Moderator: Puja
Very much so.Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 4:14 pm Linegar racking up a total of 14 minutes over two matches so far for Bath.
Would definitely have preferred him to be playing U20s
If club commitments complicate Six Nations participation for Ollie Davies and Linegar then hopefully they'll avoid injury and be fully available for the summer. Unlike Gorleku I believe this is their last year at international age level.Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 7:10 am Considering we played most of the game without the ball, made almost 200 tackles and still over 400 metres ball in hand. There are some personnel I would change. Can’t do much at tighthead with Streeter out. Hopefully he’s OK after return to play protocols for the next game. Ainsworth-Cave needs a rocket. Well, move Hogg to 6 if you desperately need a lineout presence; or pick Tate Williams, or move George Marsh to 6. That was a very good Scottish pack mind. The best they’ve had at this age group for a good while!
The backs looked better balanced with a more dynamic 10 and a more natural 12 at 12. It is difficult as we’ve got a glut of 13s, so I get why they want to play more of them, but the balance with Davidson was all wrong. Keylock is more of a versatile back who will likely end up in the centres or fullback, but even then was way better than Davidson last week. Different conditions, but he’s a threat whilst Davidson isn’t really. That’s not his game.
It is getting better, but I still think the coaching setup is not right. I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face but England rugby rewards loyalty not ability in coaching. Mappetoft, Titterall, O’Shea all yes men. None of them are bad coaches, but if I compared them to say Fletch or Walts and it’s not even a contest. At this age you need the Fletch type coach, unless you want to build more robotic / stick to the plan players. Hence the inability to adapt when shits not working!
Seems Gorleku and Linegar are wanted by the clubs and England are obliging. Hopefully Davies comes in. Though he’ll probably be wanted by Sale if there’s Prem Cup games to be played.
Son of John Dalziel apparently. Good timing if he ends up taking over from Finn Russell.FKAS wrote: ↑Fri Feb 13, 2026 8:37 pmThey certainly have but we've also for some real passengers this year. Watching the 6 give the most moronic of offside penalties as I type that.Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Fri Feb 13, 2026 8:29 pm Though you have to credit the Scotland pack. They’ve got a bloody good pack this year!
The Scottish 10 at what? 17 looks like he's going to be a serious player in the future.
I expect it'll be working with England to determine which route is best for both at this time, with Gorleku having another year they probably agreed to retain Gorleku and let Staples do U20sSlater582 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 17, 2026 8:04 pm Tonga'uiha seems a bit like another England U20 prop from a couple of years ago, Tim Hoyt. Big lads but underwhelming in terms of impact. Perhaps they'll come good when they get into their prime.
Scotland tighthead with the double-barrelled surname looked really promising though.
If club commitments complicate Six Nations participation for Ollie Davies and Linegar then hopefully they'll avoid injury and be fully available for the summer. Unlike Gorleku I believe this is their last year at international age level.Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 7:10 am Considering we played most of the game without the ball, made almost 200 tackles and still over 400 metres ball in hand. There are some personnel I would change. Can’t do much at tighthead with Streeter out. Hopefully he’s OK after return to play protocols for the next game. Ainsworth-Cave needs a rocket. Well, move Hogg to 6 if you desperately need a lineout presence; or pick Tate Williams, or move George Marsh to 6. That was a very good Scottish pack mind. The best they’ve had at this age group for a good while!
The backs looked better balanced with a more dynamic 10 and a more natural 12 at 12. It is difficult as we’ve got a glut of 13s, so I get why they want to play more of them, but the balance with Davidson was all wrong. Keylock is more of a versatile back who will likely end up in the centres or fullback, but even then was way better than Davidson last week. Different conditions, but he’s a threat whilst Davidson isn’t really. That’s not his game.
It is getting better, but I still think the coaching setup is not right. I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face but England rugby rewards loyalty not ability in coaching. Mappetoft, Titterall, O’Shea all yes men. None of them are bad coaches, but if I compared them to say Fletch or Walts and it’s not even a contest. At this age you need the Fletch type coach, unless you want to build more robotic / stick to the plan players. Hence the inability to adapt when shits not working!
Seems Gorleku and Linegar are wanted by the clubs and England are obliging. Hopefully Davies comes in. Though he’ll probably be wanted by Sale if there’s Prem Cup games to be played.
Does Harlequins retaining Gorleku but releasing Staples mean they rate the former (who is actually younger according to Quins website) more highly? Also wonder if the emergence of this duo contributed to Jibulu departing.
Son of John Dalziel apparently. Good timing if he ends up taking over from Finn Russell.FKAS wrote: ↑Fri Feb 13, 2026 8:37 pmThey certainly have but we've also for some real passengers this year. Watching the 6 give the most moronic of offside penalties as I type that.Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Fri Feb 13, 2026 8:29 pm Though you have to credit the Scotland pack. They’ve got a bloody good pack this year!
The Scottish 10 at what? 17 looks like he's going to be a serious player in the future.
And to prove me a liar they’re both in this weekEpaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Wed Feb 18, 2026 9:03 amI expect it'll be working with England to determine which route is best for both at this time, with Gorleku having another year they probably agreed to retain Gorleku and let Staples do U20sSlater582 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 17, 2026 8:04 pm Tonga'uiha seems a bit like another England U20 prop from a couple of years ago, Tim Hoyt. Big lads but underwhelming in terms of impact. Perhaps they'll come good when they get into their prime.
Scotland tighthead with the double-barrelled surname looked really promising though.
If club commitments complicate Six Nations participation for Ollie Davies and Linegar then hopefully they'll avoid injury and be fully available for the summer. Unlike Gorleku I believe this is their last year at international age level.Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 7:10 am Considering we played most of the game without the ball, made almost 200 tackles and still over 400 metres ball in hand. There are some personnel I would change. Can’t do much at tighthead with Streeter out. Hopefully he’s OK after return to play protocols for the next game. Ainsworth-Cave needs a rocket. Well, move Hogg to 6 if you desperately need a lineout presence; or pick Tate Williams, or move George Marsh to 6. That was a very good Scottish pack mind. The best they’ve had at this age group for a good while!
The backs looked better balanced with a more dynamic 10 and a more natural 12 at 12. It is difficult as we’ve got a glut of 13s, so I get why they want to play more of them, but the balance with Davidson was all wrong. Keylock is more of a versatile back who will likely end up in the centres or fullback, but even then was way better than Davidson last week. Different conditions, but he’s a threat whilst Davidson isn’t really. That’s not his game.
It is getting better, but I still think the coaching setup is not right. I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face but England rugby rewards loyalty not ability in coaching. Mappetoft, Titterall, O’Shea all yes men. None of them are bad coaches, but if I compared them to say Fletch or Walts and it’s not even a contest. At this age you need the Fletch type coach, unless you want to build more robotic / stick to the plan players. Hence the inability to adapt when shits not working!
Seems Gorleku and Linegar are wanted by the clubs and England are obliging. Hopefully Davies comes in. Though he’ll probably be wanted by Sale if there’s Prem Cup games to be played.
Does Harlequins retaining Gorleku but releasing Staples mean they rate the former (who is actually younger according to Quins website) more highly? Also wonder if the emergence of this duo contributed to Jibulu departing.
Son of John Dalziel apparently. Good timing if he ends up taking over from Finn Russell.
We looked alright first half. Second half we've been pretty shite.charlesdeboeuf wrote: ↑Fri Feb 20, 2026 9:15 pm Honestly don’t know why I subject myself to watching the u20s. So so frustrating to watch.
To be fair, the maverick who has done well is Rassie, obviously. I think most successful coaches are pretty structure focused. But Spreadsheet Bisector takes it to another level, and our U20s look pretty clueless.Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Fri Feb 20, 2026 9:32 pmBecause, in the same way with players, we shun mavericks! We actively promote people who follow the plan!
Not sure what Redman does to justify his presence, ditto Mapletoft even Titterell.Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Fri Feb 20, 2026 9:32 pmBecause, in the same way with players, we shun mavericks! We actively promote people who follow the plan!
We did and now it makes me almost cry with anger at the utter shit we promote as elite coaches! It is a complete tower of incompetent yes men!Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Feb 20, 2026 9:41 pmNot sure what Redman does to justify his presence, ditto Mapletoft even Titterell.Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Fri Feb 20, 2026 9:32 pmBecause, in the same way with players, we shun mavericks! We actively promote people who follow the plan!
To think 10 years or so ago we had the best coaches for developing the young uns