Aviva Premiership 15/16 - Round 2

[Ragey Erasmus]

I'd rather Beaumont than Hughes, don't want such a blatant poach in the team. Having said that the flowerpot men aren't exactly bad at 8. Should England continue with the plan of playing 2 8's with one as sub or should we replace the second 8 with someone else?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

19. Slater 20. Beaumont bench dream team
PPPPOOOWWWWEEERRRRR and we'll have the ability to cope with losing either both locks or two backrowers, and still function.

 

[yaboyjj]

I'd rather Beaumont than Hughes, don't want such a blatant poach in the team. Having said that the flowerpot men aren't exactly bad at 8. Should England continue with the plan of playing 2 8's with one as sub or should we replace the second 8 with someone else?

6. Itoje
7. Fraser
8. Clifford

19. Ewers
20. Vunipola
h34r:
power X2

 

[TRF_Olyy]

>implying Clifford has more power than Beaumont

 

[yaboyjj]

>implying Clifford has more power than Beaumont

I assumed we were talking about the bench selections- in which case Ewers/Vunipola > Beaumont/Slater in terms of power (my selections would have only made sense if I had indicated Itoje plays at 6> covers lock> which allows two backrows on bench).

Besides which, Clifford is imo a better prospect to Beaumont at 8 (even though he is likely to play at blindside).

Immaterial anyway, since I wouldn't really want these bench selections

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Besides which, Clifford is imo a better prospect to Beaumont at 8 (even though he is likely to play at blindside).

 

[Maverick1987]

I assumed we were talking about the bench selections- in which case Ewers/Vunipola > Beaumont/Slater in terms of power (my selections would have only made sense if I had indicated Itoje plays at 6> covers lock> which allows two backrows on bench).

Besides which, Clifford is imo a better prospect to Beaumont at 8 (even though he is likely to play at blindside).

Immaterial anyway, since I wouldn't really want these bench selections

I don't think Clifford is in the same league as Beaumont as a number 8 . I seriously think Josh could be out number 8 for years to come if things go right for him . Clifford will be a great player but more on the flanks imo

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Thomas has been carrying quite well for Bath, potentially should be looked at 3 for England? Vunipola, George/LCD and Thomas has some nice carrying work in the front 3, good darts for George and decent scrummaging throughout. Can't see any glaring weaknesses apart from being quite a young front 3.

 

[Mattybuck]

I think Beaumont could do great things this season, Bilky injured, Ben not at his best, and though The season has only just started, he's ripped a few trees up already.

 

[yaboyjj]

I don't think Clifford is in the same league as Beaumont as a number 8 . I seriously think Josh could be out number 8 for years to come if things go right for him . Clifford will be a great player but more on the flanks imo

Hate it all you want- but he'll have a tricky task in surpassing Hughes when EQ (they play a fairly similar game- and are both lock/no.8's).
I have no doubt Beaumont is a good player and has potential, just need to to see it consistently in the big games first (Sale not being in the CC doesn't help), he had a quiet game for the Saxons in the summer.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

When has he not been consistent?
He's Sale's most consistent player, bar Seymour.

Shouldn't really judge people on Saxons form considering how everyone looks crap.

 

[yaboyjj]

When has he not been consistent?
He's Sale's most consistent player, bar Seymour.

Shouldn't really judge people on Saxons form considering how everyone looks crap.

I mean putting in MOM performances (or close to) against the likes of Bath/Sarries/Quins/Leicester.
If we are indeed to compare apples to apples ...with Hughes et al., then as yet, he has not shown performances that rival that of his main rivals (I accept though, that it is made harder to play behind an often under-pressure tight 5 as opposed to the platform other 8's might get).

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He has got MOTM in almost every one of our wins (I can't think of anyone, other than Cips, who has won MOTM in the last year), which will have included wins over Sarries, Quins and Saints.