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England 6 Nation squad 2024

I didn't even know Haskell Collins was Welsh qualified (I probably did but just forgot) what is he, a Welsh granny or something like Tompkins?
 
Ok, I've read it now and personally (and seeing as I speak "Gatland" better than any of you foreigners) think you're totally misinterpreting his dig.

Hes not insinuating England poached Haskell Collins at all. He's talking to Feyi Waboso directly and using Haskell Collins to make his point.

He's simply saying to Feyi Waboso, look at Haskell Collins, played once for England and never played again (and likely won't ever again either) that's what happens when you chose those lot you should've chosen us. That's the subtext. Nothing more. Nothing like, omg I can't believe England stole Haskell Collins off us.

Having said all that it's still a snide little dig at Feyi Waboso but he kind of did that already when he was first announced and now he's just making the point again. I hope he leaves it alone now, the boys made his bed let him lie in it. It'll probably be a lot more comfy bed than the one in Wales anyway so the whole dig will probably backfire in the end
 
Be interesting to see if Ted Hill is in SBs plans - big hitting blindside who's good in the lineout and can cover lock in a pinch feels like he's right up SBs street
Considering how long he's been out I imagine it'll be the summer before he's in contention, though

Didn't someone post some stats showing Hill was way down on most of them?

Even when back I suspect he'll be a fair way down the pecking order. There are already plenty in the squad who can play in the row and 6. Hill's a decent player but I've never really seen a true point of difference.
 
Didn't someone post some stats showing Hill was way down on most of them?

Even when back I suspect he'll be a fair way down the pecking order. There are already plenty in the squad who can play in the row and 6. Hill's a decent player but I've never really seen a true point of difference.
Yes I remember. It was a chart analysing flankers by tackles, rucks, carries etc. Willis and Curry were the best overall. With Lawes/Underhill middling but with strengths in line out takes/tackles (as you would expect) with Hill showing very little apart the odd line out take
 

Gatland taking time out to remind everyone why he's the most hated international coach since Woodward

Insinuating that England poached OHC despite him being born in Reading, coming through the London Irish academy, playing for England u18s, u20s and 7s before making his England debut
I dont understand this, it always seems to me that only the most bitter people dislike Gatland. Eddie Jones had the same effect on Bitter celts too.

I'm struggling to see what's wrong with this article, personally I wouldnt have thrown Jenkins under the bus, but Jenkins probably gave permission for that quote.

It's a valid point Gatland is making, he isnt stating OHC was stolen, hes merely stating he would have made this Welsh squad had he opted to play for Wales last term, may have gone to the world cup, and would have a potential future in Europe.

This is obviously just a shout out to/at Feyi. He isnt going to start games for England, and his opportunities in a white shirt could collapse at any second, whereas in a Wales shirt he is almost guaranteed time and development to see if he makes the grade. Wales just doesnt have the depth to drop players without giving them their all, look at Tom Roger's, a very poor winger who is benefiting from this.

I personally wouldnt have used OHC as an example, but Tompkins. Let's be honest hed have been lucky to get a dozen caps with England, but with Wales he has 30 odd caps, a 6N ***le and been to a RWC.
 
Ok, I've read it now and personally (and seeing as I speak "Gatland" better than any of you foreigners) think you're totally misinterpreting his dig.

Hes not insinuating England poached Haskell Collins at all. He's talking to Feyi Waboso directly and using Haskell Collins to make his point.

He's simply saying to Feyi Waboso, look at Haskell Collins, played once for England and never played again (and likely won't ever again either) that's what happens when you chose those lot you should've chosen us. That's the subtext. Nothing more. Nothing like, omg I can't believe England stole Haskell Collins off us.

Having said all that it's still a snide little dig at Feyi Waboso but he kind of did that already when he was first announced and now he's just making the point again. I hope he leaves it alone now, the boys made his bed let him lie in it. It'll probably be a lot more comfy bed than the one in Wales anyway so the whole dig will probably backfire in the end
Oops I kind of reiterated your comments lol.

I was more annoyed that Gatland allowed Feyi to slip through the cracks. Having admitted to have next to no contact with Feyi, only a wider coach having a brief chat. That's really not like him, hes usually great at sourcing out of the box options, and hes usually great at it.

But then, I'd blame Feyi on the rubbish system in Wales forcing him to leave, and not allowing him the platform to stay.
 
Didn't someone post some stats showing Hill was way down on most of them?

Even when back I suspect he'll be a fair way down the pecking order. There are already plenty in the squad who can play in the row and 6. Hill's a decent player but I've never really seen a true point of difference.
I'd honestly be a little surprised if Hill makes it back into Bath's 1st choice 23 when he's back. Reid's been playing great at 6 and deserves to keep that shirt. After that Bayliss and Coetzee both offer more versatility and ball-carrying impact from the bench than Hill.
 
Ok, I've read it now and personally (and seeing as I speak "Gatland" better than any of you foreigners) think you're totally misinterpreting his dig.

Hes not insinuating England poached Haskell Collins at all. He's talking to Feyi Waboso directly and using Haskell Collins to make his point.

He's simply saying to Feyi Waboso, look at Haskell Collins, played once for England and never played again (and likely won't ever again either) that's what happens when you chose those lot you should've chosen us. That's the subtext. Nothing more. Nothing like, omg I can't believe England stole Haskell Collins off us.

Having said all that it's still a snide little dig at Feyi Waboso but he kind of did that already when he was first announced and now he's just making the point again. I hope he leaves it alone now, the boys made his bed let him lie in it. It'll probably be a lot more comfy bed than the one in Wales anyway so the whole dig will probably backfire in the end
Re. The bolded, why is it 'likely' Hassell Collins 'won't ever' play for England again?

He's 25. If he keeps playing well, there's no reason to say he isn't likely to play for England again.

The wingers called up for this squad are simply in better form right now. The 11 and 14 shirts for England are wide open and OHC is still in the mix IMO. Same for Murley.
 
Re. The bolded, why is it 'likely' Hassell Collins 'won't ever' play for England again?

He's 25. If he keeps playing well, there's no reason to say he isn't likely to play for England again.

The wingers called up for this squad are simply in better form right now. The 11 and 14 shirts for England are wide open and OHC is still in the mix IMO. Same for Murley.
I mean, you could argue he is in the wider mix, but after his cap last year he didnt make the RWC squad, or this 6N squad, so the probability is he was looked at and has been told to go develop and wait for a call.

I dont know his eligibility for Wales, but had Gats capped him last 6N, it would have given him a realistic shot at a RWC birth, and given LRZ departure, and the poor quality selected he would have made this Welsh squad.

That should be a big concern of Feyi.
 
I'd honestly be a little surprised if Hill makes it back into Bath's 1st choice 23 when he's back. Reid's been playing great at 6 and deserves to keep that shirt. After that Bayliss and Coetzee both offer more versatility and ball-carrying impact from the bench than Hill.
Meh, we like having backrowers in both the 20 and 23 shirts.
I'd say that Hill and Bayliss would be a decent combination for the 2 shirts, covering LH lock and the entire backrow from the bench, with a specialist TH lock in the 19 shirt.

It's also worth noting that those stats published were opposed to most peoples' views of matches in real time. The stats are enough to make me question what I see on the pitch, but he's not been back on the pitch since for me to judge. Any coach who likes stats, also knows that they can be extremely misleading.
 
I mean, you could argue he is in the wider mix, but after his cap last year he didnt make the RWC squad, or this 6N squad, so the probability is he was looked at and has been told to go develop and wait for a call.

I dont know his eligibility for Wales, but had Gats capped him last 6N, it would have given him a realistic shot at a RWC birth, and given LRZ departure, and the poor quality selected he would have made this Welsh squad.

That should be a big concern of Feyi.
He wasn't included because others were more deserving at the time. His two caps (not one) were anonymous and he was fairly left out.

The way I see it, we're looking for someone to grab the opportunity and so far, no-one really has. Freeman, Feyi-Waboso, Roebuck and Muir all have a chance to claim their spots. Murley very likely would have been in the same boat had he not been injured.

The real challenge for any English (or EQ) winger right now is that there are lots of options at a similar level.

Radwan, Cokanasiga, OHC, Sleightholme, Malins … there are plenty with a decent shout.
 
I really like OHC and hope he works himself back. Thought he was was harshly dropped last year seeing as he barely received the ball
Agreed. Going completely from memory, OHC impressed ball in hand but didn't score, Malins was pretty tonk but got a couple of tries from kicks, OHC got dropped. Seemed the wrong way round at the time.
 
Re. The bolded, why is it 'likely' Hassell Collins 'won't ever' play for England again?

He's 25. If he keeps playing well, there's no reason to say he isn't likely to play for England again.

The wingers called up for this squad are simply in better form right now. The 11 and 14 shirts for England are wide open and OHC is still in the mix IMO. Same for Murley.
Fair, I should've added the words "much" and "more" before likely. Either way Gatlands point is 100% completely valid. We can't afford to not develop players. England, on the other hand, with your numbers, wealth and talent can most certainly afford to do that. This was why I was saying to you at the time we capped Tshiunza that it was so obvious we were doing so for genuine reasons and had nothing to do about being scared about England capping him but I can't blame England fans for having this mindset coz they can afford to think like this as they can just play a kid and barely pick him over the course of a decade.
 
I do love seeing you boys froth at the mouth over anything Gatland says or does. You could find out he has marmalade on his toast and he'd be crucified.
 
I mean, you could argue he is in the wider mix, but after his cap last year he didnt make the RWC squad, or this 6N squad, so the probability is he was looked at and has been told to go develop and wait for a call.

I dont know his eligibility for Wales, but had Gats capped him last 6N, it would have given him a realistic shot at a RWC birth, and given LRZ departure, and the poor quality selected he would have made this Welsh squad.

That should be a big concern of Feyi.
With Feyi-Waboso i think its not to do with the rugby, its to do with his studies, he plays exeter, goes to uni there and if he chooses Wales then he will have to move to Wales on his next contract, which means he'd have to give up on Wales to stay for his degree. Had Cardiff uni accepted him he'd be in the Welsh squad right now.

So its not a concern for him really as he's made the best choice for him and if he isnt standing out or good enough then thats that. But seems he will be.
 

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