England Six Nations thread

[TRF_Olyy]

Rokoduguni is apparently "doubtful" - where would we go next? Walker? Is Monye fit?

 

[Patchey]

Monye has just come back from a long lay off. I guess he'll be chosen ahead of Walker, promptly break in the first Saxons training session he attends and Walker will get called in,

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Are the saints 2nd choice front row (Waller and mercer) really the best props playing who arn't injured right now for the Saxons? That must show a lack of talent else where for other teams starting front 5? Really?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I rate waller highly.
I'm a little surprised that Cooper-Wooley didn't get the nod over Mercey, but really our depth beyond 1st/2nd choice isn't great - lots of potential, but all the players are about 12yrs old or not first teamers at their club.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Still no official word on Roko or a replacement, which suggests to me they think he can play some part in the game, even if he gets replaced early.
The game against Bordeux was his first game back and apparently his knee was fine, so it seems like it's just swollen up a little.

 

[j'nuh]

I know not many people are fans of him on here, but I think Strettle would be the most obvious next replacement...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ah, I'd monentarily forgotten he existed - completely agree.

 

[Peat]

It's Anthony Watson dropping down for the game.

As for Strettle - Thompstone would have been in ahead of him for me if fit, I'd have picked Elliot before him, stuck Daly on the wing and called up another full-back (or Miller on the wing)... yeah. Just say no to Strettle.

 

[Maverick1987]

It's Anthony Watson dropping down for the game.

As for Strettle - Thompstone would have been in ahead of him for me if fit, I'd have picked Elliot before him, stuck Daly on the wing and called up another full-back (or Miller on the wing)... yeah. Just say no to Strettle.

Hope that doesn't mean Watson isn't playing in the first game against France why couldn't they put Ashton in the Saxons

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I also agree with all of that.
Strettle would be the obvious "rfu" choice, but I doubt any but the most loyal fez-head would pick him.

So Watson is playing for the saxons this weekend?!

 

[Maverick1987]

I also agree with all of that.
Strettle would be the obvious "rfu" choice, but I doubt any but the most loyal fez-head would pick him.

So Watson is playing for the saxons this weekend?!

He might just want him to play to get some game time . It could be that he's last in line for a wing spot . If so I hope Nowell can turf out Ashton

In the guise of Princess Leia

Help us Jack Nowell ..... You're our only hope

 

[ratsapprentice]

Watson's only played one (possibly 2) games on the wing this season.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

More than enough for me - I'd still start him. I'm sure the press have been saying he'll be in the team vs France, so hopefully this is just to cover for the injuries, rather than "well we're not using him next week so he might as well get a run out").
Nowell would be, by no means, a bad choice mind. I guess I was just in a dream land where both Nowell and Watson will start :lol:

If Watson is in the Saxons squad then I'd like to see him on the bench, just so he's "fresh" (/"not broken") for the following week.
Put Hopper at 13, Daly at 15 and Miller on the wing (he's had a few starts there this season for Sale).

 

[j'nuh]

Nowell would be, by no means, a bad choice mind. I guess I was just in a dream land where both Nowell and Watson will start :lol:

Lancaster has said before that it's Watson vs. Ashton for the right wing berth, and May vs. Nowell for the left.

I'd go May/Watson. But I guess I'm biased. May has more experience than Nowell and Watson combined, can cover 13, is actually a winger, is in great form, is scoring lots of tries for a team near the bottom of the league and has earned the chance anyway.

Also, given that Yarde has so little experience at international level, I'd be tempted to leave him out if the new players did well. If he was like Tuilagi or Corbisiero, I could see why we'd bring him back. But Yarde should earn his place.

btw, I have the funny feeling that Ashton may actually be dropped this time. Because it is too obvious a call to get wrong at this point, and I don't think Lancaster is a fool.

I wish he'd have the guts to give Ford a run out though.

 

[Peat]

There's an interview with him talking about being reluctant to give too many new players a go all at once. I suspect it might be either Barritt/Watson or Burrell/Ashton, as he's committed to an inexperienced man on the left barring 11. Brown 15. Goode. Which would just be awful.

 

[glawsfan]

To be honest I dont get all this fascination around Watson. His try scoring record is poor and has yet to really perform well for a whole season. Yes he is a talent but that shouldn't mean he gets in on that merit. I would like to see him start on the bench and cover the 23 shirt but I don't feel he deserves a start just yet. Nowell and May have earnt a start more than him as they have consistantly been performing in Europe and the Premiership.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The fact this is his first real season in the top flight (as a first teamer) might have something to do with him "not performing" for a whole season.

Watson and Nowell, in terms of experience and form are identical.

 

[glawsfan]

The fact this is his first real season in the top flight (as a first teamer) might have something to do with him "not performing" for a whole season.

Watson and Nowell, in terms of experience and form are identical.

That's why I think he isn't ready however perhaps he would get a start on the NZ tour when he's more experienced. Nowell did play well last year as well as this year and I think him and May would be a great partnership. They would add variety to the backline Nowells carrying and May's pace. If May doesn't start it would be a joke been scoring tries consistantly now for a few years in the premiership as well as Europe.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Why is Nowell ready, then?
Watson was a stand out for not nots last year, and the same for Bath this.



Anywho, Saxons side:
England Saxons
15 Elliot Daly (London Wasps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
13 Matt Hopper (Harlequins)
12 Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
11 Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby)
10 Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
9 Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
1 Alex Waller (Northampton Saints)
2 Jamie George (Saracens)
3 Tom Mercey (Northampton Saints)
4 Charlie Matthews (Harlequins)
5 George Kruis (Saracens)
6 Calum Clark (Northampton Saints, captain)
7 Luke Wallace (Harlequins)
8 Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs)

Replacements
16 Dave Ward (Harlequins)
17 Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby)
18 Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)
19 Elliott Stooke (Gloucester Rugby)
20 Sam Dickinson (Northampton Saints)
21 Dave Lewis (Exeter Chiefs)
22 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
23 Rob Miller (Sale Sharks)



Backs are very good. Would've started stooke and warde but pack looks good too.
I have reservations over arm snapper as captain but cest la vie

 

[ratsapprentice]

England Saxons
15 Elliot Daly (London Wasps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
13 Matt Hopper (Harlequins)
12 Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
11 Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby)
10 Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
9 Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
1 Alex Waller (Northampton Saints)
2 Jamie George (Saracens)
3 Tom Mercey (Northampton Saints)
4 Charlie Matthews (Harlequins)
5 George Kruis (Saracens)
6 Calum Clark (Northampton Saints, captain)
7 Luke Wallace (Harlequins)
8 Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs)

Replacements
16 Dave Ward (Harlequins)
17 Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby)
18 Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)
19 Elliott Stooke (Gloucester Rugby)
20 Sam Dickinson (Northampton Saints)
21 Dave Lewis (Exeter Chiefs)
22 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
23 Rob Miller (Sale Sharks)