England EPS 2017/18 edition.

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

In attack, Trinder, Marchant and Daly come to mind.
In defence - nobody.

I'm sure Huw Jones would have something to say about Joseph's renowned defence...

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Yeh it's not like JJ has been a defensive mastermind recently.

He's very solid but nothing spectacular in defence IMO.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Marchant is very promising in defence too.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Would love to see Daly at 13

 

[Which Tyler]

I'm sure Huw Jones would have something to say about Joseph's renowned defence...

yes - because one match completely undoes the previous 4 years

Yeh it's not like JJ has been a defensive mastermind recently.

He's very solid but nothing spectacular in defence IMO.

In a poor run of form, and he's solid but not specatacular - whilst still organising the defence well (except in one match, when we're specifically and tactically looking for the intercept), and babysiting the most indisciplined defensive centre in world rugby (who's getting better).

If "Defence" = "Dominant tackling"; then JJ jas never been a top defender
If "Defence" = "Keeping the defensive line intact"; then JJ is up there with the very best in the world - even off form he's still our best defensive back

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Trouble is whats the point of playing a defensive back at 13 when you have two play makers at 10 and 12.
IMO the 13 should be one of the main attacking players. (Like Jones and Ringrose have shown) or if it is a defensive player then we need an attacking threat at 12.
A proper defensive system IMO shouldn't need to have a defensive general at 13.

 

[TheSaffycen]

I haven't read through the previous pages but the squad I'd take to South Africa would be
19 Forwards 16 Backs
Props- Marler, Genge, Hepburn, Sinkler, Williams, Not sure? must be a glaring omission but maybe Hill? young enough to keep going with him.
Hookers- Hartley, LCD, Taylor- give George a rest and give Hartley his place.
Lock- Launchbury, Iseikwe, Kruis, Ewels- Give Lawes and Itoje time off
Back Row- Robshaw, Ewers, Underhill, Curry, Wilson/Simmonds, Armand- Obviously Loads of people missed, one of the Curry's will probably be missed, Underhill shouldn't be an 7 but I think it would work if we want dominant hitting players. Wilson i'd like to have a better look at, but Simmonds would get the nod. Don't risk Billy, Mercer would be on stand by.

Scrum Half- Youngs, Robson, Spencer- Probably biased but I really like Spencer, great kicker, can run. Care has shown that if he starts he's screwed. A little late but maybe he shouldn't be in the squad....
Fly Half- Ford, Lozowski,Smith- All really good attackers, Lozowski hasn't taken his chance when Farrell's been away.
Centre- Slade, JJ, Marchant, Teo'o, Tuilagi- Bit of a mix and hopefully Manu comes into form. He'd be straight in for me, Teo'o and Manu together would be fun for anyone.
Back Three- Nowell, Earle, Lewington, Daly, Watson- A lot of players again have been missed, Brown, Woodward, May and the young lad Coka (can't remember name!!)
I'd probably make the team of
1.Marler 2.Hartley 3.Sinkler
4.Launchbury 5.Iseikwe
6.Robshaw 7.Underhill 8.Ewers
9.Youngs 10.Ford
11.Daly 12.Slade 13.JJ 14.Nowell 15.Watson

16.LCD 17.Genge 18.Williams 19.Kruis 20.Simmonds
21.Robson 22.Lozowski 23.Lewington



Please feel free to bully me over this, my feelings easily hurt and i'll cry on the keyboard.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I haven't read through the previous pages but the squad I'd take to South Africa would be
19 Forwards 16 Backs
Props- Marler, Genge, Hepburn, Sinkler, Williams, Not sure? must be a glaring omission but maybe Hill? young enough to keep going with him.
Hookers- Hartley, LCD, Taylor- give George a rest and give Hartley his place.
Lock- Launchbury, Iseikwe, Kruis, Ewels- Give Lawes and Itoje time off
Back Row- Robshaw, Ewers, Underhill, Curry, Wilson/Simmonds, Armand- Obviously Loads of people missed, one of the Curry's will probably be missed, Underhill shouldn't be an 7 but I think it would work if we want dominant hitting players. Wilson i'd like to have a better look at, but Simmonds would get the nod. Don't risk Billy, Mercer would be on stand by.

Scrum Half- Youngs, Robson, Spencer- Probably biased but I really like Spencer, great kicker, can run. Care has shown that if he starts he's screwed. A little late but maybe he shouldn't be in the squad....
Fly Half- Ford, Lozowski,Watson- All really good attackers, Lozowski hasn't taken his chance when Farrell's been away.
Centre- Slade, JJ, Marchant, Teo'o, Tuilagi- Bit of a mix and hopefully Manu comes into form. He'd be straight in for me, Teo'o and Manu together would be fun for anyone.
Back Three- Nowell, Earle, Lewington, Daly, Watson- A lot of players again have been missed, Brown, Woodward, May and the young lad Coka (can't remember name!!)
I'd probably make the team of
1.Marler 2.Hartley 3.Sinkler
4.Launchbury 5.Iseikwe
6.Robshaw 7.Underhill 8.Ewers
9.Youngs 10.Ford
11.Daly 12.Slade 13.JJ 14.Nowell 15.Watson

16.LCD 17.Genge 18.Williams 19.Kruis 20.Simmonds
21.Robson 22.Lozowski 23.Lewington



Please feel free to bully me over this, my feelings easily hurt and i'll cry on the keyboard.

Who's the Watson fly half? I like the look of that squad though.

 

[Which Tyler]

I'd leave all the Lions behind in England. Wouldn't take a single one - they've all been overplayed and need some time on the beach.
That also gives us the chance to have a decent look at some back-up options.
The build-up to the RWC starts in November; let's aim to hit that ground running; fit and refreshed (mentally as much as physically)

 

[TheSaffycen]

Who's the Watson fly half? I like the look of that squad though.

*Marcus Smith not Marcus Watson cheers for that

 

[Giraffatitan]

I haven't read through the previous pages but the squad I'd take to South Africa would be
19 Forwards 16 Backs
Props- Marler, Genge, Hepburn, Sinkler, Williams, Not sure? must be a glaring omission but maybe Hill? young enough to keep going with him.
Hookers- Hartley, LCD, Taylor- give George a rest and give Hartley his place.
Lock- Launchbury, Iseikwe, Kruis, Ewels- Give Lawes and Itoje time off
Back Row- Robshaw, Ewers, Underhill, Curry, Wilson/Simmonds, Armand- Obviously Loads of people missed, one of the Curry's will probably be missed, Underhill shouldn't be an 7 but I think it would work if we want dominant hitting players. Wilson i'd like to have a better look at, but Simmonds would get the nod. Don't risk Billy, Mercer would be on stand by.

Scrum Half- Youngs, Robson, Spencer- Probably biased but I really like Spencer, great kicker, can run. Care has shown that if he starts he's screwed. A little late but maybe he shouldn't be in the squad....
Fly Half- Ford, Lozowski,Watson- All really good attackers, Lozowski hasn't taken his chance when Farrell's been away.
Centre- Slade, JJ, Marchant, Teo'o, Tuilagi- Bit of a mix and hopefully Manu comes into form. He'd be straight in for me, Teo'o and Manu together would be fun for anyone.
Back Three- Nowell, Earle, Lewington, Daly, Watson- A lot of players again have been missed, Brown, Woodward, May and the young lad Coka (can't remember name!!)
I'd probably make the team of
1.Marler 2.Hartley 3.Sinkler
4.Launchbury 5.Iseikwe
6.Robshaw 7.Underhill 8.Ewers
9.Youngs 10.Ford
11.Daly 12.Slade 13.JJ 14.Nowell 15.Watson

16.LCD 17.Genge 18.Williams 19.Kruis 20.Simmonds
21.Robson 22.Lozowski 23.Lewington



Please feel free to bully me over this, my feelings easily hurt and i'll cry on the keyboard.

I like the pack selected, but not sure about the backs.

I wouldn't take Spencer, he is a great runner and has a decent kick but his game management is poor IMO

By Flyhalf- Watson, I'm assuming you mean Smith? I hope he goes.

Lewington is another I don't think should go. He can be brilliant in attack but he's a lazy defender like Yarde from what i've seen, I'd pick May, Cokanasiga, Solomona, Ibitoye and even Mallinder before him

 

[TRF_Olyy]

If you're questioning someone's defence you really shouldn't be taking mallinder over him, he's genuinely embarrassingly bad

 

[ratsapprentice]

Mallinder's barely prem quality, let alone international.

 

[Giraffatitan]

If you're questioning someone's defence you really shouldn't be taking mallinder over him, he's genuinely embarrassingly bad

Someone's gotta be waterboy... I wouldn't touch Mallinder, but in a hypothetical choice between only him or Lewington...

 

[TheSaffycen]

I like the pack selected, but not sure about the backs.

I wouldn't take Spencer, he is a great runner and has a decent kick but his game management is poor IMO

By Flyhalf- Watson, I'm assuming you mean Smith? I hope he goes.

Lewington is another I don't think should go. He can be brilliant in attack but he's a lazy defender like Yarde from what i've seen, I'd pick May, Cokanasiga, Solomona, Ibitoye and even Mallinder before him

Fair enough on a few of them, but Mallinder I couldn't agree with. Very poor and don't really see what he adds

 

[curtbob7]

Mallinder and England shouldn't be in the same sentence.

 

[MarkyH]

Lawes and Hughes out for 12/14 weeks so basically the rest of the season. Also means they will miss the SA tour. The only positive being it might mean we don't field a lock in the backrow on that tour.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Definitely going to force the issue at 6/8 then...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Lawes and Hughes out for 12/14 weeks so basically the rest of the season. Also means they will miss the SA tour. The only positive being it might mean we don't field a lock in the backrow on that tour.

Itoje to 6, kruis back into the 2nd row

 

[MarkyH]

Itoje to 6, kruis back into the 2nd row