[England] Post-6N/Pre-RWC Player Watch

[Ragey Erasmus]

Looks like Ashton is on his way

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ru...ngland-look-set-Semesa-Rokoduguni-chance.html

Re: Francis I believe he got absolutely smashed by Vunipola and Ayerza . The best performance I've seen of him was THAT performance against Northampton against an unfit and out of sorts Corbs . I'll reserve my full judgment until he's able to push some of the top players around .

I just don't see anything in him that tells me he is going to be a better player than Brookes or Lee . He would have struggled to get into the England team especially with Paul Hill likely to burst onto the scene soon enough . He's only been picked for Wales as back up to Sam Lee because the depth is poor there

Good to see Roko given a chance, it's a real shame he got injured and had his form drop when it did because he is exactly the sort of winger England have been missing. I think he has the potential to be a real world class winger if he can return to and maintain the form he had before injury. Some poor decision making here and there but otherwise solid in pretty much every aspect of his game. His ability to keep Savea quiet was particularly impressive.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Corbiserio is a top class international loose head. This play around the park is still top notch but after he came back from injury he'd lost a load of weight and I assume strength.

If he regains his size and strength in the off season he has to go and class is permanent but if he has struggled to get his power back or we see any knee ****le he should stay.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Corbiserio is a top class international loose head. This play around the park is still top notch but after he came back from injury he'd lost a load of weight and I assume strength.

If he regains his size and strength in the off season he has to go and class is permanent but if he has struggled to get his power back or we see any knee ****le he should stay.

Correction was.

He has yet to show he is a world class international Loosehead this season in the AP even against non international props.

Class isn't permanent really esp with the scrummaging laws changing like they did some props have lost there edge others have gained.

 

[glawsfan]

I can't believe 36 will keep his place in the squad he is dreadful! The silver lining is it means Gloucester wont have him back for the start of the season hopefully as he was that poor I wouldn't want him starting for us he is massively over rated.

 

[Peat]

I'm going to bet on Corbs looking better next season right now because Kieran Brookes and Paul Hill > Ma'afu and Denman (maybe not the latter right away admittedly). So far this WC's working out very well for Saints' front row actually.

Equally, no Brad Thorn may rein Dan Cole in a bit while a genuinely fit Figallo could really boost Mako. And stuff.

 

[ncurd]

I still think out of the centre/10 combinations we've seen Ford-36-Joseph looked the most impressive.

 

[Peat]

I still think out of the centre/10 combinations we've seen Ford-36-Joseph looked the most impressive.

Have we actually seen that for more than a metaphorical five seconds? I'm pretty sure we haven't seen it start...

 

[ncurd]

Have we actually seen that for more than a metaphorical five seconds? I'm pretty sure we haven't seen it start...

Not start, odd I thought 36 played more than 5 minutes against Wales felt like he made an impact when he came on and was everywhere...9 mins in the France game but that was nothing to base a game over.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Matt Mullan, George Kruis, Matt Kvesic, Nick Easter, Lee Dickson, Kyle Eastmond, Marland Yarde and Ashton to be cut per Telegraph.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...n-out-of-Stuart-Lancasters-England-squad.html

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Peat to be fair to Cole how many games did he have thorn starting behind him?

Slater back adds prob the same power (roughly).

I was so close to my prediction in terms of cuts.

 

[Peat]

Peat to be fair to Cole how many games did he have thorn starting behind him?

Slater back adds prob the same power (roughly).

I was so close to my prediction in terms of cuts.

Not the blindest notion. I've also no idea whether Thorn is still as horrifically powerful as he was with Leinster as well, dude was pretty old and how close Slater is to him. Plus there's still a buncha other guys having a say.

Hence 'may' and 'a bit'.

ncurd - He did make a massive impact in the Wales game due to two turnovers to seal the game, but wasn't on for much time, and didn't do much attacking. Arguably it says quite a bit that the happiest we've been with Twelvetrees was when he wasn't expected to do ought with the ball in possession.

Having been a big 12T supporter for a long time, rewatching the Ireland game really soured me on him. He was in decent form, on a good run, and he effed it up in what was retrospectively a pretty major way. I no longer feel able to trust him to execute basic centre play consistently. Maybe he's finally found the light. Maybe not.

 

[j'nuh]

Disappointed in Mullan and Kvesic being dropped. Don't care so much for the rest.

 

[Raggs]

Launchbury was chosen to pack behind Brookes? in the Baabaa's game over Slater. I think people underestimate just how much muscle there is under his puppy fat.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Meh... Mullan is military medium, mate.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Considerably, and consistently, better than Corbisiero in the last two seasons.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Not the blindest notion. I've also no idea whether Thorn is still as horrifically powerful as he was with Leinster as well, dude was pretty old and how close Slater is to him. Plus there's still a buncha other guys having a say.

Hence 'may' and 'a bit'.

ncurd - He did make a massive impact in the Wales game due to two turnovers to seal the game, but wasn't on for much time, and didn't do much attacking. Arguably it says quite a bit that the happiest we've been with Twelvetrees was when he wasn't expected to do ought with the ball in possession.

Having been a big 12T supporter for a long time, rewatching the Ireland game really soured me on him. He was in decent form, on a good run, and he effed it up in what was retrospectively a pretty major way. I no longer feel able to trust him to execute basic centre play consistently. Maybe he's finally found the light. Maybe not.

I think as well there was a lot of pressure on 12trees to produce the spark in the backline as Farrell is so 1 dimensional. Maybe with ford inside him (sneaky laugh) then he might feel more comfortable to play with a bit more ease

Or

He still hasn't found consistency and will cock up at an important moment!

 

[ratsapprentice]

Considerably, and consistently, better than Corbisiero in the last two seasons.

Corbisiero's crap, ****.

Struggling with articulation within the confines of strict alliteration here...

 

[j'nuh]

Twelvetrees' most consistent strength is in the breakdown. Out of all the 12s available, Twelvetrees would be my first choice for bailing Ford out of a failed run, even in spite of his form. I'm fairly convinced that this is why Lancaster wants Twelvetrees to come good.

 

[TobesHodges]

Any thoughts on the team next Saturday after the cuts? Surely if he plays burgess at 12 he's going to have to play the #1 fly half that he's wants and Joseph at 13, otherwise what's the point, if he doesn't, were not going to see the best out of him at 12?

 

[goodNumber10]

I think as well there was a lot of pressure on 12trees to produce the spark in the backline as Farrell is so 1 dimensional.

Is he not taking about 36 in this years game vs Ireland?

Not sure what Fazlet has to do with that other than a great excuse to roll out the tired old claptrap again...