June Internationals: Argentina v England, First Test (08/06/13)

[ratsapprentice]

http://www.rfu.com/news/2013/june/news-articles/120613_attwood_feature_

Great interview, worth checking out.

 

[mstar]

How has Attwood been this season? on form would you say Lawes or Attwood to partner JL?

 

[ratsapprentice]

I think Lawes has played well this season, no better or worse than usual on balance.

Attwood has played very well since December.
He's been very good individually in the lineout, despite Bath's hooker situation this season (not exactly stable).
Bath's scrum has been dominant with him, Wilson and James on.
His defence has been excellent, he keeps his shape and makes a lot of tackles with a very high completion rate.
His ball carrying has been good too, effective in the tight and loose.
He has very few turnovers conceded and has beaten a lot of defenders.

Directly compared to Lawes: he is a better ball carrier, makes slightly more tackles (if less destructive) and gives away fewer turnovers/penalties.
He's also a lineout caller and good scrummager so he can be partnered with Launchbury.
Partner that with the fact that Lawes still struggles to replicate his Saints' game for England, I know who I prefer.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, I'd definitely have Attwood ahead of Lawes.
Depending how his lineout work goes against stronger opposition (so in the AIs/6N, if he gets his chance) I could see him overtaking Parling down the line, as he's a more destructive lock and we lack a bit of grunt in the pack at the moment.

 

[mstar]

i agree Attwood definately offers more physicality than parling, hence why i think we need someone more physical with JL. We lacked some grunt against teams with big 4 and 5's.

I like Attwood i hope he develops.

 

[ratsapprentice]

So, now that 36 is out, we get to see Kyle start at 12!

 

[j'nuh]

With Attwood seemingly preferred to Lawes, would it be fair to say he's overtaken Lawes already?

May HAS to at least take Eastmond's position on the bench now... (will be Burrell or Myler though)

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I can't imagine May not featuring at all. I know Lancaster's not one for changing the side round for no reason, but I think he'll either start for Strettle, or be on the bench, with Foden starting and Brown not there.

 

[ratsapprentice]

All but confirmed that Yarde is starting.

 

[nealn]

All but confirmed that Yarde is starting.

Looking forward to seeing him start in a full international... He looked promising against the Barbarians but don't know how much indication we can take from that match. If he puts up a good show against the Argentineans though he'll hopefully get an EPS place.

 

[ratsapprentice]

ENGLAND TEAM v Argentina, Buenos Aires
15 Mike Brown (Harlequins, 17 caps)
14 Christian Wade (Wasps, 1 cap)
13 Jonathan Joseph (London Irish, 5 caps)
12 Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby, 1 cap)
11 Marland Yarde (London Irish, uncapped)
10 Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby, 2 caps)
9 Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints, 8 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 11 caps)
2 Rob Webber (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
3 David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 27 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 10 caps)
5 Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
6 Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 19 caps, captain)
7 Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors, 1 cap)
8 Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 11 caps)
Replacements
16 David Paice (London Irish, 7 caps)
17 Paul Doran Jones (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
18 Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks, 1 cap)
19 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 21 caps)
20 Billy Vunipola (London Wasps, 1 cap)
21 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 13 caps)
22 Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
23 Ben Foden (Northampton Saints, 31 caps)

 

[j'nuh]

Wade called up to the Lions, May into the XV to cover Wade. Happy that it's May and not Strettle. Does this mean Strettle has blown his chance?

 

[ratsapprentice]

I guess it gives May a chance to put in a claim too, as Wade is almost certainly the first choice 11.

 

[Aristodemus]

I didn't think Strettle had a bad game or a game that could be deemed as "blowing his shot" but May has earned his chance. Hopefully you are right rats, that Wade has already done enough to be in the full strength XV.

 

[j'nuh]

I guess it gives May a chance to put in a claim too, as Wade is almost certainly the first choice 11.

I still think there's a lot of competition. Would definitely pencil Wade in for the AIs though. (Although at 14.)

 

[ratsapprentice]

My mistake, I meant 14.

I do think Strettle had a bad game, he ****ed up two certain tries... pretty much the worst thing a winger can do.

I feel May and Yarde really need to make an impact to be considered above Ashton in Lancaster's mind for the Autumn though.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

First kick not even 10m... There's just no excuse for that.

Oops wrong thread.

 

[Big Ewis]

hey, anybody got a link ? pleaaaaaase ??

oh no no I'm good, thx...