RugbyRebels

Papers seem to think it's just a 33 man squad being announced tomorrow, so not an EPS as such. I did read a little while ago that Eddie has an EPS that he's working from but it's not being announced publically this season for some reason...don't know how true that is....presumably the players and clubs will know who's in it.

And also seems like it'll be a full strength squad announced tomorrow, all Lions players (those that make the cut anyway) etc

Timbo wrote:, all Lions players (those that make the cut anyway) etc

Uh-huh.

So it's seriously just 2 or 3 weeks rest (or none in the case of Itoje?) that the Lions guys get?

I really feel like we could have done with another look at some of the fringe guys too. Hopefully he's not going to be too conservative here.

As long as it doesn't effect his studies or until it does.......then I'd imagine that Maro is more than capable of saying when he's cooked.

Mikey Brown wrote:So it's seriously just 2 or 3 weeks rest (or none in the case of Itoje?) that the Lions guys get?

I really feel like we could have done with another look at some of the fringe guys too. Hopefully he's not going to be too conservative here.

Me too. These AIs feel like an ideal opportunity to keep experimenting and give our Lions tourist a rest.

Scrumhead wrote:

Mikey Brown wrote:So it's seriously just 2 or 3 weeks rest (or none in the case of Itoje?) that the Lions guys get?

I really feel like we could have done with another look at some of the fringe guys too. Hopefully he's not going to be too conservative here.

Me too. These AIs feel like an ideal opportunity to keep experimenting and give our Lions tourist a rest.

Yeah. Launch' will sort it out, regardless.

Some have responsibility thrust upon them,.....some take it anyway.

Digby wrote:You might think the likes of Underhill or Simmonds an upgrade on Haskell at 7 but I've no idea on what basis you'd think they'd be less of a square peg in a round hole.

You could be right in the sense that Underhill looks to be defensively focussed and it's early days to judge what he's like in attack in the openside role. For Simmonds it's almost the reverse case in that he's demonstrated great attacking skills (albeit from the No.8 berth) but would he be able to incoporate 'fetching' skills to his repertoire and accomplish what some (though not myself) thought Clifford (arguably Simmonds' nearest like for like Premiership counterpart) didn't manage when picked by Eddie at 7?

However what I am clear about is Haskell isn't notably a fetcher nor does he have any form of openside attacking skills in his repertoire - not really surprising given it's not his natural position by instinct, skills or physique - but I go back to my other point that Haskell has the experience and skillset to be a good 6 option to back up Robshaw certainly on a par with Wilson and ahead of Lawtoje.

I have no doubt that Sam is capable of some decent fetching that would make me drool.
Looks like he's just doing the Wurzle routine ATM. Bloody English rugby.

Mikey Brown wrote:So it's seriously just 2 or 3 weeks rest (or none in the case of Itoje?) that the Lions guys get?

I really feel like we could have done with another look at some of the fringe guys too. Hopefully he's not going to be too conservative here.

Lion s guys have all been playing for their clubs, so no rest at all really

Banquo wrote:

Mikey Brown wrote:So it's seriously just 2 or 3 weeks rest (or none in the case of Itoje?) that the Lions guys get?

I really feel like we could have done with another look at some of the fringe guys too. Hopefully he's not going to be too conservative here.

Lion s guys have all been playing for their clubs, so no rest at all really

With hindsight Eddie should have maybe held off telling the clubs he'd rest their Lions players during the AIs

Digby wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Mikey Brown wrote:So it's seriously just 2 or 3 weeks rest (or none in the case of Itoje?) that the Lions guys get?

I really feel like we could have done with another look at some of the fringe guys too. Hopefully he's not going to be too conservative here.

Lion s guys have all been playing for their clubs, so no rest at all really

With hindsight Eddie should have maybe held off telling the clubs he'd rest their Lions players during the AIs

Exactly. Would any of them be happy with being left out?

I'm going to shift the EPS posts into the EPS thread if that's okay with everyone, as we're having parallel conversations.

Puja