[2018 Six Nations] England Squad

[Vieux Talonneur]

Good question. No idea why he dropped so far off the radar. He played for Glaws on the opening 6N weekend, but don't know what form / fitness is like.

I want to see an 8 at 8. Even if Hughes starts against Sco, he won't last the distance, so we'll need another on the bench.

 

[Mumbles119]

What about Haskell having a swansong at 8? I am pretty sure he has played there before for England.
So the "emergency" back row could be:
6. Robshaw 7.Underhill 8. Haskell

 

[Scotty]

Hughes start and hask on bench or hask start and hughes on bench as an impact eitherway nit bad in an emergancy but not ideal

 

[McTallshort]

What's the story with Ben Morgan currently? Is he injured because if not then surely even if he's in poor form he's better than Robshaw at 8.

That's a bloody good question. What every happened to him in terms of international rugby. Seem to remember him playing well at that level.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

That's a bloody good question. What every happened to him in terms of international rugby. Seem to remember him playing well at that level.

Gloucester happened

 

[NickBD]

Did anyone get a chance to see Hughes cameo for Wasps other day? Wouldn't it have been better to keep him at Wasps for the Exeter game Sunday get match fitness with England not playing.

 

[Scotty]

Did anyone get a chance to see Hughes cameo for Wasps other day? Wouldn't it have been better to keep him at Wasps for the Exeter game Sunday get match fitness with England not playing.

No better for england to keep him, because chiefs need a win after last week haha. But from an england point of view i totally agree, he needs game time more than a training session with england, maybe its a risk of injury reason that england wpuld keep him becayse without him we have zero good no 8 options apart from mercer debut (who i want on the bench at least but cant see it)

 

[TRF_Olyy]

What about Haskell having a swansong at 8? I am pretty sure he has played there before for England.
So the "emergency" back row could be:
6. Robshaw 7.Underhill 8. Haskell

Would rather **** in my hands and clap tbh

 

[Mumbles119]

Would rather **** in my hands and clap tbh

Haha yes tend to agree too. My only point was to highlight an emergency option considering the retained players. I would assume the likely Eddie choice is on Robshaw/Hughes starting/benching. Would guess Hughes starting to blow him out as the heavy carrier, but as always with Eddie, who knows!

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Footage of the England-Georgia scrum training session. A few things to note:

• Only Hughes and Robshaw training at 8. No sign of Haskell there and even when Mercer was packing down he was on the flank while Robshaw was at 8 which seems ridiculous. Hughes was also packing down on the flank at 1 point but it didn't show who was at 8, so it looks like for Scotland we're looking at Hughes and Robshaw as our only 8 options.
• No locks in the back row, although I couldn't actually see Lawes in any of the scrums, just in those little boxing clips. Carrying a knock?
• Georgian pack was absolutely monstering us.

 

[Which Tyler]

What about Haskell having a swansong at 8? I am pretty sure he has played there before for England.
So the "emergency" back row could be:
6. Robshaw 7.Underhill 8. Haskell

Do you not remember the glory that was Robshaw, Wood, Haskell against Wales under Burt?

and now, I absolutely blame you for these flasbacks; and I'm gonna sue for triggering my PTSD!

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Funny isn't it? A lot of people think the scrums are less important these days yet Eddie's taken the trouble to arrange these sessions with Wales and Georgia. He must think they're an area of importance / concern. I'd agree if for no other reasons than the possibility of yellows and pens, both for and against.

With our player depth it's surprising that we haven't produced more truly destructive props. Even some of the huge units you see around can handle OK.

 

[Which Tyler]

Only Hughes and Robshaw training at 8. No sign of Haskell there and even when Mercer was packing down he was on the flank while Robshaw was at 8 which seems ridiculous. Hughes was also packing down on the flank at 1 point but it didn't show who was at 8, so it looks like for Scotland we're looking at Hughes and Robshaw as our only 8 options.

• No locks in the back row, although I couldn't actually see Lawes in any of the scrums, just in those little boxing clips. Carrying a knock?
• Georgian pack was absolutely monstering us.

I'll be honest here; I'd be a little surprised if a 255 second video covered the entirety of a 2 day training camp

 

[McTallshort]

Thats a scary Georgian pack!

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Surprised that Ibitoye has been release... /s

Wonder if Quins will lose a back 3 player with Brown, Visser, Walker, Earle, Morris, Chisholm, Alofa, Mikalcius, Cheeseman, Aspland-Robinson and Ibitoye

 

[ratsapprentice]

Think Visser is rumoured to be off, I don't rate Chis very highly, Alofa is meh....

That leaves 5 wingers.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Think Visser is rumoured to be off, I don't rate Chis very highly, Alofa is meh....

That leaves 5 wingers.

Visser signed a new deal didn't he?

 

[stus768]

No better for england to keep him, because chiefs need a win after last week haha. But from an england point of view i totally agree, he needs game time more than a training session with england, maybe its a risk of injury reason that england wpuld keep him becayse without him we have zero good no 8 options apart from mercer debut (who i want on the bench at least but cant see it)

Because no one ever got injured at England training......

 

[duncanb]

Did anyone get a chance to see Hughes cameo for Wasps other day? Wouldn't it have been better to keep him at Wasps for the Exeter game Sunday get match fitness with England not playing.

Looked off pace carrying some pounds and blowing even in a cameo.
Would like him playing this weekend and bench v Scotland desperately needs game time.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Anyone else watching the live England training session?

Itoje's just so impressive. In all of the sprints/fitness drills he's miles out in front of the rest of the forwards and he's just scored a try from about 40m out putting in one of the biggest hand offs I've ever seen on Mallinder.

Edit: There's also a young looking guy there who I don't recognise. He's not listed in the 25-man squad but he looks good; very good footwork and very quick. Just no clue who he is. Winger I think.