England Post-WC discussion

[Raggs]

As mobile a front 5 as we could pick, I don't think any of them can produce the sort of regular support running speeds we should be aiming for from our backrow. Especially since their legs will have other demands on them such as the scrum and in the case of locks, jumping for kick reception and lineouts.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

As mobile a front 5 as we could pick, I don't think any of them can produce the sort of regular support running speeds we should be aiming for from our backrow. Especially since their legs will have other demands on them such as the scrum and in the case of locks, jumping for kick reception and lineouts.

I'd rather have a quicker back row and a massive pack. If you could either have a lighter more mobile prop or flanker I'd go flanker all day long.

I want my pack to be feared. Less workrate but each contribution should be massive from them.

 

[Maverick1987]

Yup.

Guess he will be the next Englishman the Welsh pinch on a technicality lol

 

[Geordie]

Im not sure why Billy and Ewers couldn't work together as 6 and 8?

It would be one physical back row....

And add Kvesic / Fraser and would be very interesting.

 

[g6mcg]

Rumours of a recall for Ashton... Via irate colleagues, think they'd got it in Times or Telegraph.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE.


TBH i expect the england team to be
1) Vunipola
2) George
3) PDB
4) Kruis
5) Itojie
6) Robshaw
7) Fraser
8) Vunipola
9) Wigglesworth
10) Farrell
11) Ashton
12) Barritt
13) JJ
14) Watson
15) Goode

 

[McTallshort]

Yup.

English as in born there but could probably play for Wales if he wanted too yes?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Born in America to English parents, lived here most of his life, captained England u18s, played for Gloucester for a while (came through their academy) but then moved to Ospreys last year as he moved to Wales for University.
No Welsh blood, but residency is only a couple of seasons away

 

[ratsapprentice]

Huge, huge potential though... I would be absolutely gutted if they poached him.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE.


TBH i expect the england team to be
1) Vunipola
2) George
3) PDB
4) Kruis
5) Itojie
6) Robshaw
7) Fraser
8) Vunipola
9) Wigglesworth
10) Farrell
11) Ashton
12) Barritt
13) JJ
14) Watson
15) Goode

That's a terrible team at international level.

 

[Which Tyler]

Right, time for my first stab at a XXIII I'd pick to start the 6N.
1. Vunipola
2. George
3. Cole - Well, who else is there?
4. Launchbury
5. Kruis
6. Robshaw
7. Kvesic
8. Vunipola

09. Simpson
10. Ford - I know Farrell's in better form, but Ford's still the better player; his problems seem mostly mental/confidence; and any coach worth his salt should back himself to sort that.
11. Watson
12. Devoto - Closest like-for-like to Slade we have, and time has simply run out on Manu's fitness; has the advantage of not being Barritt/Burgess/Burrell/Billy. Ford/Eastmond just about works at Prem level, I'm still loathe to try them together in a test; Kyle also still goes missing too often. Were we not starting Scotland => Italy then I'd probably play safer; but we are.
13. Daly
14. Rokoduguni
15. Brown

16. TYoungs; 17. Marler; 18. Thomas; 19. Itoje; 20. Cliford- FR, who else is there? Whilst I see Itoje's best position as BSF, that's not where he's playing.
21. BYoungs; 22. Farrell; 23. Joseph - Harsh on Nowell, but there it is.

 

[Peat]

Would rather continue the Youngs/Ford partnership if starting Ford.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I'd agree with most of that Tyler, small changes:

1. Vunipola
2. George
3. Cole
4. Launchbury
5. Kruis
6. Robshaw
7. Kvesic
8. Vunipola

09. Youngs
10. Ford
11. Nowell
12. Devoto (not really done much to deserve it yet but we know what the others offer, or more accurately don't.)
13. Daly
14. Rokoduguni
15. Watson

16. TYoungs; 17. Marler; 18. Thomas; 19. Itoje; 20. Beaumont (want to see him get a run around at international); 21. Simpson (want to see him but Ford-BYoungs have something going); 22. Farrell; 23. Joseph

 

[Which Tyler]

BYoungs with Ford is very fair and valid; I guess I just want to see Simpson rewarded for his last 18n months form.

Itoje and Beamont on the bench together though, just seems a little... samey; I'd certainly have Beaumont in the EPS though.

 

[Peat]

Legit.

Agreed I can't see the point of both Beaumont *and* Itoje although I do want to see both play.

p.s. Mildly inconsistent not to put Itoje at 6 because he's not playing it for Sarries but to have Slade lined up at 12 for when he returns

 

[dullonien]

Huge, huge potential though... I would be absolutely gutted if they poached him.

We've got opensides coming out of our ears. 3 playing for English clubs. He's probably pretty safe from our dirty little poaching hands.....

 

[Which Tyler]

Legit.

Agreed I can't see the point of both Beaumont *and* Itoje although I do want to see both play.

p.s. Mildly inconsistent not to put Itoje at 6 because he's not playing it for Sarries but to have Slade lined up at 12 for when he returns

Meh; I'm nothing if not inconsistent!

More to the point, I'm desperate enough to put Devoto in at 12 as it is.

 

[Peat]

Meh; I'm nothing if not inconsistent!

More to the point, I'm desperate enough to put Devoto in at 12 as it is.

I know that desperation. I've been half-convincing myself that Farrell at 12 is reasonable and sane.

 

[Which Tyler]

Well stoppit, it's not.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Underhill is very, very physical for such a young guy.

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Glos would be very stupid if they haven't already offered him a contract for when he's finished uni. I imagine Moriarty will be off soon, a Kvesic/Underhill could be awesome.

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Just seen Joe Lydon sitting in front of Gatland and co - there are only 2 EQP players in this game; Underhill and Teo.

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Richard Hill down too, apparently - which essentially confirms they're there for Underhill. He's part of the RFU's youth development system.