England 2023/24

[TRF_Olyy]

Doesn't Ford's contract expire this summer? or is it next year?

Next year

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Press fairly united in thinking the Farrell deal is just a matter of time. McCall not being drawn but talking of transitions and ends of journeys - likes of Goode, Maitland and the Vunipolae all coming to the end too, but I'd be very surprised if it doesn't happen.

On Farrell, clearly all the abuse has been a part but I wonder just how much the tedious treadmill of international rugby was a factor - the never ending camps, the same opposition etc. His Dad likely to coach the Lions is an added complication - I suspect senior would make it very hard for junior to avoid accusations of bias.

Whichever 10 we end up with we must play to their strengths. I like M Smith a lot but there's no point playing him with instructions to stick the ball in the air.

Agree with @BPM on Ford being settled up north, but anyone's head can be turned by a large cheque book especially if it's a final deal.

 

[BPM]

Your penultimate paragraph is the key. Smith really needs to be given the opportunity to properly run the show in a set up that maximises or at least takes advantage of his strengths. Picking him and asking him to constantly kick the ball away would be such a criminal waste.

It's not just the 10 either. The kicking strategy is an insult to the ability of most of our backs, who are capable of so much more.

 

[LIONSxv]

It's not just the 10 either. The kicking strategy is an insult to the ability of most of our backs, who are capable of so much more.

What compounds how bad a strategy kicking the leather off it. Is that we hardly ever steal opposition ball off their line out and also look likely to get cut open if they run it back at us
If anything I'd suggest a kick chase set piece arm wrestle strategy, is juxtaposed to the actual playing staff we have. Thus the poor results and performances. Since we attempted to copy South Africa's strategy post 19 wc

 

[LIONSxv]

Feyi-Waboso to join England squad for the first time

ALEX BYWATER: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will join England's senior squad for the first time as part of a Six Nations alignment camp this week and won't play for Wales in the 2024 Championship.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Which Tyler]

Not exactly full England, but Eng U20 have a warm-up match against Bath United ahead of the J6N

Bath United assemble for England U20 fixture | Bath Rugby

Johann van Graan has named a 30-player matchday squad for a friendly against England U20 this weekend.

www.bathrugby.com

Match Report

Match Roundup: England U20 33-42 Bath United | Bath Rugby

A young Bath United side overcome a talented England U20s in an entertaining game at Shaftesbury Park.

www.bathrugby.com

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Feyi-Waboso to join England squad for the first time

ALEX BYWATER: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will join England's senior squad for the first time as part of a Six Nations alignment camp this week and won't play for Wales in the 2024 Championship.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Really hate that
WRU being ******* idiots, they need to draft in an amendment for uncapped/players from foreign academies asap

 

[Crash Hamster]

Feyi-Waboso to join England squad for the first time

ALEX BYWATER: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will join England's senior squad for the first time as part of a Six Nations alignment camp this week and won't play for Wales in the 2024 Championship.

www.dailymail.co.uk

"Come to England and be the next Ollie Hassell-Collins"...

 

[g6mcg]

Really hate that
WRU being ******* idiots, they need to draft in an amendment for uncapped/players from foreign academies asap

Has it changed from allowing them to call someone up who wasn't offered a contract in Wales?

 

[BPM]

I feel very conflicted here … I'm strongly opposed to poaching. However, when we are very often on the receiving end of this, a little occasional payback seems sort of fair … I emphasise the 'sort of' as I genuinely believe he should be playing for Wales.

As @TRF_Olyy has said, Wales are machine gunning themselves in the feet here.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Really hate that
WRU being ******* idiots, they need to draft in an amendment for uncapped/players from foreign academies asap

He sounds very level headed, seeking stability and thinking of his long term future beyond rugby and if a by product of that is choosing England over Wales then so be it. I'm quite impressed with his rationale.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Has it changed from allowing them to call someone up who wasn't offered a contract in Wales?

The issue is that he has multiple years left on his medical degree and he wouldn't be allowed to play for Wales beyond his current contract without moving to a region (which he wouldn't be able to do without giving up on his degree)

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

How's he actually eligible?

Pretty crazy that Cardiff Uni didn't accept him since he had the grades and is also y'know, an elite rugby player. I'd have thought they'd be leaping to give him a scholarship.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

How's he actually eligible?

Apparently one of his parents was born in England, though everyone's being incredibly vague about it

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Apparently one of his parents was born in England, though everyone's being incredibly vague about it

In that case I have literally no issue with this. We have a legitimate claim to him; it's not just some residency ********. Wales have had every single opportunity to capture him and have rejected him every step of the way.

There's no reasonable way that this can be considered poaching. He's a good player with his head screwed firmly on, I'd welcome him with open arms.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Bit of a shame but not to gutted as we have lots of decent wing options and ultimately don't want anyone who doesn't want to play for wales. Can't blame him as he has to put his studies and long term future first I suppose but yeah, **** him. lol

 

[Welsh Exile]

In that case I have literally no issue with this. We have a legitimate claim to him; it's not just some residency ********. Wales have had every single opportunity to capture him and have rejected him every step of the way.

There's no reasonable way that this can be considered poaching. He's a good player with his head screwed firmly on, I'd welcome him with open arms.

I mean, it's a bit poachy. Can't deny that. Also can't blame England or him for doing so

 

[Welsh Exile]

Actually **** that, i'm being way too nice. No welshman should ever join England. First the Vunipola's and Randall now this dude. They're dead to me.

 

[Which Tyler]

It's nice that you've forgiven Dewi already though. I take it that's his skill in commentary that makes you happy to offload him

 

[stus768]

The issue is that he has multiple years left on his medical degree and he wouldn't be allowed to play for Wales beyond his current contract without moving to a region (which he wouldn't be able to do without giving up on his degree)

Would've thought he could get to 25 caps with the length of his deal. Obviously a risk though.
EQP qualification probs impacts him at Exeter too.