England 2024/25

[Geordie]

Yeah that was my reaction too, but then I thought about it a bit more and I think Borthwick's largely picked his men now. Whether we agree or not is another matter and injuries will always play a part.

Mitchell's nailed on. M Smith probably likewise for now, although you feel SB might just be a failed hitch kick away from going more conservative.

IFW and Freeman look to be clear first choice wings and prob Furbank at 15 although bringing Steward in for the Boks looked like horses for courses but was scarcely a vote of confidence in Furbank.

Lawrence will play somewhere, just who with and in what shirt.

Bench spots definitely up for grabs though. Hopefully F Smith will have overtaken Ford there.

Well yes to a degree. And i think Slade is probably the chosen 13, the fact he raced him back from injury with no prem game time.

But...my thoughts..
9 - Nailed on Mitchel and rightly so. Happy with this.
10 - I still think hes torn between Fords control and Marcus ability to create. And i think hes still flirting with the idea of Marcus at 15! And where does Fin Smith come in?
12 & 13 - Probably Lawrence and Slade ATM but he has looked at Dingwall etc...so i still dont think hes happy. I wonder what Steward moving to 12 for the Tigers would do (if it happened)
11 / 14 - Waboso i think is making that spot his own...but he has some serious challengers...and i think the left wing is wide open...
15 - Wide open. Furbank was not great this AI, and now hes injured every candidate is far from the finished article..even Steward with 32 caps or whatever he has. I can see Chieka moving Steward forward to 12 anyway.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

12 & 13 - Probably Lawrence and Slade ATM but he has looked at Dingwall etc...so i still dont think hes happy

Wasn't that just cause Lawrence was injured? He played two games, was dropped, and hasn't been seen since

I can see Chieka moving Steward forward to 12 anyway.

I like how this meme is now a legit thing - he's never played centre, no legitimate coach has said they want him to play centre, but suddenly it's his future because Woodward said it haha

 

[Geordie]

It would, although sometimes I think we worry too much about that. It is a big step up, but I guess it depends on whether there is conviction that a player is 'ready' or if they're more in the 'has potential' bucket.

I agree...its all about the player. Some are mentally strong and ready to play...others maybe need eased in gradually.

 

[Geordie]

Wasn't that just cause Lawrence was injured? He played two games, was dropped, and hasn't been seen since


I like how this meme is now a legit thing - he's never played centre, no legitimate coach has said they want him to play centre, but suddenly it's his future because Woodward said it haha

Well many people can see it because his skills set is well attuned for the 12 spot. Many teams now have big units at 12...and he fits the bill perfectly. We have others who offer more at 15...and arent far off his high ball abilities.
Get him to centre with the crash ball ability and offloading...heads up tackling etc...and all is good.

Dingwall was looked at due to injury yes but hes been on the radar for a while

 

[BrokenWing]

Well many people can see it because his skills set is well attuned for the 12 spot. Many teams now have big units at 12...and he fits the bill perfectly. We have others who offer more at 15...and arent far off his high ball abilities.

Assuming the only skill set for 12 is being a big unit.

 

[Geordie]

Assuming the only skill set for 12 is being a big unit.

Not at all...but theres not many small 12s at this level at the moment.
Steward would offer, offloading, hard carrying, he can still use his high ball skills by dropping back in a well designed defensive structure and for kick chase. Theres lots of positives to the move. Woodward talks a lot of rubbish but in this case he made a lot of sence.

But as its England i doubt it'll be looked at.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Not at all...but theres not many small 12s at this level at the moment.
Steward would offer, offloading, hard carrying, he can still use his high ball skills by dropping back in a well designed defensive structure and for kick chase. Theres lots of positives to the move. Woodward talks a lot of rubbish but in this case he made a lot of sence.

But as its England i doubt it'll be looked at.

You're talking about the coach who's used Smith at FB and Earl in the centres…..

 

[BPM]

It would, although sometimes I think we worry too much about that. It is a big step up, but I guess it depends on whether there is conviction that a player is 'ready' or if they're more in the 'has potential' bucket.

I think Carpenter has promise and I want to see him given a chance, but there's a step up to test level and then another step up to playing some of the very best.

Also the 15 in a creaky defensive system is going to be under a lot of pressure. None of that feels like setting a debutant up for success.

Steward's weaknesses will probably still get exposed but at least he has shown he can perform at test level.

 

[AlRums]

RFU pay row: Tom Ilube steps down as chair

Tom Ilube steps down as Rugby Football Union chairman, pre-empting the possibility of a grassroots rebellion forcing him out over executive bonuses.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Rugbyfan564]

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I think that's a solid enough interim appointment to smooth over troubled waters even if his reputation at WR wasn't as someone who would instinctively bring change.

So we've now got 2 Bills in charge, which given the financial woes seems kind of appropriate.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I think Carpenter has promise and I want to see him given a chance, but there's a step up to test level and then another step up to playing some of the very best.

Also the 15 in a creaky defensive system is going to be under a lot of pressure. None of that feels like setting a debutant up for success.

Steward's weaknesses will probably still get exposed but at least he has shown he can perform at test level.

I think that's the more important point. You want newcomers to come into an environment which is successful or at the very least stable and functioning effectively.

 

[BrokenWing]

Not at all...but theres not many small 12s at this level at the moment.
Steward would offer, offloading, hard carrying, he can still use his high ball skills by dropping back in a well designed defensive structure and for kick chase. Theres lots of positives to the move. Woodward talks a lot of rubbish but in this case he made a lot of sence.

But as its England i doubt it'll be looked at.

Granted I don't watch a massive amount of rugby, but I've not seen any evidence of Steward having an offload… Or distribution skills.

Also, from what I gather, the 12 is very much like the 8 in that the key isn't just being a big unit but the ability to break the gainline from a standstill so the 10 has a go forward option when the defence is up in their faces.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Do you mean Hartley?

According to Eddie Jones book he chose Hartley as captain because of the way he spoke to the dinner lady in the cafeteria queue.

 

[mkersyshull]

Not at all...but theres not many small 12s at this level at the moment.
Steward would offer, offloading, hard carrying, he can still use his high ball skills by dropping back in a well designed defensive structure and for kick chase. Theres lots of positives to the move. Woodward talks a lot of rubbish but in this case he made a lot of sence.

But as its England i doubt it'll be looked at.

It's worked for Barrett with NZ

12 Steward, 13 Lawrence, 11 IFW 14 Freeman 15 Furbank

Then when is kicking Freeman shifts to 13, Lawrence to 12, with Steward and Furbank covering the back field

Not sure if would work but maybe

 

[Geordie]

Granted I don't watch a massive amount of rugby, but I've not seen any evidence of Steward having an offload… Or distribution skills.

Also, from what I gather, the 12 is very much like the 8 in that the key isn't just being a big unit but the ability to break the gainline from a standstill so the 10 has a go forward option when the defence is up in their faces.

That's the idea...with defences so strong at this level, playmakers at 9 and 10 and a juggernaut to get over the line and offload etc ..is a growing trend.

Steward has excellent offloading skills. And he doesn't need to be a playmaker with Mitchell, Ford /Smith and Furbank all providing that...

 

[LIONSxv]

That's the idea...with defences so strong at this level, playmakers at 9 and 10 and a juggernaut to get over the line and offload etc ..is a growing trend.

Steward has excellent offloading skills. And he doesn't need to be a playmaker with Mitchell, Ford /Smith and Furbank all providing that...

FS would get shown up big time at 12. He is fine defending straight lines, at 12 you have to be able to read the game and make tackles on the half turn.

We have seen time again that he struggles with his reading of the game and then particularly adjusting his position when their is footwork involved.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Sounds like it may get worse before it gets better.

Bill Beaumont appointed interim RFU chairman as civil war breaks out

Sir Bill Beaumont has been appointed interim chairman of the Rugby Football Union after Tom Ilube stepped down

www.theguardian.com

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Don't see the issue with the appointment at all tbh,
It's an interim and they need someone to step in on a few days notice - Beaumont's literally ideal for that as he's very experienced and a steady hand who will do....pretty much nothing, but not rock the boat either

Judge them by who they bring in for the permanent role (probably someone crap, but we live in hope)

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Yeah, Beaumont's fine. It was the dust ups within the Council I think may have some way to run.