England Rugby 2018/19 Thread

[Bada-Bing!]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45557746

Mitchell confirmed as defence coach.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

So today's forum news is that we still don't have a clue about our best back row and that we've gone back to a past it / never was defence coach.

Encouraging!

 

[MarkyH]

So. After the first 4 rounds this is what I'd be thinking about. Not all these players are on form, but might have done enough previously for England to keep a shirt

1. Marler
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Kruis
5. Itjoe
6. Underhill
7. Curry
8. Vunipola

9. Youngs
10. Cipriani
11. May
12. Farrell
13. Tuilagi
14. Cokanasiga
15. Daly

Mako, George, Sinkler, Launchbury, Simmonds, Robson, Slade, Nowell

I think our front row has had a rest now, and even if it's our 'older' front row but I'm more than happy with them especially with the dynamic front row on the bench. I've gone for Kruis with Itoje in the locks for more power, and better line out balance. I'm a fan of Launch so he gets the bench over Lawes who everyone rates a lot higher than I do.

Back row I've gone for Underhill to bring that defensive physicality in, and he's hard at the breakdown and has had a good start to the season. Mercer next in line for 6. Simmonds always in my matchday squad.

Scrum Half I have no idea. Youngs playing like Youngs. Robson has to be next in line now. Been good to see Maunder again at Chiefs tho, hopefully he can play more this season.

Cips has earnt 10. Ford clearly still good enough to be in the EPS and they should be fighting it out for the 10 jersey.

Farrell at 12, he has his critics but he's absolutely solid at 12, his ball playing is much better, his running lines improving all the time. Ok in defence. He's just an all round annoying ******* that we need in the team. Will bring our backs into play too. Awesome from the tee...

I've brought back Tuilagi at 13. JJ being injured and Daly playing FB means I want some ball carrying in the backs, its something we've missed. He appears to have got his step and pace back and remains as imposing as before. He's also had more game time in the last 9 months, and a full preseason. Playing Tuilagi will make defenders think twice, or double up on him which should allow Cips and Farrell more freedom to set us free.

May. I love May. I honestly believe he's a world class winger, I don't care what anyone else says

Big Joe too. He's massive which adds even more power, but he's also fast and his finishing at the weekend was pretty special. Been in EPS already, so he knows the drills and this is the next step for someone that could prove to be a match winner for England.

Daly. Quality. He needs to be in the team somewhere and he can come into the line and be another playmaker.

Slade and Nowell offer bench cover across the backs.

Anyway, that's my lunch-break at work done. This team has perfect balance if you ask me. Power, speed, playmakers. Tough up front, great lineout, faster and more dynamic backrow without losing the physicality... More importantly no Hackshaw.

 

[Geordie]

The question then Oly, is is he dropped altogether out of the squad...or kept in the squad for experience?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Ford for me has been the in form 10, the last 2 rounds and has more international experience, he's back to his best like he was when was at bath with Mike Ford attacking the game line more and using his running threat.

Comparing his stats to Cips.
(Cips first Ford second)
Tries: 0 v 1
Try assists: 2 v 3
Cons: 0 v 6
Penalties: 0 v 9
Meters Run: 68 v 133
Defenders Beaten: 2 v 12
Clean Breaks: 3 v 6
Tackles made: 14 v 14
Tackles missed: 5 v 2

Stats don't tell everything, but outside his wonder throws cips just hasn't controlled the games like ford has IMO.
Granted this might just be a Murphy bubble or something.

 

[NickBD]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45557746

Mitchell confirmed as defence coach.

From that story Scott Wisemantel will continue his role as attack coach this autumn.

 

[Geordie]

Is Manu actually finally over his injuries and ready to play international again. I just have no faith...I guess a bit like Johnny W a few years ago.

Fingers crossed he does because hes a wrecking ball we need in that back line.

 

[Which Tyler]

He#s been playing pretty solidly this calendar year; and looking good so far this season.
It's early days yet; but he's done enough to be in the conversation. If we were playing a test match this weekend, I'd be looking to ease him in from the bench; ideally I'd say the same come November; with JJ struggling to make the 6N, and no-one else having actually put teir hand up for the OC shirt...

 

[Geordie]

Slade is doing not bad at 13 for Exeter?

Marchant?

 

[MarkyH]

I think Slade is fantastic, but Tuilagi is the type of player we're missing at the minute imo. Points of difference and all that.

Tuilagi has played pretty regularly this calendar year, and has had a proper pre-season and has looked good for Leicester from what I've seen. Having a carrier in the backs takes the attention away from Ford (or similar FH) too so he gets more time to play his game, while the opposition decide who to line up and who to stop.

 

[Geordie]

I agree...weve missed some serious weight and power in the backs.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The question then Oly, is is he dropped altogether out of the squad...or kept in the squad for experience?

EPS but not 23, for me. But even then it's tough cause there's a crazy amount of talented players who deserve a nod - Though this close to the world cup we should be concentrating on fully blooding a couple of players rather than having a look at a load of them (which is why I don't particularly want Marcus Smith in the EPS - Cipriani should be getting as many minutes as possible)



For all the rest we gave Cole over the summer Tigers are trying their best to undo.
Williams going really well for chiefs though so hopefully he gets some more game time for England

 

[Nudger]

Form centres for me
12 tress really up his game a lot more phisical
Slade rising to his potential injury free helps

 

[FLOBALOB]

I cant be having it with all this Tuilagi talk, Most of it is people with long memories, and wishful thinking that hes back to his best. Ive not seen it .I think hes lost a bit of his power and for me, he was virtually invisible against Wasps.
Slade on the other hand has been mustard this season so far - the only player to be in FLATS TEAM OF THE WEEK all 3 weeks so far.
If England were playing tomorrow theres only 1 player in the 13 shirt- Slade, by a distance.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Flats team of the week is terrible, he just picks whichever players he's mates with/he's fawning over


Not denying that Slade has started the season well, but he's played well for club before and then flopped for England

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Flats team of the week is terrible, he just picks whichever players he's mates with/he's fawning over


Not denying that Slade has started the season well, but he's played well for club before and then flopped for England

I'm not saying that I'd go with Slade either, but to be fair to him he's never really been given a fair chance with England. In the Jones era he's always been played out of position (Started 12 and didn't he come on at 15 one time a year or two ago?) or has been paired with Francis, Loz, or Faz, who are all play-makers. A midfield with 2 playmakers was never realistically going to work too well; I'd like to see him given at least one game with Te'o or Tuilagi at 12 to suck in some defenders and give Slade the space/time to play his game.

 

[Which Tyler]

As opposed to... Everybody else, who's also generally had Faz at 12.
Playing in your club position alongside England's first choice IC is NOT "never been given a fair chance with England"

As for Slade playing 12 - that's where he should have spent the last 4 years playing, it was always the position of best fit for his skillset; but he shouldn't be judged from the match he was thrown in there at the deep end.

He's has plenty of time in his club position though, and yet to look like a player who can hack it on the international stage; however much he looks like he should when playing for Exeter.

Don't get wrong, I've no problem with him at IC for England, but he's by no means grabbed his chances to be anything but JJ's understudy.

Marching is a good call though as a candidate.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

As opposed to... Everybody else, who's also generally had Faz at 12.
Playing in your club position alongside England's first choice IC is NOT "never been given a fair chance with England"

As for Slade playing 12 - that's where he should have spent the last 4 years playing, it was always the position of best fit for his skillset; but he shouldn't be judged from the match he was thrown in there at the deep end.

He's has plenty of time in his club position though, and yet to look like a player who can hack it on the international stage; however much he looks like he should when playing for Exeter.

So you think that a centre pairing made of two playmakers can work?
And I agree that 12 is where he should've played, but it isn't where he's played, so that's a bit of a moot point.

 

[Which Tyler]

It CAN (Catt and Greenwood for example), but a midfield with Farrell at IC just doesn't work, whether the 13 is a playmaker or a runner, though it COULD with a battering ram.

But whilst Fax is first choice IC, you can't claim that playing alongside Faz isn't being fair, whenever every OC and FH have to put up with that detriment as well.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

What's the craic with Te'o? Dead?

Kinda hope he's injured all AIs so Eddie can stop pinning all his hopes on him/wasting an EPS squad just to have him at Pennyhill Park on his mobility scooter