England EPS 2017/18 edition.

[TRF_Olyy]

Cole, Harry Williams and Paul Hill.

******* hell the cupboards really are bare

 

[stus768]

******* hell the cupboards really are bare

Yep. Couple of years ago it all looked good and I was quite excited with Brookes, Hill and sinckler behind a solid Coles. But Brookes and Hill really haven't moved forward and developed as thought.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Kinda, Paul Hill has shitloads of potential. He even showed it for Saints initially. Williams isn't too bad, and Collier can be an amazing scrumager on his day.

Would love to see Hill playing for a different side - Sarries, Chiefs or Wasps.

Might be an idea for Sale to go after him.

 

[Which Tyler]

Don't forget that Henry Thomas is back from injury now.
Far too early to include him just yet, but if he goes well in Europe, that could change quickly

 

[Which Tyler]

Oh, can I also say how good it feels to picking most of these from a selection of good options, rather than least bad (excepting backup THP, SH and IC). Outside of those 3, I feel we could put out a first XV to challenge anyone (not wearing black).

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hill turned us down to go to Saints initially
Don't blame him tbh, we don't exactly have a reputation for developing young tightheads
Polishing rough ones (i.e. Cobilas) is decent enough, But Henry Thomas is the extent of our tighthead production in the last like decade, And he's gash

 

[curtbob7]

******* hell the cupboards really are bare

Collier, Brookes, Barrington. Serious drop in quality after Cole, Sinckler and Williams.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Collier is better than Williams, imo.
Cole needs time off, he's not up to standard and hasn't been for years due to being overplayed at every level

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Collier, Brookes, Barrington. Serious drop in quality after Cole, Sinckler and Williams.

Barrington's a loose head.

I know there's more to a prop's game than scrummaging, but a seriously destructive TH is still worth their considerable weight in gold.

 

[curtbob7]

Jesus he's one big loosehead

 

[curtbob7]

Collier is better than Williams, imo.
Cole needs time off, he's not up to standard and hasn't been for years due to being overplayed at every level

I agree he needs time off. But he's still been England's best Tighthead.

 

[Nudger]

The bigger issue for england is if we play the ford-faz combo and slade comes good at 13 as EJ wants

Firstly ford faz, it works but only if the fwds are making metres and presenting quick ball. Thats only way we get ball to the danger men out wide which we have a few

Secondly is slade. He has the potential to be a great 13 for england. Maybe needs another season but definatly has the talant and EJ sees him as only 13 so thats that. But cant have Ford Faz slade, not enough running threat to interest a world class defence meaning the defence would close down the wingers space.

So if slade plays 13 then who plays 10/12? Any thoughts? Teo? Does francais have a running threat? Or who else is there?.

The best 2 English 12s this season are Burrell and Barrett never thought I would say that

 

[Nudger]

Absolutely bored out my face in the office so ill do the 23 id like to see against the Argie Bargies taking into account injuries and suspensions.

1. Vunipola
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Kruis
5. Lawes
6. Itoje
7. Underhill
8. Hughes

9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Farrell
13. Joseph
14. Daly
15. Watson

16. George
17. Genge
18. Williams
19. Launchbury
20. Clifford
21. Care
22. Slade
23. Nowell

Not a bad shout as long as lawes packs down at 6

 

[Scotty]

The best 2 English 12s this season are Burrell and Barrett never thought I would say that

Yeh but for england just no... please god no

 

[curtbob7]

Barrett an absolute no and Burrell has had his chances.

One feels that Teo needs to move. Sarries would suit him. Maybe Bath.

TBH im waiting for him to kick up a fuss at Worcs and Tigers to announce him as injury replacement for Tuilagi hahaha!

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Isn't one of the curries injured?

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Isn't one of the curries injured?

Yep, that's why we got 2 to cover this eventuality.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Apparently a chipped bone rather than broken, expected back in about 3 weeks rather than months.

 

[Scotty]

Barrett an absolute no and Burrell has had his chances.

One feels that Teo needs to move. Sarries would suit him. Maybe Bath.

TBH im waiting for him to kick up a fuss at Worcs and Tigers to announce him as injury replacement for Tuilagi hahaha!

Agree but my thing with teo is he doesnt distribute well. You know he will take contact most times, i rate him but he needs to improve the distribution to be a perminant first choice. And his age counts against him.

A move would suit him but not sarries as they like to move with quick ball out wide but maybe saints? Use same as burrell or quins as a good jamie roberts jk but saints would be a good fit.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Agree but my thing with teo is he doesnt distribute well. You know he will take contact most times, i rate him but he needs to improve the distribution to be a perminant first choice. And his age counts against him.

A move would suit him but not sarries as they like to move with quick ball out wide but maybe saints? Use same as burrell or quins as a good jamie roberts jk but saints would be a good fit.

I'd say Bath. Would be nice to see what JJ can do when the man inside him actually draws some defenders. It's no coincidence that his best season in an England shirt was when he had the somewhat in form, 104kg Burrell inside him.