England 2024/25

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

This is pretty crap. Guessing no one wanted to buy the rights for the game so they stick it on this junk. Have to watch it on my phone ffs. Is every decision the RFU make these days wrong?

Yep

 

[stus768]

Japan vs England game confirmed to be on Rugbypass.

Not a great look it wasn't picked up by anyone else to show. But it is a 0650am game against a much lower ranked oppo so I guess not the most attractive to bid for.

On the plus side it's free for anyone who wants to watch it.

 

[Crash Hamster]

You have to admire the RFU's PR department for trying to make this sound like exciting news.

I'm not sure anyone is fooled, but it's a valiant effort.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Didn't even think Rugbypass TV was a thing in the UK?

Mental that no one proper picked it up, would've thought Amazon would've had it
Reckon it's a case of the RFU asking too much of TNT/Amazon etc. and then all walking away from the table and them being left with Rugbypass as the only one left who would work with them?


Remember similar fuckery around the Argentina tour way back when, and it ended up being the Argentinian TV stream and commentary but shown on BBC(?), and that's the origins of Billy Vunipola's "Binny" nickname, as they kept calling him that all game

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

You have to create an account as well (ugh) and won't be able to actually watch it on my TV (unless it plays off the ps4).

God I hate the RFU.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

View attachment 20310

This is pretty crap. Guessing no one wanted to buy the rights for the game so they stick it on this junk. Have to watch it on my phone ffs. Has every decision the RFU has made since inception in 1871 been wrong?

Yep

FTFY.

Too many stakeholders, but surely someone somewhere should make the attractive stuff contingent on taking on some less attractive stuff.

More cock up than conspiracy but still quite concerning.

 

[Reiser99]

FTFY.

Too many stakeholders, but surely someone somewhere should make the attractive stuff contingent on taking on some less attractive stuff.

More cock up than conspiracy but still quite concerning.

At least a conspiracy would involve some competence. Not only are they bad, they're so bad people think it must be on purpose.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

With the way they market the game and the tackle height nonsense I really do think it's deliberate.

For it to be accidentally that bad or the marketing be that poor by a professional team is just unbelievable. That's even before we get to the removal of the championship funding and the constant push for the ladies game while leaving the men's game to rot.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Why not have it on Youtube though? The money Rugbypass pays would be low to the exposure youtube would bring (have streamed ads to help bring in funding).

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Would love to see Carpenter play the Japan game - but at the bare minimum he really deserves to tour

 

[JG-21]

Would love to see Carpenter play the Japan game - but at the bare minimum he really deserves to tour

He's got to, secure under the high ball (probably only second to Steward) and a great runner, not out and out speed, just always making breaks and metres through contact.

 

[Booboobang]

Earl's an interesting one.

A year ago he was still a bit part player and now seen as indispensable. But his club form's fallen off a bit - was he just going through a purple patch or is he the long term answer at 8? Will his effectiveness drop as the opposition now start to figure him out? Should he be in the mix for either 7 or 8 depending on who else is available or in form?

People will fairly compare with Savea. But because his game relies so heavily on athleticism, more than most, he strikes me as someone whose impact will quite noticeably diminish if he's not fully on it or carrying an injury. (Which can be said for most people and is probably unfair, but life generally is).

The comp to savea doesnt really work though since savea switched at club an international level. Earl plays 7 for saracens mostly then switches up to 8 for england.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Would love to see Carpenter play the Japan game - but at the bare minimum he really deserves to tour

Who would you drop for him?
IFW
Freeman
Roebuck
Steward
Furbank

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Who would you drop for him?
IFW
Freeman
Roebuck
Steward
Furbank

Of those? Steward

In general/in actuality? Daly, with Freeman taking the whole-backline-utility spot (while still being first choice wing - like Daly was in the 6N)

Realistically it's a short tour, there's going to be a lot of tourists who aren't in the coaches mind to actually play, so just get him in the environment to tour and train, like Roebuck was during the 6N (he said in an interview this week he was basically told he wasn't gonna play in the 6N and was there to learn)



Edit:

From the Six Nations squad:
Oscar Beard --> Sleightolme
Danny Care --> JvP
Elliot Daly --> Carpenter
Fraser Dingwall
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
George Ford
Tommy Freeman
George Furbank
Ollie Lawrence
Alex Mitchell
Tom Roebuck
Henry Slade
Fin Smith
Marcus Smith
Ben Spencer --> (I'm still a big fan but considering how little he was used in the 6N kinda feels he's not fully in the frame) Randall/Warr (guessing Randall, from what I've heard Warr has been told he's not in the picture this RWC cycle so is going to declare for Scotland)
Freddie Steward


Probably a little unbalanced with too much at 15 and not enough at centre but still think it works out well, considering it's a short tour:

9. Mitchell, JvP, Randall
10. Smith, Smith, Ford
11. Sleightholme
12. Lawrence, Dingwall
13. Slade, (Freeman)
14. Freeman, IFW, Roebuck
15. Furbank, Steward, Carpenter

Realistically probably not see Carpenter tour and see one of Murley or Northmore in his spot (or Malins, but I hope not - he's had enough shots now)

TBH three 9s and three 10s is probably a bit overkill - depends if they're planning on resting players from the final for the Japan game. Could leave Ford at home and take an additional centre (Atkinson from Gloucester?), but not sure SB would do that considering we're up against the ABs

 

[BPM]

Highly unlikely that Murley tours IMO. I'm a huge fan, but he's currently injured and has spent most of this season that way. He's really not had much of a chance to press his case and in the meantime, Selightholme has had a brilliant season.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Fair, I thought he was in the current training camp but that was Northmore I was thinking of

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Article from Barnes (yes I know) in the Sunday Times "Outplayed Jamie George no longer looks England captain material".

Basically comparing George's form to Langdon and also his dynamism compared to Dan. Refers to George as a sticking plaster.

Good club form doesn't necessarily equate to the international stage. But there's something in what he's saying, especially as we seem to be looking at a more dynamic game. Langdon's had a great season but he's been around a bit - he's not a flavour of the month straight out of an academy.

 

[Scotty]

Article from Barnes (yes I know) in the Sunday Times "Outplayed Jamie George no longer looks England captain material".

Basically comparing George's form to Langdon and also his dynamism compared to Dan. Refers to George as a sticking plaster.

Good club form doesn't necessarily equate to the international stage. But there's something in what he's saying, especially as we seem to be looking at a more dynamic game. Langdon's had a great season but he's been around a bit - he's not a flavour of the month straight out of an academy.

George is great reliable and very accurate darts...i think will soon move to second then 3rd choice for club and country.

Still in this squad though.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It is awkward because Langdon is very very comfortably the form hooker in the country and should get at least one start for England - but then our captain is hooker so.....?
Maybe we name George and Itoje as joint captains?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Just put Langdon at 6, what could go wrong?