[2018 Six Nations] England Squad

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Especially, I hope Clifford can hit good form after he comes back from injury in a month, because he's been out of the reckoning for a while

Good luck trying to find form in that team currently. (This coming from a tigers fan.......)

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Launchbury isn't a blindside flanker,
Why do we have to play a lock in the backrow when we've got plenty of options at 6

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Latest training squad:

Backs

Full backs

Mike Brown (Harlequins), Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)*, Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby).

Inside backs

Danny Care (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Marcus Smith (Harlequins)*, Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens).

Forwards

Back five

Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), James Haskell (Wasps), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby), Sam Moore (Sale Sharks)*, Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby).

Front row

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs).

* Apprentice players



Number of u20s in there to hold tackle bags

 

[TommiG88]

No Earle, No Simmonds, No Hepburn.

And we have Mallinder, Solomona and Wigglesworth. Hmm

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Simmonds released back to his club for injury assessment maybe? Usually England keep injuries in camp though (Teo doing multiple training camps despite being on crutches, for example)
Hepburn dropping out is a bit of a shame considering he's had decent impact off the bench, but with Marler available again it's not that surprising.


Haskell and Mallinder being involved is still a sickener, and no extra 9. And Solomona > Earle is a terrible call.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Simmonds released back to his club for injury assessment maybe? Usually England keep injuries in camp though (Teo doing multiple training camps despite being on crutches, for example)
Hepburn dropping out is a bit of a shame considering he's had decent impact off the bench, but with Marler available again it's not that surprising.


Haskell and Mallinder being involved is still a sickener, and no extra 9. And Solomona > Earle is a terrible call.

Don't let Jones see this post

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Jack Nowell now being listed as a full back rather than an inside back- low level Jones messing with people? I'd still like to see him at 13 at some point.

 

[TommiG88]

What I don't understand with Jones is that he brings in some older players into the team when there are youngsters better or with more potential but does the opposite in other positions.

My changes that I would like to see...

Jason Woodward over Mallinder
Earle over Solomona
Robson over Wiggles
Cipriani over Smith

I hope Simmonds is only out due to injury.

Also, the back 5 situation has far too many locks.

 

[duncanb]

Simmons back to club Shoulder injury hence why subbed at half time.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Moore? he was so average for the U20's.

 

[stus768]

Ibitoye Jonses next great hope for a more physical winger?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

At 5ft8 I don't think he'll be merking people at senior international level tbh

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I can understand Wiggle being in if he plays the 60 and Care comes on for 20 but Wiggle completely messes with the whole finisher tactic, he doesn't speed the game up at all. His experience didn't count for anything against Wales while his constant slow ball hindered England.

 

[stus768]

At 5ft8 I don't think he'll be merking people at senior international level tbh

Should've checked his stats before commenting! Saw the video of him smashing through in U20s and assumed he was big.

 

[Scotty]

What I don't understand with Jones is that he brings in some older players into the team when there are youngsters better or with more potential but does the opposite in other positions.

My changes that I would like to see...

Jason Woodward over Mallinder
Earle over Solomona
Robson over Wiggles
Cipriani over Smith

I hope Simmonds is only out due to injury.

Also, the back 5 situation has far too many locks.

Not cipriani over smith, smith is so young with so much potential, but the rest i agree.

Why is wigglesworth in there still!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

At 5ft8 I don't think he'll be merking people at senior international level tbh

I think the days are fast approaching where only half backs will be able to afford being under 6ft at International level and even then less 5"10' will be pushing it.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Really wish I didn't agree with you.

Attacking wise there'll always be a place for the agile little guy with fast feet and quick acceleration. But defensively both in contact and in the air it's hard to see many more Robinsons or Williams at the top level.

 

[WilkosLeftBoot]

Have to say, I've hardly even heard of Sam Moore - any Sale fan who can shed some light on him?

 

[BPM]

There are some excellent young players in the mix. But virtually all are unproven internationally. I just want to see Eddie picking a unit with a view to that being his first choice in Japan and playing them together whenever injuries allow.

There are only 3 spots plus a sub in each game. Some good players will miss out. This is elite level sport, no-one said it was easy and if they're good enough they'll be in. If they're not, well tough on them, but the competition can only benefit the team.

I agree. Experience is important, which is why Robshaw is essential for me.

But for the injuries to Hughes and Billy, I doubt Simmonds or Mercer would have been called up to the squad, but it could work out well in the long term if it means they're not total rookies.

I think the SA tour is the last real chance for any experimentation. As much as I love what I'm seeing from Willis, I think it's more likely that the only uncapped players in with a real shout are guys who have been performing at a high level for a while i.e. Brad Shields rather than kids.

I'd quite like to see:

6. Robshaw / Shields
7. Underhill / Simmonds
8. B. Vunipola / Hughes

As 6 to work with that feels like a good balance of experience and youth/potential with players who can cover across the back row.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Would hold the horses on Shields currently.

How many New Zealand forwards who have come over to play for England really hit it big in the prem?
He's 27 with 70 super rugby caps and in the 6 years of playing top level rugby in New Zealand not been capped by them.

It isn't like Willis has started 2 games, he's played in 14 Prem/Champions cup matches this season out of 20 and he's impressed in all the ones i've seen.

People ready to roll the red carpet for sheilds because he was a super rugby regular has no one learnt from O'Connor and Symons?
I mean he might be great. but watching super rugby not sure what he brings that flankers here don't have.