England World Cup Squad

[TRF_Olyy]

May confirms his retirement from international rugby (I know they practically confirmed it last week but it's official now)

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

May confirms his retirement from international rugby (I know they practically confirmed it last week but it's official now)

At one time one of the very best in the world. Maximised the talent he had and you can't ask for any more than that.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

His commitment to working on his defence was commendable - started out as a bit of a liability but evolved into one of the better wingers at using the touchline as an extra defender that I can remember seeing

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

It will be interesting to see how Barbeary gets on at Bath. Had some bad luck with injuries. At his best, and still very young, he's one of the brightest talents I've seen.

Of course, our old friend Eddie Jones convinced him to make the switch no no. 8 - remains to be seen whether that's right.

 

[BrokenWing]

At one time one of the very best in the world. Maximised the talent he had and you can't ask for any more than that.

I watched a Jonny May try montage the other day and the number of tries that involved a great pass or kick from Farrell was a reminder that it wasn't always tedious rugby by numbers.



Oh, and Mike Brown passing as well.

 

[Jashay]

His commitment to working on his defence was commendable - started out as a bit of a liability but evolved into one of the better wingers at using the touchline as an extra defender that I can remember seeing

I was always impressed by his commitment to improving things he was already good at, as well. I remember reading that he paid his own way into some elite sprint schools, and would spend longer than anyone else stretching and warming up. Great dedication to the game.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I love how effortlessly fast May was in his first try. The last AB defenders leaves him the outside to use the touch line as a defender and May just goes "cheers" and seems to breeze past at a canter.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I love how effortlessly fast May was in his first try. The last AB defenders leaves him the outside to use the touch line as a defender and May just goes "cheers" and seems to breeze past at a canter.

Little substitute for real pace. LRZ glides like that too.

I know I'll get Hansen and Lowe thrown back at me, but pace is a fundamental of the position and over the past few years we've had too little pace on the wings through playing utility players or 'slow' specialists. A pairing of peak May and Watson feels a very long time ago.

 

[jordiev]

Little substitute for real pace. LRZ glides like that too.

I know I'll get Hansen and Lowe thrown back at me, but pace is a fundamental of the position and over the past few years we've had too little pace on the wings through playing utility players or 'slow' specialists. A pairing of peak May and Watson feels a very long time ago.

You can be class without pace BUT you have to be amazing at everything else and be elusive or powerful. Hence lowe and hansen working. We have been llaying no pace with holes in their game. How someone like radwan hasnt and wont be used is a travesty.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I'd just rather have Radwan in the team and make him work ok his weaknesses as you can't teach pace. We 100% need more players with an x-factor in the squad so that they can chase kicks.

 

[Scotty]

I'd just rather have Radwan in the team and make him work ok his weaknesses as you can't teach pace. We 100% need more players with an x-factor in the squad so that they can chase kicks.

Im actually gutted Arundell didnt take his chance, he didnt chase that hard and looked abit lost vs Argentina. A season in france could do him alot of good.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Im actually gutted Arundell didnt take his chance, he didnt chase that hard and looked abit lost vs Argentina. A season in france could do him alot of good.

I was as well but I got the impression that he wasn't on board with the stupid tactics nor gameplan. I do actually think there is some friction there between Farrell and him.

 

[BPM]

If we see the same unimaginative, low percentage gameplan in the 6N, I'll definitely be joining the fans of the disaffected. However, I do have some hope …

Borthwick's Tigers team wasn't all kick chase. They did play some nice rugby and it's not as though their wingers were glued to the wing. Harry Potter was give a fair bit of license to roam for example. I'm hoping we see more of that and we take the opportunity to inject some new talent.

3 formal retirements is less than I expected, but a) the older players might not be picked and b) we have a further 2 squad members ineligible so we're looking at at least 5 changes, probably more.

 

[BrokenWing]

he didnt chase that hard and looked abit lost vs Argentina.

Speaking from experience (not international standard obviously) but after the 357th crap kick that you're expected to pointlessly chase, you tend to think it's a waste of energy. Being shouted at by the source of said crap kicks only serves to make the resentment worse.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Speaking from experience (not international standard obviously) but after the 357th crap kick that you're expected to pointlessly chase, you tend to think it's a waste of energy. Being shouted at by the source of said crap kicks only serves to make the resentment worse.

He's a 20 year old making his 10th England cap. That should be enough motivation for him to chase some kicks, no matter how **** they are.

 

[BrokenWing]

He's a 20 year old making his 10th England cap. That should be enough motivation for him to chase some kicks, no matter how **** they are.

Maybe Borthwick needs to take a leaf out of Rassie's book and hook him after 30 minutes then.

If he's sent out to simply chase kicks and he isn't doing it, then get him off.

If a kick isn't contestable, then surely racing up on your own just makes you easily beatable.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He's a 20 year old making his 10th England cap. That should be enough motivation for him to chase some kicks, no matter how **** they are.

Yeah, there's no excuses for it at all tbh - ask Ben Earl if he just gives up in games because he doesn't like the tactics

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

It does stink a bit of golden boy "I'm too good for this" energy. First and foremost you need to be giving it your all, no matter how **** poor the tactics. Mentality is half of the game and if you give up trying right from the start then it doesn't matter how talented you are. Arundel could have shown he would fight for absolutely everything he could but instead he did nothing. Nobody would claim he was dealt a good hand but he did nothing with it. He didn't come across as a player who really wanted to fight for their place in the squad.

Having said that, Farrells constantly aimless kicking is enough to destroy anyones soul.

 

[Geordie]

If we see the same unimaginative, low percentage gameplan in the 6N, I'll definitely be joining the fans of the disaffected. However, I do have some hope …

Borthwick's Tigers team wasn't all kick chase. They did play some nice rugby and it's not as though their wingers were glued to the wing. Harry Potter was give a fair bit of license to roam for example. I'm hoping we see more of that and we take the opportunity to inject some new talent.

3 formal retirements is less than I expected, but a) the older players might not be picked and b) we have a further 2 squad members ineligible so we're looking at at least 5 changes, probably more.

i suspect there'll be more over the coming weeks. Keep hearing that Marler has said he is done...just not official yet..so may be others. Manu, Billy V? etc

 

[BrokenWing]

It's not about not liking the tactics, but surely you have to judge if each kick is contestable.

If it is then you make every effort to get there and constest.

If it isn't, then you bring everyone onside and make sure you're not just beaten as ones and twos.

If it is an attitude problem, then that's also a failure on the coaching staff to spot it and correct it.