England Post-WC discussion

[Ragey Erasmus]

Who do people think would have more potential @ 10.

Ford or Slade?

Just wondering If Slade becomes 10 for Exeter the chances that Ford might be overtaken.

Potential is a horrible thing, 12trees has the potential to be our ideal 12. I'd say Ford has more "instinct" than Slade but Slade is more solid in defence, especially this season. I think if you put either of them at 10 in the AB side, Ford would do better than Slade as I think he has the ability to perform much better when surrounded by players who know what they are doing. Ultimately though I'd have no issues with Slade going to 10.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Depends on what Jones wants. More potential in attack, Ford, more potential in defence, Slade, but with the added bonus (over Farrell) that he is pretty good in attack too.

I think slade has an equal attacking game to be honest. He would be a works class player at 10.

Really unsure what jones wants at 12 and 13 ow after reading his quotes online. He sees Manu as a 12 ( for some reason) but then has slade and Devoto both passing players in the squad. They are like chalk and cheese.

Doesn't make sense

 

[foreverengland]

Never been a huge Ben Youngs fan tbh - hope he isn't one of those that EJ is tipping for potential greatness (either that or the comments make him pull his finger out).

I do however think that there are a host of England players who could be top drawer, the key is to get them to play as a unit and not individuals (all eyes on Manu...).

 

[Maverick1987]

I think slade has an equal attacking game to be honest. He would be a works class player at 10.

Really unsure what jones wants at 12 and 13 ow after reading his quotes online. He sees Manu as a 12 ( for some reason) but then has slade and Devoto both passing players in the squad. They are like chalk and cheese.

Doesn't make sense

Manu is starting at 12 on Saturday night against Treviso . I think Cockers and Eddie have had a chat and come to an agreement .

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Ben Youngs in form is World class.

 

[foreverengland]

Ben Youngs in form is World class.

Agreed, but don't think he's ever replicated his club level form in the international stage.

So perhaps he is one of the 4 or 5 EJ is talking about after all!

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Ben Youngs in form is World class.

Yeah... but Ben Young off form is a steaming pile of dung. Worse than most of our other options. And as foreverengland says he has never showed sustained world class play at international level

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

He did in his first few years actually for England.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He did in his first few years actually for England.

Aye, was just about say his first few years were excellent, but since then he struggles with more than a few months of good form at a time.



On Slade vs Ford, I think Ford has the higher ceiling, at 10, but has major consistency issues.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Aye, was just about say his first few years were excellent, but since then he struggles with more than a few months of good form at a time.
.

He's starting to be quicker off the base set piece again now, (just aiming is a bit iffy), Scott Hansen been working hard with him.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Who do people think would have more potential @ 10.

Ford or Slade?

Just wondering If Slade becomes 10 for Exeter the chances that Ford might be overtaken.

Slade, no question on the grounds that he'll have the best all round game. Much better defensively than Ford and more of a running / passing game than Farrell. He also seems much calmer than either and to have the perennial stamp of quality in appearing to have time on the ball. Those are the characteristics that work at the highest levels.

 

[Peat]

Who do people think would have more potential @ 10.

Ford or Slade?

Just wondering If Slade becomes 10 for Exeter the chances that Ford might be overtaken.

Whichever one of them learns to deal with the pressure better.

I think slade has an equal attacking game to be honest. He would be a works class player at 10.

Really unsure what jones wants at 12 and 13 ow after reading his quotes online. He sees Manu as a 12 ( for some reason) but then has slade and Devoto both passing players in the squad. They are like chalk and cheese.

Doesn't make sense

Three possible options -

a) Jones doesn't know what he wants yet
b) Jones wants plan A and plan B here
c) Jones fully intends to turn Tuilagi into the full Nonu.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Three possible options -

a) Jones doesn't know what he wants yet
b) Jones wants plan A and plan B here
c) Jones fully intends to turn Tuilagi into the full Nonu.

I know Mauger and Cockers think Manu could do a Nonu.

Hence why he has been playing 12 so far.

 

[Peat]

Even if he never does it, Tuilagi can still be a decent 12 in the right system. But I think everyone wants it to happen though.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Even if he never does it, Tuilagi can still be a decent 12 in the right system. But I think everyone wants it to happen though.

I want him to but just don't think he had the rugby brain for it. He loves contact and until he develops an spirited for space and passing he's never going to be more than an average international.

So much possibility but we haven't actually seen any improvement from tuilagi in the last few years.

 

[Aristodemus]

I know Mauger and Cockers think Manu could do a Nonu.

Hence why he has been playing 12 so far.

Where does this leave Toomua though, who I assume was fairly expensive. Seems rather inconvenient for Leicester to switch Manu to 12

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Where does this leave Toomua though, who I assume was fairly expensive. Seems rather inconvenient for Leicester to switch Manu to 12

Leicester will play Manu at 13.

Just should hopefully have developed his game by then.

 

[Peat]

Where does this leave Toomua though, who I assume was fairly expensive. Seems rather inconvenient for Leicester to switch Manu to 12

This season? It's always been their best use of resources. And being forced to consider distributing more will help him whichever position he goes forwards in.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I want him to but just don't think he had the rugby brain for it. He loves contact and until he develops an spirited for space and passing he's never going to be more than an average international.

So much possibility but we haven't actually seen any improvement from tuilagi in the last few years.

Hasn't been Average at international rugby so far.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Hasn't been Average at international rugby so far.

Compared to his potential he has. If we've seen his best performances I'd throw him on the scrap heap. If he adds those little extras to his game, the handling, the finding space and kicking he would be world class and you'd look back on those early games and say yes he was just average then.