England World Cup Squad

[TRF_Olyy]

Times also saying that it's Borthwick's aim to kick for at least 1,000 metres per match…..

So we're sending out Youngs/Ford/Farrell with instructions to kick every phase,
May/Watson/Steward to chase

Why even bother with a 13? Might as well just stick an extra forward there

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Why even bother with a 13? Might as well just stick an extra forward there

Why do you think Earl's going?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

.

Yep, although I think some of the French players play a pretty fair amount too?

If we're serious about the national team central contracts has to be the way to go. Plus a decent coaching set up.

Our clubs aren't getting anywhere near the pointy end of Europe now so in many respects it's not really surprising the national team's struggling (although we should be doing better than we are).

Back to the squad. Apparently Slade had played in 30 of 37 games since Japan. OK last year was disrupted but that's still a lot of experience and investment to discard. Apparently v upset and you can bet he's beating himself up at not joining the Chiefs French exodus. Times speculating that this means a Ford, Farrell, Manu midfield.

Times also saying that it's Borthwick's aim to kick for at least 1,000 metres per match…..

French starters tend to miss every away game in the top 14 though

 

[Saintjay]

It's all well and good kicking the ball into the sun and chasing all day if your actually good without the ball. England have conceded 11 tries in the last 3 games, and scored three. So nearly 4/1 a game currently. Hopefully defence is a quick fix.

Pretty sure we all knew kicking the ball away was always plan A, force a mistake, run strike moves only in the 22. Low risk low percentage rugby at it's finest.

I was listening to a debate on how England pick on stats and what a player looks like first, and if they are a good player second. If your a certain size, lift XYZ in camp you have more of a chance than if you are the better rugby player. Not entirely my view but i thought it raised a few good points. I can't think of who said but allegedly Borthwick doesn't think Mitchell is tough enough for international rugby.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hopefully defence is a quick fix.

Didn't look it on the weekend, though it was a pick n mix side tbf

One thing that concerned me was how lazy we looked getting back in the game i.e. getting into the defensive line and getting up to rucks as support runners/first receiver on a break etc.
Maybe it's just because I'm used to watching a Forshaw drilled defence where being on the floor, or walking, is a cardinal sin, but it was just bad optics how often it happened

 

[TopTen2003]

Depressing stuff if this squad is correct.

The sprinkles of excitement I had hoped for looks long, long gone.

Slade hasn't hit the heights I thought he would these last 4 years but with Tuilagi at least you've got his partner in crime there to spark him into life for the key WC games. With Tuilagi giving him the decoy and the crash ball support I think he is someone who can actually take advantage of that. When we go Farrell-Tuilagi I think we become a bit less threatening and then totally reliant on the loose forwards punching holes, which we haven't looked like doing at all these past two years.

Marchant for me isn't the answer and even if he was a brighter light in a sea of darkness v Wales on Saturday it's nowhere near enough for a World Cup.

We look utterly clueless.

And Malins in whilst we drop Murley and May? Give me strength.

 

[Saintjay]

Didn't look it on the weekend, though it was a pick n mix side tbf

One thing that concerned me was how lazy we looked getting back in the game i.e. getting into the defensive line and getting up to rucks as support runners/first receiver on a break etc.
Maybe it's just because I'm used to watching a Forshaw drilled defence where being on the floor, or walking, is a cardinal sin, but it was just bad optics how often it happened

Spot on, pretty standard school boy defence coaching. Don't be the log. Laid on the ground. That's the first thing you should be thinking of after tackling a trying to roll away. It's the basics we seem poor at. Which at this level should be a minimum standard.

 

[Reiser99]

I feel like it's hard to judge the players entirely. Yes you can compare individual performances, but would they play better when you have a team that's on the same wavelength and has a clear plan of what to do. Just look at the Harlequins lads, with a bit of harmony they actually produced some of the best rugby against Wales.

I'm not sure what the problem is, but something about the England setup isn't right and it started before Borthwick. Players play worse for England than their club and it's not just because international rugby is a step up.

 

[Geordie]

I feel like it's hard to judge the players entirely. Yes you can compare individual performances, but would they play better when you have a team that's on the same wavelength and has a clear plan of what to do. Just look at the Harlequins lads, with a bit of harmony they actually produced some of the best rugby against Wales.

I'm not sure what the problem is, but something about the England setup isn't right and it started before Borthwick. Players play worse for England than their club and it's not just because international rugby is a step up.

Your right there...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Announcement at 11:15 instead of 10, now

"Hi, Zach - what time's the first train from Gloucester to Surrey?"

 

[BrokenWing]

OR

"Let's build up the suspense so people start speculating about some masterstroke, then just announce the uninspiring bilge we could have announced weeks ago"

 

[Saintjay]

"Henry, Henry please calm down, your drunk". Someone please calm down Sladey he's threatening to tell the journo's what he really thinks.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Quins didn't get the memo about the change in time...

No dommers

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Maybe they forgot to change the scheduled SM posts, unless it's just the press conference that's now at 11:15

Think it's the same as the predictions above:

 

[Ferrari333SP]

Here it is! - no Slade or Dombrandt

Exeter centre Henry Slade and Harlequin's Alex Dombrandt are the two shock omissions.
After impressing against Wales versatile back Joe Marchant makes the squad at Slade's expense, with Billy Vunipola the only specialist number eight.
Forwards David Ribbans and Ben Earl are also in with Saturday's debutant Tom Pearson missing out.
Steve Borthwick has also gone for the inexperienced Henry Arundell ahead of 33-year-old Jonny May and Joe Cokanasiga.
Hooker Jamie Blamire is the another player who started against Wales to miss out with Theo Dan making the squad."

 

[Geordie]

Well they need to sort their handling out...and focus on what the did right on the first half on Satruday.

Oh and sort that defence out

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Bit concerning that
Jack Walker: Not played in 4months, one of his six nations caps was for <1min of time, and he was unused in two other games
Ollie Chessum: Not played in 5 months
Billy Vunipola: Not played in 4 months

Three games to find fitness and form, I guess - still think we should've delayed our announcement until after the Ireland game

 

[Reiser99]

Bit concerning that
Jack Walker: Not played in 4months, one of his six nations caps was for <1min of time, and he was unused in two other games
Ollie Chessum: Not played in 5 months
Billy Vunipola: Not played in 4 months

Three games to find fitness and form, I guess - still think we should've delayed our announcement until after the Ireland game

Agreed, especially on the only taking Billy front.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Tight 5 prob best could ask for generally. Hard to think of fit better alternatives generally

Everything else though has question marks for me


Like do we even have an out and out winger?

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

After impressing against Wales versatile back Joe Marchant makes the squad at Slade's expense, with Billy Vunipola the only specialist number eight.

Utter madness, our only dedicated no.8 has been in poor form and injured! Why do England consistently do this stupid ****? Pick players in their damn positions and on form. Why is this apparently too much to ask?