England Post-WC discussion

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Place your bets on who said all that. My guess is Wood.

Possibly, but wasn't Wood also quoted as saying the coaches should stay?
On paper Wood deserves his place less than pretty much anybody else in the entire squad so it would be hugely ironic if it was him who said that.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Place your bets on who said all that. My guess is Wood.

That'd be my guess too. The only other person I could think of that'd be outspoken would be Easter, but I don't think he'd slag off Robshaw, and I think he'd have learnt from 2011 to watch what he says.

 

[Raggs]

Really? Why on earth would you do that?

Watson seems to have most the physical attributes you could dream of, but fades out of games big time, and doesn't seem to beat as many players as I expect him to, not convinced by his defence either. Roko not only brings pace and a step, but massive physicality, and will make yards through tough defences.

 

[RedruthRFC]

Place your bets on who said all that. My guess is Wood.

Not sure about that. His stance has been pre-Lancaster thus far.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Wood loves Lancaster because he was originally captain.

No other coach ever would make him captain in an international squad let alone pick him.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Not sure about that. His stance has been pre-Lancaster thus far.

Agree.

Just thinking of others..

Haskell - seems possible - Outspoken and a bit of an idiot. Senior player definitely, as he has the most caps.
Parling - Not that stupid.
Cole - Seems a nice guy!
Wigglesworth - Dunno?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Could see either Cole or Haskell saying it.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Could see either Cole or Haskell saying it.

Having met Cole a few times would be very surprised at him saying it to a member of the press.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Having met Cole a few times would be very surprised at him saying it to a member of the press.

And I'm also pretty sure it wouldn't be a quins player, out of respect for Robshaw.
'Senior player' is a label used too often really considering we don't seem to have anyone capable of showing leadership when it matters.
England seem to only have senior players off the field.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Wood loves Lancaster because he was originally captain.

No other coach ever would make him captain in an international squad let alone pick him.

"originally". He then lost that spot to Robshaw. What people say when protected my anonymity can be very different to what they say publically. Having said that, I could believe Haskell saying it too. Also, Farrell?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I did wonder about Farrell, but isn't a shot at selections also a shot at his Dad?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Having met Cole a few times would be very surprised at him saying it to a member of the press.

Could see Cole saying it privately, not necessarily to the press.

 

[ncurd]

I did wonder about Farrell, but isn't a shot at selections also a shot at his Dad?

Plus is it really wise for him mouth of the current administration he'll likely be put to one side by a new coach to start with.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Just would be surprised. Think Ben Youngs would be more likely to say it, esp with the fact he is very good friends with Ford.

 

[Mattybuck]

Just smacks of a lack of faith in the camp, with a group of senior players who have a vested interest in keeping SL in post.

 

[Patchey]

I think Clifford is on his way to that - he's bulked up over the off season, and while he basically looks the same his carrying today was very impressive. Also jumped a lot in the lineout.

Yup. All very true.

He was, when he first came into the senior squad, earmarked as a long term replacement for Minty. However I think with our injuries, Easter's Indian summer and Jack's natural athletesism he has developed into something better.

The fact we've bought a massive lump of an 8 in the off season suggests Clifford is seen as a flanker first, I think.

I've said this before (and been laughed at) but I see a fair bit similar between Clifford and young Kieran Reed.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Lots of hate for wood on here.

I think people forget that he was best 6 in the country for a couple of years before Lancaster ruined him by requesting he does more fitness work.

And I don't think he would criticise robshaw, as wood was the one stating robshaw should have been picked pre 2012.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Probably irrational but I preferred Wood as a 7 to a 6. He was a pesky little player when given leave to be, if not a proper groundhog. As a blindside, to use Lancasterspeak I don't see what his point of difference is.

 

[Cartersos]

That quote about time to bond and not having any opportunities to relax as a team was pretty much exactly what billy Vunipola said pre Gloucester vs saracans match on BT sports. Wouldn't be suprised if it was him, suppose it depends on what you class as a senior player.

 

[j'nuh]

Whittling down who I think it isn't:

Wood is the least person I'd expect to have said those things. Wood has been the player most vocal of supporting Lancaster since the end of the WC, I doubt he's trying to secretly undermine Lancaster, saying that players don't respect him.

I don't think any of Robshaw's club mates would say those things about him. So I don't think it is Care, Easter, Marler or Brown.

Tom Youngs owes a significant amount of his success to Lancaster, so I doubt him.

Don't see Ben Youngs or Joe Launchbury as being political/tribal enough to have said those things.

Farrell is a Lancaster favourite, so I doubt him. Lancaster has also stuck by May through some poor performances, so I doubt him too.

Now players I think it could be:

Wilson: Aggrieved about totally being left out when it came down to the World Cup?

Morgan: Perhaps annoyed at being dropped when he was in poor form for Gloucester but good form for England and I can see him having a fairly strong opinion that Kvesic should be ahead of Robshaw. But on the other hand, Lancaster did trust Morgan to come back well from injury and picked Morgan at the World Cup. So I'm torn on him.

Lawes: A lot of reported squad discontent about Burrell being left out, I can see Lawes being particularly upset about his club mate not being picked.

Billy Vunipola: Already said some pretty damning things about the England management.

Haskell: Very experienced, fairly vocal, probably felt he was underused by Lancaster. I think he's more tactful than this though...