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

[TheSaffycen]

Roko works well as we need physicality now that manu is definitely out, combined with Nowell or Yarde we have some power now in the backline.

 

[yaboyjj]

Justice is served... almost... just need Ewers and Simpson (injury aside) in and all will be well again

In all seriousness, Roko could force his way into the team- if Lancaster rates defensive abilities in a winger, then he shouldn't have much problem surpassing Watson (as much as I rate him).

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Justice is served... almost... just need Ewers and Simpson (injury aside) in and all will be well again

In all seriousness, Roko could force his way into the team- if Lancaster rates defensive abilities in a winger, then he shouldn't have much problem surpassing Watson (as much as I rate him).

The thing is Roko's strong defence doesn't seem to come at the cost of anything except maybe a little bit of top end speed. He has a deadly step, can run around or through a lot of people, is pretty solid under the high ball and tends to have good awareness. Will be happy with a Nowell/Yarde and Roko wing with Watson at FB. Much as I like Brown, Watson also has a good step but a much better motor. I do think it is a shame about Wade though, he was great against an admittedly terrible Barbarians side.

 

[Peat]

I can't say I liked the look of Watson's defensive positioning at full-back in the Six Nations. Don't know if that was atypical or not.

 

[JJFlash]

Jason Leonard as President! Now that is good news!!
A firm move away from the old farts in blazers!
He'll be just great in promoting and encouraging younger players.

And this:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/11688695/Jason-Leonard-Never-mind-the-World-Cup-rugby-must-attract-more-inner-city-kids-like-me.html[/url]

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I can't say I liked the look of Watson's defensive positioning at full-back in the Six Nations. Don't know if that was atypical or not.

At Bath he's hardly a rock in defence but I don't recall him being noticeably bad, with some strong perfomances under high ball and a good counter attacking ability.

 

[goodNumber10]

Yeh trouble was MOC and England just used him as a battering ram generally and that game plan has stuck.

I don't think that's accurate in regards to England. I think Lancaster has always looked for players with complete skills, i think he has just got such a physical presence and such poor decision making that he's become route one.

The passes we see up there, it's normal he's a kid, he's in his first senior game, he's not going to be as confident as he is now physically.

***Edit: not sure why my browser brought up a four month old post.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I don't think that's accurate in regards to England. I think Lancaster has always looked for players with complete skills, i think he has just got such a physical presence and such poor decision making that he's become route one.

The passes we see up there, it's normal he's a kid, he's in his first senior game, he's not going to be as confident as he is now physically.

***Edit: not sure why my browser brought up a four month old post.

4 months on I was talking more about England in general not just Lancaster's time but Johnson's as well

 

[goodNumber10]

4 months on I was talking more about England in general not just Lancaster's time but Johnson's as well

well Johnson only had him for like 6 games no?

made his debut in the world cup warm ups in 2011

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

7 games in his 25 caps is still a chunk of rugby.

 

[goodNumber10]

7 games condensed into a 2 month period though.

anyway, change of subject little England Rugby Interview and LOL at the final question in this, and Burgesses confused "what sort of question is that?"

His actual answer to the question is good as well:

<div id="fb-root"></div><script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="1" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialEnglandRugby/videos/10153088674289825/"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><blockquote cite="/OfficialEnglandRugby/videos/10153088674289825/"><a href="/OfficialEnglandRugby/videos/10153088674289825/"></a><p>You'll never guess what music gets Sam Burgess pumped up in the gym...</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialEnglandRugby">England Rugby</a> on Wednesday, 24 June 2015</blockquote></div></div>

 

[ratsapprentice]

Pennell going to be called up as injury cover for Goode apparently.

 

[goodNumber10]

Pennell going to be called up as injury cover for Goode apparently.

 

[yaboyjj]

I believe the squad will be trimmed by 4 or 5 prior to the holiday in USA- any idea who these might be?
taking a stab, I think/hope Myler, Dickson, Easter and Ashton (or one of Eastmond/36/Burrell maybe)

 

[Maverick1987]

Pennell going to be called up as injury cover for Goode apparently.

Goode is injured ?? You think someone is injuring him in training on purpose ? Haha

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Goode is injured ?? You think someone is injuring him in training on purpose ? Haha

People dropping banana skins everywhere, rakes left all over the floor and the occassional red tortoise shell.

 

[Patchey]

Pennell going to be called up as injury cover for Goode apparently.

My late night mission to Pennyhill armed with an industrial quantity of grease to pour outside Goodey's room worked then...

 

[Maverick1987]

People dropping banana skins everywhere, rakes left all over the floor and the occassional red tortoise shell.

Maybe they have given Billy V the flashing star and sent him straight down Goodeys channel ! Haha

On a serious note we should pick Watson and Brown as our full backs and Yarde, Roko and Nowell as our wings . Do you think they will only pick 5 back 3 players ?

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Maybe they have given Billy V the flashing star and sent him straight down Goodeys channel ! Haha

On a serious note we should pick Watson and Brown as our full backs and Yarde, Roko and Nowell as our wings . Do you think they will only pick 5 back 3 players ?

Don't know, much as I like Brown, I think Watsons speed is too good to leave out entirely, especially when you consider Browns concussion and the time off as a result. I would have liked to see Wade in but I guess Lanky is never going to select him. Also I wish May would sort his damn form out. Ideally I'd want Roko/Wade for the right and Yarde/Nowell/May on the left. Reasonable choice of play styles with some cover for other positions too.

 

[glawsfan]

I can't see anyone other than Nowell and Watson starting on the wings come the first game of the World Cup. I'm surprised people are questioning May's form tbh. As the season went on he has got better and better he really was playing well. In his last 2 European matches he got motm. One noticeable thing I have seen is how much he has improved his kick chase game which i'm sure he was told to do by Lancaster. I will be intrigued to see if May plays a big part during the world cup or will England go with the safer bet of Nowell who is more steady and consistent or will they go with May who has the potential to be a match winner in the big games. I'm sure if you asked the likes of NZ who they would want to be facing it wouldn't be May.