England EPS 2017/18 edition.

[Geordie]

1 Mako (40 mins, then Genge)
2 Hartley (40 mins then George)
3 Cole (40 mins then Williams)
4 Kruis
5 Launchbury / Isiekwe
6 Robshaw
7 Underhill
8 Hughes

9 Youngs
10 Ford
11 May
12 Farrell
13 Slade
14 Solomana
15 Watson

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Guessing one of those is meant to be Daly?

Freudian slip

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Williams isn't good enough for 40mins of international rugby.

Then again does Cole have more than 40 in the tank? He must just be constantly exhausted and broken for the past 5+ years.

Think if Sinckler wasn't such an idiot he could've snuck in as first choice tighthead for the 6N with a strong showing in these AIs

 

[will311293]

no Robson is just an awful decision, both our 3rd/4th (Robson/Maunder) scrum halfs haven't played any International rugby at all. They need to be tested before world cup and this is perfect timing.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I really cant get my head around the thinking... Brown, Youngs and Care have all been unchallenged for around 6 years now and it's not because they are so much better. I don't see why Lancaster and now Jones is so resistant to playing the alternatives, even just as cover for if the first choices aren't available...

 

[RedruthRFC]

I really cant get my head around the thinking... Brown, Youngs and Care have all been unchallenged for around 6 years now and it's not because they are so much better. I don't see why Lancaster and now Jones is so resistant to playing the alternatives, even just as cover for if the first choices aren't available...

I guess it's easier when you're dominant, but to me, most sides could learn from how New Zealand do succession management. When an injury or retirement comes, there's almost inevitably someone waiting in the wings with significant test experience to step in. +1 on everything said already about the England scrum half situation.

 

[MarkyH]

Still don't understand why we don't have Robson as third choice, but Maunder was in the tour squad for Argentina and played didn't he? However, notice him not be in the match-day squad for Exeter at the moment. He's still young but do Exeter fans think he has potential to become first choice for Exeter and subsequently England?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Still don't understand why we don't have Robson as third choice, but Maunder was in the tour squad for Argentina and played didn't he? However, notice him not be in the match-day squad for Exeter at the moment. He's still young but do Exeter fans think he has potential to become first choice for Exeter and subsequently England?

I definitely think he can get there for Chiefs. I'd like to think that we'll keep White around for a couple of years to help teach Maunder and Townsend and over time they'll overtake him, Maunder at 9 and Townsend at 21 (both of whom I think have the potential to play for England in the future). Maunder is seriously impressive in my eyes and if Baxter handles him right I'd expect him to be the England 9 for the 2023 RWC.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Maunder and Townsend are both guys who've looked pretty damn good at age grade and have been very promising at premiership level.

I feel fairly confident in saying at both of them will be in the England picture in the next few years, because SH's normally look dross at age grade level for some reason.
So simply looking decent at that age is a very positive thing! Most of our age grade SH's in recent years have definitely not looked good.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Eddie has a limited amount of spaces and clearly feels that 2 9's is enough.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Eddie has a limited amount of spaces and clearly feels that 2 9's is enough.

Such a lick ass Tigs.

 

[Scotty]

And we'll see if Simmonds lack of genuine size will be an issue for him play 8 at international level..or whether he'll move to the flank.

He's playing 7 for Chiefs this weekend because Waldrom (an out and out 8) is fit. I think l EJ will play him at 20 as back row cover but intention to come on for Robshaw and leave hughes on for the full 80. So basically flank cover and 8 as injury only

 

[RedruthRFC]

He's playing 7 for Chiefs this weekend because Waldrom (an out and out 8) is fit. I think l EJ will play him at 20 as back row cover but intention to come on for Robshaw and leave hughes on for the full 80. So basically flank cover and 8 as injury only

Who are you picking at 8 against Argentina if Simmonds is 20? The cupboard looks pretty bare to me.

 

[RedruthRFC]

Eddie has a limited amount of spaces and clearly feels that 2 9's is enough.

I don't think that anyone has disputed either of these points and why would they? Both are pretty obvious. Every post I've read on this is making the point that in taking this approach, Jones is taking a risk and stymying the development of the team.

 

[Which Tyler]

Are you forgetting Nathan Hughes?
Or am I missing something on his 2 week ban?

 

[RedruthRFC]

Are you forgetting Nathan Hughes?
Or am I missing something on his 2 week ban?

My bad, having checked again, it turns out I totally misread the article about his ban, I thought it said that he would miss the Argentina game, not that he would be available for it.

 

[Reiser99]

Who are you picking at 8 against Argentina if Simmonds is 20? The cupboard looks pretty bare to me.

**** it, just stick Mercer in. He'll get there eventually. Seriously I guess Simmonds at 8 with Lawes/Itoje covering 6 and Robshaw and Underhill at 6 and 7.

Point of interest though. Marcus smith is 18 and Zach Mercer is 20 and are there as 'apprentices', yet Tom Curry is only 19. Now I know part of it is to do with the lack of options at 6 and 7, but you can't say that Curry has been getting regular rugby at the moment. Mercer especially has been playing well and also led England to a grand slam and runners up in the world cup. Not saying he's the finished article by any means, but personally if he's an apparentice player then Curry is too.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

How has curry not been getting regular rugby?
Other than the last couple of weeks where he was out with a broken wrist he's been starting every other game getting at least 30m in the games from the bench since early last season
He got MOTM in his England debut and then another 70mins in Argentina.
What more should he do? Magically be 5years older so he had the extra game time under his belt?

 

[Reiser99]

I get that, but it is compared with others who are a clear no1 in their position. My point is that while he's great young player with plenty of potential, I don't see a massive amount of difference between him and Mercer/Smith other than his position is more open with less established players.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I get that, but it is compared with others who are a clear no1 in their position. My point is that while he's great young player with plenty of potential, I don't see a massive amount of difference between him and Mercer/Smith other than his position is more open with less established players.