[2023 Six Nations] England Squad

[Geordie]

Agree with people mentioning Atkinson. Put in a quality performance this weekend. Think i read 22 tackles....is that correct?

With him and Kelly coming through (along with others) ...finally we may have that 12 we're looking for...and Lawrence can play in his actual position of 13...

 

[Reiser99]

On the wings, I think they are last on Borthwick's fix list. Might as well try someone new rather than players we know can perform.

 

[Geordie]

I noticed a video from the England training camp with Arundell benching 140kg for a good few reps. Thats not bad going for a 20 year old winger.

The All black Great Cristian Cullen (pound for pound the strongest in that all black squad) benched 170kg...so Arundell is quite impressive.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

"Sports nutrition" is much improved in the pro era

 

[Reiser99]

"Sports nutrition" is much improved in the pro era

Nutrients courtesy of the Van Der Merwe company. Nothing but honest, natural ingredients.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Nutrients courtesy of the Van Der Merwe company. Nothing but honest, natural ingredients.

Biceps like tennis balls and bollards like peas or your money back!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Apparently the reason VRR isn't getting picked is he cheated on some fitness tests in camp and they've blacklisted him for it

I mean I kinda get it but honestly I'm not that arsed if a prop cheats a bit during fitness - better than having Mako getting battered at every scrum.
The only thing I can think of is if the rest of the team were aware of it and aren't happy with it - I'm guessing it happened under EJ (as he was in the AIs squad then dropped) so he might have made a big song and dance about it
Just thinking about that Adam Jones clip where he was on about how impressed he was with Farrell leading training sessions for England, making sure no one slacked off etc.

Maybe the new S&C coach arriving pre-RWC will change that

 

[Which Tyler]

I think that's the sort of thing which, at the amateur level, is a bit of a laugh; at the professional level though, shows that you're hiding stuff from the boss. Not just that you've cheated the test a bit, but that you've been dishonest - and if you've been dishonest there, then where else?
Means that the boss doesn't have accurate information on which to make decisions; and calls your attitude into question (a big thing with EJ).

Either way though, Obano is also back now, and going great guns* in a **** Bath pack, so we don't need Mako anyway - if there was room in the EPS to allow another change.



* Apparently - I know sod all about front row play, except that I risk them taking me too literally if I talk about feeding them the ball.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

VRR hopefully.

Retracted in light of subsequent revelations.

Seriously, if true, it's ridiculously stupid and no surprise he's not been involved.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Retracted in light of subsequent revelations.

Seriously, if true, it's ridiculously stupid and no surprise he's not been involved.

Expand?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Expand?

See Olly's post re cheating on fitness tests.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

See Olly's post re cheating on fitness tests.

Ah, scrolling isn't my strong suit!

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Expand?

R e t r a c t e d i n l i g h t o f s u b s e q u e n t r e v e l a t i o n s .

S e r i o u s l y , i f t r u e , i t ' s r i d i c u l o u s l y s t u p i d a n d n o s u r p r i s e h e ' s n o t b e e n i n v o l v e d .

 

[BPM]

Apparently the reason VRR isn't getting picked is he cheated on some fitness tests in camp and they've blacklisted him for it

I mean I kinda get it but honestly I'm not that arsed if a prop cheats a bit during fitness - better than having Mako getting battered at every scrum.
The only thing I can think of is if the rest of the team were aware of it and aren't happy with it - I'm guessing it happened under EJ (as he was in the AIs squad then dropped) so he might have made a big song and dance about it
Just thinking about that Adam Jones clip where he was on about how impressed he was with Farrell leading training sessions for England, making sure no one slacked off etc.

Maybe the new S&C coach arriving pre-RWC will change that

Where does this come from? It would definitely offer an explanation, but it'd be useful to know the source in gauging how true it might be.

 

[Geordie]

Interesting to hear that the Tigers are looking to make George Martin a lock after

Apparently the reason VRR isn't getting picked is he cheated on some fitness tests in camp and they've blacklisted him for it

I mean I kinda get it but honestly I'm not that arsed if a prop cheats a bit during fitness - better than having Mako getting battered at every scrum.
The only thing I can think of is if the rest of the team were aware of it and aren't happy with it - I'm guessing it happened under EJ (as he was in the AIs squad then dropped) so he might have made a big song and dance about it
Just thinking about that Adam Jones clip where he was on about how impressed he was with Farrell leading training sessions for England, making sure no one slacked off etc.

Maybe the new S&C coach arriving pre-RWC will change that

How do you cheat on fitness tests in camp? Surely your being watched monitored etc?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Where does this come from? It would definitely offer an explanation, but it'd be useful to know the source in gauging how true it might be.

It was on The Rugby Pod (I didn't listen but that's the source I've seen quoted when people have been discussing it), so depends how much you trust Hamilton/Goode.....

Personally, if they told me my name I'd double check my birth certificate, but it's the only thing I've heard about why VRR isn't in camp, and considering how good he's been playing/how he was dropped from the squad mid series something does smell fishy there

 

[HamJan]

It was on The Rugby Pod (I didn't listen but that's the source I've seen quoted when people have been discussing it), so depends how much you trust Hamilton/Goode.....

Personally, if they told me my name I'd double check my birth certificate, but it's the only thing I've heard about why VRR isn't in camp, and considering how good he's been playing/how he was dropped from the squad mid series something does smell fishy there

Jim Hamilton said that when he played for Montpelier, the Georgian players in the squad would regularly 'cheat' during run drills by starting before the whistle and thereby winning the race. Hamilton then said words to the effect that he'd heard that VPR had done the same during an England training session and hasn't been considered since. I can't remember if he named his source from the England camp.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Jim Hamilton said that when he played for Montpelier, the Georgian players in the squad would regularly 'cheat' during run drills by starting before the whistle and thereby winning the race. Hamilton then said words to the effect that he'd heard that VPR had done the same during an England training session and hasn't been considered since. I can't remember if he named his source from the England camp.

That sounds much less concrete than the way people were talking about it, and honestly just sounds xenophobic - which is what you'd expect from rugby's answer to GB News tbf

 

[Saintjay]

Never ever let the truth get in the way of a good rumour. I'm still realing at Ollie Chessum stealing milky ways.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Considering most of rugby is about seeing how much cheating you can get away with then it's pretty rich for people to say he shouldn't be included. I'd rather have a prop chest and win a scrum than get their arse handed to them every week (cough mako cough cough).