England vs Barbarians [28/05/2017]

[Reiser99]

Thing is realistically you have to think of which positions don't have depth. For me it is only the back row, and possibly 9 and 15. Realistically everyone else is either playing for 3rd choice berths or even further down.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Yarp

 

[Goodey]

Strong finish from Ashley-Cooper. Has been an underrated player IMO.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Swap Mallinder for Slade for me.

Also Watson for Comonasiga.

Simmonds looks very promising at 8.

I'm a big fan of Simmonds and think he should be starting over Waldrom for Chiefs but he's small for an 8 and I can't see him ever getting into the England set up because of it (not as an 8 anyway)

 

[Goodey]

Yeah I'm really not interested in our 2nd choice kicker hitting penalties from in front of the posts

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I'm a big fan of Simmonds and think he should be starting over Waldrom for Chiefs but he's small for an 8 and I can't see him ever getting into the England set up because of it (not as an 8 anyway)

Isn't he the same size as Clifford?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Not a chance, Simmonds is a few inches shorter.

 

[Goodey]

That went backwards even if he did lose control surely?

 

[Reiser99]

I went forwards slightly, then back, then up...is what I think they are saying.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Isn't he the same size as Clifford?

Can't find an accurate weight for Simmonds but he's listed on the Chiefs website as 93kg (surely an underestimate) whereas Clifford's at 111. Saw him up close at Sandy yesterday and he's really not a particularly big guy.

Even if he is Clifford's size, Clifford's gotten 1 cap at 8 and is preferred at flanker. I imagine the same, at England level (if he gets there) will go for Simmonds

 

[Penne Rara]

It clearly went backwards.

That being said, I don't care if that resulted in a try or not. This game is becoming boring big time.

 

[Reiser99]

As an England fan I'm now purely looking at a few players who could strengthen the main squad as a whole. Otherwise it's not that interesting.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Well that's exactly why it's happening in the first place.

 

[Reiser99]

True, but you were hoping for an entertaining game as well. Unfortunately I think the end to the premiership has spoilt me in terms of expectations.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Collier has impressed me, I didn't think a whole lot of him before tbh

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Great turnover from Curry. He's impressing me more than Underhill did when on

 

[Goodey]

Pretty sick of watching us bugger up lineouts and drop it now

 

[ratsapprentice]

Collier doesn't do enough outside the set piece to ever really threaten above club level.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Collier doesn't do enough outside the set piece to ever really threaten above club level.

Does Cole?

 

[Penne Rara]

True, but you were hoping for an entertaining game as well. Unfortunately I think the end to the premiership has spoilt me in terms of expectations.

That's what a Baabaas game should be. Action packed but also full of tries or at least attempts at attacking the line with inventiveness. Until now, I've witnessed a pale 6 nations copy, with lots of grit, mauls and scrums, and players not able to pass a ball. Still no champagne rugby looming on the horizon.