hill's got another level, then why not?

If he doesn't, then whoever of Devoto, James, Tompkins, Williams, Clark, Mallinder finds that extra gear.

Find that extra gear sounds like a game played at marketing agencies' Christmas parties.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Find that extra gear sounds like a game played at marketing agencies' Christmas parties.

It's a prison officer stalwart too

 

[ratsapprentice]

top lel

 

[Maverick1987]

Apparently today England trained with Faz at 10 Teo at 12 and Daly at 13 with May on the wing