Ap semi final- saracens v harlequins

[Tony Manx]

Ford is good but a way off ousting Farrell. Don't think Daley will get near the test team.

The Oik is without doubt the best choice at 10 for England at this time and he will be missed in the first test............for me, Tait should be 15 on his form this season if Brown is missing!

 

[ratsapprentice]

Tait was playing well last season, not so much this one.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Agree about Farrell but ford needs game time and, given it, I'm genuinely excited about what he can do. The worry for England should be of getting to the world cup with only one fly half with any international experience to talk of

 

[Tony Manx]

Agree about Farrell but ford needs game time and, given it, I'm genuinely excited about what he can do. The worry for England should be of getting to the world cup with only one fly half with any international experience to talk of

Cannot argue with that but is NZ away with a lot of first teamers absent the time for that?

 

[ratsapprentice]

There isn't any other time to do it.

Our games this year:

NZ
NZ
NZ

NZ
SA
Samoa
Aus

 

[Tony Manx]

There isn't any other time to do it.

Our games this year:

NZ
NZ
NZ

NZ
SA
Samoa
Aus

Ah!!! Understood....left a little late then!

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

And the fact of the matter is the media have given plenty exposure to the fact that the aviva final clashes with the beginning of the test series, to the extent that I don't feel our reputation could be bismirched too much, even in the event of annihiliation by the all blacks. That almost makes the first test a great opportunity to experiment.

On the other hand we won't even be experimenting per se. If you look at the bath crowd, I feel there resides some of the most genuinely talented players England have available
, its just they haven't yet had the opportunity to show that they should be first choice.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Tait was playing well last season, not so much this one.

Yeah - injuries haven't helped, either.
That said I really like Tait, and he's versatile too - good for a bench spot.
That said: So is Daly, and I'd pick him ahead of Tait. Think I'd probably pick Pennell ahead of him too, to be honest. They've both been more consistent with their form over....well, their whole careers so far. Also far far far less fragile (one of my main queries with Tait as an international is whether his body would be able to handle it).

 

[Patchey]

Pennell deserves to be in the BaBaas games but he's going to be in the Championship next year so to pick him for the tour itself would be counterproductive IMO. I think Tait still has a lot to offer England, when fit, and Daly needs to be given the chance his form and constant improvement as a player over the last two or three seasons merits.

I've always had a soft spot for Tait as a player, so that might be clouding my judgement a bit to be fair.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Pennell, Tait or Daly would be my choice. I like Watson but not convinced he's ready or offers as much as the other three.

Was just thinking a back 3 of Yarde, Watson and Roko for the first test would be pretty exciting. Still 2/3 making their debut would v the ABs is the only question mark, but if this 1st test is going to be decimated by injuries and the AP final I think we might as well throw some players in at the deep end and get the most out of it in terms of finding if this back 3 can work.

 

[TheSaffycen]

My Backline for the first test
9.Care 10.Cipriani 11.Yarde 12.Eastmond 13.Tuilagi 14.Roko 15.Pennell
21.Simpson 22.Ford 23.Daly

 

[goodNumber10]

I'd swap Watson for Pennell, and Cip's for Ford. otherwise YEP!

 

[TheSaffycen]

I haven't seen a lot of Watson, I would rather see Daly there as he is also a playmaker. Imagine Daly running lines of the 10 and Eastmond it would be brilliant !!! He probably wouldn't be as effective as Brown but he can pass better where as brown is the best runner and finisher we have in the back three.

 

[Patchey]

I still think selecting Pennell for the tour is negative move. He won't be picked next season so why not give someone who can't contribute during 2024/15 some game time?

 

[TheSaffycen]

Why can't he be selected next year ? People who say Yarde's stats are impressive while playing for Irish look at Pennell playing for Wuss !! He really needs to move but I don't think he should have too, playing in the championship may not be as high standard but maybe that is good because his body is more fresh for intls' next year ? But it is obvious he should go to Saracens

 

[Patchey]

Why can't he be selected next year ? People who say Yarde's stats are impressive while playing for Irish look at Pennell playing for Wuss !! He really needs to move but I don't think he should have too, playing in the championship may not be as high standard but maybe that is good because his body is more fresh for intls' next year ? But it is obvious he should go to Saracens

Well in theory yes. But in practice he isn't going to be playing against the calibre if opposition required to keep him sharp for international rugby. The Championship is of a defend standard but all the other full back options will be playing in a better standard of team, against a better standard of opposition and in Europe.

I think he would have been a no brainier for Bristol for a year tbh.

 

[Maverick1987]

Ok so I just watched the highlights and one thing I have to say I that tackle from Sinkler on Burger was vicious !! If Kyle isn't ahead of Henry Thomas in the pecking order then Lancaster needs to go to spec savers . Also I think it was a run by monye where he literally walked past Ashton and Goode is everything you need to know on why they cannot get picked for England ! If monye can do that the I'm going to have nightmares about what Savea will do

 

[SelimNiai]

Well in theory yes. But in practice he isn't going to be playing against the calibre if opposition required to keep him sharp for international rugby. The Championship is of a defend standard but all the other full back options will be playing in a better standard of team, against a better standard of opposition and in Europe.

I think he would have been a no brainier for Bristol for a year tbh.

There were mutterings about that but the coaching staff have been so pleased with Jack Wallace's improvement there in the half season he has had after injury that we don't meed any. Plus we have Adam D'arcy, Tovey that can and have played there