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

[Wendigo7]

You know i was watching the game yesterday and i was thinking if only that lad was given a chance at 11 for England I honestly would have him over May, Ashton or Strettle or pretty much all the others. He's solid under the high ball, has a good boot, can cut nice lines and is as happy at wing as he is at 15 -he very rarely makes a mistake and while he may not have th nest strike rate in the premiership England seem to look for a bit more than that.

Yes, he's a very good player in general. Classy often amongst mediocrity.

I will always revere him for what he did in 2007. At times carrying a poor England team to the final with some astonishing displays.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

@ 0:55


@ 2:03 & @6:42



And who can forget the magic that led to heart break:



I need oxygen i'm feeling light in the head.

 

[goodNumber10]

there isn't a single person on that pitch doesn't think it's a try, not even the south africans...

 

[Patchey]

I would be fairly light headed if he someone made it back into the squad for the World Cup. I've always though he is probably the biggest wasted/misused talent in English rugby. Class.

But I'll stop getting all misty eyed now.

 

[Peat]

I would be fairly light headed if he someone made it back into the squad for the World Cup. I've always though he is probably the biggest wasted/misused talent in English rugby. Class.

But I'll stop getting all misty eyed now.

James Simpson-Daniel disagrees.

But I rate Tait and would dearly love him to be in the squad.

English Rugby - World Champion of wasting talent.

 

[Patchey]

James Simpson-Daniel disagrees.

But I rate Tait and would dearly love him to be in the squad.

English Rugby - World Champion of wasting talent.

Oh god, he's so wasted I forgot he existed! Yeah, he probably just wins.

Regarding out wasting of talent, in a way out squads in BaBaas games are often the best examples of this. So many players who never get a tangible shot at a full cap yet spend their early summers involved with the set up while first choice players are missing.

 

[goodNumber10]

I'm not sure 38 caps qualifies as wasted talent.... But he should certainly be involved in the current set up.

 

[Peat]

I'm not sure 38 caps qualifies as wasted talent.... But he should certainly be involved in the current set up.

Could and maybe should have had double that though. Think he's probably the most talented outside back of his generation but not a lot to show for it.

 

[yaboyjj]

On another note- Geraghty ahead of Hill? ...couple of the Exeter lads have been given a bit of rough treatment imo given the season they've had (only a 2 player representation in a squad of 50, given their placing in the ap)

 

[Patchey]

Decent point re Hill.

Could and maybe should have had double that though. Think he's probably the most talented outside back of his generation but not a lot to show for it.

Words from my mouth there.

He's also really the only genuine 'utility' talent we've had since Healy. Almaty Ben Smith-esque in his ability to play all across the outside backs. Daly might come close one day, but Tait is a different level of versatile

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

On another note- Geraghty ahead of Hill? ...couple of the Exeter lads have been given a bit of rough treatment imo given the season they've had (only a 2 player representation in a squad of 50, given their placing in the ap)

3 players Nowell, Slade and Dickie.

Think geraghty is in because he can also play 10.

TBF outside of Ewers who would you bring in instead of who?

Waldrom over Easter maybe but then I think the Beaumont over Waldrom is a good call IMO.

 

[Peat]

On another note- Geraghty ahead of Hill? ...couple of the Exeter lads have been given a bit of rough treatment imo given the season they've had (only a 2 player representation in a squad of 50, given their placing in the ap)

If Slade's benching fly-half and Geraghty is starting 12, yes. But I'm presuming Slade will be at 12 all match and Geraghty is benching fly-half.

Who do you think should be in from Exeter?

 

[yaboyjj]

If Slade's benching fly-half and Geraghty is starting 12, yes. But I'm presuming Slade will be at 12 all match and Geraghty is benching fly-half.

Who do you think should be in from Exeter?

I don't see the need for Geraghty covering fly half, even if Slade starts at 12 (he can move over and cover 10 if Cips gets injured), having two 10's starting negates the need to have cover on the bench- thus in a straight shoot out of IC's, it's Hill all day for me.

Yeah sorry, forgot about LCD- certainly Ewers should have been in, Hill imo has been one of the form IC's all season in the ap (at least ahead of Burell/36 form wise) and I think should have been taken as a punt with Tuilagis absence (over Burgess).

 

[Maverick1987]

So I assume you want Chris Cook and Matt Banahan in the team as well?

Not so much but I think the understanding between centres is more important than anywhere else tbh . Youngs and Ford have already shown great understanding and played really well together . If I was saying what you are insinuating then I'd want the whole bath team in there which would mean somehow convincing world rugby to let us play Francois Louw . However great that sounds I don't think it's going to happen somehow ....

 

[Peat]

I don't see the need for Geraghty covering fly half, even if Slade starts at 12 (he can move over and cover 10 if Cips gets injured), having two 10's starting negates the need to have cover on the bench- thus in a straight shoot out of IC's, it's Hill all day for me.

Yeah sorry, forgot about LCD- certainly Ewers should have been in, Hill imo has been one of the form IC's all season in the ap (at least ahead of Burell/36 form wise) and I think should have been taken as a punt with Tuilagis absence (over Burgess).

There is if Lancaster intends for Slade to play the full 80 at 12 come what may.

Ewers and Hill, yeah. Would be interested to hear what Lancaster has to say about them. Hill, well, I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up a bit of a Jamie Noon at international level, but wouldn't be surprised if he worked. Ewers, don't think he could have done anything more in the Premiership to demand a chance - but then, I don't care if Lancaster ignores that. Hopefully he can lay down the law in Europe next year. Anyone else - or rather, anyone who you wanted in this team to face the Baabaas?

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

3 players Nowell, Slade and Dickie.

Think geraghty is in because he can also play 10.

TBF outside of Ewers who would you bring in instead of who?

Waldrom over Easter maybe but then I think the Beaumont over Waldrom is a good call IMO.

Ewers isn't in because of concussion worries so it would have been 4.

Not so much but I think the understanding between centres is more important than anywhere else tbh . Youngs and Ford have already shown great understanding and played really well together . If I was saying what you are insinuating then I'd want the whole bath team in there which would mean somehow convincing world rugby to let us play Francois Louw . However great that sounds I don't think it's going to happen somehow ....

Bloody wish he was English, he truely is a world class 7.

 

[Wendigo7]

Francois Louw is world class. One of my favourite players and I would give my right arm for him to be our 7 somehow

 

[goodNumber10]

Could and maybe should have had double that though. Think he's probably the most talented outside back of his generation but not a lot to show for it.

Oh I agree, but tbf, he's had a lot of injury problems (iirc), and he still considered too small by a lot of people (he's not he's 6ft and over 14st).

 

[j'nuh]

Could and maybe should have had double that though. Think he's probably the most talented outside back of his generation but not a lot to show for it.

No, James Simpson-Daniel.

 

[Irish boy]

Geraghty is underrated he's been good this season but would like to see Lewington he is a star in the making