England Squad

[Peat]

Since when has that stopped anyone on the net from talking up a player?

As it is, who knows what will happen at Quins with Botica - he's played well at AP level and is English Qualified, that's enough for me to start talking about him. And, if I'm honest, I like the idea of a 10 option built like a tank - if nothing else, they are often potential 12s, and we're nowhere like covered there as a country...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Seen that Robshaw's been named captain in the least surprising England news of the year

 

[Patchey]

The whole 'captaincy is up for grabs' thing was a bit odd.

 

[j'nuh]

tbf, since Hartley got injured, Robshaw was the leading candidate from a shortlist of himself.

I don't understand why Ben Morgan has been released back to Gloucester (as well as Mike Brown for that matter). I hope this doesn't mean Lancaster is intending to start Waldrom instead of Morgan...

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

tbf, since Hartley got injured, Robshaw was the leading candidate from a shortlist of himself.

I don't understand why Ben Morgan has been released back to Gloucester (as well as Mike Brown for that matter). I hope this doesn't mean Lancaster is intending to start Waldrom instead of Morgan...

I thought exactly the same thing. I was hoping that he would start Goode (who i think is a better player) but Morgan surly has to start for england!

I guess with Anthony Allen, Mike Brown, Phil Dowson, Ben Morgan, Hartley, James Haskell, Lawes, Jordan Turner-Hall and Ben Youngs. Returning to their clubs that would leave

1. Marler
2. Paice
3. Cole.
4. Palmer.
5.Parling
6. Johnson
7. Robshaw
8. Waldrum - Horible choice
9. Care.
10. Flood
11. Sharples
12. Tuilagi
13. JJ
14. Ashton
15. Goode

16. Youngs
17. Vunipolo
18. Willson
19. Lawes or Botha depending on who is fit?
20. Wood?
21. Dickson or Youngs
22. Farrell
23. Barritt


Thats my guess, NOT who i'd pick.

 

[Taranus]

tbf, since Hartley got injured, Robshaw was the leading candidate from a shortlist of himself.

I don't understand why Ben Morgan has been released back to Gloucester (as well as Mike Brown for that matter). I hope this doesn't mean Lancaster is intending to start Waldrom instead of Morgan...

According to Lancaster they have been released as "Some return for further treatment from their club and others to get some game time to put a marker down for selection for when we meet again on Sunday after the weekend's games," Lancaster said.

"We will not finalise selection for the Fiji game until after training next Tuesday and so for those going back and playing this is a real opportunity to stake a claim with a really big performance."

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-uni...e-been-ruled-out-of-England-s-clash-with-Fiji

I would be very surprised if players such as Morgan or Brown miss out.

 

[welshglory]

You'll most likely be playing an experimental XV versus Fiji won't you?

I wouldn't read too much into it.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Just seen that Ashton may well miss some of the internationals due to a possible ban coming his way.
I would say replace him with Joseph (prefer JJ in the centres, but would prefer playing JJ at wing to Monye, if possible, as Monye isn't going to be in the squad once Foden's back) - however I reckon that Joseph is the player (one of the players?) that is returning to their club for further treatment - looked to have messed his ankle up something proper on the weekend, the basically had to reattach his foot with sellotape, then when he did come off a bit later he was straight to the physios.

 

[Teh Mite]

I assume the Flash ban relates to the shoulder charge against Artimiev on Saturday. Pathetic if so, it was a yellow offence (which Small bottled I may add) and clumsey/wreckless, but a citing is Ott.

 

[mstar]

to be honest i can see Lancaster sticking closely to the team proven in SA.
Obviously replacing those injured with replacements.

I be surprised if he changes the squad much during the Autumn tests.
So basically if you perform in the England shirt he will not change the formula.
My only concern is that i hope he doesn't go into the MJ mode of not picking the best player
and hanging on to his "favourites" for too long...

ALso, the whole captain thing is silly BS by Lancaster. What was that all about? denying he sees a clear captain for the tests and its still "up for grabs" pfffff

I actually going to stick my neck out and say that if Robshaw has a blinder in the tests and 6Nations don't be surprised to be in the Lions with a outside chance of captaining
Sam Warburton for me is to injury prone and yet to hit full gear.

I am still disappointed with losing Lawes i think with him in the team he gives us that little "extra" which we never had before. He can make the difference to the forwards.
His extra bulk during his injury lay-off has made him more formidable in the tackle a must against the more physical teams.

I also like Tom Johnson i know some of you guys have said he lacks the physicality of Haskell/Wood etc etc but i think he makes up for it in rugby smarts his positional/intelligence play on the field is much better then say Haskell etc. But granted he doesn't have the physicality. He is also faster (other than croft) then the others who play in his position, which is something CATT has been talking about of to launch quick attacks like the All blacks do. I actually think he played with great energy/stamina against the SA, and I don't mind him in the team lets just see if he is consistent enough at international level to keep his place as Wood will be knocking on the door soon…
I actually think Robshaw/Johnson partnerships works well and Lancaster will continue this.

 

[Saintjay]

to be honest i can see Lancaster sticking closely to the team proven in SA.
Obviously replacing those injured with replacements.

I be surprised if he changes the squad much during the Autumn tests.
So basically if you perform in the England shirt he will not change the formula.
My only concern is that i hope he doesn't go into the MJ mode of not picking the best player
and hanging on to his "favourites" for too long...

ALso, the whole captain thing is silly BS by Lancaster. What was that all about? denying he sees a clear captain for the tests and its still "up for grabs" pfffff

I actually going to stick my neck out and say that if Robshaw has a blinder in the tests and 6Nations don't be surprised to be in the Lions with a outside chance of captaining
Sam Warburton for me is to injury prone and yet to hit full gear.

I am still disappointed with losing Lawes i think with him in the team he gives us that little "extra" which we never had before. He can make the difference to the forwards.
His extra bulk during his injury lay-off has made him more formidable in the tackle a must against the more physical teams.

I also like Tom Johnson i know some of you guys have said he lacks the physicality of Haskell/Wood etc etc but i think he makes up for it in rugby smarts his positional/intelligence play on the field is much better then say Haskell etc. But granted he doesn't have the physicality. He is also faster (other than croft) then the others who play in his position, which is something CATT has been talking about of to launch quick attacks like the All blacks do. I actually think he played with great energy/stamina against the SA, and I don’t mind him in the team lets just see if he is consistent enough at international level to keep his place as Wood will be knocking on the door soon…
I actually think Robshaw/Johnson partnerships works well and Lancaster will continue this.

Agree with most of this. I can't help but think i'll be the first man on Mars before Gatland picks an Englishman to captain in the tests baring injury to Warburton.

 

[mstar]

As English supporter we can only hope but i think Sam has to have a dip in form/injury to deny him. Robshaw for me is a more "Natural" leader.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Agree with most of this. I can't help but think i'll be the first man on Mars before Gatland picks an Englishman to captain in the tests baring injury to Warburton.

I dunno, it's only a matter of time before an Englishman captains Wales, the amount he's selecting.

 

[Draggs]

I dunno, it's only a matter of time before an Englishman captains Wales, the amount he's selecting.

...Pot, kettle dear boy.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, our side's full of Welshmen

 

[Draggs]

Yeah, our side's full of Welshmen

God was saving the queen and defending New Zealand for a while at Twickenham.

 

[Thingimubob]

Ha you lot had Dewi Morris, be happy plus who on earth has ever heard of a Welsh speaking England international

 

[Teh Mite]

Depends how ****** they are. I always sound welsh when throwing up.

 

[Draggs]

Depends how ****** they are. I always sound welsh when throwing up.

Which just happens to be when you sound most bearable!

 

[Tony Manx]

I heard on the commentary of the Quins/Glouc games yesterday, backed up by the fact that he was playing, that Mike Brown is not going to play instead of Foden but Goode is?

Any thought because, although I think Brown comes across as a "****ly spoilt" sort of player who is only to ready for a fight, he would appear to me to be by far the best full back so far this season in England. He is safe under the high ball, kicks and tackles well and has a high inbuilt attack mode. The commentator seemed to say that goode was being picked due to Lancaster/Farrell picking a non creative mdfield? Seems very strange?