New and Improved EPS Watch/Player Form Thread

[Epaminondas Pules]

IFW played some centre at age grade but has only played wing in senior rugby……

[Mikey Brown]

IFW played some centre at age grade but has only played wing in senior rugby……

Has he ever played hooker? Imagine if he could learn to scrum/throw and still do all that damage in the loose.

[Beasties]

Sounds like Ojomoh picked up a fairly nasty injury yesterday. Likely to miss the summer tour which is a shame.

Centre looking quite problematic for the summer with Freeman and Lawrence missing. Beard looks badly out of form.

On the plus side, Atkinson is excellent and Hartley looked very good (and very large) yesterday. Could Dingwall move to 13 and partner one of those?

Dingwall is a rare bird that can and does play both inside and outside centre for Saints, and mixes it up in the same game. So yes- he's probably a better defender at 13 than 12 as well.

I think Northmore could be developed too. Maasi-White still needs some coaching.

I don't see what people see in Northmore - looks bang average in all facets and, while he does pull out something excellent, he complements it with regular basic errors.

Woodward and Waghorn are also going to be in the conversation for the summer, although I'd rate them a distance behind SAtkinson.

What would be people's opinions on trying IFW at 13 in the summer (assuming no Freeman/Lawrence)? Played there when he was at Wasps, he's not the kind of winger that needs the wide-open spaces to be effective, and I'd certainly be keen on getting the ball in his hands as often as possible.

Puja

Was about to ask if IFW ever actually played for Wasps, let alone 13 for Wasps? But I see EP has said he’s only ever played wing in senior games.

My memories of Wasps are fading sadly and google’s as much use as nowt.

[Puja]

Dingwall is a rare bird that can and does play both inside and outside centre for Saints, and mixes it up in the same game. So yes- he's probably a better defender at 13 than 12 as well.

I think Northmore could be developed too. Maasi-White still needs some coaching.

I don't see what people see in Northmore - looks bang average in all facets and, while he does pull out something excellent, he complements it with regular basic errors.

Woodward and Waghorn are also going to be in the conversation for the summer, although I'd rate them a distance behind SAtkinson.

What would be people's opinions on trying IFW at 13 in the summer (assuming no Freeman/Lawrence)? Played there when he was at Wasps, he's not the kind of winger that needs the wide-open spaces to be effective, and I'd certainly be keen on getting the ball in his hands as often as possible.

Puja

Was about to ask if IFW ever actually played for Wasps, let alone 13 for Wasps? But I see EP has said he’s only ever played wing in senior games.

My memories of Wasps are fading sadly and google’s as much use as nowt.

Definitely had a game in the Prem Cup at centre - I remember getting quite excited and then the commentary told me he was Welsh and I decided I didn't ever think he was that good anyway.

ETA. That's not me contradicting EP, btw - Prem Cup doesn't really count.

Puja

[fivepointer]

I'd be surprised if IFW played anywhere this summer given his long lay off.

We dont know if Ojomoh has been ruled out so I remain hopeful. Add in Dingwall, Beard and Atkinson and I think we have quite a nice balance. There is always the option of going back to Slade or possibly Lozowski if we're really short.

[Danno]

I'd be surprised if IFW played anywhere this summer given his long lay off.

There is always the option of going back to Slade if we're really short.

I'm quite short. Can we not.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I'd be surprised if IFW played anywhere this summer given his long lay off.

We dont know if Ojomoh has been ruled out so I remain hopeful. Add in Dingwall, Beard and Atkinson and I think we have quite a nice balance. There is always the option of going back to Slade or possibly Lozowski if we're really short.

Lozowski has done his achilles

[Scrumhead]

Didn’t know that. Shame for him but the upside should be more game time for Hartley.

[Mellsblue]

Does IFW have the hands for 13. Can’t ever remember seeing him throw a pass! Tbf, he normally doesn’t have to!!

[Epaminondas Pules]

Does IFW have the hands for 13. Can’t ever remember seeing him throw a pass! Tbf, he normally doesn’t have to!!

Reiko Ioane has made a successfuk career despite his truly dreadful hands.

[Puja]

Thinking of wingers, I 'd be interested in seeing Radwan go on tour. He's always been dangerous with his lightning pace, but he's (unsurprisingly) looked a better all-round player surrounded by higher class at Leicester. I've been especially impressed with how Leicester have used him as a weapon off attacking kicks - his pace means he turns any kick into space into a danger situation and he very rarely misses the first up tackle because, where other players would be sprinting and vulnerable to a step, he's idling and can track any outside arc you care to make. Not that I want to encourage KADABing, but he's added another really viable option for Leicester in attack and it'll soon start making space in the midfield as sides have to cover more space to defend him.

Puja

[FKAS]

Thinking of wingers, I 'd be interested in seeing Radwan go on tour. He's always been dangerous with his lightning pace, but he's (unsurprisingly) looked a better all-round player surrounded by higher class at Leicester. I've been especially impressed with how Leicester have used him as a weapon off attacking kicks - his pace means he turns any kick into space into a danger situation and he very rarely misses the first up tackle because, where other players would be sprinting and vulnerable to a step, he's idling and can track any outside arc you care to make. Not that I want to encourage KADABing, but he's added another really viable option for Leicester in attack and it'll soon start making space in the midfield as sides have to cover more space to defend him.

Puja

Radwan and OHC have become a really good wing combination. OHC has become a good kick chase option and similarly decent at applying pressure on those kicks. Radwan's outright pace as you say really opens up the opportunity to kick long, find grass and leave the opposition defence scrambling on the turn.

[Mikey Brown]

Thinking of wingers, I 'd be interested in seeing Radwan go on tour. He's always been dangerous with his lightning pace, but he's (unsurprisingly) looked a better all-round player surrounded by higher class at Leicester. I've been especially impressed with how Leicester have used him as a weapon off attacking kicks - his pace means he turns any kick into space into a danger situation and he very rarely misses the first up tackle because, where other players would be sprinting and vulnerable to a step, he's idling and can track any outside arc you care to make. Not that I want to encourage KADABing, but he's added another really viable option for Leicester in attack and it'll soon start making space in the midfield as sides have to cover more space to defend him.

Puja

Radwan and OHC have become a really good wing combination. OHC has become a good kick chase option and similarly decent at applying pressure on those kicks. Radwan's outright pace as you say really opens up the opportunity to kick long, find grass and leave the opposition defence scrambling on the turn.

It’s quite the upgrade from about a season ago where one game you had Brown and maybe Kata (?) on the other wing.

But yes, great in terms of England depth for those two to be kicking on.

If you could realistically field a team of only backrows and wingers we’d be in pretty good shape.

[Banquo]

Thinking of wingers, I 'd be interested in seeing Radwan go on tour. He's always been dangerous with his lightning pace, but he's (unsurprisingly) looked a better all-round player surrounded by higher class at Leicester. I've been especially impressed with how Leicester have used him as a weapon off attacking kicks - his pace means he turns any kick into space into a danger situation and he very rarely misses the first up tackle because, where other players would be sprinting and vulnerable to a step, he's idling and can track any outside arc you care to make. Not that I want to encourage KADABing, but he's added another really viable option for Leicester in attack and it'll soon start making space in the midfield as sides have to cover more space to defend him.

Puja

Radwan and OHC have become a really good wing combination. OHC has become a good kick chase option and similarly decent at applying pressure on those kicks. Radwan's outright pace as you say really opens up the opportunity to kick long, find grass and leave the opposition defence scrambling on the turn.

anything to say about what they can do with the ball, like run really well

[FKAS]

Thinking of wingers, I 'd be interested in seeing Radwan go on tour. He's always been dangerous with his lightning pace, but he's (unsurprisingly) looked a better all-round player surrounded by higher class at Leicester. I've been especially impressed with how Leicester have used him as a weapon off attacking kicks - his pace means he turns any kick into space into a danger situation and he very rarely misses the first up tackle because, where other players would be sprinting and vulnerable to a step, he's idling and can track any outside arc you care to make. Not that I want to encourage KADABing, but he's added another really viable option for Leicester in attack and it'll soon start making space in the midfield as sides have to cover more space to defend him.

Puja

Radwan and OHC have become a really good wing combination. OHC has become a good kick chase option and similarly decent at applying pressure on those kicks. Radwan's outright pace as you say really opens up the opportunity to kick long, find grass and leave the opposition defence scrambling on the turn.

anything to say about what they can do with the ball, like run really well

Well they've both always been good at that, it was questions around the other stuff holding them back. OHC has 13 tries in 20 appearances this season and Radwan 4 in 6 since joining Tigers.

[Banquo]

Radwan and OHC have become a really good wing combination. OHC has become a good kick chase option and similarly decent at applying pressure on those kicks. Radwan's outright pace as you say really opens up the opportunity to kick long, find grass and leave the opposition defence scrambling on the turn.

anything to say about what they can do with the ball, like run really well

it was questions around the other stuff holding them back.

was it?
I was just mildly ribbing, as you seem a bit of a kicking addict

[Danno]

In related news FKAS is a Tigers fan

[FKAS]

anything to say about what they can do with the ball, like run really well

it was questions around the other stuff holding them back.

was it?
I was just mildly ribbing, as you seem a bit of a kicking addict

I appreciate a good bit of tactical play as well as good attacking rugby.

[Banquo]

it was questions around the other stuff holding them back.

was it?
I was just mildly ribbing, as you seem a bit of a kicking addict

I appreciate a good bit of tactical play as well as good attacking rugby.

masterly understatement

[Banquo]

In related news FKAS is a Tigers fan

harsh but fair

[Danno]

[twitchy]

Bath’s Lee Blackett and Sale Sharks’s Byron McGuigan will join Steve Borthwick’s coaching ticket for England’s tour to Argentina and the United States, Telegraph Sport can reveal.

With senior coach Richard Wigglesworth joining the Lions coaching team for the tour to Australia, Borthwick has brought in two of the Premiership’s highest-rated coaches. Blackett, 42, is the attack coach of Premiership leaders Bath, who boast the league’s most potent attack having plundered 83 tries and 568 points. He seems likely to take over from Wigglesworth during his secondment with the Lions.

McGuigan, meanwhile, was only appointed as Sale’s defence coach in November but the 35-year-old has quickly established a reputation as one of the brightest minds in the English game. On Friday night, Sale’s defence limited fellow play-off chasers Saracens to a single try in their 25-7 victory at the AJ Bell Stadium. Afterwards, Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall was full of praise for Sale’s stifling defensive performance.

It is not clear what role McGuigan, who won 10 caps for Scotland as a winger, will perform with defence coach Joe El-Abd expected to go on the tour. England face Argentina in Buenos Aires on July 5 followed by a second Test against the Pumas in San Juan on July 12 before travelling to Washington to face the United States on July 19.



England are expected to be missing a large contingent of players on the Lions tour, which will provide opportunities for younger players to stake through. In the corresponding tour eight years ago, flanker Tom Curry made his Test debut.

Yet as much as the tour represents a chance for England to build their playing depth, it also provides an opportunity to expose the next generation of coaches to Test rugby. Conor O’Shea, the Rugby Football Union’s executive director of performance rugby, has been a driving force in providing more opportunities to young English coaches through the return of the England A team.

Blackett took charge of England A’s 28-12 victory over their Irish counterparts in February with the likes of Joe Carpenter, Curtis Langdon and Jack Kenningham among the players who featured in that match who may get an opportunity in the Americas.

Blackett was previously head coach of Rotherham and Wasps before they went into administration in 2022 and after a brief spell as backs coach at the Scarlets joined Bath as attack coach. In his first season, Bath reached the Premiership final and now look to go one better with Blackett forming a close relationship with fly-half Finn Russell.




England are expected to be missing a large contingent of players on the Lions tour, which will provide opportunities for younger players to stake through. In the corresponding tour eight years ago, flanker Tom Curry made his Test debut.

Yet as much as the tour represents a chance for England to build their playing depth, it also provides an opportunity to expose the next generation of coaches to Test rugby. Conor O’Shea, the Rugby Football Union’s executive director of performance rugby, has been a driving force in providing more opportunities to young English coaches through the return of the England A team.

Blackett took charge of England A’s 28-12 victory over their Irish counterparts in February with the likes of Joe Carpenter, Curtis Langdon and Jack Kenningham among the players who featured in that match who may get an opportunity in the Americas.

Blackett was previously head coach of Rotherham and Wasps before they went into administration in 2022 and after a brief spell as backs coach at the Scarlets joined Bath as attack coach. In his first season, Bath reached the Premiership final and now look to go one better with Blackett forming a close relationship with fly-half Finn Russell.

[twitchy]

Some coaching appointments are met with indifference. Occasionally, there is weariness or even hostility. These ones, for what is set to be a hugely intriguing and potentially significant tour for England, are bound to be extremely popular. Supporters may already be wondering whether Lee Blackett and Byron McGuigan can stay beyond the summer.

As two of the most highly respected coaches around the Premiership at the moment, they have been rewarded by Steve Borthwick at an opportune moment.

Promoting talented club coaches is a constructive policy and there is a neat sense of alignment at play, too. Blackett conducted England A’s attack for the win over Australia in November before overseeing the second string as head coach for the 28-12 defeat of Ireland in February at Ashton Gate. Despite wet conditions, the hosts exuded ambition and even unfurled a trick play or two.

An intrepid and largely accurate performance was an endorsement of Blackett. And while Finn Russell is Bath’s on-field general, they have progressed impressively as a collective this term. Tom Carr-Smith, Ciaran Donoghue and Will Butt are three young backs to have enjoyed breakthrough campaigns at senior level. Max Ojomoh and Will Muir have continued to excel, while Tom de Glanville has found another level. Bath, the Premiership Cup victors bidding for two more trophies, are up to 83 league tries. Bristol Bears are next, on 76.

Wigglesworth has perhaps not received due credit for his influence on England’s attack. They finished the Six Nations with 25 tries and have scored 14 across their four most recent meetings with France and Ireland, two stout opponents. But in the absence of Wigglesworth, who will head to Australia with the British and Irish Lions as one of Andy Farrell’s assistants, the affable Blackett will roll his sleeves up and offer a different perspective.

However McGuigan dovetails with Joe El-Abd, he can be expected to inject a degree of aggression into the defence. Having bailed on the blitz in the wake of Felix Jones’s departure and an iffy autumn, England prioritised connections over line speed during the Six Nations. In layman’s terms, they drifted from in to out more than they bolted from out to in.

Sale are not reckless with their line speed, but they certainly press hard and aim to hit carriers backwards. One might call their approach a slightly tempered blitz. At their best, they marry bristling energy with sharp decisions around the breakdown. Whether or not they compete on the floor, they work hard to keep bodies on their feet and maintain as much width as possible in the front line. Against Saracens, their back three – Arron Reed, Joe Carpenter and Tom Roebuck – epitomised their collective defensive desire with big moments out wide.

Next week, when Farrell unveils his Lions squad, will bring a clearer picture of which players will be in the shake-up for England’s trip to Argentina and the USA. Winning a two-Test series against the Pumas, who can beat anyone on the planet, would be a huge achievement for what will be a young side. But bringing in Blackett and McGuigan should give them every chance.

[Puja]

Tremendous news - more experience for two young and rated coaches in Blackett and McGuigan, and two outside perspectives for Sits Byhimself to bounce ideas off and liaise with. Sale and Bath will be thrilled with their coaches getting a development opportunity as well, so everyone's happy.

Puja

[fivepointer]

excellent appointments.