England EPS 2017/18 edition.

[TRF_Olyy]

The big question is can he last more than 3 games?

No

 

[Hound]

That big question had a very small answer...

 

[Which Tyler]

The big question is can he last more than 3 games?

That depends, if you limit him to the last 5 minutes of each match... and allow him dispensation to miss the warm-up... and training... Then you might manipulate the odds up to 50:50

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Manu might be fit this weekend.
Which should mean he has a injury just before the Christmas period and can enjoy a nice relaxing Christmas.


I will say England do miss a fully fit Manu our attack lacks bite in the midfield. The big question is can he last more than 3 games?

The worst part is, that's probably true. Last time we joked about how quickly he would get injured, it was correct

Will the wings ever see the ball with Manu on the pitch? Also do we play him at 12 or 13?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

The worst part is, that's probably true. Last time we joked about how quickly he would get injured, it was correct

Will the wings ever see the ball with Manu on the pitch? Also do we play him at 12 or 13?

Definitely 13. Playing him at 12 would mean completely changing the game plan and when he's as injury prone as he is, changing the game plan to revolve around him this close to the WC simply isn't a gamble worth taking.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Definitely 13. Playing him at 12 would mean completely changing the game plan and when he's as injury prone as he is, changing the game plan to revolve around him this close to the WC simply isn't a gamble worth taking.

Which means we lose JJ or Slade there and potentially less influence for our pacey wingers in favour of bashball. If he passes into space whilst offering the running threat then that's good but if all he does is his usual brainless crashing into contact, he will be a liability. In his short stint last time at club level before injury he more than once butchered overlaps by not even looking outside and just trying to smash players rather than hitting a space. We don't need that sort of idiotic play and if he doesn't start playing more intelligently, I don't want him back.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

22 shirt in place of Teo

 

[Timbo]

Which means we lose JJ or Slade there and potentially less influence for our pacey wingers in favour of bashball. If he passes into space whilst offering the running threat then that's good but if all he does is his usual brainless crashing into contact, he will be a liability. In his short stint last time at club level before injury he more than once butchered overlaps by not even looking outside and just trying to smash players rather than hitting a space. We don't need that sort of idiotic play and if he doesn't start playing more intelligently, I don't want him back.

When Manu last played for England we didn't have the quality of Ford and Farrell at 10 and 12 though. He won't need to be a great passer if he's used well by the more intelligent players around him. He should hold defences and create more space and better ball for our back 3. He may be a blunt weapon but if he's ever fit he's the best at what he does in the world.

All redundant until he proves he can last more than a few weeks, mind.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

When Manu last played for England we didn't have the quality of Ford and Farrell at 10 and 12 though. He won't need to be a great passer if he's used well by the more intelligent players around him. He should hold defences and create more space and better ball for our back 3. He may be a blunt weapon but if he's ever fit he's the best at what he does in the world.

All redundant until he proves he can last more than a few weeks, mind.

When he played for Tigers last he butchered 2 clear try scoring opportunities because he would rather smash headlong into a defender and go for glory than give a simple pass to a completely unmarked winger. The second the ball is in his hands, we need him to know when to pass it on. The rest of the team can't cover for his idiocy, what if he is passed the ball with the team expecting him to do the sensible thing of pass just before contact and put someone like May, Watson or Daly away but instead decides he's going to try to prove his manliness with a pointless crash into a ready defender? He has repeatedly shown a lack of intelligence beyond many other stupid rugby players.

If he comes back he MUST play more intelligently.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

As well as his fitness, let's see how Tigers use him. But I'd be tempted to give him a very simple brief in the 12 shirt and leave the open spaces to others. Outside, Slade's ball playing skills would be a good contrast.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I mean it isn't like out wingers are getting great quick ball with our current 13's...

 

[Lé Ddanno]

When he played for Tigers last he butchered 2 clear try scoring opportunities because he would rather smash headlong into a defender and go for glory than give a simple pass to a completely unmarked winger. The second the ball is in his hands, we need him to know when to pass it on. The rest of the team can't cover for his idiocy, what if he is passed the ball with the team expecting him to do the sensible thing of pass just before contact and put someone like May, Watson or Daly away but instead decides he's going to try to prove his manliness with a pointless crash into a ready defender? He has repeatedly shown a lack of intelligence beyond many other stupid rugby players.

If he comes back he MUST play more intelligently.

Thought you were describing Brown for a moment.

 

[Hound]

Slade and Farrell give you good versatility to allow him to slide in at either 12 or 13... for those three matches at least.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Manu might be fit this weekend.

So much for that then, ay!

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So much for that then, ay!

The team posted now will no doubt be different to the actual one.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Rugby it's tigers the team posted now will no doubt be different to the actual one.

Just like Sale's blind hope that Addison will make it through the captains run one day!

 

[MarkyH]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42238453

England lock Maro Itoje fractured his jaw playing for Saracens against Harlequins on Sunday, a scan has shown.

The 23-year-old, who collided with Mike Brown, will visit a specialist this week to determine when he can return.

Could miss some/all of 6N. We're strong enough to not rush him back, and this enforced absence will do the rest of his body the world of good. Not saying its good news before anyone bites, I genuinely think we are better with Maro in the squad. Disappointing

 

[Timbo]

6 Nations is still a long way off, plus the first 2 games are our easiest. Hope he's back for Scotland away, which is 12/13 weeks away.

 

[Which Tyler]

Fractures typically take 6 weeks - though jaws can be tricky buggers as they hang there without taking any impact to stimulating bone growth. You're still looking at 6 weeks for most people - though I guess rugby players are more prone to taking additional trauma there, so you'd want to allow a good 9-10 weeks before returning - though there's still an element that depends on the location of the fracture.

Mind you - if any player is going to exercise his jaw enough to promote healing, it's Itoje - the man just cannot shut up!

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Bad news for Itoje, although I agree that the rest will do him good.

I hope neither he nor Billy is rushed straight back into the 6N. We have good alternatives - make them prove form and match fitness with Sarries first.