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

[TRF_Olyy]

Seems a bit pathetic!

Kind of, but it's not unusual.
England did the same with Kieran Brookes - got him in the Saxons a few years before he was really ready, because Ireland were sniffing around (has an Irish grandparent and he played for Ireland u20s a year early, but then switched to England u20s when selected) and we knew he would be ready further down the line.
Done the same with Scott Wilson, who was put into the Saxons at a very early age due to Ireland showing an interest.


Be interesting to see what Moriarty does - he turned Wales down at u20 level. I know he is Welsh but he's already chosen us once

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I'd have to go for Youngs. Even with Webber on form, I think Youngs's contributions ball in hand are significantly better, and that's something England lack a bit.

I like Webber over the ball, although he doesn't do it as much for England

I have not liked what I have seen of Webber recently, I'd take Batty over Webber.

 

[ratsapprentice]

We were discussing them on top form.

 

[Patchey]

Done the same with Scott Wilson, who was put into the Saxons at a very early age due to Ireland showing an interest.

What the hell has happened to him this year?!

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

We were discussing them on top form.

But Webber isn't on top form and hasn't been for a while. Might as well discuss Ashton on top form for all the good it will do. Quite Frankly Webber isn't up to it at the moment and I have very little faith in him. If we were going to go with a Bath hooker, it would be Batty any day for me.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Ok....

But that is what was being discussed.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Good article by Healey on Role models and sport.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...ylan-Hartley-on-rugby-not-as-role-models.html

 

[LiRFCMatt]

Hartley set to be dropped from the World Cup squad according to Dan Roan's latest tweet.

 

[Tmartin995]

Hartley withdrawn from training squad:
http://www.englandrugby.com/news/dylan-hartley-withdrawn-from-rwc-training-squad/

Jamie George replaces him in the squad. My guess is Youngs and Webber are nailed on with LCD and George fighting it out in camp and warmup games for the last hooker spot.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

George in

 

[91jmay]

Feel for Dylan, good guy and a top player. Hope to god we don't get an injury. Idea of someone as rank average as Jamie George playing in world cup for England at hooker is cringe worthy. Hartley took him to pieces on weekend in all areas of game as well.

 

[Sweats]

We have a back bone of a fairly decent team that we can't / won't pick, Hartley, Tuilagi, Abendanon, Armitage.

Add some players who don't make the final WC squad and you would be set.

 

[Raggs]

Little one eyed there I feel. George has been consistently perform at a very high level. Often top tackler for Sarries, very good set piece, no worse than Dylan in any other aspect of the game either (and discipline is better). I'd guess that the 2 or 3 big hits George put on Hartley may have had something to do with Hartleys barge.

 

[ncurd]

No surprises there glad really he only made the team because of his throwing and last 6 nations he wasn't miles ahead of Youngs like he previously had been.

 

[chippieolamus]

I'm glad Lancaster was consistent and true to his word. Hopefully the rest of the squad respects him for it.

 

[SelimNiai]

Feel for Dylan, good guy and a top player. Hope to god we don't get an injury. Idea of someone as rank average as Jamie George playing in world cup for England at hooker is cringe worthy. Hartley took him to pieces on weekend in all areas of game as well.

Except in the "not playing like some sort of psychopath" area.

 

[Patchey]

Right choice after having been put in a really awkward position. Good on you Lancaster.

England XV for the BaBaas looks fun though!

We have a back bone of a fairly decent team that we can't / won't pick, Hartley, Tuilagi, Abendanon, Armitage.

Add some players who don't make the final WC squad and you would be set.

That's a weird backbone...

 

[Crapspray]

Feel for Dylan, good guy and a top player. Hope to god we don't get an injury. Idea of someone as rank average as Jamie George playing in world cup for England at hooker is cringe worthy. Hartley took him to pieces on weekend in all areas of game as well.

You must have missed the Six Nations; "rank average" is probably how most people would have described Hartley's performances throughout.

In fact, only partly because of the irony, George is the perfect replacement. Slightly above average work rate, reliable in the set-piece, and average to poor carrying. A six-out-of-ten player with stong technical skills. The main loss for England will be 66 caps in the starting XV. The main gain being he won't do something thick and get binned in a semi-final (assuming England get that far).

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

good guy and a top player.

...I must have missed something....

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

~Not really RWC news but England news.

What with Anthony Allen rumoured to be retiring Cohen was mentioning on the radio about Manu playing 12 and Tait playing 13 for Leicester next season if we do not find our marquee 12 that we are looking for.

Could be a interesting development for the future if manu takes to 12 (If he plays there)