Aviva Premiership 15/16 - Round 4

[Aristodemus]

I feel Itoje has much more to offer. He is an absolute wrecking ball in rucks, is great at disrupting mauls, can steal lineouts and it isn't as if he doesn't carry and tackle hard either. I've been a big fan of his since I first saw him at age grade, but he is the one guy I would really like to see in our side at the 6N. Ewers may be fairly quick (for his size) but he isn't as fast as Itoje and I don't feel his work rate is at the same level. Maybe Ewers has a place at 8 but I would still pick Vunipola myself (strange because I actually dislike Sarries outside of these two guys).

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Watching Itojie whilst he has potential as a leader, his current leadership skills ATM have been overrated by some IMO.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Interesting that Itoje-Fraser-Vunipola is looking plausible as the first one club back row since Worsley-I forget who-Dallaglio.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Watching Itojie whilst he has potential as a leader, his current leadership skills ATM have been overrated by some IMO.

Completely agree - too hot headed to be captain atm.
Almost got carded vs Sale for shouting at the referee.

 

[Tim Owen]

Pace is a must for any international player so will be interesting to see how Simpson goes tomorrow.
When Wales scored their try v England in the rwc the English player trying to get back looked so slow I thought it was a prop until the replay showed it to be Wigglesworth...

 

[ratsapprentice]

Not a likely back row though, IMO.

I thought LCD convincingly won the "battle" with TY today too... he has to be in - the guy is ****ing outstanding.

Hepburn's performance was very encouraging too, I was thinking that he might just fall off the radar after he left Wasps and went to prison.
Thankfully he's back - he was a menace today, and his scrummaging was very impressive for such a small guy.

Pennell looking classy as ever in the Wuss highlights.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Would take Clifford over Itojie @ 6 ATM.

 

[TommiG88]

Dickson and Myler have always been crap it's just they used to get an armchair ride because you had a monster of a pack . Now you don't have that they are showing to be exactly what they are

Northampton are reeling after losing Manoa if you ask me . Just can't get on the front foot

I totally agree, we always relied on our pack. You could go even further back to when we had mujati and tonga'uia (sp).
Our set piece hasn't been the same and without Manoa we have lost our only carrier in the pack.

 

[McTallshort]

Interesting that Itoje-Fraser-Vunipola is looking plausible as the first one club back row since Worsley-I forget who-Dallaglio.

Tom Rees

 

[Patchey]

Wuss may be fast approaching Exeter as my 'second team' in the Premiership. Great game.

Would take Clifford over Itojie @ 6 ATM.

Aye.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Saints Sarries was pants. Complete lack of ambition all round.

Only real point of interest was the front row battle. Brookes must be closing in on the Eng 3 shirt, but Mako continues to frustrate.

 

[Patchey]

Brookes has finally developed the roll of neck flab that is a sign of all international props and it is shown off magnificently by his short back and sides lid. On that evidence alone, he is in the starting pack come February.

 

[stus768]

Saints Sarries was pants. Complete lack of ambition all round.

Only real point of interest was the front row battle. Brookes must be closing in on the Eng 3 shirt, but Mako continues to frustrate.

Alex King doesn't seem to have done much with Saints attack.

Most of the games between the top teams have been poor.

 

[Mattybuck]

I've not seen much of Itoje but I'm a big fan of Ewers and really think he has to be given a run at 6 for England. Having said that, Having Ewers with one of the flower pot, would be bit similar. My controversial back row would be....

6) Ewers 8) Beaumont 7) Kvesic

All virgins I know, but more than capable of taking Scotland on! I think they cover the required core skills as well as having a bit of X factor in Ewers strength and Beaumont's handling and pace...

With exception of Sarries, most of the top teams have started slowly, however given that they have the highest number of internationals I'm not surprised. I think most would have looked to get through the start in damage limitation mode, and we'll see improving performances from next weekend.

 

[Raggs]

I still don't see what Ewers offers that Billy V doesn't. Stick BV in the 6 shirt and where's the point of difference?

Beaumont is really looking useful. With Ewers, Hughes, BV, Morgan, Beaumont, Clifford and Itoje, there's a lot of talent queuing up, I think you could pick almost any two at 6/8 and be feeling comfortable. However, BV and Morgan are both proven at international, with a decent number of caps, I don't see the point in throwing that away unless the next guy really offers much more and is worth testing at international.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I still don't see what Ewers offers that Billy V doesn't. Stick BV in the 6 shirt and where's the point of difference?

Beaumont is really looking useful. With Ewers, Hughes, BV, Morgan, Beaumont, Clifford and Itoje, there's a lot of talent queuing up, I think you could pick almost any two at 6/8 and be feeling comfortable. However, BV and Morgan are both proven at international, with a decent number of caps, I don't see the point in throwing that away unless the next guy really offers much more and is worth testing at international.

Billy runs at people and doesn't very often do much else.

Ewers makes meters, offloads and runs much better lines. I like billy as a player but he is way too 1 dimensional for an international 8.

And all those arguing over itoje and ewers forget that we need 2 6s in the squad...take them both!

6. Ewers/ itoje
7. Kvesic/ Fraser
8. Beaumont/ Morgan / billy

I know it lacks experience but what are we going to gain by having a Tom wood who gets worse each game I see him or robshaw who was so unnoticeable at 6!

 

[McTallshort]

Dont want Hughes, I know what your going to say Raggs but it dont feel right.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I still don't see what Ewers offers that Billy V doesn't. Stick BV in the 6 shirt and where's the point of difference?

Speed and workrate - Dave's workrate is off the charts for a guy his size.

 

[Mattybuck]

I'm not a fan of playing players out of position, particularly when there are players as good who specialise there.

We also know what Billy does at international level, I'd like to see big Dave given a run.

That back line is capable of matching or bettering Scotland and I'd want to look at others.

Re Mako, can never be first pick while still getting owed in the AP.

I like Sale's pack as they are the only team I've seen that hook the ball... All the others push until a penalty is awarded or they get messy ball from the back, it's dull to watch and limits options.

 

[j'nuh]

I've not seen much of Itoje but I'm a big fan of Ewers and really think he has to be given a run at 6 for England. Having said that, Having Ewers with one of the flower pot, would be bit similar. My controversial back row would be....

Our pack lacks carriers, so Ewers and Bill/Ben would be ideal, possibly with Mako at loosehead.