England 2022/23

[BPM]

Unless his mullet was significantly heavy then Exe were definitely fudging their numbers, he's packed on a noticeable amount of mass over the summer

Do agree with your post though - we really do struggle to produce big brutes
It's weird cause it's not like we have any other properly popular sports that our massive guys are flocking to

Well we did 'produce' Rowlands … he just happens to have a Welsh granny or some other tenuous link.

 

[Saintjay]

Check out you boys arguing about the size of your locks.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Chessum is a lock he's also pretty gritty style of lock he's just also pretty athletic aswell

Kinda wish Martin played more at lock.

 

[Geordie]

Whats the crack with George Martin...do you think he will switch to lock...or is he definately a 6.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I don't like Martin at lock tbh, not unless he seriously fills out his frame, which I think would likely impact his athleticism/insane workrate

 

[Geordie]

So if hes stays at 6...is he likely to challenge for an England spot...or is he another like Ted Hill who seems to be on the peripheral at the momment and will need to really push on...

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Martin only turned 21 end of June.
Got plenty of time

I do agree right now he's best at 6 unless he fills out.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

So if hes stays at 6...is he likely to challenge for an England spot...or is he another like Ted Hill who seems to be on the peripheral at the momment and will need to really push on...

Both those were picked too early by Jones and then spat out. Hard to see either getting a look in under Jones again.

Although it's appeared otherwise at times under Jones, the reality is that there are only limited spaces in the national set up and our back row in particular is incredibly competitive. Some very good players won't get the international careers they'd hope for or might have got elsewhere. C'est la vie, the national team is for the very best, not the good.

Not only that, but there are no guarantees that a new coach will want a stopper or lock style 6 anyhow.

I like what Martin brings, but right now there's no obvious space for him. I currently see him as a 6, but as Tigs says he's still very young and things may change. He seems to be universally listed at 1.98 / 118.

 

[Geordie]

So anyway for Argentina...what about this?

1 Genge
2 LCD
3 Sinkler
4 Tizzard
5 Itoje
6 J.Willis
7 Curry
8 Billy V

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

So anyway for Argentina...what about this?

1 Genge
2 LCD
3 Sinkler
4 Tizzard
5 Itoje
6 J.Willis
7 Curry
8 Billy V

Yep. Backs are definitely overrated

Only issue is that it wouldn't be the strongest of line outs. I think Hill will start over Tizard regardless, otherwise looks good.

Would definitely like to see those flankers given a run.

 

[BPM]

Agreed. I know Hill isn't universally popular, but I think he's the best partner for Itoje right now.

Ribbans and Tizard are both decent carriers though which is something we've missed from our second row in recent times.

 

[Geordie]

Yes the lineout is the only issue really there...but im really keen to see what Tizzard can bring to this level...and i appreciate hes only 21.
Maybe off the bench would be the best solution...

 

[BPM]

Tizard is pretty well rounded as a lock, but he's not a particularly good lineout jumper. That's where Ribbans and Robinson probably have an edge for now IMO.

I stress 'for now', because if Tizard can improve his skill set, I think he has a lot more potential and England would definitely benefit from having a club pairing in the engine room.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Tizard is pretty well rounded as a lock, but he's not a particularly good lineout jumper. That's where Ribbans and Robinson probably have an edge for now IMO.

I stress 'for now', because if Tizard can improve his skill set, I think he has a lot more potential and England would definitely benefit from having a club pairing in the engine room.

Yup. I think him and Isiekwe would complement each other really well.

That's not designed as a wind up and I'll post more later when I have some time.

 

[Saintjay]

Is LCD fully fit yet? I thought he was in light training. If so maybe not worth the risk against Argentina. So if we go with an inexperienced hooker I'd probably go with the two most experienced locks \ best line out operators.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

money on Coles starting at 6

 

[Saintjay]

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

My best guess at the team:
1. Genge
2. LCD
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Hill
6. Coles
7. Curry
8. Vunipola
9. Youngs
10. Smith
11. May
12. Farrell
13. Tuilagi
14. Nowell
15. Steward

16. Singleton
17. Vunipola
18. Heyes
19. Ribbans
20. Willis
21. Simmonds
22. JVP
23. Slade

Only things I potentially see changing in the starting team are Willis at 6 over Coles and Cokanasiga starting if May isn't quite fit. Bench there's a lot of variables; the main one being 5:3 vs 6:2. But I'm expecting 6:2.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

money on Coles starting at 6

You should be banned for discussing the team without posting the slimmed down squad.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Pack is bleak, ngl

So is the backline tbf