The Rugby Thread
- Thread starter tototoner
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- Oct 2, 2004
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I think he's a doubt for the first couple of games certainly.
If he is out I'd move Watson to the wing with Brown at full back, and we've still got the likes of Solomona, Woodburn, Yarde etc available (Roko is injured unfortunately).
I think the only issue England have at the moment is that a lot of the players who are now the backups are pretty young, and Eddie has to get the balance right between giving them game time before the World Cup, or just sticking with what he knows.
- Oct 2, 2004
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- #4,963
That is true, and the decline of Saracens is a bit of a concern considering their success seems to have gone hand in hand with England's success in the last two years.
But the English Sarries players have generally still been playing well other than Kruis (Mako, Farrell, George, Itoje etc) and whilst Sarries may have been a bit iffy, Exeter have been flying recently. My concern is that Eddie doesn't seem to take club form that seriously, so players who have been a bit rubbish at club level (Josephs, Sinckler, Youngs, Haskell) may still get picked.
But we shall see. I think the English clubs are in disarray at the moment. I'm not sure that means the England team will be.
E17yid
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- Jan 21, 2013
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You got Nowell as well.
You seen much of this Josh Adams who plays for Worcester? He looks a million times better than Cuthbert but, you know, that’s Cuthbert. I’ll have to have a catch up with my father in law who’s a Worcester ST holder but he doesn’t know fuck all tbh so not sure I’ll get much useful info out of him.
He’s top of the try scorer table so far this season with 9 tries.
- Oct 2, 2004
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I forgot Nowell, although he's been injured recently as well. If he's fit that's a big plus for England as he's incredibly versatile and pretty consistent.
Adams has been a try scoring machine this season in a relatively poor Worcester team (I saw him score against Quins earlier this season...but I've seen everyone score against Quins this season). I'm not sure if he's much else other than a finisher, but considering the issues Wales have had in that position since North became crocked/not very good, they'd be daft not to be looking at him.
It's clear from the Ospreys and Scarlets' performances in Europe that there's a lot of talent available to Gatland, albeit a lack of experience. These injuries may be the best thing that's happened to Welsh rugby if it can shake up the old order a bit.
E17yid
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Yeah, I’m actually more optimistic. The 6N is still a bit to early so I’m not really changing my 3rd/4th finish prediction but we’ve got a lot of good youngens coming through and this 6N will give them a good platform to show what they can do.
If this Adams kid can step up then we’re looking good on the wings for the next 8 or so years with him and Steff Evans plus I still really rate Giles at Ospreys too.
- Oct 2, 2004
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Haven't seen any of Giles, but agree Evans looks excellent.
There must surely be better options than Cuthbert available though. In that department I think England have at least 6 wingers who don't even get in the squad who I'd pick ahead of him.
I can't really believe Priestland is still on the scene either, but to be fair to him he's been very good when given a chance for Bath this year. Certainly been better than Burns for them.
E17yid
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Don’t get me started on preistland and Cuthbert like you say though it would seem he’s playing well for Bath but I wouldn’t have him anywhere near the national team. Gats likes him for some unknown reason.
Good to see Watkin in there. Amazed he’s ok after what looked like a very bad injury in the Cardiff game the other week but he recovered in time to face Sarries so must’ve just been precaution.
E17yid
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Yeah, I’d be more than happy to get Pivac and Jones in. Not only would it strengthen Wales but it’d weaken the Scarlets. Win win.
- Oct 2, 2004
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Anyway...this has all been far too friendly as we get close to the six nations.
I will wait for the England squad to be announced before drawing the battle lines...but after that all bets are off.
You provincial farm-boys.
I will wait for the England squad to be announced before drawing the battle lines...but after that all bets are off.
You provincial farm-boys.
E17yid
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Anyway...this has all been far too friendly as we get close to the six nations.
I will wait for the England squad to be announced before drawing the battle lines...but after that all bets are off.
You provincial farm-boys.
Have I ever told you what I think about Marler and Brown?
- Oct 2, 2004
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At least Marler won't be involved when we thrash you at Twickers.
But I certainly hope for a hat trick from Mike Brown...albeit that would be somewhat of a deviation from current form.
mpickard2087
Patient Zero
- Jun 13, 2008
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England squad is:
Backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins), Nathan Earle (Saracens), Harry Mallinder (Northampton), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Danny Care (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Alex Lozowski (Saracens),Jack Nowell (Exeter), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ben Te'o (Worcester) Marcus Smith (Harlequins)*, Ben Youngs (Leicester) * = Apprentice.
Forwards
Gary Graham (Newcastle), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (Wasps) Zach Mercer (Bath), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Sam Simmonds (Exeter), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Lewis Boyce (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Dunn (Bath), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)
Some random selections there, injuries or not. I don't even know who Gary Graham and Lewis Boyce are. Still, whatever Eddie has done so far has more or less worked.
Backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins), Nathan Earle (Saracens), Harry Mallinder (Northampton), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Danny Care (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Alex Lozowski (Saracens),Jack Nowell (Exeter), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ben Te'o (Worcester) Marcus Smith (Harlequins)*, Ben Youngs (Leicester) * = Apprentice.
Forwards
Gary Graham (Newcastle), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (Wasps) Zach Mercer (Bath), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Sam Simmonds (Exeter), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Lewis Boyce (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Dunn (Bath), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)
Some random selections there, injuries or not. I don't even know who Gary Graham and Lewis Boyce are. Still, whatever Eddie has done so far has more or less worked.
- Oct 2, 2004
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Boyce has been excellent for Quins in his few appearances this year, but it does seem bold to call up a 20 year old prop who has only played a handful of Premiership games.
I am equally bemused by Gary Graham.
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He's got the potential to be a great player, but he's bang out of form at the moment and shouldn't get anywhere near our 23.
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Having ignored Armand and Ewers (again!) you do have to wonder what Eddie's plan is with regards to the back row.
Think it's going to be significantly under-powered whoever we pick from that lot.
Think it's going to be significantly under-powered whoever we pick from that lot.
teok
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- Aug 11, 2011
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He's brilliant going forwards but he is one of the worst defenders I can remember watching in the prem. He's not just a bit bad he is awful which is ridiculous given his size. I'm not sure how you make it to being a professional rugby player with out being able to tackle (I'm guessing it was his dad being the coach).
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