England EPS 2016/17 season.

[Peat]

If the form and fitness of our starting XV stays such that a guy like Daly never gets a shot, I'd be absolutely delighted.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I've never wavered from seeing Watson as the best bet for FB, but not unless he plays there for Barf. May ought to be inked in for the forseeable, but there are gathering forces in the likes of Earle, Watson snr, or maybe even Charnley who could be competing for 2019 starting slots. Not Wade's biggest fan, but still gob smacked that he hasn't at least been given a shot.

At FB Hammersley at Newcastle looked decent, but I think is now long term injured.

 

[Which Tyler]

He's been playing FB for Bath for the last 3 years.

 

[Every Time Ref]

He's been playing FB for Bath for the last 3 years.

Of the 15 options I'd say he's the only one who's internationally experienced, plays fullback regularly and isn't past it.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

He's been playing FB for Bath for the last 3 years.

And extremely well too. But this term he'd been on the wing before his injury and earlier posts suggest that Blackadder wants to keep him there. I'd just prefer to see Eng players in their regular club positions that they play week in week out.

 

[BPM]

And extremely well too. But this term he'd been on the wing before his injury and earlier posts suggest that Blackadder wants to keep him there. I'd just prefer to see Eng players in their regular club positions that they play week in week out.

Agreed - although it's not inconceivable that Nowell may be moved to 15 at Exeter.

Also, might be a massive long shot, but Freddie Burns has been playing 15 for Leicester in recent weeks. If Mauger sees that as a full time move, he might provide a different alternative? He's never going to be a defensive rock, but he could be of interest as a second playmaker/kicking 15.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Agreed - although it's not inconceivable that Nowell may be moved to 15 at Exeter.

Also, might be a massive long shot, but Freddie Burns has been playing 15 for Leicester in recent weeks. If Mauger sees that as a full time move, he might provide a different alternative? He's never going to be a defensive rock, but he could be of interest as a second playmaker/kicking 15.

I'd have thought there's a very slim chance of Nowell moving to FB for Exeter. Baxter clearly likes him coming off of his wing and acting like an extra flanker, which he wouldn't be able to do when given the responsibility of FB.

On Blackadder saying he prefers Watson as a wing, I read it somewhere on the forum but if I'm quite honest, I can't remember where or who said it, but seeing as Watson hasn't started for the Bath at 15 since Blackadder's taken over, it seems reliable.

I can't see Burns happening. He's not a natural 15, and if he wasn't getting a look in at 10 (being his natural position) I can't see him getting a look in anywhere else.

I've always had a soft spot for Miller, but at 27 he may not still be firing on all cylinders by 2019, but I'd have thought he's worth keeping an eye on. Another one that gives another play making option.

As a very far fetched option, Slade came off the bench at 15 vs Argentina. He's young, got a great boot and defends very well. Provides another play making option. Who knows...

 

[BPM]

Yeah - the Burns at 15 idea is very much a long shot. However, if he keeps playing there and it works, that might put him ahead of others who aren't actually playing at fullback.

I really like the idea of Slade being converted to 15, but the priority for him is to nail down one position and adding another one in to the mix as well as 10, 12 and 13 probably won't help him. If I were him, I'd either be pushing to play exclusively as a 12 or a 15. If he could nail either, he would be a shoo-in for England. As a utility player, he's too much of a 'Jack of all trades' which makes him a great bench option but an unlikely starter.

 

[brokenoses]

Slade is a 10 and if he plays in any other position, he is a 10 playing out of position. It's only Steenson's form that has kept him out of the jersey and Slade will be Exeter's fly half moving forward. One thing I am hoping will happen when England tour this summer, is that Slade will be given a chance to showcase his game management and playmaking ability from an England 10 shirt.

 

[Scotty]

Slade is a 10 and if he plays in any other position, he is a 10 playing out of position. It's only Steenson's form that has kept him out of the jersey and Slade will be Exeter's fly half moving forward. One thing I am hoping will happen when England tour this summer, is that Slade will be given a chance to showcase his game management and playmaking ability from an England 10 shirt.

I prefer sladey as a distributing 12 like farrel is playing atm or at a push a 13 that can bring the wings into play more if we have a powerful 2 like manu (made of glass) or teo. Big fan of slade though i just dont see him as an international level 10. So glad watson is back so watson and nowell back on the wings.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I prefer sladey as a distributing 12 like farrel is playing atm or at a push a 13 that can bring the wings into play more if we have a powerful 2 like manu (made of glass) or teo. Big fan of slade though i just dont see him as an international level 10. So glad watson is back so watson and nowell back on the wings.

He's looked much better at 13 than 10 for Exeter as well. I don't really think he'll become a top class 10 unless he's playing there week ok week out.

Really he should leave and join us so we can ruin his confidence like we do to all young 10s.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

As a very far fetched option, Slade came off the bench at 15 vs Argentina. He's young, got a great boot and defends very well. Provides another play making option. Who knows...

He's just about to turn 24, only a few months younger than Binny, so not that young. The likes of Brown and Robshaw who started good international careers in earnest at 26 or 27 are the exceptions. Slade still hasn't really nailed down a regular club position yet, let alone an international one. Given the amount of hype that accompanied his emergence (not his fault) his progression has been disappointing. I fully believe that he's a 10 and should be fighting it out with Ford and Faz for that shirt. Arguably he could develop the most rounded game out of the 3 with none of the perceived major weaknesses of the other 2.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

He's looked much better at 13 than 10 for Exeter as well. I don't really think he'll become a top class 10 unless he's playing there week ok week out.

Really he should leave and join us so we can ruin his confidence like we do to all young 10s.

Has he? This season I've been more impressed by his outings at 12 than those at 10.

 

[brokenoses]

As living sacrifice said, Slade needs to be playing at 10 week in week out. Playing at 10 for the first two games of the season against Sarries and Wasps with an unsettled squad and then being dropped from the position the following week, probably didn't do a lot for his confidence. He plays very well in the centres because he is a very good footballer with a very good rugby brain but surely his potential is greatest at 10. Devoto was brought in to fulfill the second playmaker role with Slade pencilled in as Exe's primary flyhalf. While Steenson continues to be picked at 10, Slade will not get the opportunity he needs. Steenson is a brilliant Captain and General but his defence is pants. With Steenson now 32, surely it is the time for Slade to be phased into the role and move forward for club and eventually for country.

 

[Geordie]

I've never wavered from seeing Watson as the best bet for FB, but not unless he plays there for Barf. May ought to be inked in for the forseeable, but there are gathering forces in the likes of Earle, Watson snr, or maybe even Charnley who could be competing for 2019 starting slots. Not Wade's biggest fan, but still gob smacked that he hasn't at least been given a shot.

At FB Hammersley at Newcastle looked decent, but I think is now long term injured.

Hammersley has been excellent for us, but yes is out for the season with a ACL injury.

Im not sure if he will make the next step up to international (maybe a stint in the Saxons would give us an idea)... but we shall see. One thing that he MUST improve is his kicking out of hand. Its too often aimless, unintelligent, blind kicking, which I don't think is good for a FB and often puts us in a bit of trouble.

Plus im a big fan of Alex Tait...absolute rock solid diamond of a club player!

 

[Which Tyler]

On Blackadder saying he prefers Watson as a wing, I read it somewhere on the forum but if I'm quite honest, I can't remember where or who said it, but seeing as Watson hasn't started for the Bath at 15 since Blackadder's taken over, it seems reliable.

On this one specifically - until I see a quote for Blackadder saying it; then I'll continue to treat it with suspicion. It's just an odd thing for a coach to say.
As for him playing wing before his injury - that was in matches where Bath were putting out starting backlines with 5 back-3 players as we had no fit centres. If you have to play 5+1 of Banahan, Williams, Brew, Watson, Rokoduguni and Homer; then the first three have to play centre, and one of Watson or Homer has to play wing. I wouldn't say it means that Bladders considers Watson a wing any more than he considers Aled Brew to be a centre (nor is Garvey a lock, just because he's played there during an injury crisis).


Either way, if Eddie feels he has to play all 3 of May, Nowell and Watson; then there's only one choice for FB - and it's neither of the guys who haven't played there in 4 years.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Watson makes his first start since injury at FB.

 

[MarkyH]

As much as I'm excited by a Lions tour, I'm really looking forward to the Argie tour and who Eddie takes

 

[Which Tyler]

New EPS squad; so updated (including Wood again, hurt - but at least I don't have to interview him... do I?)
Have also separated out the international kicking records for Ford and Farrell as requested.
Just Prem and international rugby last season

Just Prem and international rugby this season

 

[NickBD]

Interesting to see what the back row looks like if Robshaw is out with shoulder injury. With Billy too, then the question of how long it takes Hask to get back to fitness. With rumours Itoje was gonna be in back row in the Autumn before he got injured certain he'll get a turn in back row in 6N. Itoje, Wood (Hask if fit) and Hughes maybe.