England 2024/25

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Isn't Tindall mates with sweeny though, so can't imagine this is anything other than a puff piece to try and justify his terrible performance, stupid pay and arrogance to try and defend both.

 

[BrokenWing]

Wouldn't surprise me.

Bit late to start doing the rounds and pretending you care.

 

[McTallshort]

Bill Sweeney on The Good, The bad and The Rugby if you can stand it.

…. Haskell's just said "behind the curveball"…

Well I had some hours to kill on a drive to Kent this morning and either the RFU is incredibly bad at Comms or Sweeney is telling a load fibs.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Well I had some hours to kill on a drive to Kent this morning and either the RFU is incredibly bad at Comms or Sweeney is telling a load fibs.

Both can be true.

 

[BrokenWing]

Both are true.

There you go

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Beaumont describing the moves to oust Sweeney as a "personal attack" and writing to 1,200 clubs pleading with them to oppose the vote of no confidence.

Not sure that quite lives up to the safe pair of hands that everyone thought.

 

[Which Tyler]

On the one hand, he's not wrong that it's a personal attack.
On the other - isn't it his job to not take sides here?

 

[Saintjay]

I'm sure some of it's personal but most at clubs just want the best for rugby.

It's more about competence and communication and he's failed badly at that, and simply thrown his comms team and Lube under the bus.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

On the one hand, he's not wrong that it's a personal attack.
On the other - isn't it his job to not take sides here?

His job's to bring stability to the RFU, whether that's with or without Sweeney. Publicly nailing his colours to the deeply unpopular Sweeney's mast doesn't smack of objectivity or consensus building.

It's more about competence and communication and he's failed badly at that, and simply thrown his comms team and Lube under the bus.

How's he thrown Ilube under the bus? As Chair Ilube was his boss with ultimate accountability for literally everything including Sweeney's performance. He also sat on the RemCo that approved the LTIP. He seems to have been the architect of his own misfortune.

 

[Saintjay]

His job's to bring stability to the RFU, whether that's with or without Sweeney. Publicly nailing his colours to the deeply unpopular Sweeney's mast doesn't smack of objectivity or consensus building.



How's he thrown Ilube under the bus? As Chair Ilube was his boss with ultimate accountability for literally everything including Sweeney's performance. He also sat on the RemCo that approved the LTIP. He seems to have been the architect of his own misfortune.

His whole interview on TGBR smacked of this is everyones fault but mine. Llube walked rather than be pushed and the reasons Llube gave for walking can be pointed at Sweeney.

I get the distinct impression and I could be wrong Llube was some what the sacrificial goat. His going would have hopefully placated the clubs.

 

[BrokenWing]

So Gavin Hastings thinks Slade should be at 12…. For the Lions.

He also thinks Hassel-Collins should be on the wing.

 

[Which Tyler]

I think I can spot a reason that he didn't become a coach after playing

 

[BrokenWing]

I was expecting there to be no Englishmen in his team

 

[Scotty]

Wales did us proud for next week they got Ntmack out of the game, now just a Dupont twisted ankle and we have a chance

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

"He who knows only of his side of the case, knows little of that".

I think we can all agree that Antoine Dupont was a pretty decent rugby player.

I think we can all agree that Antoine Dupont has taken his game to another level.

So what does the man himself and his coaches attribute the improvement to?

Sevens.

Taking himself out of his comfort zone, different fitness, learning new skills, practicing things that he'd never even practiced in 15s before etc etc. Edwards actively encouraged him to go knowing he'd return a better player. The upping in turnovers and dominant tackles are direct results of the 7s.

Tom Willis had a year in France away from all he knew and came back a hugely improved player. Coincidence?

J Willis is now one of the leading lights in the leading team on the continent. NZ have long allowed their players to take sabbaticals to get some rest, a change of scene, learn a new culture and experience a different rugby culture, often in Japan. Wilkinson developed as a person in France, Sinckler's said he feels rejuvenated, both Johnson and Richards learned not to take a backward step overseas. Arundell may or may not live up to the hype but I give him credit for broadening his experience.

I've railed on here before about most of our players only knowing the Prem from academies upwards and just hearing the same old thing and doing the same old thing year after year. Slade, George, Itoje etc have only really ever been exposed to the thinking of one head club coach for their entire careers. Keeping doing the same old things and expecting different outcomes is the definition of madness, and if it's good enough for Dupont…..

Yes we want to protect our league, but for success at top club and international level we need players who are more rounded as both players and people, whether 7s, overseas or whatever. Open up the minds away from the incredibly insular mindset that we English have on so many things.

One of the reasons Jones had an impact was because he was fresh, different and stimulating and could bring experiences from all over the place. Apart from his short stint with Japan SB's experience is all with Eng or the Prem….where he's still 6th on the appearance list, topped by……Wiggles.

That turned into an essay, but I think I've made my point. Whether you agree is another matter.