England EPS 2017/18 edition.

[BPM]

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.

I agree that Thompson should probably have been ahead of Hughes but that ship has sailed a long time ago.

Hughes has had a handful of decent appearances for England, but he's not a patch on Billy and his form for Wasps has dropped off from the 15/16 season when he looked like he had the makings of a quality test 8.

I don't think we can consider Simmonds as a 7 until Eddie (or Exeter) has shown any interest in actually playing him there. Don't get me wrong, I think 7 could be his best position, but the people that select the side don't currently appear to agree so it's a moot point.

He's not really a short term option, but Mercer excites me, becasue as well as being a genuine athlete, he seems to be an intelligent and instinctive rugby player. I think he could become very good indeed.

Clifford can also be excellent when fit. IF he can stay injury free, there's an outside chance he could get back in to the mix. He's referenced as 'unavailable for selection' which suggests he would have been considered if he had not been injured.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Tooperick

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Loved that.

Got to say Ashton has grown on me after listening to a few interviews by him.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Ashton for England!!!!!!!

 

[curtbob7]

Jesus. Several blokes in white shirts confirming why they shouldn't be anywhere close to caps.

 

[Nudger]

Jesus. Several blokes in white shirts confirming why they shouldn't be anywhere close to caps.

I hope only 4 start on tour

 

[TommiG88]

I hope only 4 start on tour

Sinckler, Launch, Daly and Curry?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Come on Eddie get him back to England.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Robshaw looking like he needs to be taken out behind the old barn and shot

 

[ratsapprentice]

Robshaw looking like he needs to be taken out behind the old barn and shot

As I said on that thread and multiple times previously... his lack of athleticism has always been a problem. It was just really obvious today.
It's a significant issue, one that is overlooked almost entirely by the rugby mainstream. Hopefully Shields (or Wilson, or A.N. Other...) can go some way to rectifying that.

High workrate and diving on loose/messy ball is not an ability unique to Chris Robshaw, far from it.

As usual though, I suspect we'll see two groups: those who have always hyperbolically laid into him, and the others who are blind to his limitations and errors.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

would like to see
6. Willis, 7. Curry, 8. Mercer
V
6. Robshaw, 7. Haskell, 8. Hughes

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

My 23 to face SA, a combination of the need to rest players, experiment and actually win some games:
1. Genge - regardless of who's better out of him and Mako, Mako needs a rest. He's played 31 games this season. Madness.
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie - similar situation, regardless of whether he's better than George, George could probably do with a rest. LCD's been subject to some rotation for Chiefs recently so isn't in as much need.
3. Sinckler - The best THP in England. Williams hasn't come back from injury for Chiefs yet anyway.
4. Itoje - Would've thought he'd need a rest but he's been in maybe the form of his life in the last couple of weeks.
5. Isiekwe - Launchbury's looked pretty knackered recently and Isiekwe is really worth having a look at. I don't think it's at all ridiculous to suggest that he could be better than Itoje.
6. Wilson - Was a bit surprised that he was being brought on tour to begin with but he was impressive today and his form should be rewarded.
7. Curry - So good today. A real 7. Should be starting at the RWC.
8. Shields - Not really an 8 but he can do a job there. Deserves a chance to show what he can do. Billy's not fully fit so we shouldn't risk him, especially with how prone he seems to have become.
9. Youngs - I guess? Was poor today but then so was Robson. Give him a chance to find his form.
10. Ford - Was impressive today. Had a few issues defensively but when you back row are slipping off of tackles as much as Robshaw was, that's to be expected. He's worth persisting with.
11. May - Was impressive today. Has improved his all round game massively while at Tigers
14. Solomona - He was impressive when he came on today. I've never but a fan of his but I'm interested to see what he can do with a full game.
12. Ben Te'o
13. Alex Lozowski - A few Prem teams have gone with a crash ball 12 and a fly half at 13 this season (Saracens, Exeter, Gloucester) so I'm interested to see how it will work out at international level. Also the form centres in the squad bar Farrell who seemed pretty knackered yesterday.
14. Solomona - He was impressive when he came on today. I've never but a fan of his but I'm interested to see what he can do with a full game.
15. Daly - Couldn't really judge his performance as a FB today because of how hectic the game was and the fact that he got shifted to 13 early on. I reckon 15 is where he should be playing come the World Cup so I'd like to see him persisted with there.

16. George
17. Marler - Did fairly well today and as previously said, Vunipola needs a rest.
18. Williams - Not sure he's fit yet, I expect Cole or Schonert will be called up in the coming days.
19. Launchbury - Hill's not really worth looking at.
20. Simmonds - Earl too green and Vunipola should be rested.
21. Robson/Spencer - Robson would've been my choice but was poor today. Spencer may be worth giving a shot.
22. Cipriani - Deserves some time at 10 to show what he can do.
23. Earle

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

"I think Piers Francis played his best game since Argentina" said Jones. If that was his best game since Argentina then how the hell did he by into an England shirt today?

 

[TommiG88]

My 23 to face SA, a combination of the need to rest players, experiment and actually win some games:
1. Genge - regardless of who's better out of him and Mako, Mako needs a rest. He's played 31 games this season. Madness.
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie - similar situation, regardless of whether he's better than George, George could probably do with a rest. LCD's been subject to some rotation for Chiefs recently so isn't in as much need.
3. Sinckler - The best THP in England. Williams hasn't come back from injury for Chiefs yet anyway.
4. Itoje - Would've thought he'd need a rest but he's been in maybe the form of his life in the last couple of weeks.
5. Isiekwe - Launchbury's looked pretty knackered recently and Isiekwe is really worth having a look at. I don't think it's at all ridiculous to suggest that he could be better than Itoje.
6. Wilson - Was a bit surprised that he was being brought on tour to begin with but he was impressive today and his form should be rewarded.
7. Curry - So good today. A real 7. Should be starting at the RWC.
8. Shields - Not really an 8 but he can do a job there. Deserves a chance to show what he can do. Billy's not fully fit so we shouldn't risk him, especially with how prone he seems to have become.
9. Youngs - I guess? Was poor today but then so was Robson. Give him a chance to find his form.
10. Ford - Was impressive today. Had a few issues defensively but when you back row are slipping off of tackles as much as Robshaw was, that's to be expected. He's worth persisting with.
11. May - Was impressive today. Has improved his all round game massively while at Tigers
14. Solomona - He was impressive when he came on today. I've never but a fan of his but I'm interested to see what he can do with a full game.
12. Ben Te'o
13. Alex Lozowski - A few Prem teams have gone with a crash ball 12 and a fly half at 13 this season (Saracens, Exeter, Gloucester) so I'm interested to see how it will work out at international level. Also the form centres in the squad bar Farrell who seemed pretty knackered yesterday.
14. Solomona - He was impressive when he came on today. I've never but a fan of his but I'm interested to see what he can do with a full game.
15. Daly - Couldn't really judge his performance as a FB today because of how hectic the game was and the fact that he got shifted to 13 early on. I reckon 15 is where he should be playing come the World Cup so I'd like to see him persisted with there.

16. George
17. Marler - Did fairly well today and as previously said, Vunipola needs a rest.
18. Williams - Not sure he's fit yet, I expect Cole or Schonert will be called up in the coming days.
19. Launchbury - Hill's not really worth looking at.
20. Simmonds - Earl too green and Vunipola should be rested.
21. Robson/Spencer - Robson would've been my choice but was poor today. Spencer may be worth giving a shot.
22. Cipriani - Deserves some time at 10 to show what he can do.
23. Earle

So no captain Farrell?

 

[Scotty]

My 23 to face SA, a combination of the need to rest players, experiment and actually win some games:
1. Genge - regardless of who's better out of him and Mako, Mako needs a rest. He's played 31 games this season. Madness.
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie - similar situation, regardless of whether he's better than George, George could probably do with a rest. LCD's been subject to some rotation for Chiefs recently so isn't in as much need.
3. Sinckler - The best THP in England. Williams hasn't come back from injury for Chiefs yet anyway.
4. Itoje - Would've thought he'd need a rest but he's been in maybe the form of his life in the last couple of weeks.
5. Isiekwe - Launchbury's looked pretty knackered recently and Isiekwe is really worth having a look at. I don't think it's at all ridiculous to suggest that he could be better than Itoje.
6. Wilson - Was a bit surprised that he was being brought on tour to begin with but he was impressive today and his form should be rewarded.
7. Curry - So good today. A real 7. Should be starting at the RWC.
8. Shields - Not really an 8 but he can do a job there. Deserves a chance to show what he can do. Billy's not fully fit so we shouldn't risk him, especially with how prone he seems to have become.
9. Youngs - I guess? Was poor today but then so was Robson. Give him a chance to find his form.
10. Ford - Was impressive today. Had a few issues defensively but when you back row are slipping off of tackles as much as Robshaw was, that's to be expected. He's worth persisting with.
11. May - Was impressive today. Has improved his all round game massively while at Tigers
14. Solomona - He was impressive when he came on today. I've never but a fan of his but I'm interested to see what he can do with a full game.
12. Ben Te'o
13. Alex Lozowski - A few Prem teams have gone with a crash ball 12 and a fly half at 13 this season (Saracens, Exeter, Gloucester) so I'm interested to see how it will work out at international level. Also the form centres in the squad bar Farrell who seemed pretty knackered yesterday.
14. Solomona - He was impressive when he came on today. I've never but a fan of his but I'm interested to see what he can do with a full game.
15. Daly - Couldn't really judge his performance as a FB today because of how hectic the game was and the fact that he got shifted to 13 early on. I reckon 15 is where he should be playing come the World Cup so I'd like to see him persisted with there.

16. George
17. Marler - Did fairly well today and as previously said, Vunipola needs a rest.
18. Williams - Not sure he's fit yet, I expect Cole or Schonert will be called up in the coming days.
19. Launchbury - Hill's not really worth looking at.
20. Simmonds - Earl too green and Vunipola should be rested.
21. Robson/Spencer - Robson would've been my choice but was poor today. Spencer may be worth giving a shot.
22. Cipriani - Deserves some time at 10 to show what he can do.
23. Earle

Not a bad squad but not one i agree with on a few point.

As you said shields isnt really an 8 so put him at 6 or put him on the bench, dont just put him out of position. Billys been out for ages and played alot of both finals and looked distructive.
Genge on and bench mako imo, year before the world cup we need to ve working out our strongest and first choice side.

Farrell will and needs to be in there imo but not necessarily ford-faz, either put one on the bench maybe ford to speed up the game or cips as he covers more positions but faz will start.

On a side note
Piers francias played well yesterday im wonder how he fits into EJ plans?

What is our best 12-13 combo then?
Jj
Faz
Loz
Daly
Francais
Slade
Teo
Tualagi
Redpath


What combos work? We have so many playmakers there

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

I would really like to see Daly at 13 now tbh... He played well there yesterday.

For me, i'd love to see


1.Genge
2.Cowan Dickie
3. Sinks
4.Itoje
5. Isiekwe
6. Shields
7.Curry
8. Billy/Mercer
9. Youngs
10. Farrell
11. May
12. Lozowski
13. Daly
14. Solomona
15. Brown (people gonna hate, but as Danielle Waterman said yesterday, he is one of the most solid 15s in the world despite not being exciting and slightly frustrating)

16. George
17. Mako
18. Williams
19. Launchbury
20. Simmonds
21. Robson
22. Ford
23. Earle

 

[Bada-Bing!]

One thing's for sure Brown should never be played on the wing for England again.

 

[Nudger]

Sinckler, Launch, Daly and Curry?

May over curry for me
Curry didn't do enough between great turnovers but might do better with a first choice pack ?

 

[Nudger]

Not a bad squad but not one i agree with on a few point.

As you said shields isnt really an 8 so put him at 6 or put him on the bench, dont just put him out of position. Billys been out for ages and played alot of both finals and looked distructive.
Genge on and bench mako imo, year before the world cup we need to ve working out our strongest and first choice side.

Farrell will and needs to be in there imo but not necessarily ford-faz, either put one on the bench maybe ford to speed up the game or cips as he covers more positions but faz will start.

On a side note
Piers francias played well yesterday im wonder how he fits into EJ plans?

What is our best 12-13 combo then?
Jj
Faz
Loz
Daly
Francais
Slade
Teo
Tualagi
Redpath


What combos work? We have so many playmakers there

A lot depends on who you start at 10

 

[Scotty]

A lot depends on who you start at 10

I can see us moving away from the ford faz combo and farrell taking the 10 shirt. That been the case our centres we have; Distributers loz, francais, slade
Carriers teo tuilangi
And 13s jj daly
And i dont know what redpath is tbh.

If daly is wing/fb and jj is injured theres no real pace at 13, loz/francias/tuilangi and teo all better suited to 12 i think. I just dont know whats our best combinations