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

[TheSaffycen]

We still have so many combinations at 10-12-13 to try out, and the world cup is what ? 4 games away ?
Ford is the incumbent at 10, I don't think the premiership finals changed that. At 13 I think Joseph has also stayed far ahead of everyone else but we have the issue of 12, we don't know if Barritt and Joseph will link. Slade hasn't played 12 apart from when he went up against the BaaBaas and the only time Farrell has been played at 12 he was palpably unfit. Eastmond has been the best 12 in the prem but hasn't played outside Ford at intl level.
For me we have to try at least once the bath axis, and Slade and Ford a couple of times.

 

[Raggs]

Slade and Cips can play a similar game to Ford, Farrell cannot. This is a huge issue, since it forces changes in the gameplan and potentially personnel selected at 12.

13 should be Joseph/Daly
12 needs to be from Slade/Barritt/36/Burrell/Eastmond

For me, Farrell doesn't fit.

I'd go:

Marler, Mako, Cole, Wilson, Brookes
Youngs, George, LCD
Launch, Lawes, Attwood, ?
Robshaw, Hask, Wood
BV, Morgan

Simpson, Youngs, Care

Ford, Cips
Slade, 36, Joseph, Daly
May, Nowell, Yarde, Brown, Goode

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Problem is, I don't see Farrell or Barritt getting dropped. Perhaps what I've written there will be more like 2019. Bit reluctant myself to drop Barritt to be honest, but he's not a ball playing 12.

 

[yaboyjj]

I think Lanky is indeed in a spot of bother with midfield combos/fly half to sort out in so few game, he has to, imo play at least one game with Farrell and two with his (suppossed first choice FH), Ford.

at IC he should try out:

Barrett/Slade/Farrell/ maybe one of Burrell or 36

The only constant in all of this should be Joseph at OC who for sake of this fact, should play in as many warm-ups as possible for a bit of continuity (maybe only introduce Slade/Daly/Burrell for half a game).

So, considering there are 3 WC warm ups, he has to try out his first choice combo for sure- which will prob be:
Ford/Barritt/Joseph

My preference would be to try out as second choice:

Ford/Slade/Joseph (with maybe Farrell getting half a game at FH)

The Third choice is tricky- does Farrell get a full game at FH, do they play the first choice combo again? they might even try Farrell at IC or introduce Burrell at IC again (pls no).

There are so many permutations amongst the three positions with so few matches to try them out- striking a balance between giving everyone a shot and building some relationships will be tricky.

Also RE Farrell- he did well on Saturday, playing a lot platter than I think he ever has- although Ford is still first choice, Farrell woud not dissapoint given some options outside and a good pack (Lanky will have been impressed by his performance- don't rule him out of starting- Farrell, Slade, Joseph may be worth a punt if you were to gamble on a likely line-up)

 

[goodNumber10]

Slade and Cips can play a similar game to Ford, Farrell cannot. This is a huge issue, since it forces changes in the gameplan and potentially personnel selected at 12.

13 should be Joseph/Daly
12 needs to be from Slade/Barritt/36/Burrell/Eastmond

For me, Farrell doesn't fit.

I'd go:

Marler, Mako, Cole, Wilson, Brookes
Youngs, George, LCD
Launch, Lawes, Attwood, ?
Robshaw, Hask, Wood
BV, Morgan

Simpson, Youngs, Care

Ford, Cips
Slade, 36, Joseph, Daly
May, Nowell, Yarde, Brown, Goode

--------

Problem is, I don't see Farrell or Barritt getting dropped. Perhaps what I've written there will be more like 2019. Bit reluctant myself to drop Barritt to be honest, but he's not a ball playing 12.

You don't want Farrell playing the same game as Ford, that's why you have Ford.

Anyway it's moot, Farrell will be the starting 10 at the world cup so Ford will be the odd one out.

 

[Raggs]

I've stopped agreeing with the wanting two different types of fly halves. I want all my fly halves to be able to perform very well in attack, with well chosen passes and good running threats. As Ford showed against Aus, he's just as capable of changing to a far more territorial game if need be, and playing in that manner, as Cips and Slade can also do if needbe. Farrell cannot gain the attacking ability of Ford/Cips/Slade.

And even if Farrell is the starting 10, he's still the odd one out, even Myler can pull the strings better in attack. It's highly significant that in the Sarries Bath game that Ford had almost twice as many touches as Farrell, Wigglesworth ran the game through the forwards (primarily the Vunipolas). Farrell played his part, not much more. Swap the two 10s around, and it would have been a much more impressive victory for Sarries.

 

[Patchey]

You don't want Farrell playing the same game as Ford, that's why you have Ford.

Anyway it's moot, Farrell will be the starting 10 at the world cup so Ford will be the odd one out.

*insert tired out Andy Farrell joke*

Seriously though, Fazlet has looked decent since back from injury. I really like the idea of him and Slade at a 10-12 axis.

I mean Ford is still better, but I'm a little more hopeful about Farrell starting.

 

[goodNumber10]

Swap the two 10s around, and it would have been a much more impressive victory for Sarries.

utter rubbish.

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*insert tired out Andy Farrell joke*

Seriously though, Fazlet has looked decent since back from injury. I really like the idea of him and Slade at a 10-12 axis.

I mean Ford is still better, but I'm a little more hopeful about Farrell starting.

I think the break has done him good, he's been playing rugby non-stop for almost four years, 4-5 months out seems to have done him the world of good.

 

[Patchey]

Ross Moriarty and Dom Day just announced in the Wales training squad.

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I think the break has done him good, he's been playing rugby non-stop for almost four years, 4-5 months out seems to have done him the world of good.

Yeah. I mean I don't know what he did on him enforces break but it looks like a combo of rest and time to work on skills has revived him.

 

[goodNumber10]

He was in America for a bit doing re-hab, don't know the rest of it, but whatever he's done he seems to have come back lighter/leaner and seems to be enjoying his rugby.

 

[Jbobo]

Seems a bit pathetic!

Can you explain how it is pathetic? Calling up a clearly talented, eligible young player to the extended squad seems like a very good idea to me. Not to mention that every team in the world does it (as pointed out with examples by Olyy).

Besides, his dad is a former Wales international and his uncle led Wales to their best ever World Cup finish. Let me tell you, he's a more than welcome addition to the extended Wales squad, and i think he might turn a few heads if he gets the chance. From what I've seen, he's a handy player and very explosive. At the very least, he's one for the future and Wales can never say no to more depth (especially at 8).

 

[yaboyjj]

*insert tired out Andy Farrell joke*

Seriously though, Fazlet has looked decent since back from injury. I really like the idea of him and Slade at a 10-12 axis.

I mean Ford is still better, but I'm a little more hopeful about Farrell starting.

Ford is still my preference, but it could be worth trying out a backline (in a warm up) something like:

Farrell/Yarde/Slade/Joseph/Nowell/Brown (you could maybe even find room for Watson at fullback)

It has a decent balance to it in terms of crashball provided by wingers, some ball players in the midfield and a properly good kicking game also.
I'm still a bit gutted Roko hasn't been selected- he's coming into some great form again (can they pls ditch Ashton)

 

[goodNumber10]

Can you explain how it is pathetic? Calling up a clearly talented, eligible young player to the extended squad seems like a very good idea to me. Not to mention that every team in the world does it (as pointed out with examples by Olyy).

Besides, his dad is a former Wales international and his uncle led Wales to their best ever World Cup finish. Let me tell you, he's a more than welcome addition to the extended Wales squad, and i think he might turn a few heads if he gets the chance. From what I've seen, he's a handy player and very explosive. At the very least, he's one for the future and Wales can never say no to more depth (especially at 8).

did you actually read what he was replying to?

 

[Jbobo]

did you actually read what he was replying to?

Erm, yes? Just because you have no clue what i'm talking about, does not mean i don't either.

Also can you stop hovering around my posts just for the sake of it, you're getting more and more tedious.

 

[goodNumber10]

Erm, yes? Just because you have no clue what i'm talking about, does not mean i don't either.

Well clearly you don't as his "seems a bit pathetic" was in reply to Psychic ducks

Just appears to be in order to remove his English eligibility.

so clearly if that was the only reason he was selected it would be pretty pathetic.

Might want to dial down the faux rage mate, it seems to be making you blind.

 

[Raggs]

Erm, yes? Just because you have no clue what i'm talking about, does not mean i don't either.

Also can you stop hovering around my posts just for the sake of it, you're getting more and more tedious.

Not wanting to get into the patheticness bit, but I don't think it's unreasonable for GN10 to be replying to posts on an England pre-RWC watch thread...

 

[Patchey]

Ford is still my preference, but it could be worth trying out a backline (in a warm up) something like:

Farrell/Yarde/Slade/Joseph/Nowell/Brown (you could maybe even find room for Watson at fullback)

It has a decent balance to it in terms of crashball provided by wingers, some ball players in the midfield and a properly good kicking game also.
I'm still a bit gutted Roko hasn't been selected- he's coming into some great form again (can they pls ditch Ashton)

Yeah, would be worth looking at.

With Roko, a mate said the other day he had heard that Roko had had a dust up with Lancaster? Some kind d argument and he ended up sweating at him? I'm dubious, as it doesn't seem like something he'd do or something that would stay out of the press...

 

[goodNumber10]

Also can you stop hovering around my posts just for the sake of it, you're getting more and more tedious.

You're posting in an English WC players watch thread mate, don't post here or block me either is perfectly fine by me...

 

[Jbobo]

Well clearly you don't as his "seems a bit pathetic" was in reply to Psycihic ducks



so clerly if that was the only reason he was selected it would be pretty pathetic.

might want to dial down the faux rage mate.

And you'll notice how i explain why it is not pathetic, in my opinion regardless of what the reasoning behind his call up is. But even if the Wales management are calling him up to wrap him up for the future and remove his English eligibility, it still isn't pathetic for obvious reasons. I mean, assuming you play rugby and were eligible for Wales would Gatland call you up? Of course not, because you likely have no prospect of making the cut now or in the future. He's got his reasons, which are blatantly obvious to anyone with a brain. Again, nation does this.

I don't actually see where you're going with this, but let's leave it here as you obviously have no actual points to contribute and ignore any input anyone else makes as per.

You know what lads, i'll just leave the thread. Apologies for encroaching on your 'territory'.

 

[goodNumber10]

And you'll notice how i explain why it is not pathetic, in my opinion regardless of what the reasoning behind his call up is. But even if the Wales management are calling him up to wrap him up for the future and remove his English eligibility, it still isn't pathetic for obvious reasons. I mean, assuming you play rugby and were eligible for Wales would Gatland call you up? Of course not, because you likely have no prospect of making the cut now or in the future. He's got his reasons, which are blatantly obvious to anyone with a brain. Again, nation does this.

I don't actually see where you're going with this, but let's leave it here as you obviously have no actual points to contribute and ignore any input anyone else makes as per.

none of what you have posted is unreasonable, but it has zero relevance to the point he was replying to.

You're justifying the selection, he's not questioning his selection he's just saying if the motive is to purely lock him to wales then THAT is a little bit pathetic/sour/not very nice.

Which i think most people would agree on.

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he ended up sweating at him?

dirty g*t!

 

[Raggs]

Yeah, would be worth looking at.

With Roko, a mate said the other day he had heard that Roko had had a dust up with Lancaster? Some kind d argument and he ended up sweating at him? I'm dubious, as it doesn't seem like something he'd do or something that would stay out of the press...

Hmm, would have thought that would have made the proper rumours circuit.

I think it's just he was injured, chose not to have surgery, and has come the long way round, and still doesn't look like the Roko of the start of the season.