England Six Nations squad 2022

[Which Tyler]

Odogwu possibly although wasn't he moved inside because of defensive concerns?

That would seem... odd...
"This winger has defencive issues - I know what, let's put him in the single most important defensive position on the pitch - that'll hide his weakness"

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Is there conf of what happened to Nowell? Looked like a broken wrist / hand to me?

Just seen that it's a broken arm and he needs surgery on his thumb as well - 8 to 10 weeks out

 

[Becca]

Just seen that it's a broken arm and he needs surgery on his thumb as well - 8 to 10 weeks out

Yeah I just saw that too.
Shame for him.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Wasn't overly happy with the fact when the medics were tending to him and he was clearly in agony, they were getting a camera right up in his face. I can understand showing it a bit but being that close for that long, to the point where the cameraman was almost touching the medic was pretty classless.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I know defence is so critical in todays top level test matches...but surely sometimes you have to look at what a player can bring offensively to the team...

Yep, you've got to look at the whole picture about the individual's and team's strengths and weaknesses.

But the higher the standard, the more difficult it is to be effective in attack and the more ruthlessly any defensive deficiencies will be exposed. I guess the aim is for players to be at least competent in all facets of their position and outstanding in some.

Cipriani was pigeon holed as a fully paid up member of the awkward squad. Maybe true, maybe overstated but regardless I'm pretty sure that if his D had been more convincing he'd have picked up many more caps.

Bad luck for Nowell - wish him well in his recovery. But it really does feel that his race is run as an England starting winger.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Feel really sorry for Nowell (our only actual winger) but I think he looked off pace and not really up to offering the threat he used to.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

One thing I do want to say about Sir Clive
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/im-j...rd-rubbishes-englands-biggest-selection-call/

"I sincerely hope I'm wrong. Equally, I have seen nothing to suggest Steward is a Test wing — I wonder if he has ever even started there. I like Steward defensively but I have concerns about his attacking prowess and pace. Now, England have put him out wide where he needs even more gas."

Also SCW
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/r...-term-answer-Englands-thorny-issue-No-12.html

"
Perhaps you start thinking outside the box. England have two classy young full-backs in Freddie Steward and Max Malins.

Perhaps the former, with size, power and skill, could be switched to 12 long-term, although the heat of probably the most competitive Six Nations in modern years is not that time. Keep with specialists for now."

Honestly not trying to discredit his v Eddie beef just something that annoyed me at the time.

Sir Clive cant have watched Leicester Tigers much this season because Steward has actually played several games on the wing. However, I do agree that fullback is far his better position.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Sweeney…..

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60862796

 

[TW27BA]

Really bad luck for Jack Nowell in what was possibly his final game for England.
Off the pace , he isn't the player of a couple years ago. I wish him well.

 

[TW27BA]

Sweeney…..

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60862796

It does make you wonder if he has been watching the same England side the rest of us have?

 

[Becca]

It does make you wonder if he has been watching the same England side the rest of us have?

No need to wonder….he hasn't !

 

[BrokenWing]

Jones has the absolute belief and commitment of the players that he drops when that is called into question.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

So after the WC, it was a results at any cost mentality by Jones and no building for the future etc, now just before the WC we start building and results don't matter as much as we are building a new team?

Completely backwards really.

 

[Crash Hamster]

"Oh my goodness, that was a PR disaster, quick, send Sweeney out, he'll smooth it all over."

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

So after the WC, it was a results at any cost mentality by Jones and no building for the future etc, now just before the WC we start building and results don't matter as much as we are building a new team?

Completely backwards really.

France are building a lot around their half backs. We look like we're (possibly) going with Randall and Smith who we regard as young and promising. The Times today really brought something home - DuPont is only a few months older than Randall while Ntamack is actually younger than Smith.

The French guys are out there winning matches and ***les and, barring injury, totally inked in for the RWC. Our 2 are in the foothills and we can't say for sure that either will have the shirt next year.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

France are building a lot around their half backs. We look like we're (possibly) going with Randall and Smith who we regard as young and promising. The Times today really brought something home - DuPont is only a few months older than Randall while Ntamack is actually younger than Smith.

The French guys are out there winning matches and ***les and, barring injury, totally inked in for the RWC. Our 2 are in the foothills and we can't say for sure that either will have the shirt next year.

I guess the question needs to be asked, is it the clubs who are too conservative and holding back young players in favour of established ones or England? Seems a bit of both in some cases. Weirdly we seem more happy putting very young forwards into the fray than we do backs. You would have thought it would be the other way round...

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I guess the question needs to be asked, is it the clubs who are too conservative and holding back young players in favour of established ones or England? Seems a bit of both in some cases. Weirdly we seem more happy putting very young forwards into the fray than we do backs. You would have thought it would be the other way round...

Probably both, but the French clubs certainly all seem to be onboard with Project 23. At the moment.

Yeah, that's an odd one. Just hope Chessum doesn't go the way of Martin and Hill. At hooker, even though depth is poor, he still didn't need to go with Blamire / Dolly both of whom have nowhere near enough club experience. Given that track record I'm surprised Barbeary didn't get a look in - far from the finished article but at least he has a potential USP.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I guess the question needs to be asked, is it the clubs who are too conservative and holding back young players in favour of established ones or England? Seems a bit of both in some cases. Weirdly we seem more happy putting very young forwards into the fray than we do backs. You would have thought it would be the other way round...

Not the clubs fault. How many seasons has Smith been first choice at Quins now?

What should have happened after the WC (if Jones had a brain) was to have Ford as it's first choice FH and bring Smith on from the bench over the matches and let them fight it out for the FH spot. Gradually phasing in new players and getting experience (like most international teams).

Same with all the other positions, it's not the premierships fault, there players like Mitchel at saints who could have been phased in after the WC etc.

Jones backed himself into a corner after the WC and now we are seeing problems he created.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

What should have happened after the WC (if Jones had a brain) was to have Ford as it's first choice FH and bring Smith on from the bench over the matches and let them fight it out for the FH spot. Gradually phasing in new players and getting experience (like most international teams).

That phasing is exactly what should happen.

But the players being phased in need to have proven their international potential over more than 5 minutes so that it's a clear succession plan not just selecting someone who's been on a hot streak. All players are different, but maybe a couple of seasons as their club's first choice wouldn't be a bad rule of thumb.

 

[ncurd]

Ntamack less so but lets try to remember Dupont is a Wilko/Carter type once in a generation type player. Its no surprise he's given the nudge so early in his career we shouldn't be expect that kind of thing from our guys.