England EPS 2016/17 season.

[Which Tyler]

BPM - you know he's been injured yeah? And only Welsh ha been English for at least a decade, including all international age grades.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

BPM - you know he's been injured yeah? And only Welsh ha been English for at least a decade, including all international age grades.

Welsh players go through the English age grade system as often as possible because the U20s team isn't binding nationally, as it is for Wales.

Moriarty, for example, played for the England U20s but was always going to be a Welsh player.

 

[Peat]

Welsh players go through the English age grade system as often as possible because the U20s team isn't binding nationally, as it is for Wales.

Moriarty, for example, played for the England U20s but was always going to be a Welsh player.

If they do it as often as possible, then why aren't there more out and out Welsh players in the system? I mean there's Moriarty, Protheroe, uhm...

Clark probably isn't Welsh. If we go by his own words here, he played a little in London before moving to Dorset age 7 or 8, and his answer on whether he's been tempted to play for Wales:

"No. Mum is Welsh but I've lived in England all my life."

Sounds pretty English to me.

 

[spartan32]

So another serious injury. I'm now a little lost as to what a starting England team will look. I assume something like this?

1. Mako
2. Hartley / Brooke's
3. ?
4. Kruis
5. Launch / Laws
6. Robshaw
7. Maro
8. Billy
9. Care/Youngs
10. Ford
11. Roko
12. Slade (can't see it being anyone else)
13. JJ
14. Yard
15. Brown

But the I have no idea what the bench would look like.

There has to be a SH and I guess EJ will put Lozoski as cover at 10? Maybe Daly as well to cover FB/IC/OC/WI? Or if Teo is for maybe he will get a look in but he doesn't cover nearly as many positions.

Having such little cover against a physical team like SA is a little worrying.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Dan Cole's injured now?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Cole getting injured is catastrophic. Will this mean Brookes gets a call up as he's the only other THP with some experience?

 

[TheSaffycen]

Brookes, Hill and Sinckler. I'm pretty happy with all 3 3's.

With Sam Hill I think he could be very good at international level, just by being competent. Look at Crotty with New Zealand. He wasn't really an incredible player he was just steady, now he's grown into one of the best centres in world rugby.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

What where does it say Cole is injured?

 

[spartan32]

Sorry might have caused unnecessary panic. My question mark was because I couldn't think who was in that spot at time of writing. Cole is fine as far as I know.

 

[BPM]

Phew ... I panicked a bit then.

As much as I'm happy enough with our depth at tighthead, Cole would be a big loss considering all of our other injuries ...

- - - Updated - - -

I thought Clark was born and raised in Bridgend, but happy to be corrected.

- - - Updated - - -

Welsh players go through the English age grade system as often as possible because the U20s team isn't binding nationally, as it is for Wales.

Moriarty, for example, played for the England U20s but was always going to be a Welsh player.

I think George Nott is eligible for Wales too

 

[Peat]

I think George Nott is eligible for Wales too

Born in Llandudno to English parents, lived in Chester since he was 11 at least. So eligible for Wales but seems fairly English.

 

[BPM]

Born in Llandudno to English parents, lived in Chester since he was 11 at least. So eligible for Wales but seems fairly English.

Yeah - I'd read something like that before. He's one I definitely wouldn't want to lose though.

I can understand the divided loyalties with Moriarty given his heritage but it is a shame though. I think Eddie would have loved him.

I'm not sure what the intention is with Protheroe. Does he want to play for England or was it just the Hartpury/Gloucester connection?

 

[Which Tyler]

I thought Clark was born and raised in Bridgend, but happy to be corrected.

Born, but had moved to England before taking up rugby, and whilst still aged in single figures - from Peat's link - he says he's "lived in England my whole life"; so probably before starting school and developing memories.
Oh, and his dad's English I believe

 

[BPM]

Born, but not raised then ... similar to George North being born in Kings Lynn but raised in Wales ...

 

[Peat]

Yeah - I'd read something like that before. He's one I definitely wouldn't want to lose though.

I can understand the divided loyalties with Moriarty given his heritage but it is a shame though. I think Eddie would have loved him.

I'm not sure what the intention is with Protheroe. Does he want to play for England or was it just the Hartpury/Gloucester connection?

I *think* what the case with Protheroe is that he was going nowhere in rugby until moving to Hartpury and as such is firmly loyal to the English system, because that made him the player he is. Least that's what I read once.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Good to see James Chisholm progress in seniors can see why he was taken to SA for Saxons.

 

[BPM]

Good to see James Chisholm progress in seniors can see why he was taken to SA for Saxons.

Definitely. It'll be interesting to see what happens when Clifford comes back.

Our back row has looked very good with 6. Robshaw 7. Wallace 8. Chisholm and it's probably because each player is a specialist. Clifford's versatility might count against him as he covers all three back row spots without being able to lay claim to being genuine specialist in any of them. Robshaw will play if he's available and it would be hard to justify dropping Wallace or Chisholm if they're still turning in good performances, so Clifford may find himself on the bench.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

U20s squad announced yesterday (not sure if it's been posted elsewhere but couldn't see it on my phone)

32-man elite player squad:
Ralph Adams-Hale (Saracens)
Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins)
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)
Theo Brophy Clews (London Irish)
Will Butler (Worcester Warriors)
Charlie Capps (Yorkshire Carnegie)
Josh Caulfield (Exeter Chiefs)
Justin Clegg (Worcester Warriors)
Joe Cokanasiga (London Irish)
Ali Crossdale (Saracens)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Ollie Dawe (Bristol Rugby)
Ben Earl (Saracens)
Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors)
Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens)
Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
Curtis Langdon (Sale Sharks)
Max Malins (Saracens)
Jack Maunder (Exeter Chiefs)
Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
Joseph Morris (Worcester Warriors)
Joe Mullis (Gloucester Rugby)
Jack Nay (Saracens)
Paolo Odogwu (Sale Sharks)
Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby)
Jamie Shillcock (Worcester Warriors)
Jacob Umaga (Wasps)
Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie)
Zac Xiourouppa (Worcester Warriors)



There was a lot of hype around Alex Mitchell before he moved to Saints from us, apparently he's a lot better than his brother, looking forward to seeing him play.
Great to see the Curry brothers in there, and Nutini and Langdon (though they're, really, Not Nots and Tigers products, even if they were both released by their clubs)

 

[ratsapprentice]

Looks pretty good. And I'm trying to temper my hope here (this is actually a very promising squad).

Aspland-Robinson, Brophy Clews, Ibitoye, Isiekwe, Mercer, Odogwu and Umaga are all good.

Odogwu we all know about by now, but Ibitoye is really talented, and Isiekwe is possibly the TH lock to Itoje's LH lock.

I know the Curry boys are supposed to be great, and although he wasnt fantastic for the u18's; Cokanasiga is a giant, with good potential.
Alex Mitchell looked like he was a lot more talented than his brother when he played in the 7's last year.

No reason why Haag shouldn't be able to get them in a position to win both competitions.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I play with Cokonosiga's little bro for counties, and have met/seem Joe play a few times. The guy is a giant and pretty damn fast too. Could deliver done needed power into the England back line in a few years.