[November Tests 2016 EOYT] England vs. South Africa (12/11/2016)

[TRF_heineken]

I understand the logic with Elton, but damn I have no more faith in that guy. He has had so many opportunities and has not impressed at all. Also my opinion is, if we want to win we have to keep DDA as far away from the field as possible... Unfortunately I know for some reason AC likes him way too much.

Maybe with the added pressure of more guys vying for the centre spot, will cause DDA to perform better.

 

[Sotavalta]

Maybe with the added pressure of more guys vying for the centre spot, will cause DDA to perform better.

Maybe... But I don't think we should take a risk like that against England. Rather play Rohan Janse van Rensburg with Lionel Mapoe (nice Lions chemistry).

 

[TommiG88]

I got offered tickets for this, this morning... I had to decline!

Hope I don't miss out on a classic.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

England Squad's been shaved to 25. Roko's returned to Bath... Fuming!!!

Remaining
Props: Cole, Marler, Sinckler, Vunipola
Hookers: George, Hartley, Taylor
Locks: Beaumont, Attwood, Launchbury, Lawes
Back Rowers: Hughes, Robshaw, Vunipola, Wood
Scrum Halves: Care, Youngs
Fly Halves: Farrell, Ford
Centres: Daly, Joseph, Te'o
Back Three: Brown, May, Yarde

Disappointing squad IMO.
Expected Team

1. Vunipola
2. Hartley (c)
3. Cole
4. Launchbury
5. Lawes
6. Robshaw
7. Wood
8. Vunipola
9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Farrell
13. Joseph
14. Yarde
15. Brown

16. George
17. Marler
18. Sinckler
19. Attwood
20. Hughes
21. Care/Beaumont
22. Te'o/Care
23. Daly

Beaumont/Care/Te'o depending on 5-3/6-2 split.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hooray Josh!
I don't think he'll make the cut, but good to see him close.

Hopefully Te'o gets dropped - don't think he's better than JJ and I don't like having no back three cover on the bench (so Daly should get the 23 shirt).

 

[spartan32]

Can't believe Roko misses out, again!! I really thought EJ would go for the heavyweight combo of Yard and Roko. Good for the May though. I was a bit gutted for him when he got injured. Harrison also an interested omission.

 

[ncurd]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

I think my opinion of Roko is well known enough. I can't really comment beyond that.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Can anyone think of any reason not to include Roko? He has been simply World Class for Bath and I think deserves the Lions 14 shirt, never mind England. Yarde's shown glimpses of talent but has been inconsistent and what has May offered of note lately? I just don't understand it, it does seem like a bit of a joke.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

England Squad's been shaved to 25. Roko's returned to Bath... Fuming!!!

Remaining
Props: Cole, Marler, Sinckler, Vunipola
Hookers: George, Hartley, Taylor
Locks: Beaumont, Attwood, Launchbury, Lawes
Back Rowers: Hughes, Robshaw, Vunipola, Wood
Scrum Halves: Care, Youngs
Fly Halves: Farrell, Ford
Centres: Daly, Joseph, Te'o
Back Three: Brown, May, Yarde

Disappointing squad IMO.
Expected Team

1. Vunipola
2. Hartley (c)
3. Cole
4. Launchbury
5. Lawes
6. Robshaw
7. Wood
8. Vunipola
9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Farrell
13. Joseph
14. Yarde
15. Brown

16. George
17. Marler
18. Sinckler
19. Attwood
20. Hughes
21. Care/Beaumont
22. Te'o/Care
23. Daly

Beaumont/Care/Te'o depending on 5-3/6-2 split.

Eurggh that's so Burt, other than swapping the flankers.

 

[NickBD]

Chris Jones from BBC also says Tom Wood set to start at 7. Not many going to be happy with the starting 15.

 

[ncurd]

I mean....I just....

Roko just looks like a class act every time you watch him. His stats back him up as an excellent winger on just about every measure able factor. Sure health not the fastest winger but that does really matter if they can't tackle you. I despair...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Christ I didn't even clock no roko.
Yarde over him is a ****ing travesty. I just don't understand how yarde has got the hype he has.
Hell, I'm a big May fan but him over roko is a stretch as well considering how much game time he's had since....however many months ago he got injured.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Yarde over Roko my god........

And wood will be starting most likely.

I want England to win but I wouldn't be upset if they lost just to maybe encourage Roko into the fold.

 

[Which Tyler]

I'm OK with Wood, it's not like we're awash with alternatives ready to step up.
But Roko? I think this may signal the end of Eddie's honeymoon period.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

If Eddie does a Haskell on Wood then I'm glad he's starting. If not why the hell is he in squad.

Not an impact player and not good enough to play 7 from what I've seen.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yarde over Roko my god........

And wood will be starting most likely.

I want England to win but I wouldn't be upset if they lost just to maybe encourage Roko into the fold.

The good thing with Eddie is he's not afraid to bin off a **** house.
I'm hoping yarde has a stinker, gets the crook, Daly does enough on the wing so that we win and then Roko can come in afterwards.

 

[spartan32]

I have to assume that Yard and May have just been excellent in training and that Roko was off colour. Or maybe it's his age? It could be that EJ doesn't want to cultivate him as he won't be around come 2019?! I'm clutching at straws to be honest. Weird decision. Only time will tell if Eddie is a genius or madman.

Wood is fine by me. Little other in the way of options.

 

[Makos]

How many tests has England won in a row now? Looks like they will break our record of 18 in a row, only Ireland has the best chance of stopping them next season.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

England Squad's been shaved to 25. Roko's returned to Bath... Fuming!!!

Remaining
Props: Cole, Marler, Sinckler, Vunipola
Hookers: George, Hartley, Taylor
Locks: Beaumont, Attwood, Launchbury, Lawes
Back Rowers: Hughes, Robshaw, Vunipola, Wood
Scrum Halves: Care, Youngs
Fly Halves: Farrell, Ford
Centres: Daly, Joseph, Te'o
Back Three: Brown, May, Yarde

Disappointing squad IMO.
Expected Team

1. Vunipola
2. Hartley (c)
3. Cole
4. Launchbury
5. Lawes
6. Robshaw
7. Wood
8. Vunipola
9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Farrell
13. Joseph
14. Yarde
15. Brown

16. George
17. Marler
18. Sinckler
19. Attwood
20. Hughes
21. Care/Beaumont
22. Te'o/Care
23. Daly

Beaumont/Care/Te'o depending on 5-3/6-2 split.

So Eddie will pretty much go back to Lancaster's XV around 2014: Wood and Robshaw swap numbers. Replace Barrett with Farrell at 12. Yarde for Watson.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

I have to assume that Yard and May have just been excellent in training and that Roko was off colour. Or maybe it's his age? It could be that EJ doesn't want to cultivate him as he won't be around come 2019?! I'm clutching at straws to be honest. Weird decision. Only time will tell if Eddie is a genius or madman.

True, but that raises questions abou Te'o (ignoring the decade long problem of who plays 12...)