England vs Barbarians

[dullonien]

Pitty were going to see a Babas's game ending with England grinding down the clock with pick and drives......

 

[TRF_Olyy]

FT:
England 35 - 26 Barbarians


Good first half, poo second.
Baabaas subs really lifted their squad after their poor showing in the first. England just flopped after half time.

After that match, my 22 for England would be:
1 Golding
2 Thompsons
3 Doran-Jones
4 Atwood
5 Palmer
6 Haskell
7 Armitage
8 Easter
9 Care
10 Flood
11 Ashton
12 Barkley
13 Tindall
14 Cueto
15 Foden

16 Mears
17 Flatman
18 Lawes
19Croft
20 Youngs
21 Hodgson
22 Tait


Though Moody has been named captain, so he'll be 7, and I reckon Armitage won't be used in the tests, just mid-week

 

[iWin]

Strettle not in there anywhere Olyy?
I thought he had a good game, and would probably start him ahead of Ashton, at least for the first game.
Other than that, ***terell, Cole, Myler in on the bench would be my choices, even if only Cole is likely to happen.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd put strettle in the first mid-week game, then if he does well, rethink.
I don't think he's as good as Ashton, and he doesn't play anywhere apart from wing (as far as i'm aware), so isn't the best for a bench spot

***erall and Myler aren't in the squad are they?

Completely forgot about Cole, though i think Doran-Jones played well today, and Flatman deserves a runout after his form at Bath. Having said that, Golding left injured today, and they fly out tomorrow, so maybe
1. Flatman
2. Thompson
3. Doran-Jones
17. Cole

 

[shtove]

Only saw the first half. Sackey's first try was a beaut, but Cueto and Hape were the stand outs - although they will not repeat those breaks against a disciplined defence.

That scoreline is a bit depressing for England, I guess.

 

[Duckdee]

What makes Sackey so special that he can wear odd socks? He can't have been the first player to be picked between clubs, and I don't recall seeing it before.

Disappointed that White or Kay didn't get to really do anything, but the whole Barbarian team were rather lackluster in the first half, bar Elissalde's chip. Cueto continues to be Mr Consistant.

 

[mohamed_ali12]

For England, i thought Golding, Thompson, Attwood, Easter, Hape and Cueto were the standout players. The first three have definatley gone a long way to becoming permanent fixtures in the side, and Golding showed Payne just what a good prop can contribute to the rest of the team. When Cole, Wilson, Shaw, Croft, Moody, Youngs, Flood, Ashton and Barkley return to the side i reckon we've got a strong unit heading down south, unless this is just another false dawn.The offloading play we showed in the first half will go a long way to convincing Johnno England have the players to encorporate an open game, and let's just hope he has the balls to tell them to go out and play.

Team for 1st test vs. Australia:

1. Golding
2. Thompson
3. Cole
4. Palmer
5. Shaw
6. Croft
7. Moody
8. Easter
9. Youngs
10. Flood
11. Ashton
12. Barkley
13. Tindall
14. Cueto
15. Foden

16. Hartley
17. Wilson
18. Attwood/Lawes
19. Haskell
20. Care
21. Wilkinson
22. Banahan

 

[Teh Mite]

Strettle not in there anywhere Olyy?
I thought he had a good game, and would probably start him ahead of Ashton, at least for the first game.
Other than that, ***terell, Cole, Myler in on the bench would be my choices, even if only Cole is likely to happen.

If Prestwick sees this he'll only be accusing me of club bias and sulking because my clubs player didn't get into the squad today, but Strettle (1 jinking run aside) did bugger all today. On the plus side though, he didn't pick up an injury which makes a pleasent change.

England are going to get tonked on the tour no matter what or who plays.

 

[mohamed_ali12]

If Prestwick sees this he'll only be accusing me of club bias and sulking because my clubs player didn't get into the squad today, but Strettle (1 jinking run aside) did bugger all today. On the plus side though, he didn't pick up an injury which makes a pleasent change.

England are going to get tonked on the tour no matter what or who plays.

agreed.

did very little in my opinion, i know he's a good player but he definately failed to shine.

 

[dullonien]

Apart from scoring, I thought Hape also did bugger all. Tindall was the one finding space in midfield. Tbh I don't really recall hearing hape's name atall, other than scoring. He took his try well, and he pushed up well in defense, bout it.

 

[coonor]

A wins a win and there were some promising stuff from the English (this may have been helped by horrific Baa baas defence but the english can't help that). thought cueto played very well, always looked a threat with he ball. Thought Easter had a good game aswell and led from the frontline.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I think he did ok, not great not poor. His try was good, but apart from stepping the defender, he didn't do alot for it.
His tackling, for the most part, was pretty weak, but he offered alot of support in attack and the such. Easily replacable though (would prefer Barkley at 12)


Agree with all that's been said about Easter, he had a great game. He'll probably back this up with some distinctly average/anonomous games now though Like in the 6N, he had a cracker against Wales, then didnt really see him for the rest.
For a big lump he sure is agile as well, his catch off the kickoff in the 2nd half was cracking