England 2023/24

[TRF_Olyy]

Remember reading that part of Ludlams decision to move abroad was the complete radio silence from HQ about central contracts when asked
Why did it take them so long to sort out what they are and who's getting them?
Even now, like 5 weeks from the six nation squad being announced, there's no official talk about them whatsoever just one telegraph article saying they've heard that Itoje and George are having them

 

[Geordie]

Well from this weekend...8 is between Barbeary and Mercer and shift Earl to 7 with Underhill 6...

 

[Which Tyler]

Well from this weekend...8 is between Barbeary and Mercer and shift Earl to 7 with Underhill 6...

To be fair, it was before this weekend as well

 

[Which Tyler]

Nice old-school rolling maul

 

[Geordie]

To be fair, it was before this weekend as well

Very true...

 

[Reiser99]

Nice old-school rolling maul

Far too optimistic that England would be doing this.

 

[Which Tyler]

Far too optimistic that England would be doing this.

Sorry, thought I was in the match thread

 

[Geordie]

Would you include young Tightheads Fasogabon or Fourjour in the A game for a look at them...or are they too young still and would you have them in the U20s again...

Adn the likes of Harper at Sale?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Too young, keep them in the u20s imo
Don't think Fasogabon has played since pre season and considering how much Gloucester rotate, and he's not been in there yet, I don't think he'll be playing before the 6N either

Harper's scrummaging much worse since his last injury - will get plenty of game time before the 6N so hopefully it picks back up. Might be worth a spot in the A game, but atm looks way off the pace

 

[Geordie]

Too young, keep them in the u20s imo
Don't think Fasogabon has played since pre season and considering how much Gloucester rotate, and he's not been in there yet, I don't think he'll be playing before the 6N either

Harper's scrummaging much worse since his last injury - will get plenty of game time before the 6N so hopefully it picks back up. Might be worth a spot in the A game, but atm looks way off the pace

So do you stick with current 3 tightheads for the 6n...and who would you be looking at for the A game.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I think it'll be:
EPS: Cole, Stuart, Sinckler
A: Heyes, Painter

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I think it'll be:
EPS: Cole, Stuart, Sinckler
A: Heyes, Painter

That's a little depressing.

 

[BPM]

Kinda … although TBH, the only other options are kids who aren't really ready (such as Opoku-Fordjour) or older players who aren't really worth investing in - Collier and Balmain for example.

Hopefully it's better on the other side of the scrum with Baxter and Brantingham making good cases to be included.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hope Ben's in the mix this 6N,
If he's not then he's a good shout for captain of the A Team

 

[LIONSxv]

Kinda … although TBH, the only other options are kids who aren't really ready (such as Opoku-Fordjour) or older players who aren't really worth investing in - Collier and Balmain for example.

Hopefully it's better on the other side of the scrum with Baxter and Brantingham making good cases to be included.

I would sooner put a green 20 year old in with talent and desire than Stuart (who barring one good game Vs Ulster) has shown nothing at International level and is in fact a liability at times
Or Sinkler who seemingly has no fire to play for his country and whose scrummaging has gotten progressively worse to the extent where he is giving away scrum pens on a regular basis.

I don't really see what we have to lose but putting replacing one of those two with some new blood. They be in the match day 23 anyway, barring injury

 

[Which Tyler]

I would sooner put a green 20 year old in with talent and desire...

I don't really see what we have to lose

You risk losing the last decade of that player's career (including their peak propping years) - as covered here repeatedly.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Another BC mention:

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Also Sale's media day today and Sanderson said they've still got no idea what dual contracts are/what they entail, and the club are trying to sort renewals etc. at the moment and the RFU won't say who's in line for a dual contract so there might be more players lost abroad due to the RFU dragging their heels so much

 

[LIONSxv]

You risk losing the last decade of that player's career (including their peak propping years) - as covered here repeatedly.

And yet Malherbe, Porter and Genge seem to be doing okay? Despite been involved at the top level young.
Plenty more top props involved in full squads at 20/21 over the years. Granted they need to be very carefully, more so than any other position.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

And yet Malherbe, Porter and Genge seem to be doing okay? Despite been involved at the top level young.
Plenty more top props involved in full squads at 20/21 over the years. Granted they need to be very carefully, more so than any other position.

None of those were involved as young as 19 years old. And we also haven't seen the long term effects on either Porter or Genge who are both 28/27.