[2018 Six Nations] England Squad

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Should've done what some of the SH players do and go abroad for a couple of years but move home for the build up to the world cup.

If he had moved to Gloucester this season he's be in the starting 15 right now, almost nailed on

He had a few clubs after him.
Tigers, Glous, think Sale also before they got Strauss and Ross.

Hoping he doesn't do an armitage and start mentioning it all the time.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He had a few clubs after him.
Tigers, Glous, think Sale also before they got Strauss and Ross.

He literally signed for Gloucester, then backed out after Jones said he shouldn't expect to walk into the starting 15.
Went on a big rant about how the top 14 is the same intensity of international rugby and he cruises through 80mins there

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

He literally signed for Gloucester, then backed out after Jones said he shouldn't expect to walk into the starting 15.
Went on a big rant about how the top 14 is the same intensity of international rugby and he cruises through 80mins there

Oh yeh i remember that now.

Came across as "do you not know who i am?" "I'm the 27 year old player with no England caps, but because i start in the top 14 for a club who at the time finished 10th I shouldn't need to prove myself dammit"

It's a shame because he would be perfect for Eddie and i understand the draw of Lyon over Glous but still he had his chance and fecked it up. I'm sure plenty of prem clubs would still want him though.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Lawes out, Armand in... Ffs, can we not just have it easy?

 

[TommiG88]

Good news seeing Armand in. Let's hope he makes the 23.

 

[TW27BA]

So who is back up for Simmonds at 8?
Hask?

I did a long ting in the EPS thread.

https://www.therugbyforum.com/threads/england-eps-2017-18-edition.39863/page-52

Missed that earlier.
It makes a good read and is pretty much spot on IMO.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

So who is back up for Simmonds at 8?
Hask?


Missed that earlier.
It makes a good read and is pretty much spot on IMO.

Armand or Haskell, more likely Armand I'd have thought.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

He literally signed for Gloucester, then backed out after Jones said he shouldn't expect to walk into the starting 15.
Went on a big rant about how the top 14 is the same intensity of international rugby and he cruises through 80mins there

Just reading a Times article on him turns out he was trying to play for France next year on residency grounds but because of his 15 mind in the Saxons he can't lol.

So he's looking at trying to go the sevens route.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Longer term (post WC) what do people think of Malins are our 10? At U20 a fair few people have commented on his similarity to Wilko.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He's at Sarries isn't he?
Is he going to be getting enough top level exposure with Farrell there?


I've heard nothing but good things about him

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

He's at Sarries isn't he?
Is he going to be getting enough top level exposure with Farrell there?


I've heard nothing but good things about him

Wouldn't be at all surprised if he's groomed to be Goode's successor at FB.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I don't know about the similarities to Wilko, but he does look pretty damn handy.

 

[curtbob7]

Sod it.

My team for Ireland:

1. Marler (Vunipola for impact, Marler the better scrummager)
2. George
3. Sinckler (Cole is knackered, been massively oversued by club (enforced) and country
4. Itoje
5. Launchbury
6. Armand
7. Robshaw -got no choice have we really
8. Haskell - Simmonds against this Irish side. No. Again we're short...would love Fearns and Shields right now.
9. Wigglesworth -Care cant start, no control and even worse behind an underperforming pack.
10. Farrell
11. May
12. Teo -Ake match up
13. Slade -why not
14. Watson -close with Daly
15. Brown

16. Hartley (Cowan-Dickie if he's not fit)
17. Vunipola
18. Williams -Eddie wont do this but Cole is in a bad way right now
19. Kruis
20. Simmonds - not happy with this but there's no one else. He's class for Exeter because their pack beats everyone else up.
21. Care
22. Ford
23. Daly

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Barring injury, there is no way he breaks up that 10-12 axis

 

[ncurd]

Barring injury, there is no way he breaks up that 10-12 axis

Aye its been too successful, Ford having a bad day defensively is no cause for panic multiple teams have tried exploiting it and its probably the first time its been an issue.

The Forwards is where the problem is any backline is going to have massive issues if their forward pack is being beasted that badly.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Simmonds at 7 surely? (In a hypothetical anyway, EJ will put him at 8)
I don't think he's that suited to 8, certainly not at international level
He's like a 7.5, rather than a 6.5

 

[ncurd]

Simmonds at 7 surely? (In a hypothetical anyway, EJ will put him at 8)
I don't think he's that suited to 8, certainly not at international level
He's like a 7.5, rather than a 6.5

Cool a 6.5 + 7.5 = 14 this to get the magic number of 21 instead of finding an 8 we just need to find a 7........bugger.

 

[Scotty]

Simmonds at 7 surely? (In a hypothetical anyway, EJ will put him at 8)
I don't think he's that suited to 8, certainly not at international level
He's like a 7.5, rather than a 6.5

Agreed, he is suited to being a 3rd choice 8 when hughes/billy are injured, and first choice 7 currently.

At chiefs simmonds is the 8 and armand is the 6, think EJ will use them the other way around?

 

[curtbob7]

Just seen that Guscott labeled Daly as world-class. Strong statement that.

 

[Which Tyler]

Aye its been too successful, Ford having a bad day defensively is no cause for panic multiple teams have tried exploiting it and its probably the first time its been an issue.

2nd time. There was a match when Wasps came to the Rec about 3 years ago; and he was in about week 2 of being told to go high in the tackle, and hadn't gotten used to it - and he had to try it against Hughes about 5 times, and kept getting bounced.

He gives up ground in the tackle, he very, very rarely fails to make his tackle.