England 2022/23

[Vieux Talonneur]

Itoje and Marcus Smith being linked to France end of 2024 season

Itoje makes perfect sense.

Those ought to be peak years for Smith with Farrell and possibly Ford off the scene.

The Times article on this suggests it's a case of being out of contract then and foreign clubs approaching them rather than the players actively considering their futures now. But that could just be 2 sides of the same coin.

 

[Scotty]

Thought that Frost and Langdon were both excellent in that game. Presumably Langdon would be eligible for the RWC camp?

I also thought they were both younger tbh.

 

[Jimbo]

May not be so bad tbh if it helps them grow as players. I can live with Smith trying his luck out there for a year or 2 as long as Ford comes back in for England. Either way, Farrell needs to be dropped. If Smith leaves and we are stuck with just Farrell at 10 or a completely inexperienced 10 then we are ******.

I wouldn't blame Smith tbf, I don't think SB has too much room for a player like him (too much off the cuff stuff and not enough percentages), he might just choose to see out SBs full WC cycle abroad and see where the land lays after that, there's obviously the salary caps as well, Ford is probably perfect for what he wants at 10 and obviously they have a history at Leicester be pretty surprised if he doesn't feature heavily (injury permitting), I think Itoje should have a descent future with England but needs pushing hard and to realise he doesn't have an automatic place in the squad hopefully genuine competition will see to that, can only be a good thing all around.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

VIDEO: Disgusting Joe Marler at it again

WATCH as former Springbok assistant coach Swys de Bruin points out the disgusting tactic used by England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler.

rugby365.com

Honestly, if Marler is doing what it appears he is doing here, on top of his previous records, he should be facing serious disciplinary action. It's basically sexual assault on the field.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

VIDEO: Disgusting Joe Marler at it again

WATCH as former Springbok assistant coach Swys de Bruin points out the disgusting tactic used by England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler.

rugby365.com

Honestly, if Marler is doing what it appears he is doing here, on top of his previous records, he should be facing serious disciplinary action. It's basically sexual assault on the field.

It is just really odd at this point. Why can't he just stop being a twat? Surely by now he knows he's gonna get pulled up on it.

At this point I think he must just love the attention it gets him.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

He's clearly got his hand on his leg there imo, just trying to pin him so he can't get a proper rip on the ball.



Appears my analysis correct

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Didn't look like a ball grab to me, tbh

 

[Jimbo]

Not saying it was or wasn't there isn't any clear evidence either way but if you go looking and want to use your imagination pretty sure you could find similar views in most games, having said that with his reputation and past it isn't hard to believe.

 

[Reiser99]

So with only one team into the semi-finals of either European competition, what does that say about the state of English rugby?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Nothing that we didn't already know

 

[Jimbo]

Exactly that nothing enlightening, England/premiership are pretty far off the best, I do think the salary cap impact is pretty underrated, it's all well and good using models likes Leinsters as an example but with so few Irish Provences competing compared to the entirety of the premiership it doesn't seem like an apple for apples comparison, not really sure on the actual fix but pretty sure it's not basing it off success's from a completely different setup and set of circumstances.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So with only one team into the semi-finals of either European competition, what does that say about the state of English rugby?

It's on par with Irish rugby?

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

It's on par with Irish rugby?

I respect this honesty coming from an Irishman.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Jack Willis: England flanker signs new Toulouse deal

Flanker Jack Willis signs a new three-year contract with Toulouse, potentially putting his England future in doubt.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[higgik]

Jack Willis: England flanker signs new Toulouse deal

Flanker Jack Willis signs a new three-year contract with Toulouse, potentially putting his England future in doubt.

www.bbc.co.uk

Even more reason to have a proper review of pro rugby in England.
There is no way we can continue being competitive with the wages in our current system

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Even more reason to have a proper review of pro rugby in England.
There is no way we can continue being competitive with the wages in our current system

Unsurprisingly, putting the interests of the national team front and centre wouldn't half help too.

McCall was probably on the right lines talking about some form of central contracts.

 

[Geordie]

So Skivington has confirmed that Borthwick is interested in Ruan Akerman for England....

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Between Ribbans and Ackermann we're not going to be able to make fun of Scotland for much longer

Also just why, we're pretty well stacked in the backrow without needing to look for mercenaries, and that's before bringing in Mercer (and hopefully Tom Willis) - I don't think Ackermann's looked as good this season as previous, as well

 

[Geordie]

Agree, its a NO from me.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Imagine if Borthwick made you choose between Ludlow and Ackerman?

South African import vs English mediocrity