England EPS 2017/18 edition.

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

That's not really how it works...

This basically.
Wray works for Sarries at club level but should never be anywhere near an International team same with Goode.
Same with multiple Exeter players.

Just because it works at club level doesn't mean it will at National level which is what many people seem to forget.

And England select most of that Sarries side anyway.
Vunipola, George, Itoje, isiekwe, Vunipola, Farrell, Lozowski, Kruis even Earle.
Only ones left are Wray, Barritt, Goode, Barrington, Spencer and Rhodes none of which outside maybe Spencer would or should be in the England camp.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Same with multiple Exeter players.

This won't go down well

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

This won't go down well

Honestly Cowan-Dickie, Williams, Ewers and Nowell are the only current England quality players in their squad IMO.
Used to think Slade was but after the last couple of years he just hasn't clicked.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I think It would be harsh to declare Simmonds as not England quality - he definitely is, it's just a matter of how he's used...

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I think It would be harsh to declare Simmonds as not England quality - he definitely is, it's just a matter of how he's used...

I think both Simmonds have the potential to be along with Skinner and Maunder.
I just don't think he is big enough to be a International 6/8 that we need and for me I haven't seen enough of him at 7.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Also Loz has to start in the midfield in SA.

Either with Farrell or Te'o.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Honestly Cowan-Dickie, Williams, Ewers and Nowell are the only current England quality players in their squad IMO.
Used to think Slade was but after the last couple of years he just hasn't clicked.

Ewers is overrated IMO. Considering his size he makes very few metres in contact.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Ewers is overrated IMO. Considering his size he makes very few metres in contact.

Because he's being tackled by 2 or 3 players every time. Which is of massive benefit to his side.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Because he's being tackled by 2 or 3 players every time. Which is of massive benefit to his side.

Fair point, hadn't thought of that, probably because Chiefs are so poor at taking advantage of that space. However a back line with Farrell and Ford/Cips in it would probably be a different story.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

If Ewers is overrated I dread to think what that makes Armand.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Eddie suggesting that Daly is being pushed as our FB, and that Curry/a jackaller is going to be pushed at OS.

 

[BPM]

I'm in favour of both of those plans. It's just a shame Jack Willis couldn't fill the slot as the jackal. I think he could have been a real bolter for the World Cup.

I'm hoping Tom or Ben Curry can nail that slot as I think they're much better all-round players than Sam Underhill (who will definitely be in the mix when fit).

 

[Scotty]

Who are all our realistic options at 6 7 and 8
6 underhill, robshaw and?
7 curryx2, simmonds and?
8 billy hughes and?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Who are all our realistic options at 6 7 and 8
6 underhill, robshaw and?
7 curryx2, simmonds and?
8 billy hughes and?

Shields at 6. Willis would've if he wasn't spending a season out. Unfortunately I also wouldn't rule out Itoje/Lawes at 6 or Haskell at 7.

 

[BPM]

Basing it on recent call-ups/involvement, I'd say the options are:

6. Robshaw / Shields
7. Curry (x2) / Underhill / Graham
8. B. Vunipola / Hughes / S. Simmonds / Mercer

Willis would have been in there but for injury but given he likely has a full year out, I think he'll be extremely hard pressed to make the World Cup squad.

It'll be unpopular, but the other option that springs to mind at 6 is Michael Rhodes. He qualifies in July and I can see Eddie picking him (to have a close look at the very least).

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

My dream options.
6. Ewers, Ross, Underhill. (shame Williams hasn't kicked on he looked good to begin with and TBF look good when fit here).
7. Willis, Curry, Simmonds
8. Vunipola, Hughes, Mercer.

Biggest weakness is 8's honestly Thompson should be ahead of Hughes currently.

 

[Scotty]

Ewers willis billy could be interesting, simmonds in the bench

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Rightly or wrongly Jono Ross is in the mix at 6/8*

(*though should only be considered a 6)



Would be very surprised if Isiekwe doesn't get capped at blindside

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Wouldn't mind seeing a pack v SA of
1. Vunipola
2. George
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Launchbury
6. Isiekwe
7. Curry
8. Vunipola

16. Cowan-Dickie
17. Genge
18. Williams
19. Shields
20. Simmonds

 

[Scotty]

Wouldn't mind seeing a pack v SA of
1. Vunipola
2. George
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Launchbury
6. Isiekwe
7. Curry
8. Vunipola

16. Cowan-Dickie
17. Genge
18. Williams
19. Shields
20. Simmonds

Id agree with that its pretty much the side id go with, is that iseikwe on field lock cover? As thats where i see his position being tbh. Tempted to just play shields at 6 and see what all the hype is about, and iseikwe on the bench in 19 shirt.