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England 2024/25

Rinkadink said:

I'll start a war and take everyone down


Don't know if it's just the writing but he comes over as something of a prick, or that's the impression it gives.

Probably fits right in with the England set up if that is the case. 🙃
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Every single teenager in the history of mankind has thought they're the greatest thing since sliced bread and will conquer the world. Totally normal.

Let's see what his ego's like when he's been doing this for a couple of years and been properly up against the big dogs. Quite easy when you're the new kid on the block novelty act, much less so when they start taking you seriously.
 
That actual line is not a direct quote and refers to him challenging Will Skelton directly.

He does come across as confident and confrontational but there's a lot to like about that. Reminds me a bit more of an Etzebeth type of character (not so much style of play). We've lacked that kind of bite.
 
Geordie said:
Ah "selling" was the wrong word, but looking for investors and Tony Rowe will consider board members...

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Doesn't sound good but hopfully some invester comes in and gives some stability, this will let us build and hopfully come good on the pitch too(not that money is the issue for that)
 
Vieux Talonneur said:
Let's see what his ego's like when he's been doing this for a couple of years and been properly up against the big dogs. Quite easy when you're the new kid on the block novelty act, much less so when they start taking you seriously.
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Hence Second Season Syndrome being a thing.
So many youngsters burst onto the scene looking unbeatable in their first season, then once everyone's played against them a couple of times, and analysed their videos - and their own coaches have got them more playing to the club plan, than doing their own thing - not to mention the grind of actually having a full season of top class rugby in the body, rather than training, and playing lower-grade rugby

Some then suffer from Second Season Syndrome, and reduce in effectiveness.
Some suffer, learn, and come back stronger.
Some suffer, adapt a bit, and become regular club players.
Some suffer, fail to adapt, and disappear back to back-up status.
Some manage to push on and rapidly become stars.

From a fans' perspective, we can never know which category a breakthrough play is going to fit into - which is why I more-or-less never want someone picked for international rugby in their breakthrough season. Waiting a few months, bring them into camp for the AIs, and maybe bench for the 6N has never hampered anyone's career. Bringing them in too early certainly has.
 
I agree that hyping players too soon is generally not a good thing. OTOH, a lot can depend on position and size. Kpoku is already showing he can more than cope with starting in a physically demanding league. He'll probably only get bigger and given his game is about power, athleticism and work rate, I'm not sure analysing him actually helps all that much?
 
BPM said:
I agree that hyping players too soon is generally not a good thing. OTOH, a lot can depend on position and size. Kpoku is already showing he can more than cope with starting in a physically demanding league. He'll probably only get bigger and given his game is about power, athleticism and work rate, I'm not sure analysing him actually helps all that much?
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I dunno - maybe Bryan Habana can tell us how quickly he turns around?
 
BPM said:
I agree that hyping players too soon is generally not a good thing. OTOH, a lot can depend on position and size. Kpoku is already showing he can more than cope with starting in a physically demanding league. He'll probably only get bigger and given his game is about power, athleticism and work rate, I'm not sure analysing him actually helps all that much?
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Good point, like South Africa said after the 2019 world cup "you knew what was coming, try and stop us".
 
Gonna be announced as Munster's new coach?
Guessing they'd hold him to the full 12 (or at least after the 6N) if he was going to another international side

Edit: actually I wonder if it's B&I Lions
 
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BPM said:
I agree that hyping players too soon is generally not a good thing. OTOH, a lot can depend on position and size. Kpoku is already showing he can more than cope with starting in a physically demanding league. He'll probably only get bigger and given his game is about power, athleticism and work rate, I'm not sure analysing him actually helps all that much?
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Even if he's physically there (and as a teenager he probably isn't quite yet), what he won't yet have is the experience to instinctively, consistently do the right thing under the highest pressure.

Analysis wise the line out for one offers plenty of scope. Does he have 'tells' that give opponents an idea of what he's going to do? Is he the go to man in defensive line outs? Also, wouldn't in the least surprise me if coaches have defensive dossiers along the lines of X only makes 50% of tackles on his left hand side.
 
Lé Ddanno said:
Felix Jones now a free agent

www.rte.ie

Clubs on alert after Jones released from RFU contract

Felix Jones has officially left his role with England and the RFU.
www.rte.ie www.rte.ie

Would love to know what went on there
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I would love to know why the RFU wasted a shed load of money on a coach and got zero return from it. How long was he actually employed for before it all went to pieces? Not sure Jones isn't entirely an innocent party in this
 
McTallshort said:
I would love to know why the RFU wasted a shed load of money on a coach and got zero return from it. How long was he actually employed for before it all went to pieces? Not sure Jones isn't entirely an innocent party in this
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Indeed.

Although he seemed pretty happy with the Boks for a good period of time and the initial period with Eng was also looking good. That defence was starting to look brutal. A real point of difference, particularly when you look at the guff we put out in the last 6 weeks.

Absolutely speculating here but I'd put a couple of quid on him taking too much flak for a defensive system that takes a bit to work in, they've then had a proper fight about the approach because someone feels their position is threatened, and it becomes a stance that can't be resolved sensibly because neither party wants to back down. "Use the system and keep bedding it in" - "no"
 
Our defence got us to a World Cup semi without him and without an attack. Not sure he improved it at all if we look at stats on tries conceded etc.

I'm sure he's a great coach but we didn't need a defence coach, we needed an attack one. We should have built on what was working rather than scrapping everything.
 
Don't Skip Leg Day said:
Our defence got us to a World Cup semi without him and without an attack. Not sure he improved it at all if we look at stats on tries conceded etc.

I'm sure he's a great coach but we didn't need a defence coach, we needed an attack one. We should have built on what was working rather than scrapping everything.
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I don't want to start a fight, but come on. We've had three def systems in 2 years which have been "ok" - "ok but I can see what is happening' - and "umm nah"
 

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