England EPS 2016/17 season.

[Ragey Erasmus]

After the Bath Exeter game I see what people mean about Roko's defence. Both of Short's tries, he was responsible for. The first he just didn't bother tackling him and the 2nd he was nowhere to be seen. His positioning is dire. Agree that's he's still better than Yarde though.

I agree, I had wondered about Roko being singled out but that game highlighted it. It's a shame because in attack he is miles better than any winger we have. He is a top finisher and can create something from nothing, although he seems a bit selfish. Nowell on the other hand perfectly fits the bill for the high work rate winger, he was absolutely everywhere and great in defence. I wonder long term who were are going for at FB because any of Nowell, Watson, Daly and Haley I'd feel happy with, although I think Watson would be wasted there more than the others.

 

[Which Tyler]

After the Bath Exeter game I see what people mean about Roko's defence. Both of Short's tries, he was responsible for. The first he just didn't bother tackling him and the 2nd he was nowhere to be seen. His positioning is dire. Agree that's he's still better than Yarde though.

His defence for the first try was pathetic and uncharacteristic (it's his positioning that's usually dodgy, not his tackling).
I find it hard to fault him for the second one though, I don't blame him for no reading the path of a bobbling ball and an impossible, blind throw between the legs.
TBH I also wouldn't blame I'm if he thought a knock-on advantage was being played for both/either try.

 

[Geordie]

Manu is out long term again with Cruciate Ligament injury. Such a shame for the lad. But it means its Joseph v Daly for that 13 spot.

Although I do like the idea of Daly at 15.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Manu is out long term again with Cruciate Ligament injury. Such a shame for the lad. But it means its Joseph v Daly for that 13 spot.

Although I do like the idea of Daly at 15.

Yep a pity, but not surprising. That rules him out for the BIL as well.

I think JJ and Daley were always competing for the 13 spot as EJ considers MT a 12 and planned to play him there. Looks like picking Te'o is worthwhile to give England the power option in midfield.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Jones quoted as saying Hartley will captain in the 6N, if he can prove fitness.

Feel very sorry for Manu, bit like Wilkinson post 03, just one thing after another. IIRC didn't Leicester give him a massive pay rise a year ago when he was again on the sidelines? Bet some lawyers and insurers have been looking over the fine print of that. As for 13 now, JJ is looking a very rounded player and I can't see why you'd look beyond him. Daly's versatility, like Slade and Nowell makes him look more like bench material to me.

 

[Yoshimitsu]

Really feel for the man

Manu is out long term again with Cruciate Ligament injury. Such a shame for the lad. But it means its Joseph v Daly for that 13 spot.

Although I do like the idea of Daly at 15.

The groin injury would have finished many players and it appears that Manu and Leicester handled that one pretty well. I was watching the Sarries match on T.V and the slow motion appeared to show the very moment the knee separated. I'm assuming ACL from what I saw. Having had one and a subsequent meniscus tear it's little fun. A long road ahead but I'd guess he's in good hands.

Here's hoping he's psychologically strong enough to weather another setback. It must be difficult to keep getting back up!

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Manu Tuilagi out for the rest of the season. In other news, water is wet.

 

[RedruthRFC]

Manu Tuilagi out for the rest of the season. In other news, water is wet.

Lol. Sorry to get a bit off topic, but do clubs insure against players getting injured? Also, do wages count against the salary cap when players are injured? I the articles at the time are to be believed, Manu is getting £400k a year to spend most of his time tying up the medical staff. Obviously there's a big luck factor, but it's a pretty poor investment. I'd have thought that he's going to be in line for a big pay cut the next time his contract comes up for renewal.

 

[MrTea_32]

Jones quoted as saying Hartley will captain in the 6N, if he can prove fitness.

Feel very sorry for Manu, bit like Wilkinson post 03, just one thing after another. IIRC didn't Leicester give him a massive pay rise a year ago when he was again on the sidelines? Bet some lawyers and insurers have been looking over the fine print of that. As for 13 now, JJ is looking a very rounded player and I can't see why you'd look beyond him. Daly's versatility, like Slade and Nowell makes him look more like bench material to me.

Daly is a versatile player but I don't see why alot of people think that means he should be on the bench. Have him playing and he can always move position if needs be.
Having that massive boot on the pitch could be a great weapon in those tight games.

 

[RedruthRFC]

Manu is out long term again with Cruciate Ligament injury. Such a shame for the lad. But it means its Joseph v Daly for that 13 spot.

Would he really have been in the mix to play 13 for England? His primary focus for Leicester has been as a 12 during his brief periods of fitness and that's where he played during his brief Six Nations cameo. If fit, I'd have thought that it would have been between him and Te'o to play 22 in the first instance.

Edit: apologies The_Blindside, just realised that I've posted pretty much exactly what you had already posted!

 

[Which Tyler]

Daly is a versatile player but I don't see why alot of people think that means he should be on the bench. Have him playing and he can always move position if needs be.
Having that massive boot on the pitch could be a great weapon in those tight games.

Beause he's not the best in any 1 position - is 2nd best in 1 position, and a viable option in 3 others.

 

[MrTea_32]

Beause he's not the best in any 1 position - is 2nd best in 1 position, and a viable option in 3 others.

I think he is the best option at 15.

I'd have
11. Watson
14. Nowell
15. Daly

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I think he is the best option at 15.

I'd have
11. Watson
14. Nowell
15. Daly

I don't think he's the best option at 15, but I agree he'd be my fullback for now. The change I would make is May in for Watson. May was very impressive in the AIs, especially vs Argentina where he really showed how far his defence has come. With Watson having not played for a few weeks, I have my doubts that come the 6 Nations he will be in good enough form to warrant dropping May.

In time I'd want someone who plays at 15 every week to go there (Haley). Watson did seem to be the best option, but Blackadder has said he prefers him as a winger, so that's where he'll now play for Bath. Once Haley is ready for international rugby, I fear Daly is doomed to the bench.

 

[RedruthRFC]

I don't think he's the best option at 15, but I agree he'd be my fullback for now. The change I would make is May in for Watson. May was very impressive in the AIs, especially vs Argentina where he really showed how far his defence has come. With Watson having not played for a few weeks, I have my doubts that come the 6 Nations he will be in good enough form to warrant dropping May.

In time I'd want someone who plays at 15 every week to go there (Haley). Watson did seem to be the best option, but Blackadder has said he prefers him as a winger, so that's where he'll now play for Bath. Once Haley is ready for international rugby, I fear Daly is doomed to the bench.

I'm in danger of quibbling over semantics, but if he's not the best option, who is and why wouldn't you pick him instead? I don't watch enough AP rugby to form strong opinions on club form, but May looked worryingly like he was redeveloping his penchant for crabbing sideways across the field in the game against 'quins at Twickenham IMO. His international form has been impressive though.

 

[MrTea_32]

I don't think he's the best option at 15, but I agree he'd be my fullback for now. The change I would make is May in for Watson. May was very impressive in the AIs, especially vs Argentina where he really showed how far his defence has come. With Watson having not played for a few weeks, I have my doubts that come the 6 Nations he will be in good enough form to warrant dropping May.

In time I'd want someone who plays at 15 every week to go there (Haley). Watson did seem to be the best option, but Blackadder has said he prefers him as a winger, so that's where he'll now play for Bath. Once Haley is ready for international rugby, I fear Daly is doomed to the bench.

Who do you see as our 15 for the next world cup? We've got afew talented options but none of them play there rugby there usually except for Haly though I agree with you about him.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I'm in danger of quibbling over semantics, but if he's not the best option, who is and why wouldn't you pick him instead? I don't watch enough AP rugby to form strong opinions on club form, but May looked worryingly like he was redeveloping his penchant for crabbing sideways across the field in the game against 'quins at Twickenham IMO. His international form has been impressive though.

I should've been clearer there, I mean long term I don't see him as our best option, that being Haley. And in the short term, it's arguably best to stay with the tried and tested Brown, which is what I'm sure will happen.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Who do you see as our 15 for the next world cup? We've got afew talented options but none of them play there rugby there usually except for Haly though I agree with you about him.

I see it being Haley. Brown will be too old, Watson and Nowell will be playing as wings for their clubs, and Wasps having Le Roux, Beale and Miller shows that they have no interest in shifting Daly to 15. Haley is also the only young FB in the EPS ATM, so it seems clear that he's who Jones wants as FB going forward (he does also seem to have an eye on Daly, Watson or Nowell shifting there but I can't see that happening for the reasons I've just given).

 

[RedruthRFC]

I should've been clearer there, I mean long term I don't see him as our best option, that being Haley. And in the short term, it's arguably best to stay with the tried and tested Brown, which is what I'm sure will happen.

That makes perfect sense. Worryingly, as you allude to in your other post, unless Bath, Exeter or Wasps have a change of heart / opinion or whatever reason, Haley isn't far from being our only long term option on the radar at the moment! Is there anyone else thereabouts at the moment who I'm missing?

 

[Which Tyler]

In time I'd want someone who plays at 15 every week to go there (Haley). Watson did seem to be the best option, but Blackadder has said he prefers him as a winger, so that's where he'll now play for Bath. Once Haley is ready for international rugby, I fear Daly is doomed to the bench.

Have you a quote for that?
I don't disbelieve you, just a little surprised I've missed it, and would like to see it in context. Also a little surprised that Todd would actually say that, coaches tend to not like backing themselves into a corner that way.

 

[RedruthRFC]

Re: Daly being doomed to bench warming, I can make my peace with that if he isn't the best in any one position in the country as long as he gets a good run at playing the one position for his club. It's only a shame when a player's versatility leads to him becoming a Jack of all trades and a master of none. If he's good enough to cover four positions at international level, them that's a boon for England.