The Great Big England A Thread

[FKAS]

Guessing Pollock is match day reserve for the firsts and that Curry is facing a late fitness test

Though actually nobody has dropped down to the A squad.

Tom or Ben? Or is this a complete guess?

Feels odd having JVP in there with 16 senior caps already, but I guess some game time for him would be handy. I'd like to think he can push ahead of Randall again. Equally I'd like Porter instead as well.

Cramming Ojomoh in at 13 seems a bit pointless, but I guess that is the endless English struggle. Having more 12s than we know what to do with.

I thought Ojomoh and Butt were the wrong way round, maybe they want to see if Ojomoh can lead the defence from 13 and do more of a Slade style role. Fingers crossed.

Good to see OHC committing to England and ending any hint of changing to Wales. I'd have liked to seen Hendy start.

[FKAS]

Guessing Pollock is match day reserve for the firsts and that Curry is facing a late fitness test

Though actually nobody has dropped down to the A squad.

no rugby for Beard or Dingwall in months tho

or AOF and Rodd, or Ford

You'd imagine all three will be travelling reserves for the game with Scotland so won't have been in the A side training camp this week.

[Puja]

Guessing Pollock is match day reserve for the firsts and that Curry is facing a late fitness test

Though actually nobody has dropped down to the A squad.

Tom or Ben? Or is this a complete guess?

Feels odd having JVP in there with 16 senior caps already, but I guess some game time for him would be handy. I'd like to think he can push ahead of Randall again. Equally I'd like Porter instead as well.

Cramming Ojomoh in at 13 seems a bit pointless, but I guess that is the endless English struggle. Having more 12s than we know what to do with.

I'm in favour of JVP getting gametime here - he's undeniably a better and more trustable option at 22(?) than Harry Randall is (given he once again did a backwards box-kick vs Ireland and then wasn't trusted against the French), but he's also been injured and hasn't had any rugby for over a month. If he can play 60 minutes here and knock some of the rust off, then he becomes a bench option for the last two games. That's not to mention reducing some of the panic if Mitchell were to go down injured - it's a big drop from Mitchell to JVP, but not as big as it is to Randall.

Porter would be the option for development, but this is clearly a selection about match-fitness.

Puja

[fivepointer]

A bit surprised no one has made it from the senior squad. Dingwall, Roebuck plus a prop or two I thought would be selected.

Good individual players across the 23 but as ever with these teams can they gel?

The rugby pass coverage is free!

[Puja]

Guessing Pollock is match day reserve for the firsts and that Curry is facing a late fitness test

Though actually nobody has dropped down to the A squad.

no rugby for Beard or Dingwall in months tho

Keeping them for Wales

I don't know they're Welsh qualified, although I'm sure Gatland would've been investigating whether their grandparents had ever been near the border...

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Cramming Ojomoh in at 13 seems a bit pointless, but I guess that is the endless English struggle. Having more 12s than we know what to do with.

He's pretty bilateral as a centre - equally good in either channel.
It's Butt at 12 that confuses me, he just seems more of an OC to me - but IC is where he plays, and busted through this season. I'd further add, I don't think he's ever going to be threatening international selection; he had a purple patch earlier this season, playing to a level he'd never shown before - I just get the impression that it's playing above himself, rather than finding a new gear.

TBH though, A] It's good to see a club combination, I always think we should do that a bit more with these scratch, one-off teams (and even higher)
B] Given the lack of options at 12 for England, I'm fine with playing 2 ICs for EngA, and seeing who puts their hands up (though I'd have gone 12.Ojomoh, 13.Dingwall (given that SAtkinson isn't in either squad) - as two bilaterals, but slightly more comfortable in those shirts; and yes, I know what I said above about club combinations)

[FKAS]

Ireland ‘A’:
(Club/Province/Test caps)

15. Shane Daly (Cork Constitution/Munster)(2)
14. Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster)
13. Jude Postlethwaite (City of Armagh RFC/Ulster)
12. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
11. Shayne Bolton (Connacht)
10. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(8)
9. Nathan Doak (Banbridge RFC/Ulster)

1. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(16)
2. Diarmuid Barron (Garryowen/Munster)
3. Jack Aungier (Clontarf FC/Connacht)
4. Evan O’Connell (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
5. Darragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
6. Max Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(captain)(2)
7. Alex Kendellen (UCC RFC/Munster)
8. Sean Jansen (Connacht)

Replacements:

16. Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
17. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
18. Oli Jager (Munster)(1)
19. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
20. Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
21. Fintan Gunne (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
22. Harry Byrne (UCD/Leinster)(4)
23. Brian Gleeson (Garryowen FC/Munster).

[Puja]

Ireland ‘A’:
(Club/Province/Test caps)

15. Shane Daly (Cork Constitution/Munster)(2)
14. Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster)
13. Jude Postlethwaite (City of Armagh RFC/Ulster)
12. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
11. Shayne Bolton (Connacht)
10. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(8)
9. Nathan Doak (Banbridge RFC/Ulster)

1. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(16)
2. Diarmuid Barron (Garryowen/Munster)
3. Jack Aungier (Clontarf FC/Connacht)
4. Evan O’Connell (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
5. Darragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
6. Max Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(captain)(2)
7. Alex Kendellen (UCC RFC/Munster)
8. Sean Jansen (Connacht)

Replacements:

16. Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
17. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
18. Oli Jager (Munster)(1)
19. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
20. Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
21. Fintan Gunne (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
22. Harry Byrne (UCD/Leinster)(4)
23. Brian Gleeson (Garryowen FC/Munster).

Wait, Jansen's Irish qualified?

Puja

[FKAS]

Ireland ‘A’:
(Club/Province/Test caps)

15. Shane Daly (Cork Constitution/Munster)(2)
14. Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster)
13. Jude Postlethwaite (City of Armagh RFC/Ulster)
12. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
11. Shayne Bolton (Connacht)
10. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(8)
9. Nathan Doak (Banbridge RFC/Ulster)

1. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(16)
2. Diarmuid Barron (Garryowen/Munster)
3. Jack Aungier (Clontarf FC/Connacht)
4. Evan O’Connell (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
5. Darragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
6. Max Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(captain)(2)
7. Alex Kendellen (UCC RFC/Munster)
8. Sean Jansen (Connacht)

Replacements:

16. Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
17. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
18. Oli Jager (Munster)(1)
19. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
20. Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
21. Fintan Gunne (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
22. Harry Byrne (UCD/Leinster)(4)
23. Brian Gleeson (Garryowen FC/Munster).

Wait, Jansen's Irish qualified?

Puja

Yep that's why Connacht were keen to take him off our hands in the first place. I'm more surprised he's only 25, thought he was older than that. Always lacked physicality when I saw him play for Tigers, he'd got the attitude, mobility and work rate but just didn't quite have the power to his game. Be interesting to see if he's added that.

[loudnconfident]

FYI it's broadcast free live on Rugby pass app

[Scrumhead]

Really nice interplay in the build up to the first England try involving 5 players down the short side.

Pearson and Kenningham looking good so far.

[Scrumhead]

Great break from OHC as well.

[FKAS]

Can Lee Blackett come in and take over the attack job please. Some nice little tip ons and good running angles, wingers looking for work, good support lines. He's done a lot of work in a week.

[Captainhaircut]

Kenningham a really useful combo for England with his lineout and turnover skillset.

Could be very useful in a backrow with a Curry and Willis.

Have liked Ojomoh so far too.

[Scrumhead]

Thought I was the only one watching.

Kenningham has been excellent - I honestly think he would do well at senior level too.

JvP has been lively and nice speed of ball in general.

[Scrumhead]

Can Lee Blackett come in and take over the attack job please. Some nice little tip ons and good running angles, wingers looking for work, good support lines. He's done a lot of work in a week.

YES PLEASE!

[Banquo]

what's the intensity level like? The feedback I'd heard was that the previous 'a' game was sub Prem in terms of that.

[FKAS]

what's the intensity level like? The feedback I'd heard was that the previous 'a' game was sub Prem in terms of that.

Plenty of physicality but it's two makeshift teams playing a one off game so standard isn't massively high.

[Banquo]

what's the intensity level like? The feedback I'd heard was that the previous 'a' game was sub Prem in terms of that.

Plenty of physicality but it's two makeshift teams playing a one off game so standard isn't massively high.

begs a couple of questions then, doesn't it?

[Scrumhead]

Yes and no. Definitely better to have this kind of opportunity than not.

[FKAS]

Yes and no. Definitely better to have this kind of opportunity than not.

Exactly that, there's only so much structure you can build in a week of training. First half had some really nice moments, second half has been a bit more scrappy.

Great finish from Fisilau for the third try. Rounding the Irish fullback from a break 40m.

[Scrumhead]

Great try from Fisilau. He’s been excellent since he came on. Really impactful.

Conditions and substitutions have definitely contributed to it being a disjointed second half.

[Banquo]

Yes and no. Definitely better to have this kind of opportunity than not.

so it both begs questions and doesn't ?

I'm pretty non plussed by it, and I gather the players are too. Is it an audition for the first team, and if so, how meaningful is it given its a 'one off, scratch side'. If it was a genuine bridge between U20 and senior squads say, then maybe makes more sense. I guess its nice for some players to feel they are being recognised. I 'm just confused about its` purpose, and given player welfare concerns etc etc

[FKAS]

Yes and no. Definitely better to have this kind of opportunity than not.

so it both begs questions and doesn't ?

I'm pretty non plussed by it, and I gather the players are too. Is it an audition for the first team, and if so, how meaningful is it given its a 'one off, scratch side'. If it was a genuine bridge between U20 and senior squads say, then maybe makes more sense. I guess its nice for some players to feel they are being recognised. I 'm just confused about it's purpose, and given player welfare concerns etc etc

You'd hope they'd do a session with the first team as a bit of a practice game. Get feedback from the first team fitness staff about what levels they need. Get feedback from coaches about areas of work ons. It's a good exercise for mainly young EQ talent to stake a claim and stay connected with the current England setup. Similar with the coaches.

[Banquo]

Yes and no. Definitely better to have this kind of opportunity than not.

so it both begs questions and doesn't ?

I'm pretty non plussed by it, and I gather the players are too. Is it an audition for the first team, and if so, how meaningful is it given its a 'one off, scratch side'. If it was a genuine bridge between U20 and senior squads say, then maybe makes more sense. I guess its nice for some players to feel they are being recognised. I 'm just confused about it's purpose, and given player welfare concerns etc etc

You'd hope they'd do a session with the first team as a bit of a practice game. Get feedback from the first team fitness staff about what levels they need. Get feedback from coaches about areas of work ons. It's a good exercise for mainly young EQ talent to stake a claim and stay connected with the current England setup. Similar with the coaches.

coaches I guess...but its such a hotch potch of players...and no connection with the 1's Ive seen.

Genuine q, how many of the 10 (36-23 +3) senior omissions are in the squad.