RugbyRebels

richy678 wrote:It's prity clear Manu has totally shat his nest with EJ - as he prefers to pick Teo in the strong centre role, even though Teo is not possibly quite all there fitness wise.

Not sure I agree with that - Tuilagi's only had three games back after having been injured for about 2 years, so he's hardly fit himself. I wouldn't say not picking Manu is any kind of big statement; I'd be more inclined to see the opposite as true.

Our back three looks very threadbare if Brown doesn't make it. Solomona as a possible starter on the wing - Jesus! It was bad enough when he was scoring tries for fun for Sale, but now even that's dried up. Still, at least he's increased his connection to this country by 33% since his last cap, so that's nice.

Puja

Puja wrote:

Which Tyler wrote:

p/d wrote: Seconded. Though our 14 co-captains might feel this somewhat devalues their roles

FTFY

Might I suggest a lack of applauding the opponent who's given away a penalty, or otherwise rubbing their nose in it. Even for our Saracens contingent.

I feel a valuable opportunity was missed recently to keep Itoje's jaw wired shut permanently so he wouldn't keep shouting at people on the pitch.

Puja

There is no wire strong enough.

Puja wrote:

richy678 wrote:It's prity clear Manu has totally shat his nest with EJ - as he prefers to pick Teo in the strong centre role, even though Teo is not possibly quite all there fitness wise.

Not sure I agree with that - Tuilagi's only had three games back after having been injured for about 2 years, so he's hardly fit himself. I wouldn't say not picking Manu is any kind of big statement; I'd be more inclined to see the opposite as true.

Our back three looks very threadbare if Brown doesn't make it. Solomona as a possible starter on the wing - Jesus! It was bad enough when he was scoring tries for fun for Sale, but now even that's dried up. Still, at least he's increased his connection to this country by 33% since his last cap, so that's nice.

Puja

This. Didn’t Eddie specifically say something along the lines of ‘we want Manu to stay at his club and focus on getting himself fit’ or something along those lines?

If he can stay for until the end of the season and can build some kind of form, I’m sure he’ll go to SA.

I want to see a fully fit first string side competing aggressively, and hopefully dominating the competition.

Because I don't want any excuses when the All Blacks hammer you.

No, seriously, I think England are overdue for a really strong 6 nations comp from beginning to end and I hope you can get over the injury woes and put it all together. England under EJ have been one of the more attractive sides to watch in recent times and long may that continue. When you compare the last 12 to 24 months to what went before ... well, you'd have to be a lot happier.

Smash the Irish, humiliate the Scots, embarrass the Welsh, and give the French a good drubbing, with a warm-up on the Italians. That's what I like.

I want to see James Haskell running face-first into the post, but this time with an even better camera angle (and body angle for that matter)

Mellsblue wrote:a) Dominate/control games without Billy
b) Get the best out of Ford
c) Have Ireland beaten by halftime

This!!

Puja wrote:

richy678 wrote:It's prity clear Manu has totally shat his nest with EJ - as he prefers to pick Teo in the strong centre role, even though Teo is not possibly quite all there fitness wise.

Not sure I agree with that - Tuilagi's only had three games back after having been injured for about 2 years, so he's hardly fit himself. I wouldn't say not picking Manu is any kind of big statement; I'd be more inclined to see the opposite as true.

Our back three looks very threadbare if Brown doesn't make it. Solomona as a possible starter on the wing - Jesus! It was bad enough when he was scoring tries for fun for Sale, but now even that's dried up. Still, at least he's increased his connection to this country by 33% since his last cap, so that's nice.

Puja

I understand he packed down at 8 last week for tigers?

The boy has been in and out of fitness. He got a chance for EJ and then f##ked it over by by going out on the piss, with a younger more impressionable player.

I do, however, accept that a fit, functioning, Manu, with all his faculties razor sharp would get back into the team.

Great player when fit - but his style of play seems to be more EJ's backrow mode

richy678 wrote:

Puja wrote:

richy678 wrote:It's prity clear Manu has totally shat his nest with EJ - as he prefers to pick Teo in the strong centre role, even though Teo is not possibly quite all there fitness wise.

Not sure I agree with that - Tuilagi's only had three games back after having been injured for about 2 years, so he's hardly fit himself. I wouldn't say not picking Manu is any kind of big statement; I'd be more inclined to see the opposite as true.

Our back three looks very threadbare if Brown doesn't make it. Solomona as a possible starter on the wing - Jesus! It was bad enough when he was scoring tries for fun for Sale, but now even that's dried up. Still, at least he's increased his connection to this country by 33% since his last cap, so that's nice.

Puja

I understand he packed down at 8 last week for tigers?

The boy has been in and out of fitness. He got a chance for EJ and then f##ked it over by by going out on the piss, with a younger more impressionable player.

I do, however, accept that a fit, functioning, Manu, with all his faculties razor sharp would get back into the team.

Great player when fit - but his style of play seems to be more EJ's backrow mode

Wrong Tuilagi - that was Fred Jnr. Manu's never played back row, which is a shame, because I think he'd've made a hell of an openside.

Manu's not really been in fitness to be in and out of it. He's had 8 starts in the last 2 seasons for Leicester and is only three games back into this comeback. He should be nowhere near England contention until he's got a good run of games under his belt and has got some semblance of match-fitness.

Puja

I am a bit worried that Robshaw (as under Burt’s regime) is being flogged out like a pit pony. There seems to have been little succession planning to cover 6 and Lawtoje looks a poor backup - the chance to field a lineout jumping 6 like Armand or Gibson would appear to be a more compelling strategy/solution perhaps?

jngf wrote:I am a bit worried that Robshaw (as under Burt’s regime) is being flogged out like a pit pony. There seems to have been little succession planning to cover 6 and Lawtoje looks a poor backup - the chance to field a lineout jumping 6 like Armand or Gibson would appear to be a more compelling strategy/solution perhaps?

The armand situation is completely bizarre but looking long term it seems that brad shields will be replacing the hask at wasps and will probably come straight into the england side if it all pans out.

From what I can gather he is a very physical back rower with limited handling (so an almost like for like hask replacement).

twitchy wrote:

jngf wrote:I am a bit worried that Robshaw (as under Burt’s regime) is being flogged out like a pit pony. There seems to have been little succession planning to cover 6 and Lawtoje looks a poor backup - the chance to field a lineout jumping 6 like Armand or Gibson would appear to be a more compelling strategy/solution perhaps?

The armand situation is completely bizarre but looking long term it seems that brad shields will be replacing the hask at wasps and will probably come straight into the england side if it all pans out.

From what I can gather he is a very physical back rower with limited handling (so an almost like for like hask replacement).

With a pedigree like that he may well end up being Eddie’s next openside

Shields handling is a decent enough that the AB’s were wanting to pick him a couple of months ago.

Shields may or may not become an England player but Eddie has a perfect like for like replacement available to him now in Mark Wilson.
His omission after his excellent 1st test performance in Argentina is utterly inexplicable - and terribly unfair.

Timbo wrote:Shields handling is a decent enough that the AB’s were wanting to pick him a couple of months ago.

...on the other hand, if he thought he’d be a starting AB, would he come here?
As I’ve said before, he’s a good physical player, but from the games I’ve seen doesn’t offer much in link play. And that might be fine; we are hardly blessed with good handlers on the flanks, nor does Eddie seem bothered enough to find them.

Banquo wrote:

Timbo wrote:Shields handling is a decent enough that the AB’s were wanting to pick him a couple of months ago.

...on the other hand, if he thought he’d be a starting AB, would he come here?
As I’ve said before, he’s a good physical player, but from the games I’ve seen doesn’t offer much in link play. And that might be fine; we are hardly blessed with good handlers on the flanks, nor does Eddie seem bothered enough to find them.

I remember Brendon O’Connor being a certain England player before he arrived..,,.

Mellsblue wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Timbo wrote:Shields handling is a decent enough that the AB’s were wanting to pick him a couple of months ago.

...on the other hand, if he thought he’d be a starting AB, would he come here?
As I’ve said before, he’s a good physical player, but from the games I’ve seen doesn’t offer much in link play. And that might be fine; we are hardly blessed with good handlers on the flanks, nor does Eddie seem bothered enough to find them.

I remember Brendon O’Connor being a certain England player before he arrived..,,.

Weirder still I can remember people watching him after he arrived and touting him

Please tell me England are not seriously considering shoe horning another recent mercenary import into the national side.

morepork wrote:Please tell me England are not seriously considering shoe horning another recent mercenary import into the national side.

Unfortunately it’s just Eddies slight obsession with matching the AB’s....they’ve got an import at 6 in Fifita, now Eddie wants an import at 6...

Eddie may be approaching his shelf life.

morepork wrote:Eddie may be approaching his shelf life.

Silly comment.

rowan wrote:

morepork wrote:Eddie may be approaching his shelf life.

Silly comment.

Why? Look at his history with Oz, the Brumbies and the Reds. He explodes out of the box, plateaus, then drops. He has some oddly stubborn selection patterns with this England team already.

fivepointer wrote:Shields may or may not become an England player but Eddie has a perfect like for like replacement available to him now in Mark Wilson.
His omission after his excellent 1st test performance in Argentina is utterly inexplicable - and terribly unfair.

100% agree

Decided what I want to see. I want to see Farrell as more of an individual attacking threat.

Raggs wrote:Decided what I want to see. I want to see Farrell as more of an individual attacking threat.

You should take this material on tour

Raggs wrote:Decided what I want to see. I want to see Farrell as more of an individual attacking threat.

it would make a huge difference to Ford doing the same