England 2024/25

[Which Tyler]

But not getting game time is an issue

Not really, he's 19.
400 minutes of first class rugby last year
400 minutes of first class rugby (so far) this year
He's also getting plenty of game-time in BUCS rugby whilst being a full-time student.
He's 19, there's more to life than rugby, especially if he ever intends to retire from rugby.
I've no problem with him getting game time in the Championship - though I've also no problem with him pursuing his education and getting game time in U20s, BUCS, PRC and the odd Prem game here and there.

But your post is 10 years old and medical thinking evolves rapidly (something I had diagnosed in 2014 is viewed very differently now), but I guess this isn't one of those areas?

Actually, the original is closer to 15 years.
Medical thinking does evolve rapidly, but the rate at which bones develop doesn't.
I'd add that rugby training methods, and awareness of player welfare has also evolved in the intervening 15-ish years.
As far as I'm aware, there is literally no research whatsoever linking early-game time and post-retirement player health in rugby - nor would there be any money with which to conduct such research.

My concerns are as sincerely felt now as they were 15ish years ago - just with a different set of "current bright young prospects"

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I think CCS will mainly end up at 8 anyway. Let him fight that out with Willis.

I like Barbeary's style a lot, but I've never thought that he's really suited to the international game in the back row. Maybe he was just over hyped as a kid and there's nothing wrong in being a good club player. But can't help wondering if he's ever thought about changing position.

CCS is at 8 this weekend.

Facing off against Barbeary. Collisions might not be for the faint hearted.

Will be watching with interest.

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

CCS is at 8 this weekend.

Facing off against Barbeary. Collisions might not be for the faint hearted.

Will be watching with interest.

Could probably hear it from space

 

[Crash Hamster]

CCS is at 8 this weekend.

Facing off against Barbeary. Haircuts might not be for the faint hearted.

Will be watching with interest.

Indeed...

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

How about Henry Pollock as the answer to England's centre problems? If its ok to move Earl there why not Pollock

 

[Which Tyler]

It isn't okay to move early there

 

[BrokenWing]

Early? Who are you? Harry Redknapp?

 

[Which Tyler]

Early? Who are you? Harry Redknapp?

No, I'm TYPO-MAN - the writer of wrongs!

I did think I was the universal donor, but people kept rejecting the infusion - must have been a clerical error.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Pollock 20 years old
CCS 22 years old
Alfie 24 years old
Fisalu 21 years old
Willis 26 years old

All starting 8 this weekend, it's nice seeing the options come up and developing

Didn't feel that long when we had little 8 options.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Pollock 20 years old
CCS 22 years old
Alfie 24 years old
Fisalu 21 years old
Willis 26 years old

All starting 8 this weekend, it's nice seeing the options come up and developing

Didn't feel that long when we had little 8 options.

Move them all to 12 I say.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Centers of
12. Earl
13. Pollock

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

11. Earl
12. Barbeary
13. CCS
14. Fisilau
15. Pollock

Make it happen.

 

[Geordie]

On a serious note....what is everyones ideal "make up" of a back row.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I feel you need to cover a few things

In attack
1: One trucker (carries direct , might not make yards but won't lose them), 1: Speed forward, can attack the wide channels and link with backs, 1: Beast, who needs 2 players to tackle or more to take him down on most carries

In defence
1: One work horse, 1: Breakdown attacker, 1: All rounder

Then set piece 1 line out jumper

 

[Geordie]

I feel you need to cover a few things

In attack
1: One trucker (carries direct , might not make yards but won't lose them), 1: Speed forward, can attack the wide channels and link with backs, 1: Beast, who needs 2 players to tackle or more to take him down on most carries

In defence
1: One work horse, 1: Breakdown attacker, 1: All rounder

So if you could create that with any players in history who would it be?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Good to see Atkinson put down a marker on the weekend - still sceptical as to whether he's fully on the radar considering repeated A team snubs, I could see Ojomoh in for Lawrence being the only change to the midfield makeup this summer

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So if you could create that with any players in history who would it be?

Last one for me was prob
6. Lawes, 7. Curry, 8. Earl
It's why I felt we looked better with Chessum at 6.

Being honest if we had Underhill on the bench and not Billy I reckon we would have won that semi final

Irish back row 6. POM, 7. JVDF, 8. Doris
NZ back row 6. Sititi, 7. Cane, 8. Savea
SA back Row 6. Smith, 7. PSTD, 8. Wiese

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

On a serious note....what is everyones ideal "make up" of a back row.

A lot of it depends there.

No8 for me should be a totemic figure, a Dallaglio or a Read, someone who takes the fight that the opposition, a real rallying point. Gets the team going forward and tall enough to be a good line out option.

Flankers: one needs to be a traditional Duracell bunny 7, relentlessly in the opposition face, causing havoc, hunting turnovers and pretty capable with ball in hand.

6 is up for grabs. I used to like the big guy destroyer. Then we moved to Lawes and Chessum who are taller and more of the athletic line out option. But I don't actually mind a couple of 6.5s providing they're of the right quality - Haskell and Robshaw weren't really, but the Currys and Underhill are.

Current 8s are Earl and Willis. Longer term the power of CCS totally fits my bill. On the flanks if the Currys can hold form and fitness I don't think we need to look beyond them at the moment.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

So if you could create that with any players in history who would it be?

You wouldn't be too far off with Hill, Back and Dallaglio or Kaino, McCaw and Read. Common themes being that they played together a lot, which is more important than individual merits. SB needs to identify his men and stick with them. If that's tough on some very good players, they'll simply have to get better still.

 

[Geordie]

A lot of it depends there.

No8 for me should be a totemic figure, a Dallaglio or a Read, someone who takes the fight that the opposition, a real rallying point. Gets the team going forward and tall enough to be a good line out option.

Flankers: one needs to be a traditional Duracell bunny 7, relentlessly in the opposition face, causing havoc, hunting turnovers and pretty capable with ball in hand.

6 is up for grabs. I used to like the big guy destroyer. Then we moved to Lawes and Chessum who are taller and more of the athletic line out option. But I don't actually mind a couple of 6.5s providing they're of the right quality - Haskell and Robshaw weren't really, but the Currys and Underhill are.

Current 8s are Earl and Willis. Longer term the power of CCS totally fits my bill. On the flanks if the Currys can hold form and fitness I don't think we need to look beyond them at the moment.

Yeah i can go along with that

A big cultured 8 (good hands, intelligent etc) who is also a lineout option. CCS might not be the cultured variety yet but could well be the long term 8.

Ive always traditionally wanted a huge 6 aswell...(theres not many Lawes / PSDT around these days), but having seen the more rounded flankers on display recently for England and the 6n im changing my views. I can see what a player like Curry, Earl, Savea etc etc brings over monsters. 6'1 still Powerful players, but with pace and agility, over guys who are 6'5 and a bit less agile or pacy.

Interestingly Haskell was a frustration. In the Australian Whitewash tour he showed that at his peak he can be utterly devestating but we just didnt see that enough.