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

[ratsapprentice]

They were committing - they were just committing after a pause of 1-2 seconds.

 

[goodNumber10]

They were committing - they were just committing after a pause of 1-2 seconds.

The tactic is designed for a clear clean ruck, so the ball doesn't sit at the crown waiting for the 9.

Not sure this will make sense but it's meant to be "hit, clear, out" in one motion rather than "hit, clear, wait, out".

Dunno if that makes sense but it should ensure cleaner ball and less chance of a counter ruck.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Crown? Jheez... the jargonaut strikes again! :lol:

What it was, in reality, leading to was slower ball or turnovers, because they were allowing the opposition to get on the ball before the ruck was formed.

 

[goodNumber10]

Crown? Jheez... the jargonaut strikes again! :lol:

What it was, in reality, leading to was slower ball or turnovers, because they were allowing the opposition to get on the ball before the ruck was formed.

The crown is pretty standard, been using that since I was a kid... Which is a long time ago.

Agree it didn't work.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I've literally never heard anyone call the base of the ruck the "crown".

 

[goodNumber10]

I've literally never heard anyone call the base of the ruck the "crown".

Maybe it's a really old term that isn't used anymore?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Maybe you have multiple personality disorder and made it up?

 

[goodNumber10]

Maybe you have multiple personality disorder and made it up?

Perhaps, though it's used by a lot of people like Dan Cotterell, Wayne Smith etc...

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Perhaps, though it's used by a lot of people like Dan Cotterell, Wayne Smith etc...

That's 2 of your personalities discovered then.

 

[j'nuh]

Vunipola or Marler? Debate ppl.

Vunipola's scrummaging came a long way in the last season, I don't see him as a liability there any more. With all he brings in the carrying game in the loose, I don't see how we can't start him.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd still have Marler as first choice, but agree that Vunipola's scrummaging has improved beyond recognition.
Would give him 30+ mins when he's on the bench, and start like 40% of them.
I still feel like Marler is the stronger scrummager, and his carrying and tight work is as good as any non-specialised-in-that-area (i.e. Gethin Jenkins et al.) loosehead.
Mako is making a strong claim for the starting shirt, and could well have claimed it after a few more tests, but ATM I'd still take Marler.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Marler has earned his starting spot IMO.

 

[Peat]

For my money England are short of genuinely fantastic physical ball carriers and there are relatively few positions where we have an ability to play a player like that.

We can play Rokoduguni on the wing;
We can play Burgess at Inside-Centre (maaaybe);
We can play both Bill and Ben;
And we can start Mako ahead of Marler.

I think I'd rather wait until we've seen some warm-up matches before making decisions, but I think there's a really big case for starting Mako and would love to see him prove his case.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I reckon if Burgess performs even vaguely adequately in whichever warmup he starts (apparently the first) he'll be a serious contender for the 12 shirt come the "serious" games in the world cup.

 

[chippieolamus]

For my money England are short of genuinely fantastic physical ball carriers and there are relatively few positions where we have an ability to play a player like that.

We can play Rokoduguni on the wing;
We can play Burgess at Inside-Centre (maaaybe);
We can play both Bill and Ben;
And we can start Mako ahead of Marler.

I think I'd rather wait until we've seen some warm-up matches before making decisions, but I think there's a really big case for starting Mako and would love to see him prove his case.

At least Tom Youngs, who I would regard as a physical ball carrier, is now fairly assured of a starting spot with Hartley out, so that lessens the need slightly.

 

[TobesHodges]

Marler has earned his starting spot IMO.

Yeah marler has decent scrummaging and a high work rate on and off the ball, also I think Mako is much better as an Impact player for England.

 

[j'nuh]

I like the idea of Vunipola-Youngs-Cole to be replaced as a unit by Marler-George-Wilson, to apply scrum pressure later on in the game.

 

[Patchey]

Does anyone else thing George might actually be better in the loose than Youngs?

(At Prem level obviously, can't yet speak for international)

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Does anyone else thing George might actually be better in the loose than Youngs?

(At Prem level obviously, can't yet speak for international)

In my very unbiased opinion no.

I think George might have more of an eye for a gap but Youngs work rate in the loose is on of the best around IMO for a hooker.

 

[Peat]

Does anyone else thing George might actually be better in the loose than Youngs?

(At Prem level obviously, can't yet speak for international)

Interesting question. I feel like George probably has the edge for defensive work rate and accuracy (although Youngs is no slouch) but Youngs is probably a more consistently useful carrier (again, George is no slouch). Can't really remember what George is like at the breakdown, Youngs is decent there. Handling's good for both insofar as I've noticed.

I wouldn't be surprised if George turned out to be one of the revelations of the World Cup, now I think about it.