England World Cup Squad

[Lé Ddanno]

Not a single source in any of that, so hopefully it's just a lot of hot, smelly air expulsed at speed.

A fart.

 

[Geordie]

Not a single source in any of that, so hopefully it's just a lot of hot, smelly air expulsed at speed.

A fart.

It's pretty much exactly how i see it happening and most of my pals so maybe not so far fetched.

The defense coach change is a big surprise to me though.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

https://archive.ph/r8LH3

So Sinfield out and Farrell to play a key role for the next RWC
Thank you RFU for the money for Sinfield

Well there's a couple of non shocks.

Will they learn? In the article they're talking about props who can run 9 metres per second. No mention of being able to squat 300kg and out scrummage a tractor.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Not a single source in any of that, so hopefully it's just a lot of hot, smelly air expulsed at speed.

A fart.

I think Sinfield and Farrell is def true and judging by the leaks this year it really is likely.

I think the rest of the names is speculation to fill an article

 

[Lé Ddanno]

To the surprise of no-one

Courtney Lawes to end England playing career after Rugby World Cup

Courtney Lawes has admitted the World Cup defeat by South Africa marks the end of an era after confirming his intentions to retire from England duty

www.theguardian.com

A ***an for us. Will be missed.

 

[IT157]

To the surprise of no-one

Courtney Lawes to end England playing career after Rugby World Cup

Courtney Lawes has admitted the World Cup defeat by South Africa marks the end of an era after confirming his intentions to retire from England duty

www.theguardian.com

A ***an for us. Will be missed.

Yeah.

Thankfully backrow is somewhere we actually have a lot depth imo

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Thought this tournament would be a bridge too far for him but he's been excellent. Probably our second best player after Earl. He'll be sorely missed. I honestly don't think I've ever seen him have a bad game. Thinking about it, I can't really recall a single error I've seen him make. A true great of English rugby.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

I do miss the CGS days, those were his peak for me, but he reinvented himself as a hell of a flanker in barely 5 years and in the twilight of his career. Not many players manage that.

Phenomenal England player. Deserved to lead the side more as well.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Unsurprising, but Lawes can be very proud of his career. Big boots to fill.

How to replace? Like for like or something completely different? We have options, but suspect Borthwick will be tempted to shoehorn in Itoje, Martin and Chessum.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

I'd just put Curry back there and keep eyes on Pearson, Underhill, Ludlam, Earl if I had to pick a training squad tomorrow. (A No. 8 is going to be at No. 8).

Bathwater is good at horses for courses selections, so having Underhill or Ludlam for Ireland/SA vs. Earl or Pearson against less grindy sides makes sense to me


Edit: also B. Curry

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ludlam would be the best option in a like for like type replacement, but seems to have slipped down the pecking order with everyone fit again so who knows what Borthwick thinks of him to discard him after how well he's played this year

My preference would be:
6. Curry
7. Earl
8. Mercer/T.Willis

20. Ludlam




Shame to see Lawes calling it a day but equally it's good to see him go out on his own terms after so many injury issues that could've robbed him of that
I was incredibly sceptical of his shift back to 6, a few years ago, but he grew into it massively and has been consistently one of our best players for ages now. He'll definitely be missed

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I can see Martin being used at 6 also depending on the opposition potentially. Espcially if Isiekwe iscalled up
4. Isiekwe
5. Itoje
6. Martin
7. Curry
8. T.Willis

19. Chessum
20. Mercer

As an example of grind them and impact type of back 5 of the pack

 

[Geordie]

Well there's a couple of non shocks.

Will they learn? In the article they're talking about props who can run 9 metres per second. No mention of being able to squat 300kg and out scrummage a tractor.

I think that's probably thw default as SBs go to has generally been Cole.

 

[BPM]

I think Sinfield and Farrell is def true and judging by the leaks this year it really is likely.

I think the rest of the names is speculation to fill an article

Sinfield is annoying because of the costs involved in getting him relative to any obvious benefit he actually brought. He's not a massive loss from a defence coach POV and if that's the role Felix Jones is going to fill then we've already got an upgrade.

Farrell playing a 'key role' would be a huge mistake IMO. Sexton's longevity with Ireland stems from them being better with him than without him and a lack of a serious alternative. Neither of those apply to Farrell and England.

I can see the value of experienced heads taking on mentorship roles and successful tournament sides often have that kind of player (I'm thinking of Frans or Morne Steyn for SA or Sanchez for Argentina). However, Farrell's individual dominance makes him wholly unsuitable for that. It should be the role Ford is taking on.

 

[Scotty]

Sinfield out and Felix Jones in as defence coach is definitely a surprise - I really did think Jones was coming in as basically an assistant HC (as in he helps out with everything) rather than as a specialist

36yr old Farrell starting at 10 in the next world cup is a depressing thought


Who's your defence coach now? You could hire KS back and still be quids in

Sinfield out? Is there a source to this? It took some time but our defence seemed good at the end, surely he's earned at least another year to prove he is up to it.

 

[BPM]

Thought this tournament would be a bridge too far for him but he's been excellent. Probably our second best player after Earl. He'll be sorely missed. I honestly don't think I've ever seen him have a bad game. Thinking about it, I can't really recall a single error I've seen him make. A true great of English rugby.

100% agree. Never less than very good. He's replaceable in the respect that we have a good roster of flankers to call up on, but we'll definitely miss his consistency and leadership.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Sinfield out? Is there a source to this?

Only the telegraph article posted above - no sources named but it's a wild thing to suggest just out of the blue considering how much the RFU paid for him

 

[Geordie]

Its says mutual agreement...so maybe it was only for the 6n and world cup period...who knows.

Thought Lawes might retire...fortunately back row is a strong position for us. But finding someone with Lawes consistency and mentality will be the challenge.
Pearson should be looked closely at...Kenningham maybe? Chandler Cunningham South might be looked at aswell...is he an 8 or moved to 6? Then theres Ludlum...not sure whats gone on with him this world cup.
And Ted HIll....

 

[Geordie]

i also wonder if Borthwick wil have a word with the clubs to get all the EQ front rowers on scrummaging practice!

 

[Scotty]

Only the telegraph article posted above - no sources named but it's a wild thing to suggest just out of the blue considering how much the RFU paid for him

I mean his defence almost got us to WC final, we put in a good shift.

I know know anything really about the guy replacing him(if true)