England - Age-grade thread

[ratsapprentice]

I didn't want to turn the JWC thread into an England thread, so here we are!

Of the guys in this year's u20 squad:

Guys who look likely/certain to make it as internationals:

- Genge
- Hill
- Walker

At premiership level:

- Adeniran-Olule
- Chisholm
- Clark
- Ewels
- Jennings
- Ludlam
- Packman
- Tompkins
- Townsend
- Witty


Anyone here familiar with the guys from the u18's who are likely to be standouts at next year's tournament?

The guys who I've heard to be good are: Rotimi Segun, Mofe Wilkey, Jack Stanley, Gabriel Ibitoye, Nick Isiekwe, Josh Ibuanokpe.

 

[michaelbolton]

I didn't want to turn the JWC thread into an England thread, so here we are!

Of the guys in this year's u20 squad:

Guys who look likely/certain to make it as internationals:

- Genge
- Hill
- Walker

At premiership level:

- Adeniran-Olule
- Chisholm
- Clark
- Ewels
- Jennings
- Ludlam
- Packman
- Tompkins
- Townsend
- Witty


Anyone here familiar with the guys from the u18's who are likely to be standouts at next year's tournament?

The guys who I've heard to be good are: Rotimi Segun, Mofe Wilkey, Jack Stanley, Gabriel Ibitoye, Nick Isiekwe, Josh Ibuanokpe.

I would add the scrum half who got sent home injured onto there somewhere

 

[Patchey]

I'd expect Walker to move to a Prem side soon. He's good and the management clearly have a thing for him.

Also, Chisholm will get a cap IMO. Maybe only one or two but he is really good.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I would add the scrum half who got sent home injured onto there somewhere

Townsend - he's already on there.

I'd expect Walker to move to a Prem side soon. He's good and the management clearly have a thing for him.

Also, Chisholm will get a cap IMO. Maybe only one or two but he is really good.

Walker still has another year left at this level - if he moves it will probably be next year.

Chisholm might get a cap - but he's playing in the back row, so the competition in that area prevents me from saying it's "likely".

 

[Patchey]

Townsend - he's already on there.



Walker still has another year left at this level - if he moves it will probably be next year.

Chisholm might get a cap - but he's playing in the back row, so the competition in that area prevents me from saying it's "likely".

God, is Walker that young still?

I think Chisholm's fate will depend a lot on what happens with Easter and Wallace at Quins. Robshaw is nailed on one flank and Clifford is going to become fairly undroppable, but it's whether we continue with out long term plan to play him at 8 or not. If not, then Chisholm will get a decent chance as Easter's replacement I guess.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Yep - signed a contract when he was 16 and captained the senior side as an 18 year old.

As I say - the guys who I said are "likely" are pretty much nailed on to get capped at some point.
The others either haven't made as definitive statements and/or they have bigger barriers to overcome.

 

[goodNumber10]

Yep - signed a contract when he was 16 and captained the senior side as an 18 year old.

As I say - the guys who I said are "likely" are pretty much nailed on to get capped at some point.
The others either haven't made as definitive statements and/or they have bigger barriers to overcome.

Not to be facetious but how can you put them down as nailed on to be capped?

A few could make the step up if they continue on this arc but look how long it's taken Slade & LCD to even get near the current squad.

Anyway, not meaning to shoot it down, because they are great talents.

As an aside has anyone been capped then fine back to U20's?

 

[j'nuh]

Not to be facetious but how can you put them down as nailed on to be capped?

A few could make the step up if they continue on this arc but look how long it's taken Slade & LCD to even get near the current squad.

Anyway, not meaning to shoot it down, because they are great talents.

As an aside has anyone been capped then fine back to U20's?

Two years isn't that much.

And to be honest, the players rats has mentioned are front rowers. It's hardly currently the most competitive part of the full England squad, and doesn't look like it will be in a hurry either.

If rats had mentioned a lock or back row, on the other hand...

 

[Wendigo7]

Walker looks a classy operator. I'd expect that if he kicks on, he has a fantastic shot at the No 2 position.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Two years is **** all time.

 

[goodNumber10]

Two years isn't that much.

And to be honest, the players rats has mentioned are front rowers. It's hardly currently the most competitive part of the full England squad, and doesn't look like it will be in a hurry either.

If rats had mentioned a lock or back row, on the other hand...

Sean McMahon, Handre Pollard and others have walked straight form u20's to full capped - so it's all relative.

Maybe two years isn't that long but Itoje is looking likely to break through this year as is Ioane, so comparative to that it's a long time.

My point is that you can't possibly say these guys are pencilled in for international honours when they are not even established in the premiership. All sorts of things happen to players when they truly hit seniors, some fade out some kick on it's way too early to say now that they are certain to be internationals.

Just my opinion mind....

 

[ratsapprentice]

My point is that you can't possibly say these guys are pencilled in for international honours when they are not even established in the premiership.

The last 5 years of u20 rugby suggests otherwise.

 

[goodNumber10]

The last 5 years of u20 rugby suggests otherwise.

How so?

There are plenty of players who've come through the ranks, a few very quickly, i'm not disputing that but you also have to look at the plenty of extremely promising players who haven't come through to say it's not as clear cut as you're saying.

Anyway, like i said just my opinion, lets just agree to disagree then.

 

[msf]

Tompkins and Clark will definitely be capped, they look a more balanced combo than anything we´ve had at senior level for about 10 years, and both are potentially world-class.

Aaron Morris has more going for him than Mike Brown did at that age, I´m pretty sure he will be capped too.

Packman is too talented not to be capped, but he may end up being a one-cap wonder because he doesn´t fit the style of play.

Walker is already a more complete package than any of the senior hookers, he is a cert.

Finally, Perkins looks like he will replace Ashton in both the Saracens and the England team.


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