England v France

[Teh Mite]

So long as he's not been distracted and having brainfarts, Haskell is more then capable of doing everything Easter does and more.

Sadly, the using his brain part is what often lets him (and England) down. He's a guarantee to give away at least 6 points per match.

 

[gingergenius]

well having salivated over the potential post-world cup backline, lets have a look at England's post RWC back row options:

6. Croft, Haskell, Robshaw, Dowson
7. Wood, Saull, Armitage, Rees
8. Easter, Narraway, Crane.

Well, it doesn't look quite so world class, but it certainly isn't a bad bunch.

At 6, Croft we know is world class, and in Haskell and Robshaw we have some highly capable replacements. Dowson too, but he's that bit older and I think maybe he's missed the boat for a long England career.

At 7, we have Wood who's made a solid start this 6N. I really think Andy Saull needs capping - at least for the reason that he's an out-and-out fetcher and brings something different to the party. Armitage isn't a bad player, but I don't think he's good enough and he should be a hooker. And Rees - the potential's always been there, just injury has got in the way.

8 is a little problem. Easter's the best option but is getting on, and doesn't set the world alight. Crane was tabbed as his successor but hasn't really shown why he's up to test level. Narraway can look like he's up to par, but needs to do it more consistently. You could play Dowson & Haskell here, but I wouldn't.

 

[Teh Mite]

Gaskells been ******* about in the backrow of late, could he make a number 8 instead of flanker?


Or I'll throw this one out there and see what people think... Sheridan at number 8.

 

[Charles]

Has he got the hands?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Carl Fearns - Englands future No.8

You heard it here first.

I can't see Johnno changing the team apart from Sheridan coming back in

This is a good point - Corbisiero did better than Sheridan would've in the scrums, and I think this makes up for Sheridans bit of extra grunt around the park
I'd like to see Corbisiero kept at 1 (or at least on the bench) - He hasn't been released back to his club this weekend, whereas Sheridan has, so hopefully that's a good omen (though it's probably because Corbisiero started last week - no starters have been released, and Sheridan needs to be tested to see if his injury has cleared up)



Edit: Scrap that, just seen the full list of players released back and Corbisiero is in there

 

[Peat]

Gaskells been ******* about in the backrow of late, could he make a number 8 instead of flanker?


Or I'll throw this one out there and see what people think... Sheridan at number 8.

Simple answer... no and no!

 

[B10]

Carl Fearns - Englands future No.8

You heard it here first.



This is a good point - Corbisiero did better than Sheridan would've in the scrums, and I think this makes up for Sheridans bit of extra grunt around the park
I'd like to see Corbisiero kept at 1 (or at least on the bench) - He hasn't been released back to his club this weekend, whereas Sheridan has, so hopefully that's a good omen (though it's probably because Corbisiero started last week - no starters have been released, and Sheridan needs to be tested to see if his injury has cleared up)



Edit: Scrap that, just seen the full list of players released back and Corbisiero is in there

I think Sheridan's international experience will put him straight back into the side for France. Aslong as he comes through this weekend with full fitness. I would like Corbisiero to be on the bench too but Wilson covers Cole and Sheridan so is more likely. Unfortunate for Corbisiero but he will be back in the side in the near future IMO.

 

[Peat]

Agree with that and welcome ot the forums B10.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I think Sheridan's international experience will put him straight back into the side for France. Aslong as he comes through this weekend with full fitness. I would like Corbisiero to be on the bench too but Wilson covers Cole and Sheridan so is more likely. Unfortunate for Corbisiero but he will be back in the side in the near future IMO.

Forgot to say Welcome before

Corbisiero played tighthead for 60ish against Italy A (before switching to loosehead when a sub came on for Marler) - Though playing against Italy 'A' will be a completely different kettle of fish than packing down against France

I'm glad he got his cap though, as it shows he's definitely in Johnson's sights, as it would have been really easy for him to just bring in some 35+ yr old prop that played with him back in the day

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Courtney Lawes spotted at England training session t'other day

 

[gingergenius]

not that i think you're being serious for a minute bullitt, but sheridan is too slow and as charles said, has no hands. gaskell, from what I've seen, doesn't make a particularly impressive 6 so I doubt 8 is his calling. Stick to number 5 and Palmer's place will be his in a year or two.

Olyy, please keep us updated with Fearns. But he's got to get himself ahead of Koyamaibole hasn't he? It seems the Premiership has number 8s from every nationality under the sun, which is why we're clutching at straws here. And I really don't want it to get to the stage where the Jouberts of this world get picked for England on residency. (Well it sort of has with Fourie & Flutey...)

 

[Teh Mite]

The whole "slow and no hands" part never hindered Corry!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Olyy, please keep us updated with Fearns. But he's got to get himself ahead of Koyamaibole hasn't he? It seems the Premiership has number 8s from every nationality under the sun, which is why we're clutching at straws here. And I really don't want it to get to the stage where the Jouberts of this world get picked for England on residency. (Well it sort of has with Fourie & Flutey...)

He will be once Seymour is back,
Fearns can play all positions on the back row (though 8 is his best, followed by 6 then 7) so he's filling in on the openside while Seymour is out injured - he was slowly edging out Koyamaibole before Seymour went out injured, which is impressive considering he was barely 20 at the time

Just read that Dowsons been retained by England as Easter has picked up an injury

Might he actually get a game?!
Probably not:
6. Wood
7. Fourie/Moody
8. Haskell
20. Moody/Fourie

 

[B10]

Just read that Dowsons been retained by England as Easter has picked up an injury

Might he actually get a game?!
Probably not:
6. Wood
7. Fourie/Moody
8. Haskell
20. Moody/Fourie

Thanks for the welcome olyy and peat. where did you see Easter was injured? first i've heard of that. He's got his critics but Easter's been fantastic in the 6N so far and would be a big loss at the moment

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Courtney Lawes spotted at England training session t'other day

Great position there by Tom Palmer!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Thanks for the welcome olyy and peat. where did you see Easter was injured? first i've heard of that. He's got his critics but Easter's been fantastic in the 6N so far and would be a big loss at the moment

I saw it posted on twitter, in what appeared to be a quote from a news article, but a quick look on google-news isn't throwing up any results, so I'm not presuming they made it up

 

[WetAndCold]

Is anyone else reading about the game and getting more and more excited?! I don't think I can wait another week!!

 

[Teh Mite]

I'm personally just getting bored of people constantly saying the words "swallow dive" over and over. The soccer-esc media hype is getting old.

 

[Sixesandsevens]

Cozza had great hands! And actually he was pretty fast untill he was 30! He used to score quite alot of good tries for tigers while he was being Lawrence! Still think he led England really well through the Andy Robinson era, he was often Englands outstanding player in those awful awful games! And always honest and open in defeat, unlike Steve Borthwick hailing 'the lads fantastic effort's in narrow wins vs Italy....urgh the powerade bottle incident still makes me cringe, anyone else remember that?

 

[eot345]

croft has been cleared to play

i think sheridan is still significantly better than corbisiero expercially as a lineout lifter aswell as in looseplay.
Easter is a fine 8 at the mo 'if it aint broke dont fix it'