- Joined
- Apr 27, 2008
- Messages
- 100,020,374
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
Can thank his brother for it - he went to France and the rest of the family followedPoor management by all involved.
Sounds like he had a big falling out with Saracens
Can thank his brother for it - he went to France and the rest of the family followedPoor management by all involved.
Yeah, I'm still on the Isiekwe train - hoping that settling at lock, and getting over his health issues, sees him kick on nowIsiekwe's still only 26. I'd say he's the best around at restarts which have been a total shambles. Also don't think there's anyone better in the line out, especially attacking opposition ball. He's certainly far more athletic in the air than Martin or CCS and I'd say he's better than Itoje too although Chessum may give him a decent run for his money. He's not a guy you particularly want lurking in midfield but he'll hit rucks hard and make tackles all day long. He's not likely to make the glamour turnovers, but nor is he likely to concede 3 pens per game either. Genuinely big, strong bloke happy to get stuck in to the dirty stuff. For me a bit of a Kruis type although I'm yet to see him back heeling conversions. Disappointing that he's never had a proper run.
Yeah...definitely...compare to the experience South Africa had in that team last weekend.In terms of locks it's crazy that Martin and Ollie Chessum are 23 and 24
Tuima is 24 and only 2 seasons into his lock stint but looks good
I think we are generally fine for locks going forward
Really the forwards in generally has a lot of promising youngster coming up
Ah yes i forget about Sodeke, see how he comes through.Olamide Sodeke at Saracens - Kpoku's second row partner in England u20s
6ft9 and over 19st at 19 years old - looks like he's on loan at Ampthill this season, but played for Sarries in the prem cup
Tom Burrow, at Sale, looks promising - was an injury call up for the u20s this year and trained with England A last week. Only 19, like Sodeke. On loan at Caldy but playing in our prem cup games, and got 5mins in the prem
Yeah, I'm still on the Isiekwe train - hoping that settling at lock, and getting over his health issues, sees him kick on now
26 is no age for a tight 5 forward
He's a very good lineout operator too, especially defensively - think it was vs Bristol where he stole several in a row and stopped Bristol getting any foothold in the game
Murley and T.Curry in, Daly and Ewels out
Hill being retained is a good sign
...actual positive changes?
AOF was in last time as well so didn't need to be added.AOF also in.
Why would you bring T Curry back for this? We won't need him, he's had problems, we know what he can do. We'll learn nothing and risk further injury.
Iseikwe is a great premiership player but he never seems to step up to international rugby. I get he's only young still but I wonder if he's just not top drawer.
Also I don't think we need to ever worry about locks for some time.
Itoje 30 - so around 4 plus more years left
Martin 23 - 10 plus years left
Chessum 24 - 10 plus years of rugby left
Coles 25 - 9 plus years of rugby left
Coles needs a real run of games to see if he can operate at the top level. He's not had enough chances.
I hate tigers but really Martin and Chessum should be out nailed on 4 and 5 for the next 10 years.
Guessing it's cause of EPS change numbers -Why would you bring T Curry back for this?
Pretty much. Jack of all trades master of none.How many other countries have all their locks who can / have played 6 a fair bit for either club or country? You never saw Retallick, Whitelock or Etzebeth in a back row. Too many generalists, not enough specialists?
I wonder how much of that is the need for decent 6s and then bulking as they grew.How many other countries have all their locks who can / have played 6 a fair bit for either club or country? You never saw Retallick, Whitelock or Etzebeth in a back row. Too many generalists, not enough specialists?