England 2021/22

[BPM]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a different 3rd choice hooker in - I don't think Blamire has really made the spot his, and Walker is playing really well.
That said, I also wouldn't be surprised at only LCD and George being there

I don't think that Davison playing both sides is that much a plus anymore (barring multiple injuries/COVID bubbles like in the Autumn) as the RWC have extended their squad size to accommodate - though he could well be there as third choice as he was around during the summer and autumn,
My choice would be Collier atm

Stuart went off in the Bath game didn't he? Not sure what for, if he's missing from the early stages of the 6N then we'll really be scrabbling around for tightheads!

Stuart went off after failing the HIA from the head on head collision that led to Surtherland's red card.

 

[Geordie]

Agree on this, but then Eddie has never seemingly cared about domestic form.

Very true BPM

 

[Which Tyler]

Is Cokanasiga injured?

Hasn't recovered properly from his pre-RWC19 injury - well, briefly regained "fitness" but not form, and never got to the point of looking properly match fit; then injured again in the summer

 

[BPM]

Not sure if I see Big Joe coming back if I'm totally honest … seems like there are mental as well as physical issues.

 

[WarriorKelv]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a different 3rd choice hooker in - I don't think Blamire has really made the spot his, and Walker is playing really well.
That said, I also wouldn't be surprised at only LCD and George being there

I don't think that Davison playing both sides is that much a plus anymore (barring multiple injuries/COVID bubbles like in the Autumn) as the RWC have extended their squad size to accommodate - though he could well be there as third choice as he was around during the summer and autumn,
My choice would be Collier atm

Stuart went off in the Bath game didn't he? Not sure what for, if he's missing from the early stages of the 6N then we'll really be scrabbling around for tightheads!

I wouldn't be surprised to see just two Hookers either tbh and then another option in the back row but if there is a 3rd option then I honestly think Blamire's try scoring record will be enough to grab him 3rd spot. He wasn't that great in the set piece but was good in the loose. Looking at other options, Singleton isn't everyone's choice and his stock fell when he went to Sarries, much better at Gloucester though. Dolly looks good as does Langdon but Eddie chose appears to prefer Blamire. Walker would be a good option and has improved even more since leaving Bath but I still think Eddie will go with Blamire. You also have McGuigan who honestly should have been in over Blamire.

Not sure about Stuart but I still think Eddie will like the idea of him playing both sides of the Scrum and the only other option who can really do that is Ford- Robinson but Davison is more experienced around the England squad. Collier really should be in but there is a possibility for a younger option to come in as 3rd choice ie Heyes/Street? as Collier won't be a long term option.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

much better at Gloucester though

People keep saying this, but I'm yet to see it

I don't think we need to be thinking particularly long term at this stage of RWC development - we're desperate for a TH and if they'll make next summer then that's enough, and Collier (at 30) is hardly one foot in the grave, that's arguably a tightheads prime
Get the nippers involved after the RWC, if they're ready/good enough
It's at the point where if Cole keeps this form for another season I wouldn't be adverse to seeing him going - our stocks are very bare, especially on the scrummaging front

I really don't think playing both sides of the scrum will come into the equation when picking a player - why pick a weaker tighthead just on the off chance we'll put him at loosehead at some point? A situation that's incredibly rare these days, with the 23 man squad

 

[Geordie]

I wouldn't be surprised to see just two Hookers either tbh and then another option in the back row but if there is a 3rd option then I honestly think Blamire's try scoring record will be enough to grab him 3rd spot. He wasn't that great in the set piece but was good in the loose. Looking at other options, Singleton isn't everyone's choice and his stock fell when he went to Sarries, much better at Gloucester though. Dolly looks good as does Langdon but Eddie chose appears to prefer Blamire. Walker would be a good option and has improved even more since leaving Bath but I still think Eddie will go with Blamire. You also have McGuigan who honestly should have been in over Blamire.

Not sure about Stuart but I still think Eddie will like the idea of him playing both sides of the Scrum and the only other option who can really do that is Ford- Robinson but Davison is more experienced around the England squad. Collier really should be in but there is a possibility for a younger option to come in as 3rd choice ie Heyes/Street? as Collier won't be a long term option.

Mcguigans the same age as LCD and George...and seemingly Jones wants his 3rd option as a youngster. Which makes sense.

Blamire had the summer and AI's but he is a work in progress. Theres others in his age bracket that could certainly push through for the 3rd spot. We shall see next week.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

The world cup is next year and Eddie is gone after that. Players like Collier aren't long term projects but they're more than young enough to make it beyond the world cup

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Looking at who could make a possible 32 man squad?

LH looks pretty settled tbh Marler and Genge with Bevan Rodd third choice. Obano is injured and no obvious other choices available at this time other than possibly VRR and Elrington who are playing well tbf but doubt Eddie will see them as anything but backup options

HK another pretty set LCD and George have shown they are Englands best two options with Blamire as 3rd choice. Again there are other options but not that are really ready yet imo.

TH Sinkler will be 1st choice and I think Eddie will go with Davison due to being comfortable on both sides of the SCRUM which makes him perfect for a World Cup squad. I do however think that Collier will come in over Stuart. Stuart can be a good player but just hasn't been in good form, Schonert could also be an option but again is probably only thought of as backup. Heyes is probably the next off the rank but is still young and is behind Cole at Leicester. Prop is probably Englands weakest area atm but some good youngsters coming through in both sides but bar Rodd, none will be ready for the WC.

SR Itoje and Hill will most probably be the starting pair with Lawes and Martin as 6s slash SR options. However I would like to think Eddie might experiment with someone like Isiekwe, Wells or Ribbans who have been in really good form and are all better than Ewels and Hill imho. We really lack depth in this area atm with only Itoje, Ewels and Hill prominent starters, especially a big enforcer type like Chessum or Tizard especially with Launchbury not 100% fit.

BR as mentioned Martin and Lawes will be the 6s and Curry can obviously play there and will undoubtedly be there with Underhill as the 7s. Dombrandt is our best option at 8 and also adds cover for Itoje being g able to play at 4. probably need another 8 in there too with a fair few options tbf Chick, Barbeary, Willis and Simmonds. Any of these options would be good but I would like to see Barbeary given a chance even though I think Willis is the more accomplished player atm Barbeary I think will be better given time.

SH given the depth of quality youngsters we have here atm you could be forgiven for not wanting Youngs in the side but he is the most experienced SH that is a part of the England squad. He will be a big help to players like Randall, JVP, Quirke, Mitchell, Maunder etc still a few more. I think 3 SH with Youngs, Randall and Quirke the three I think we'll see with Randall and Quirke getting equal opportunity, still quite young to be starting imo.

FH tbh I think only two Fly Halfs will be there as you have cover elsewhere in the squad tbf and even though Ford is the best no.10 in the league atm Eddie will choose the young gem that is Marcus Smith as he is the future of English rugby and will want to mould him into the squad and golden boy Farrell should he be 100% fit even though imo he is the one holding England back atm. Personally I think we should be focusing on the young talent because we have some quality young 10s around but it's Eddie and he loves Farrell.

CTS Should he be fit Tuilagi is the only real option at 12 atm. Atkinson is decent cover and again you could look to Kelly, Ojomoh, Dingwall and Lawrence as offering younger but promising options but in Tuilagi you have a glass cannon. 13 is a lot easier to decide tbf Slade is the mainstay and I think is better with a bigger option alongside him in Tuilagi rather than Farrell. Marchant the 2nd choice. I don't think there are many other options around at this time to overtake those two

BACKS May imo should be overlooked in favour of younger options but he is another golden boy, Radwan with his pace, Malins versatility and Stewards prowess in the air is a good starting back 3 and I like the idea of OHC being in the squad as he adds pace and also being able to Play 13. Furbank will probably be there too but I think Steward and Malins is enough and would prefer his place to go to another Centre to add better depth where needed.

Midfield is a real conundrum, mainly made worse on Jones' insistence on playing both Farrell and Tuilagi if fit (usually, but out of form and seldom).

But it should be quite simple.

Smith is the most likely 10 for the RWC, he's the incumbent and there's no reason not to stick with him.

At 13 Slade is the man in possession, playing well and experienced. No reason to drop him either.

I'd have Ford and Marchant covering those 2 positions - if not precisely like for like you wouldn't need to ditch the whole game plan if playing either.

If you play those 2 then you probably do want a bit of muscle between them. Manu's a one off and there's no one else who will do what he can on a really good day, but how often do those come around? Devoto and Atkinson are both specialist 12s who instinctively understand the position and are strong enough to make a few metres, provide a target for the pack and get away the odd offload. Might not be spectacular but would probably be solid enough to do a job and gel into the team.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Smith/Slade/Marchant worked really well vs South Africa,
Wouldn't be adverse to seeing that again - it's largely dependent on Slade carrying that form through at 12 (which he traditionally hasn't - but he won't be hamstrung by playing alongside Farrell, which will help him massively)

 

[Geordie]

Smith/Slade/Marchant worked really well vs South Africa,
Wouldn't be adverse to seeing that again - it's largely dependent on Slade carrying that form through at 12 (which he traditionally hasn't - but he won't be hamstrung by playing alongside Farrell, which will help him massively)

Yeah thats the midfield i would actually like to see settled in the 6n...

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Smith/Slade/Marchant worked really well vs South Africa,
Wouldn't be adverse to seeing that again - it's largely dependent on Slade carrying that form through at 12 (which he traditionally hasn't - but he won't be hamstrung by playing alongside Farrell, which will help him massively)

Yep Slade on paper has always looked the perfect 12, it's just seldom looked that way on grass and he seems to have found his niche at 13.

Real question is which one of S Simmonds, Earl or Barbeary will wear 12 at the RWC…..

 

[Scotty]

Yep Slade on paper has always looked the perfect 12, it's just seldom looked that way on grass and he seems to have found his niche at 13.

Real question is which one of S Simmonds, Earl or Barbeary will wear 12 at the RWC…..

I have always said he wanted to be a 10, he's a 12 on paper and best at 13 but i wonder if Smith having a good running threat gives him that bit extra time to do the job at 12 as the second playmaker allowing us to have a 13 like Marchant, like what we 100% know he will do with Smith and Faz unortunatly.

Smith was doing alot of kicking vs Chiefs i hope thats a plan to develop it to make him a better player and not straight from EJ as thats all he will do all 6N.

And SSimmonds at 12 definatly 6-2 Split with Simmonds wearing 21! As 12 cover...

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Sale Sharks Club Statement | Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks have been made aware of an allegation against one of its players and the subsequent arrest of that player by Greater Manchester Police on Sunday 9th January 2022. The player in question has been suspended by Sale Sharks until further notice and is currently cooperating with police...

www.salesharks.com

Pretty obvious now

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Innocent until proven guilty blah blah....

But shred, then burn, that contract

 

[Reiser99]

Sale Sharks Club Statement | Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks have been made aware of an allegation against one of its players and the subsequent arrest of that player by Greater Manchester Police on Sunday 9th January 2022. The player in question has been suspended by Sale Sharks until further notice and is currently cooperating with police...

www.salesharks.com

Pretty obvious now

If the age is correct then yeah only really one person.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

I thought his dad's name on Wiki was a poor attempt at a joke edit but turns out it's not.

Innocent till proven guilty of course, but not looking good

Prostitute held with England rugby star over teen rape breaks silence

Sandra Ntonya, a sex worker, was arrested along with an England rugby star over an incident in which the player is accused of raping a woman celebrating her 18th birthday.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Scotty]

Sale Sharks Club Statement | Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks have been made aware of an allegation against one of its players and the subsequent arrest of that player by Greater Manchester Police on Sunday 9th January 2022. The player in question has been suspended by Sale Sharks until further notice and is currently cooperating with police...

www.salesharks.com

Pretty obvious now

It was earlier today anyway given age location and when it happened, very unlikly anyone but sale and only 1 29 year old with England caps who isnt in the squads anymore.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Innocent until proven guilty blah blah....

But shred, then burn, that contract

Setting aside the alleged offence, I'd agree in this instance if it is clear the player has engaged the services of a prostitute. That would surely breach club standards / conduct even if it isn't technically illegal in the UK outside of Northern Ireland. Surely, there are some minimum standards that have to be maintained as part of your player contract even if misconduct falls below a criminal threshold?

It'll be up to the courts to decide but yeah, I've zero sympathy for this player's plight. To be consistent I hope that they continue to remain anonymous in the press until such time as they are found guilty of a criminal offence relating to this incident.

 

[higgik]

It was earlier today anyway given age location and when it happened, very unlikly anyone but sale and only 1 29 year old with England caps who isnt in the squads anymore.

But the person most people think has completely denied the allegations and have gone public to deny them.