England Six Nations squad 2022

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I'm fed up with all this fixation on weight and bulking up. Iain Balshaw was a good example. Built like a whippet but had a fluid rangey running style that would get him out of trouble and round most people instead of bashing into them.

Told to bulk up, which he did, and promptly lost all his fluency and started to pick up injuries

Bulking up can make people faster, more resistant to injury and a better more effective rugby player.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

There's also a pretty big difference between telling a forward and an outside back to bulk up.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Balshaw is a interesting one IMO the 2001 lions tour did more damage long term than bulking up.

Also don't really remember him bulking out that much at Biarritz he didn't look huge or anything

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

The problem Ian Balshaw had was that he played for Gloucester.

End of discussion. The poor thing has happened to many players unfortunately.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

As the general England thread is locked this one will have to do.

Kruis has announced his retirement from rugby following the end of the Japanese season in May to concentrate on his business.

Very best of luck to him (not that it sounds like he needs it) but incredibly disappointing from a fan's perspective.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

That's a shame, was looking forward to Kruis coming back.

Really hope Jones was as well and that's the only reason he had Ewels in the squad.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Big loss

 

[BPM]

Huge. A big surprise too.

I was looking forward to seeing him back in an England shirt.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah that's a massive loss,
Good that he goes out on his own terms, with a successful/rapidly growing business under his belt - but couldn't he have waited until after the world cup

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Dammit Bath.

Bath make him a offer and he decides to retire because of it…

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

George Kruis retires: ‘I don’t want rugby to be all I talk about at dinners’

Reading that an international rugby player is retiring on their 32nd birthday, you might expect a tale of crushing sadness, of a horrible injury, and of what mi

www.thetimes.co.uk

Certainly got himself into a strong position for a growing marketplace, it's been a big thing in the us for a few years now (I remember Gronk pushing it before his return to the NFL) and it's starting to grow in Europe and outside

 

[Which Tyler]

As the general England thread is locked this one will have to do.

Kruis has announced his retirement from rugby following the end of the Japanese season in May to concentrate on his business.

Very best of luck to him (not that it sounds like he needs it) but incredibly disappointing from a fan's perspective.

Dammit

 

[LIONSxv]

That's a shame, was looking forward to Kruis coming back.

Really hope Jones was as well and that's the only reason he had Ewels in the squad.

Ewels forced Kruis retirement. Kruis watching from Japan thought how can I ever get my spot back when such a Colossus is present.
What made it worse, is a contract offer from bath.Which compounded Kruis utter feeling of inadequacy when faced with the sight of Ewels in training each day.

 

[will311293]

No

Hahaha, i apologise for my poor taste in joke, i saw an opportunity... i took it... and in the harsh light of day... this was a mistake

 

[Mumbles119]

I have an optimistic theory about Eddie and Ben Youngs…

It is a pre-planned changing of the guard.
Youngs has hit various milestones and has talked consistently about helping the younger players embed etc.

Eddie's plan is for Quirke and Randall as the future, swopping them as starters depending on game tactics for specific opposition.

Randall is currently in the hot seat to receive the Youngs mentorship/handover. I expect him to play in the Wales game.

Then Quirke will come back in for the two weeks training before Ireland and France. To continue where his Youngs mentorship/handover left off in the AIs.

Then Youngs will not be selected in the summer EPS squad when there is the ability to fully change any squad members (is this EPS process assumption correct?)

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

So, last week was fallow in the sense there was no game yet Jones still had a 25 man squad in camp for 5 days. Full 36 man squad then announced to prepare for Wales this week.

Bearing in mind we're 2 games in so calls and moves should be sewn up, players should be plenty fit enough and it wasn't direct preparation for a game, what was the point in last week's camp?

Genuinely curious. If anything I'd have thought it more important to keep players mentally fresh and keen. After a certain basic point I've seldom felt there's a direct correlation between time spent preparing and performance. Quality over quantity.

How much prep time does a squad really need? And how much is justification of coaching salaries / facilities costs? Once the fundamentals are nailed down I'm more of the less is more school, but interested in views of others.

 

[will311293]

So, last week was fallow in the sense there was no game yet Jones still had a 25 man squad in camp for 5 days. Full 36 man squad then announced to prepare for Wales this week.

Bearing in mind we're 2 games in so calls and moves should be sewn up, players should be plenty fit enough and it wasn't direct preparation for a game, what was the point in last week's camp?

Genuinely curious. If anything I'd have thought it more important to keep players mentally fresh and keen. After a certain basic point I've seldom felt there's a direct correlation between time spent preparing and performance. Quality over quantity.

How much prep time does a squad really need? And how much is justification of coaching salaries / facilities costs? Once the fundamentals are nailed down I'm more of the less is more school, but interested in views of others.

Its an interesting choice indeed. I watched the video through on O2 Inside Line but looked like the squad thoroughly enjoyed it. I suppose if Eddie has the cash and can do it you would. Im not sure it benefitted those who haven't had much game time but maybe for some of the lads who have played 140 + mins it may help.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Getting the team bonding is really important, so I get having them in but all 36 feels odd after last week but I'm sure there is a reason. Maybe wants a full 15 on 15.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I've got no issue with it - keeps the battered players from the last two games in camp to work with physios etc., and they also retain some youngsters to have more one-on-one time with the specialist coaches
As much as I would've liked Bevan back this week, he will have learned a lot having the extra time in the England camp

Recalling the full squad is nothing new - I mentioned it before but from my vague googling 25 players seems to the be the agreed upon number, between England and the clubs/PRL, that England can have outside of the playing window/while Prem games are on
Prem round ends, everyone else returns to camp from club duty and full training resumes

 

[Geordie]

I'm fed up with all this fixation on weight and bulking up. Iain Balshaw was a good example. Built like a whippet but had a fluid rangey running style that would get him out of trouble and round most people instead of bashing into them.

Told to bulk up, which he did, and promptly lost all his fluency and started to pick up injuries

Speaking of Balshaw, did you see the Falcons v Exeter game on Sunday...Josh's running always reminded me of Iain in his pomp. He played well on Sunday...