England Rugby 2018/19 Thread

[Nudger]

Then they haven't watched him play this calendar year (or at least, made their minds up before then and haven't checked to see if they're still accurate - which, let's face it, is extremely common; though I'd suggest still wrong in this case, Zach has never lacked for physicality, he's just no monster, and struggled initially thinking that he was more physical than he actually was).

As for Mercer Vs Simmonds; for me, Simmonds is a 7 who can cover 6, and just about 8, Mercer is a 6/8 who can just about cover 7.

Exeter though, seem to have an innate distrust of putting players in their position of best fit (Slade is an IC all day, every day; Nowell would be better at OC or FB, no-one else would look at a backrow of Simmonds, Ewers and Armand and decide that SS is the most obvious 8). Against this of course, LCD does look to the manor born at hooker, whilst they did spot that Devoto had to be a centre...

Toulouse used armitage at 8 for some England's best 7

 

[Nudger]

No Cipriani... interesting.

Jersey incident me thinks
No Cowan dickie more of a surprise for me

 

[Nudger]

Just noticed no Cole or Haskell

 

[Geordie]

Michael Rhodes is a poor selection in my eyes.

Surely this is what the ***le says...a training squad to have a look at players with no actual resemblance to the squad for the AI's

Missing Underhill, Cole, Cipriani, Cowan Dickie etc etc.

I thought Shields had a broken cheekbone?

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Sinckler is injured as well...

 

[higgik]

Toltally agree on slade, he's improved his running game alot and is starting to look like a 13 who can distribute as well as break the line rather than a 10/12 put at 13.

Spencer
Faz
May
Manu
Slade
Watson
Daly
(When all fit)

21 Care (great finisher)
22 Ford (ford faz slade, ford manu slade or ford faz manu) all could work for different reasons for the last 20.
23 Nowell/Cockanasiga

For me that is a very strong back line. Cockanasiga needs a shot off the bench not starting.

Like the balance with this, especially the split playmakers. Always think that having IC as the bulldozer, means width is easier to get, by using them as the decoy. Daly is better than Watson at FB just because of his running lines, but having Watson on wing helps backfield. May needs to up the work rate in midfield running though, otherwise, Nowell or Cockanasiga will take place, with May out of squad. Care is a great finisher, just for his eyes for space, which is not there at start, same for Ford. Also having Manu at IC will encourage him to look to offload closer to support runners, rather than further out when can get isolated.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Some pleasing inclusions but, as ever with Jones, some head scratching omissions.

I can only see 2 LHs and 2 hookers which suggests those are nailed down. 3 THs and no Cole looks like audition time.

 

[Scotty]

On top of that, Gloucester one of the form teams with no one in the squad.

Ashton hasn't played this season but gets selected.

Who from gloucester though? Standouts obv cips, banahan, woodward? Ludlows not

Like the balance with this, especially the split playmakers. Always think that having IC as the bulldozer, means width is easier to get, by using them as the decoy. Daly is better than Watson at FB just because of his running lines, but having Watson on wing helps backfield. May needs to up the work rate in midfield running though, otherwise, Nowell or Cockanasiga will take place, with May out of squad. Care is a great finisher, just for his eyes for space, which is not there at start, same for Ford. Also having Manu at IC will encourage him to look to offload closer to support runners, rather than further out when can get isolated.

Thats what i was thinking and as shown recently slades becoming more than just a distributer, hes improved his running game and is pretty good in defence too. May has improved his workrate its why i included him and is a damn good finisher.

No spencer in the squad though or watson. So for now prob be youngs at 9 and nowell wing with cockanasiga bench

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Slater and Cipriani

Seen people say Trinder but nah

Woodward outside shot with Watson injured (but I want us to focus on Daly at 15 so not arsed - Woodward is a ******** as well so not exactly heartbroken)

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Slater and Cipriani

Seen people say Trinder but nah

Woodward outside shot with Watson injured (but I want us to focus on Daly at 15 so not arsed - Woodward is a ******** as well so not exactly heartbroken)

Who would you drop for Slater though?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Who would you drop for Slater though?

For the training camp?
Rhodes

I know Rhodes plays 6 these days but Eddie reckons 4-8 are interchangeable soooooo......

Slater is arguably the form lock in the prem atm, he deserves a look in.
I'd have him over Lawes and probably Kruis (even though krutoje is my go to 2nd row)

 

[Scotty]

For the training camp?
Rhodes

I know Rhodes plays 6 these days but Eddie reckons 4-8 are interchangeable soooooo......

Slater is arguably the form lock in the prem atm, he deserves a look in.
I'd have him over Lawes and probably Kruis (even though krutoje is my go to 2nd row)

Honestly if i was dropping Rhoades which i wpuld in a heart beat it would be underhill in rather than slater. Not saying i disagree on form but with launchbury, itoje and lawes we dont need him, potentially id have him over kruis tbh but underhill is this big one for me left out as hes been on good form for bath.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah I don't disagree with that, Underhill should 100% be involved

I swear EJ doesn't watch the prem cause he's left out so many form players**



**I know it's only a 3 day camp but they deserve a look in - what's he gaining from 3 more days with Robshaw, for example

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Opening the training camp injury sweepstake, I'll go for one to miss the 6N with a broken bone, another to miss the AIs, one more to be out for at least 2 weeks and assorted cuts and bruises.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

One of the Vunipolas, is my guess

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Manu and Billy to injury each other in a judo session.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Manu and Billy to injury each other in a judo session.

Judo is so 2011

Turkish oil wrestling is in now

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

FFS, don't go giving him ideas.....

 

[MarkyH]

Injuries to all players playing FH, just so he can call up Harry Mallinder to really send us crazy....

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Grauniad's take on Cips omission https://www.theguardian.com/sport/b...-danny-cipriani-baffling-decision-eddie-jones.

Speculates on a Faz, Te'o, Manu midfield.....