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

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

He literally brings nothing to the table.

he had a MOTM game where he scored that hat-trick and had a couple of nice touches... but most of the tries were simple run ins where the work had already been done...
He's got nothing to contribute at this level.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

INB4 Big Ewis was actually Lancaster!

 

[j'nuh]

he literally brings nothing to the table.

He had a motm game where he scored that hat-trick and had a couple of nice touches... But most of the tries were simple run ins where the work had already been done...
he's got nothing to contribute at this level.

But.. MASS

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Bananaman suits him better, he tends to slip up in internationals. Having said that, I think he is the strongest winger in England in the air, which would suit Englands game. He is also good at chasing the kicks to pressurise when we play for territory. He doesn't tend to make breaks or bump players but he is solid. Infact he's kind of like the Brad Barritt of the wing.

 

[ncurd]

Looks like Mike Ford is a little annoyed that England are holding onto Burgess to play him at center.
http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/33652882

I mean he's a little diplomatic about it but ultimately talking about him learning lineout calls @Bath sounds like he'd rather he be with them.

I can't disagree either Burgess looked way more comfortable at blind side. I'd rather he was still learning that role with Bath rather than just trying to be square peg in the round hole of the problem inside center is for England.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Looks like Mike Ford is a little annoyed that England are holding onto Burgess to play him at center.
http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/33652882

I mean he's a little diplomatic about it but ultimately talking about him learning lineout calls @Bath sounds like he'd rather he be with them.

I can't disagree either Burgess looked way more comfortable at blind side. I'd rather he was still learning that role with Bath rather than just trying to be square peg in the round hole of the problem inside center is for England.

Does has a point to be fair, Watching Sam Burgess this year it looks like he offers more at blindside flanker then centre, but thats just my opinion.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I think Lancaster is really playing a dangerous game now.

He had the ability to place a lot of blame on MJ not developing players and having favourites but he is now at risk of doing the same and playing players out of position and selecting players for no reason.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

I think Lancaster is really playing a dangerous game now.

He had the ability to place a lot of blame on MJ not developing players and having favourites but he is now at risk of doing the same and playing players out of position and selecting players for no reason.

Massive assumption that your whole post relates to Spam Burgess:

He hasn't actually been selected yet. And I doubt he will be this RWC

However if he gets to play a warm up game then that seems cool to me. Either mute some critics or protect a couple of key players for a non RWC match. From a PR point of view it's win win and from the couch (my couch) then hell with it, why not. Let's see what he has and see what the coaches keep banging on about without any real consequence.


Edit:
Realisation that a) my first assumption was bunk and b) you might be talking about things a little more widely than I originally figured-

I may just delete that post.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Apparently 9 players are going to be axed pre-Warm Ups

 

[yaboyjj]

Apparently 9 players are going to be axed pre-Warm Ups

eesh, almost down to the bare bones of the WC squad, at a guess: Kruis, Clark, Webber, Dickson, Eastmond, Ashton, Burrell, Burgess, Mullen? possibly another winger over Webber/Mullen- wouldn't surprise me if Kvesic/Slade are cut :/

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Apparently 9 players are going to be axed pre-Warm Ups

Would place money on it being:
1) Webber
2) Mullan
3) Kruis
4) Kvesic
5) Easter (still technically in squad)
6) Dickson/Care
7) Eastmond
8) Burrell/Twelvetrees
9) Ashton

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Agreed, though I think one of Cipriani/Slade rather than one of Burrell/36.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Although I see the argument I think the fact that:

Slade covers 10/12 and 13

And Cips covers
10 and 15

Compared to
Burrell covering 12 and 13

And
36 covering 12

Gives Cips and Slade a much bigger chance of playing.

And I reckon Lancaster will give Cips a run out pre season due to the fuss before hand when he was looking at his contract.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

All good points - Lancaster using Cipriani at 15 in the past, and Brown's concussion issues, certainly strengthen his case.

I could imagine Lancaster being crazy enough to consider Slade and Twelvetrees as similar players/rivals: both ball playing centres who can cover 10 (though I wouldn't have 36 at 10.....ever). In which case I'd expect him to go for mass and experience, rather than skill and talent

 

[yaboyjj]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02xpvy0
podcast with Lancaster interview in.... pretty obvious what he's thinking re centre combo- basically Slade/Eastmond have no chance between Ford/Joseph, in fact I wouldn't be at all surprised if Burgess was in the 31. He demands physicality in the centre somewhere, but tbh, neither Barritt or 36 are much good at trucking it up with much effect- not on the same level as Nonu/SBW/De Allande etc.

 

[Maverick1987]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02xpvy0
podcast with Lancaster interview in.... pretty obvious what he's thinking re centre combo- basically Slade/Eastmond have no chance between Ford/Joseph, in fact I wouldn't be at all surprised if Burgess was in the 31. He demands physicality in the centre somewhere, but tbh, neither Barritt or 36 are much good at trucking it up with much effect- not on the same level as Nonu/SBW/De Allande etc.

We only have one player with that capability unfortunately he took a bit of a dislike to a taxi driver .....

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

We only have one player with that capability unfortunately he took a bit of a dislike to a taxi driver .....

And our bloody head coach just HAD to get all sanctimonious about him insulting some police officers. Like, GODDD, since when were morals important?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Manu still isn't training is he?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Manu still isn't training is he?

He is starting training now I believe.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

He is starting training now I believe.

He'll never win a bout. His style's too messy and his guard's awful. Oh hang on...
Any idea if Leicester are thinking of him as a twelve?