England Six Nations squad 2022

[Which Tyler]

To be fair, we have plenty of sticks to best him with based on what actually happens too...

Yep, absolutely.

It's just that, as seen with Hooper* - and many others, once someone takes against a coach, they're not allowed any leeway or nuance anymore, and it's assumed that what they do is wrong because it's them that's doing it.

I don't think it's healthy, or helpful - I'd rather discuss real shortcomings, real grievances, and indeed, real praise when it's called for.


* I see on COML he's (or the club - it's hard to tell with some people) being criticised for the shop offering discounts, and for addressing previous criticisms of the communications department not being communicative.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Alternatively, that the plan without Manu (and Lawrence) is 12. Slade, 13. Marchant - which is fine - a balanced pair of centres.

And Smith at 12 really didn't happen - unless you also think that Slade played 10 in that match.
Ford and Smith played what? 5 minutes together, against Italy and played much closer to L&R FHs, than FH and IC.

Some people are just looking for sticks to beat Eddie with, rather than critiquing what actually happens.

I don't really think you can say Slade and Marchant is Eddie's preferred non Manu pairing. They've played together twice now. It screams of Eddie not knowing what to do without Manu.

And yes Smith and Ford did happen, it wasn't an accident. Jones chose to try that out for 5 minutes. Why? It's never going to work and it was stupid. Unless there was an injury what's the point.

I'm not looking for sticks to beat Eddie with, I just point out the many many sticks Eddie creates himself. It's no accident that these things keep happening with Eddie and his stupid selections, tactics and subs. It's all by an arrogant man's design who thinks he's smarter than he is.

 

[Which Tyler]

How many times do you want him to play his "what do I do if I'm without 3 of my first 4 centres" combination?
I seem to remember your option was to go for yet another midfield instead - including one that's likely never going to be international standard, and is older - and who I can guarantee you'd criticise the selection if had he done so.

Yes, they tried it out - Eddie is famous for wanting to try out his emergency plans for suffering injuries in a RWC without the ability to just call up the next cab off the rank. I'm sure I remember you criticising him for swapping Smith and Ford in a remarkably non-contraversial decision a week previously ( may be wrong though).
5 minutes. Against Italy. With the match well won already. During which time Smith spent less time at 2nd receiver than he had in the match to that point.

And yet, you keep beating him with sticks that have les structural integrity than a blade of grass. The rest is your projection and thinking that you know more about the individuals than Eddie does - whilst accusing Eddie of arrogance.

As mentioned, there's plenty to disagree with Eddie about, without making it personal, without coming across that you think you know more than you do, and with acknowledging that nuance exists.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I really don't get all the Atkinson hype.
He's a very good club 12, that's about it from what I've seen.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I really don't get all the Atkinson hype.
He's a very good club 12, that's about it from what I've seen.

I don't think he's really been 'hyped' so much, has he? People have just said he's the best actual 12 available to us, which I think he probably is. I don't think anyone's under any illusions to believing he's some world beater but I do think he'd perform better at 12 than any of the 10s/13s we've been playing there.

 

[TheSaffycen]

.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

How many times do you want him to play his "what do I do if I'm without 3 of my first 4 centres" combination?
I seem to remember your option was to go for yet another midfield instead - including one that's likely never going to be international standard, and is older - and who I can guarantee you'd criticise the selection if had he done so.

Yes, they tried it out - Eddie is famous for wanting to try out his emergency plans for suffering injuries in a RWC without the ability to just call up the next cab off the rank. I'm sure I remember you criticising him for swapping Smith and Ford in a remarkably non-contraversial decision a week previously ( may be wrong though).
5 minutes. Against Italy. With the match well won already. During which time Smith spent less time at 2nd receiver than he had in the match to that point.

And yet, you keep beating him with sticks that have les structural integrity than a blade of grass. The rest is your projection and thinking that you know more about the individuals than Eddie does - whilst accusing Eddie of arrogance.

As mentioned, there's plenty to disagree with Eddie about, without making it personal, without coming across that you think you know more than you do, and with acknowledging that nuance exists.

Eddie doesn't know his 2 or 3rd choice centre combo as evidenced by his constant changing of his centres. He's got all his eggs in the Manu basket which is foolish really.

There's nothing wrong with wanting the best 12 we have on offer to actually get a shot again at 12 is there. It doesn't really matter how old he is when the WC is next year. We need another power option for when Manu is injured and Atkinson could cover that type of role as Slade, Marchant, Lawrence, Daly, Farrell don't.

It seems stupid to constantly try non 12s at 12 and not actually bother to try 12s at 12. Or am I not allowed to complain about that with your superior intelligence and opinion.

 

[TW27BA]

Tuilagi's return to the squad confirmed.

Tuilagi returns to England squad

Centre Manu Tuilagi is back in the England squad for his side's Six Nations game against Wales.

www.bbc.co.uk

Feel for Isiekwe being dropped from the squad (Why not lesser performing Ewels?) and Marler missing too?

England forwards: Barbeary, Chessum, Cowan-Dickie, Curry, Dombrandt, Ewels, Genge, George, Itoje, Launchbury, Pearson, Rodd, Sinckler, Stuart.

Backs: Daly, Ford, Malins, Marchant, Nowell, Randall, Slade, Smith, Steward, Tuilagi, Youngs.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Tuilagi's return to the squad confirmed.

Tuilagi returns to England squad

Centre Manu Tuilagi is back in the England squad for his side's Six Nations game against Wales.

www.bbc.co.uk

Feel for Isiekwe being dropped from the squad (Why not lesser performing Ewels?) and Marler missing too?

England forwards: Barbeary, Chessum, Cowan-Dickie, Curry, Dombrandt, Ewels, Genge, George, Itoje, Launchbury, Pearson, Rodd, Sinckler, Stuart.

Backs: Daly, Ford, Malins, Marchant, Nowell, Randall, Slade, Smith, Steward, Tuilagi, Youngs.

Doesn't Nowell have to sit out as he failed a HIA? Can't remember how long it is for.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Only a training squad, wouldn't read too much into it

 

[ncurd]

ismanuinjuredyet.com

 

[Which Tyler]

Doesn't Nowell have to sit out as he failed a HIA? Can't remember how long it is for.

Minimum 6 days, up to as long as it takes

 

[LIONSxv]

Gutted for Isiekwe, not sure what he has done wrong. Our lineout looks really secure with him as main caller. Ewels is small, slow and weak. He is also a penalty magnet, it was him who got pinged for crawling in the scrum
No specialist wingers again..and nobody with out and out pace.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Only a training squad, wouldn't read too much into it

True, although it is a 5 day camp so you'd assume they must be doing some pretty focussed work.

 

[higgik]

True, although it is a 5 day camp so you'd assume they must be doing some pretty focussed work.

Very surprised with Isiekwe as sure hexwontcbe playing for Sarries this weekend. Others, like Launchbury could do with a competitive match this weekend to get match fitness up

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Thinking about it - want Isiekwe called up for Lawes?
If they reckon Lawes is gonna be back for Wales then they release Isiekwe?
Only thing I can think of

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Eh, Marler's not there while Rodd is, and Pearson and Barbeary are there while Simmonds is absent. The England staff will have some metrics of whose run furthest/had the most contacts and have decided that some players who are lacking in those areas would benefit more from having a week with their club and getting a game in on the weekend rather than staying in camp. As Olyy said, I really wouldn't read too much into this squad. Save your outrage for whichever squad is announced next week.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

How many people want to see Itoje tried at 6 again vs a proper team? Whildd we he did well against Italy it's not a real test although he did look good there. I guess this is all waiting for Lawes to come back in at 6 but Itoje at 6 should let us have some bigger locks in (not that we have any).

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I'm for the experiment especially with Launchbury fit.

Annoyed Chessum isn't being returned he's had what 20 mins at most this 6N's, Eddie better have plans for him it's crunch time for Tigers

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I definitely do, but if Lawes is fit he'll presumably come straight back at 6 with Itoje back to the row. Only question mark over Lawes is that if he doesn't get a club game this weekend it would be something like 41 days without a game which can't be ideal.