England Six Nations thread

[Big Ewis]

well this may sound strange but I'm not sure who's more important for the English scrum: Dan Coles or Alex Corbisiero.
Marler is better than ppl give him credit for as a scrummager, because as fans we're quick to judge based on a couple or even 1 performance, and loosehead can be a very tough job depending on the match and opposing tight 3. I don't know about Vunipola yet. Seems legit the rare few times I've paid attention to his scrummaging...

Sorry if it's been answered before but who are your starting tight 3 for the 6N ? Vunipola-Hartley-Cole ?

Again, sorry if it's been debated prior - is it realistic to say England (like France) has a bit of a depth problem at no.3, tighthead ?

 

[ratsapprentice]

We have loads of good tightheads - the problem is that our first choice has a chronic knee problem and Marler and Vunipola can't scrummage very well.
It's highly unusual for a prop to be playing at the level they are at their age - they're both 23.
They are both getting better and more consistent though. Marler is getting bigger and Mako's technique is improving.

Marler will probably start, although it could realistically be either of them. Hartley and Cole will definitely start.
Our regular second choice TH Dave Wilson is injured for the first two games, and our backup to him is Henry Thomas... now that is potentially very bad for our scrum.

 

[Big Ewis]

yeah man, but I meant 'tightheads', no.3's.
Besides Coles and that replacement I don't follow Prem so I don't know if there's that much depth behind those two.

For the sake of continuity since I've mentioned France: we're happy with Mas, but recently he's shown noticeable signs of aging and then Slimani, a brand new but promising rookie. Then we've got guys around in the Top 14, but not nearly as many as I'd like, and none have been really tried at int'l level.

 

[j'nuh]

Also Alex Waller is coming up fast. I don't doubt that he could become a genuine option soon enough. And then Mullan of course. Catt and Wood as back-up aren't bad either. We've got a pretty deep pool of looseheads, but no one that even closely matches Corbisiero.

Tighthead, on the other hand, is a big problem. Cole and Wilson are a step up from the others. And the others with potential are young enough that I don't expect them to be anything sensational until the run up to 2019.

Hooker is good enough for now. Hartley, Youngs and Webber are steady, young and good enough to be in the EPS for a while. I am excited to see how the next gen shapes up though: Buchanan, Gray, Britton, George, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Lindsay (others?)

 

[Maverick1987]

To be fair there's not many countries that can lose their top 2 THs and have backup . Wales only have 1 of quality, do Ireland even have 1 ? Only really SA have lots of quality front row players and that's because of the way they breed them haha

 

[ratsapprentice]

Sorry, completely misread you're question.

Yes. Behind Cole and Wilson we have dearth of international quality.

Also, notice the spelling of Cole.... not Coles.

 

[Big Ewis]

wow England looks healthy with them hookers up there...after, isn't England reputed for its hookers ? *wink*wink*
Are the ones you mentioned blondes ?? *wink*wink*wink*.

aaaaaaalright enough stinky humor. What Maverick says is true. Totally agreed: Wales only have one truly world class 3, and does Ireland even have one ? And what country really has top class 3rd or even 4th TH options ?

It's still a little disconcerting to know I've got Mas and then a brand new Rabah Slimani and then that's about it. The difference is enormous between Mas and a guy like Ducalcon. We actually struggled in the scrum in NZ last June with Ducalcon in for an injured Mas, while they were under big pressure themselves when they came to visit us in November with Mas back in with Forestier on the left. Huge difference...all the difference, in fact.

EDIT: yep sorry, *Cole. I guess he should take it as a compliment. It means I subconsciously think of him in the plural.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I would not get in a taxi if Forestier was driving it... those mitts... eugh

 

[Big Ewis]

I would not get in a taxi if Forestier was driving it... those mitts... eugh

you've distinctly noticed Forestier's hands were....dirty ?...generally unappealing ? I remember he wears gloves all the time but...uh..
OK, would you ride a bus he'd drive ?

 

[ratsapprentice]

He looks like a pastiche of a rapist.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Just seen Miles Benjamin is out injured, again.
Knee rather than neck this time - wonder if they'll call someone else into the Saxons or just make do with Varndell and Rokoduguni for the two games?

 

[Maverick1987]

Just seen Miles Benjamin is out injured, again.
Knee rather than neck this time - wonder if they'll call someone else into the Saxons or just make do with Varndell and Rokoduguni for the two games?

Is it next Saturday against the wolfhounds ? I'd be tempted by monye

 

[Big Ewis]

He looks like a pastiche of a rapist.

awwww no. He looks like the gentle giant type. The kind of guy who may be a tiny bit sexually frustrated and an 'old boy' but values loyalty and friendship and family a ton...





OR maybe he's a big fat rapist. Yeah.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Is it next Saturday against the wolfhounds ? I'd be tempted by monye

Yeah, it is.

It would be easy to bring in someone like Monye who could slot in regardless, however as it's a nothing game and we could bring in literally anyone due to it being an injury cover, I'd rather someone like Walker or Elliot. It won't benefit Monye to have a week in camp, but it might do for the others.


Hhoowweevveerrr, I'm not sure they'll call anyone up. They've got two wingers and both Tait and Joseph have played wing in the past and can cover from the field. If there's an injury vs Wolfhounds they will, but otherwise they'll probably just leave it as is.

 

[Maverick1987]

Yeah, it is.

It would be easy to bring in someone like Monye who could slot in regardless, however as it's a nothing game and we could bring in literally anyone due to it being an injury cover, I'd rather someone like Walker or Elliot. It won't benefit Monye to have a week in camp, but it might do for the others.


Hhoowweevveerrr, I'm not sure they'll call anyone up. They've got two wingers and both Tait and Joseph have played wing in the past and can cover from the field. If there's an injury vs Wolfhounds they will, but otherwise they'll probably just leave it as is.

Yeh your probably right Elliot or walker would certainly benefit more but being the competitive so and so I am I just want to crush the wolfhounds into the ground lol

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Does anyone know where I can find the Saxons fixtures?

 

[ratsapprentice]

They play the Wolfhounds at Kingsholm this Saturday and Scotland A the following Friday.

Both matches will be on Sky.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Also is there any period where England have had this many injuries? Current list as I'm aware is:
Christian Wade
Ben Foden
Brad Barritt
Manu Tuilagi
Marland Yarde
Joel Tomkins
Tom Croft
Geoff Parling
Alex Corbisiero

 

[Maverick1987]

Also is there any period where England have had this many injuries? Current list as I'm aware is:
Christian Wade
Ben Foden
Brad Barritt
Manu Tuilagi
Marland Yarde
Joel Tomkins
Tom Croft
Geoff Parling
Alex Corbisiero

Barritt is back now . But the rest looks spot on

 

[glawsfan]

Jonny may again showing why he needs to be selected by England. Also great to see Kvesic and Sharples finding some form. Also Stooke and Evans look great prospects the future at Glos looks bright.