England 2021/22

[Duck a l'Orange]

See pack wise I'm leaning towards
4. Itoje
5. Hill
6. Lawes
7. Curry
8. Dombrandt

Bench
19. Chessum/Isiekwe
20. Earl

Has Hill redeemed himself? I've got this vague memory of him putting in a good performance that lived up to his rep, but can't remember against who or when.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Has Hill redeemed himself? I've got this vague memory of him putting in a good performance that lived up to his rep, but can't remember against who or when.

He had a very good whatever-his-last-test-series-was (Autumn internationals?) to be fair to him,
Realistically, with EJ, none of that matters - Hill and Ewels are ever present

Was thinking Cokanasiga

One carry into heavy traffic and his body will disintegrate like Voldemort at the end of Harry Potter

 

[Geordie]

Be better putting Ben Earl / Sam Simmonds on the wing.......ill get my coat..

 

[Geordie]

When is the team announced for the Baa baas game...its next Sunday (19th)

What side would you be looking to put out?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

He had a very good whatever-his-last-test-series-was (Autumn internationals?) to be fair to him,
Realistically, with EJ, none of that matters - Hill and Ewels are ever present


One carry into heavy traffic and his body will disintegrate like Voldemort at the end of Harry Potter

I mean Harry Potter should be playing for England though

 

[Scotty]

See pack wise I'm leaning towards
4. Itoje
5. Hill
6. Lawes
7. Curry
8. Dombrandt

Bench
19. Chessum/Isiekwe
20. Earl

That is a strong team that i would not be unhappy to see play yet id have JWillis in there, ive wanted to see Willis Curry Dombrant for a while now, and i rate Earl highly as Simmonds but not Higher than Willis as they are not international 8s IMO so fighting for 7. V different players though obv.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

It's a bit of a trap, being a great utility player also tends to make you a great bench player at the expense of starting and getting shuffled around filling in where required rather than nailing down a position. Great for a team but not so good for the player.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

"……As soon as you start overthinking that's when you lose that natural energy and that fun to play rugby.

I've done a lot of work with psychologists about that….".

Agree with first part. As for the second, psychologists have their place for some, but do they really need to be in Arundell's ear, especially " a lot", at this stage of his career? Smacks of over complicating.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Damien Penaud
Charles Ollivon

Named by the barbarians.

Talk that Kruis is in the squad and if Quins fail to beat Sarries Care will join.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Surprised a few of our Saffas haven't been named (I would have thought Faf was nailed on, and then maybe one or two of Akker/the twins) but looks like most are on holiday already

 

[Nudger]

Tizzard looks a quality prospect...can Saracens turn him in to the new Kruis?

Hopefully not to fade away like the Kpoku lads.

Didn't one of them just win challenge Cup with lyon

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Didn't one of them just win challenge Cup with lyon

Think the point is that they faded away with Sarries

 

[Geordie]

Didn't one of them just win challenge Cup with lyon

Yes. I was referring to the fact they both came through with big hype then faded away in the saracens system and Joel had to move to really show how good he can be.

Jonathan is struggling a bit with injury though...mind if he can get fit surely worth a shot from a prem club....

 

[BPM]

When is the team announced for the Baa baas game...its next Sunday (19th)

What side would you be looking to put out?

Based upon the current squad, I'd go with:

1. Rodd
2. McGuigan
3. Alo
4. J. Hill
5. Clarke
6. T. Hill
7. Underhill (c)
8. Barbeary
9. Randall
10. Bailey
11. Hassell-Collins
12. M. Atkinson
13. Odogwu*
14. Radwan
15. Arundell

16. Blamire 17. Goodrick-Clarke 18. Schickerling 19. Ewels 20. Pearson 21. Robson 22. C. Atkinson 23. W. Joseph

*I went for Odogwu over Joseph mostly on experience but generally I would only really consider him a winger at test level

 

[BPM]

Yes. I was referring to the fact they both came through with big hype then faded away in the saracens system and Joel had to move to really show how good he can be.

Jonathan is struggling a bit with injury though...mind if he can get fit surely worth a shot from a prem club....

You said this before and I still don't really know why you're so sure about that? Joel is good but Jonathan's never shown any real reason for Premiership clubs to take an interest in him. With budgets being tight, it's possible someone might think there's untapped potential, but with a lot of more proven players available for less money, it would be a gamble.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

"but with a lot of more proven players available for less money" Doubt that.

Really doubt he would be wanting much.

 

[BPM]

Maybe, maybe not, but either way, I still don't see anything about Jonathan Kpoku that suggests he's 'surely worth a shot'.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I mean 22 year old was a regular starter in the championship sounds like a decent punt for someone.

 

[BPM]

OK fine. Anyway … what's the general verdict on 'business to be done'?

Quite a lot of clubs have now announced their leavers now and while there will definitely be some players who haven't got contracts yet, I suspect there's a fair few moves yet to be announced.

 

[Geordie]

You said this before and I still don't really know why you're so sure about that? Joel is good but Jonathan's never shown any real reason for Premiership clubs to take an interest in him. With budgets being tight, it's possible someone might think there's untapped potential, but with a lot of more proven players available for less money, it would be a gamble.

He came through showing a lot of potential like his brother, but he has had a few injury issue which may have stinted his progress. He would be very cheap. IF he was to be over his injury issues, it would be a low risk gamble to check him out for a season even in today current financial climate. If he doesnt show up, fine...if he does...you could gain alot.