England Rugby 2019/20 Thread

[Chief Pete]

Simmonds is too small.

So are you dismissing Simmonds as an England international all together or just as an 8?

 

[Not Eddie Jones]

Marchant is on loan in NZ - would be amazed if he came back for the 6N


Yarde snapped his leg off (almost literally - tore absolutely everything in his knee and his lower leg was only held on by skin). Was in the form of his life before the injury - struggled for form this season but not that surprising considering there were questions whether he'd ever walk properly again let alone play rugby.
Denny is in great form but has been struggling with a hamstring this season so seems to alternate games atm.
Neither are likely to be in EJs mind, though an on form Denny is one of the best finishers in the country, and his defence has improved immeasurably since his nightmare in Argentina


I wouldn't be surprised to see Bassett sniffing around the squad - guy knows his way to the tryline

Marchant - I don't know, it's any excuse with these slovenly youngsters these days.

Yarde - OUCH! Oh deary me. Don't like to hear that at all.

Denny - Eddie likes his power and he struck me as a powerful winger when he played against the Pumas. He might be in with a shot, injury permitting.

 

[Not Eddie Jones]

So are you dismissing Simmonds as an England international all together or just as an 8?

Eddie likes big, powerful beasts at 8 and he doesn't fit that model, so I would guess his best chance is at flanker, and he certainly has the speed and attacking capabilities to play there, but again, Eddie wants jackaling specialists, and I'm not aware that that is Simmonds' speciality. He seems like a bit of a 'tweener to me, not quite a flanker, not quite a number 8.

That said, he can still have a great England career. Is he better at 9 or 12?

 

[Not Eddie Jones]

So who gets the apprentice tag?

Louis Rees-Zammit.

Just kidding. Someone completely unexpected knowing Eddie. Phil Cokanasiga?

 

[Scotty]

Eddie likes big, powerful beasts at 8 and he doesn't fit that model, so I would guess his best chance is at flanker, and he certainly has the speed and attacking capabilities to play there, but again, Eddie wants jackaling specialists, and I'm not aware that that is Simmonds' speciality. He seems like a bit of a 'tweener to me, not quite a flanker, not quite a number 8.

That said, he can still have a great England career. Is he better at 9 or 12?

Definitely could play 12 but lets not. So no place for the likes of Simmonds, Earl and T Hill unless they are on the bench. I cant remember the last time simmonds played anything other than 8. And what about Dombrandt Curry Simmonds. 6 7 8. That could be an interesting back row eventually. But im not wanting that as our first choice or anything. Tbh i think if Simmonds gets in he is destined for the 20 shirt.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hill's a 6 isn't he?

I've always thought Simmonds looked too small for an international 8, could definitely see him on the flank though, and would be my choice for the 20 shirt covering the whole backrow.

Why would you put Dombrandt on the flank before Simmonds?

 

[Scotty]

Hill's a 6 isn't he?

I've always thought Simmonds looked too small for an international 8, could definitely see him on the flank though, and would be my choice for the 20 shirt covering the whole backrow.

Why would you put Dombrandt on the flank before Simmonds?

Yes Hill is a 6 but he said EJ wants jackling specialists on the flanks and a beast at 8 so no place for any of them.

Because Dombrandt plays 6 at club level sometimes and Simmonds ive never seen play anything other but tbh other way round wouldnt be bad. Simmonds has a very good workrate, good enough for a 6. Obv not a strong lineout back row.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Wasn't Simmonds a 7 when he first came on the scene?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Why would you put Dombrandt on the flank before Simmonds?

*Ducks for cover* The more line out options in the back row the better.....

I thought Simmonds would have been v handy as utility / bench in Japan. Could still do a job but Willis can play across the back row too and is more likely to push for a starting slot. Competition is going to be fierce, which can only be good.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Is Dombrandt not a lineout option? Started at lock didn't he?

My comment meant more why have 6. Dombrandt, 8. Simmonds when they're better suited the other way round


I really would have hoped the world cup would have stopped all this nonsense about lineout jumpers tbh

 

[Scotty]

Is Dombrandt not a lineout option? Started at lock didn't he?

My comment meant more why have 6. Dombrandt, 8. Simmonds when they're better suited the other way round


I really would have hoped the world cup would have stopped all this nonsense about lineout jumpers tbh

Tbh ive never been 1 to give a crap about a back row line out jumper i really have no idea why i added that on there.

Tbh the Chiefs back row is always suited differently to the positions they play but i wouldnt complain Dombrandt at 8 in the pack row i proposed. Hell im sure Curry has played 8 before lets go Sim Dom Curry. Go Chiefs style

 

[WarriorKelv]

Centres are starting to look a worry to me Slade injured, Tuilagi now possibly injured means our first choice partnership is gone and have we really tried a Farrell/ Joseph partnership? Nor a Francis/ Joseph partnership. Could Sam James get a call up? Or possibly Sam Hill who is comfortable at 12 or 13. Not entirely comfortable with Lozowski obviously another choice but never been a fan of him with England. Who could replacement 12 be as we'll probably take 4 centres Francis/ Joseph being 2.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Centres are starting to look a worry to me Slade injured, Tuilagi now possibly injured means our first choice partnership is gone and have we really tried a Farrell/ Joseph partnership? Nor a Francis/ Joseph partnership. Could Sam James get a call up? Or possibly Sam Hill who is comfortable at 12 or 13. Not entirely comfortable with Lozowski obviously another choice but never been a fan of him with England. Who could replacement 12 be as we'll probably take 4 centres Francis/ Joseph being 2.

I mean... we won a Grand Slam using it?

On Simmonds I actually do think that 8 is his best position. I'm not saying he'd be my choice to fill the shirt for England but Curry is larger and a better ball carrier than most 7s so if you also had a big, physical 6 like Dombrandt or Hill then that back row would look pretty balanced to me.

Also, not that it really matters because as you guys have said, a specialist line out jumper in the back row really isn't necessary, but Dombrandt is a notoriously poor lineout jumper at Quins.

 

[WarriorKelv]

I mean... we won a Grand Slam using it?
QUOTE]

Tbh I've not long been into Rugby so couldn't really tell you what team we won the grand slam with. I researched what England won and I've watched plenty of Rugby to know about the players today but still plenty I don't know tbh.

 

[Which Tyler]

Okay, wel, Farrell, Joseph was Eddie's first choice centre pairing for 2 years until JJ got injured. We went on a record winning run with it, winning a grand slam when Eddie first took over 4 years ago. In that time, it was only broken up in an attempt to make Ben Te'o an international player, and only in easier matches.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Is JJ really out of contention for the next WC?

Feels like we've barely scratched the surface of what he can do internationally, due to his injuries

 

[Which Tyler]

Is JJ really out of contention for the next WC?

Feels like we've barely scratched the surface of what he can do internationally, due to his injuries

Some people have this weird thought that you can't play rugby after the age of 30, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

 

[Scotty]

Some people have this weird thought that you can't play rugby after the age of 30, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

How many of our players will be 30 or over if we kept the same squad from the WC?

Players over 30 can and should play and play well but we also need younger players incase of players drop off.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I really would have hoped the world cup would have stopped all this nonsense about lineout jumpers tbh

I was just pulling your tail.....

Ref life ending at 30. Totally depends on the player, their miles on the clock etc. Cole looks like an old man, Lawes is playing fantastically. Part of a coach's skill is succession planning and feeding in new blood while keeping experience and not letting results drop off the cliff with a "new" team.

 

[Jashay]

How many of our players will be 30 or over if we kept the same squad from the WC?

Players over 30 can and should play and play well but we also need younger players incase of players drop off.

23 of them, by my count:

Cole (36), Cowan-Dickie (30), George (32), Marler (33), Sinckler (30), Mako (32)

Kruis (33), Launchbury (32), Lawes (34)

Billy (30), Wilson (33)

Faz (31), Ford (30), Heinz (36), Youngs (34)

Francis (33), JJ (32), Slade (30), Manu (32)

Daly (30), May (33), McConnochie (31), Nowell (30)

May would be an interesting one to watch; he's surely going to lose a bit of pace, but he's improved his all-round game so much over the last few years that I wouldn't be too surprised to see him evolve rather than drop off.