[2017 Six Nations] - England

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Kvesic still only 24 and I still rate him highly. Was great on the Saxons tour last year. I think with a physical 6 and 7 Kvesic could do a great job for England.

Haven't seen as much of Underhill but everyone raves about him. Good enough to play 6 or deffo an out and out 7?

Definitely a 7. However, with the amount of quality young 7s being sprung upon us (Evans, Curry bros, Kvesic, Simmonds) I could see him being played at 6 for England if it's a case of getting the best players on the pitch.

 

[MarkyH]

Contrasting opinions. So a Underhill, Kvesic, Billy back-row could work. With some quality youngsters coming up through the ranks too. I'm in no rush to get rid of Hakshaw but we really really need to increase our ability at the breakdown.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

You've always had a thing for fearns!

Yup, said for years that he's pretty much the ideal blindside for me.

At this point are we giving up on kev?

Gloucester have, he's only played three times in 2017, according to ultimate rugby.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Gloucester have, he's only played three times in 2017, according to ultimate rugby.

Interesting that it coincided fairly neatly with him announcing he was off, isn't it?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Interesting that it coincided fairly neatly with him announcing he was off, isn't it?

Aye, it's incredible ****ty and petty of Gloucester, to be fair.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Aye, it's incredible ****ty and petty of Gloucester, to be fair.

Could it just be a case of giving game time to players and combinations who'll be around next season?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Yep... I can understand protecting your own interests, and readying someone to replace him, but they've basically just given him the finger.

It's not even like he's been disloyal - he's given everything to them and been flogged, they haven't been able to reciprocate by providing him with the ideal environment, and he's said he can't just let his career die where he is.

 

[MrTea_32]

Yup, said for years that he's pretty much the ideal blindside for me.



Gloucester have, he's only played three times in 2017, according to ultimate rugby.

Where do.people think Fearns will be playing for Gloucester, at 6 or 7 as Morgan will be 8 and so far still have Moriarty.
I'm in no rush to get rid of haskell or robshaw but do want new players starting. I'd like to see underhill at 7 with Itoje in the row and lawes at 6 with Fearns coming off the bench.
Really want a new fullback now and I think Daly looked very comfortable under any high balls and is a more accomplished player than Watson.
Also new scrum half's get a shot

 

[McTallshort]

There is always Dave Ewers, think he could be a possible long term replacement for Haskell.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

We really need a 7 who will play wide and has some speed about them. If Clifford had actually done any work while on the pitch he could have made a good short term solution but he didn't.

If we continue to play wide I'd prefer to smaller more mobile flankers on the basis in having more carriers in the front 5.

I've not got any answers though but Robshaw and Haskell can't continue at 6 and 7. Lawes is definitely a good 4th choice lock. It still 4th.
Cole outside of the scrum is just terrible and we loose a player with him in the team.

Early morning thoughts over.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

There is always Dave Ewers, think he could be a possible long term replacement for Haskell.

I seriously rate Ewers but I don't think his work rate is anywhere near Haskell's. I think he'd be better used as a like for like Billy replacement at 8 when he's injured. Ewers and Billy in the same back row is too big IMO. As someone said, I reckon Haskell's got a few seasons left in him. I'd like to see us build towards:

6. Haskell
7. Underhill
8. Vunipola

 

[McTallshort]

I seriously rate Ewers but I don't think his work rate is anywhere near Haskell's. I think he'd be better used as a like for like Billy replacement at 8 when he's injured. Ewers and Billy in the same back row is too big IMO. As someone said, I reckon Haskell's got a few seasons left in him. I'd like to see us build towards:

6. Haskell
7. Underhill
8. Vunipola

Would rather have Robshaw at 6 and is this Underhill kid really that good? Kvesic hasn't been given a shot yet and we are thinking this lad is better.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Only one way to find out with Underhill. He's been mentored by Richard Hill which is a pretty clear statement of intent. We need more pace and breakdown ferocity from the back row.

Something about the shape of his nose and his hair cut always remind me of Julian White. Which is a good thing.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Surprised to see that Underhill is actually smaller than kvesic
I always thought of kvesic as pretty small

 

[BPM]

I hope the move to Chiefs propels Kvesic back in to serious contention.

He's a quality player and it sounds as though Baxter has specific plans to get the best out of him as a link player in attack rather than the breakdown specialist he'd become at Gloucester. Baxter knows his onions when it comes to forwards so I'm really hoping it pans out as well as it could.

At 24, he's the perfect age to bridge the gap between the younger guys coming through and he'd also help us with transitioning away from a big, ruck-smashing 6.5 to an actual 7 and pave the way for the new guys.

Fearns is definitely a squad option, but I think playing in France has added an extra level of hype that I'm not sure he really justifies. If he can live up to the billing, brilliant, but I still think there is a question mark over where he fits in at Gloucester? Moriarty, Rowan and Morgan are now pretty established as a back row unit so I guess a lot will depend on whoever Fisher's replacement thinks ... Moriarty, Fearns and Morgan would be a fearsome carrying unit, but it's not my definition of a balanced back row.