England Post-WC discussion

[Tony Manx]

Yes this is what I'm talking about . I don't particularly agree with the rules but until they are changed then use them to your advantage

+1

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I agree that the rules should be changed. But until they are, any head coach whose job depends totally on results will pick the best players available to them. End of.

But I'm giving up on England if the RFU ever proactively trawls the SH in the way that Italy and Scotland do

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I think previously we assumed import players were better than the current English players and just ignored the English guy playing really well for the import.

I don't think Eddie Jones will view things like that. Using 8 as an example I think he will look at who is available and what they offer. If Hughes has better stats than billy v, Morgan and Beaumont then he will play.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I think previously we assumed import players were better than the current English players and just ignored the English guy playing really well for the import.

I think lots of people still do this - they are right now with O'Connor.

 

[Peat]

I think lots of people still do this - they are right now with O'Connor.

I'm not assuming O'Connor is better than the current English players; I know he is better than all but two when it comes to a specific skillset (when it comes to players under 30 playing in England at least) because our ability to produce opensides is awful.

 

[ratsapprentice]

That's not what I was referring to, Peat... It was the people who are now claiming the guy is in pole position.

 

[Josht36]

Roko had another impressive game in attack and defence today. Going to be very hard to ignore. He doesn't really have any weaknesses and I think all the other prospective wingers do.

 

[ratsapprentice]

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/05/eddie-jones-alex-sanderson-england-coach-saracens

I hadn't realised there was quite as significant a relationship between the two as there appears to be.

I wouldn't be unhappy with Sanderson in the setup, providing that he didn't retain any form of Sarries bias.
What would his specific role be assuming that Borthwick is the forwards coach though?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Aye, I'd be OK with Sanderson too.
I mean he's a Sale lad, so obviously that's great
I don't think the Sarries link would be an issue, either, considering that the Sarries forwards are all pretty great, to be fair. As long as they ignore his input on the backs then we're grand
He always comes across well/as very knowledgeable too (considering he's had a decade in coaching, since retiring, it's not surprising).

I wouldn't mind him and Borthwick being combined forwards coaches - both obviously know each other well so I don't think there'd be a conflict of interest, and their strengths would complement each others' weaknesses. We have the cash to have as many coaches as we want, so as long as they'd work I see no issue.


I would be wary of having too many Sarries guys on board, though - they do have mates at the club, and I don't want that to influence.
If it comes down to Brad Barritt vs A.N.Other then their two votes, as they've known him for years, could swing it.



Also, one worry that that article rises is that Jones made A.Farrell captain of Sarries - hopefully that doesn't sway his hand when he's swinging a big ****-off axe at Farrell's neck in his review.

 

[Aristodemus]

Even if there is bias (in the forwards) would it be an issue? Personally I wouldn't have a problem with seeing the likes of Itoje, George, both Vunipolas and even Kruis given a shot in the 6N. Their mediocre backs however is another matter entirely.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Aye, that was my point - where they'll have an input is the forwards and, as you say, Sarries have a whole bunch of English guys who are quality.

The only guy who they could suggest, in the backs, I'd back would be if they convinced Charlie Hodgson to postpone his retirement

 

[ratsapprentice]

You would have an issue if someone like Jackson Wray was called up though, no?

 

[Maverick1987]

Looks like Henry Slade has broken his leg time for Elliot Daly to step into the 12 shirt and make it his or dare I say it we might end up with 36 ......

Also I just read a Wales online article that suggests England have no talent in the back row and have no one in the same league as the "world class" Taulupe Faletau ...... Discuss

 

[Peat]

Looks like Henry Slade has broken his leg time for Elliot Daly to step into the 12 shirt and make it his or dare I say it we might end up with 36 ......

Elliot Daly at number 12? Uhm...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Looks like Henry Slade has broken his leg time for Elliot Daly to step into the 12 shirt and make it his or dare I say it we might end up with 36 ......

A guy who doesn't play 12 might step in for a guy who doesn't play 12 to stop a guy who occasionally plays 12 taking the shirt?

Also I just read a Wales online article that suggests England have no talent in the back row and have no one in the same league as the "world class" Taulupe Faletau ...... Discuss

lol

 

[Irish boy]

Eastmond has got to have a shot now

 

[TommiG88]

Eastmond has got to have a shot now

I agree, I think this is his chance and probably his last one.

 

[Maverick1987]

A guy who doesn't play 12 might step in for a guy who doesn't play 12 to stop a guy who occasionally plays 12 taking the shirt?


lol

Still better than Burrell lol

 

[Crapspray]

I don't care who plays instead of him, my main frustration is it's Groundhog Day again.

We'll see someone brought in, they'll probably make a decent fist of it, and then the coaches will hesitate to drop them when Slade is back. Cue the 2019 RWC, when we have a 40-cap mediocrity and a 20-cap talent.

Hopefully whatever occult magic/sacrificial pact Bath used to get Joseph back early can be used on Slade's leg.

---

Oh and please God, don't let 36 get picked. I've lost count of the number face-palms I've done so far this season when he's ignored a four man overlap. How is he getting worse?!

 

[j'nuh]

Also I just read a Wales online article that suggests England have no talent in the back row and have no one in the same league as the "world class" Taulupe Faletau ...... Discuss

Apples and oranges really. Faletau makes sense for Wales because Wales is full of ball carriers in both pack and backline. Whereas for England he'd just be another work horse in a pack full of them. I prefer England picking a hefty ball carrier at 8 to make up for our lack of them. If Faletau was English, I'd probably have him at 6.

As far as flankers go, Wales probably do have a better selection between Lydiate, Warburton, Tipuric and Moriarty, but I'm hoping that when we start giving the caps to the right players, that this won't be the case any more.