EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Stom]

When is the EPS announced?

[Puja]

Huh. That article changed between me reading it and putting it on here. This is what the headline used to look like:


Screenshot_20230115_092142_Chrome.jpg


Hopefully the edit means that the Telegraph got their facts wrong?

Puja

Love Jonny May looking straight at the camera.

Hadn't even noticed that! Was too entranced by the incredible leadership of Farrell in the centre.

When is the EPS announced?

Monday morning, I believe.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Underhill off with an HIA - not in a tackle, "just" headbutting the ground trying to secure a lose ball

[16th man]

Underhill off with an HIA - not in a tackle, "just" headbutting the ground trying to secure a lose ball

Part of you has to admire the commitment, even whilst the rest of you wonders how he has the coordination and spatial awareness to be an international athlete.

[Puja]

Huh. That article changed between me reading it and putting it on here. This is what the headline used to look like:


Screenshot_20230115_092142_Chrome.jpg


Hopefully the edit means that the Telegraph got their facts wrong?

Sadly, the article is now back in the above format. Looks like they've recovered their confidence in the story.

Puja

[Timbo]

Underhill off with an HIA - not in a tackle, "just" headbutting the ground trying to secure a lose ball

Van Graan saying it was a neck injury and not concussion related. Unsure on the severity.

[Puja]

BBC reporting that Slade's nonsense red card from the weekend has been overruled and he is available to play.

Puja

[FKAS]

BBC reporting that Slade's nonsense red card from the weekend has been overruled and he is available to play.

Puja

Common sense prevailing. Unusual from the disciplinary committees.

[Mellsblue]

BBC reporting that Slade's nonsense red card from the weekend has been overruled and he is available to play.

Puja

Common sense prevailing. Unusual from the disciplinary committees.

Is this true or do they mostly give common sense rulings based on the laws others set?

[Mikey Brown]

Murley prem stats in this Twitter thread. Not that I’m obsessed with him being a success for England or anything.

[Puja]

Murley prem stats in this Twitter thread. Not that I’m obsessed with him being a success for England or anything.

Gosh. I've always been hugely impressed by him - his finishing skills and the way he accelerates into contact to bosh off players much bigger than him - but I hadn't realised all his stats were so good. Amazed at some of those ruck numbers, considering it doesn't seem to lose him any impact elsewhere.

Puja

[twitchy]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... ment-twin/

According to Opta, their tackle statistics are close to identical. Ben averages 16.4 tackles per 80 minutes at a completion rate of 90.6 per cent, with Tom returning 17.1 at 91.9 per cent. Ben edges the jackal turnovers, with 1.4 to 1.1 per 80 minutes. No doubt Borthwick will have noted that Ben has only conceded 0.9 penalties per 80 minutes. Tom is higher, on 1.7, which hints at more frequent misjudgements. Moving onto attacking attributes, Sanderson has an explanation for why Ben has stayed at seven.

“Historically, Ben has just been a little bit better in the wider channels,” he said. “I think they’ve merged into similar players but Tom is a little bit heavier and was a little more contact-focused, which lends itself to a six coming around the corner [of a ruck] a little bit later and playing more in and around the breakdown, which frees Ben up for a wider role.

“We just play them in those positions probably because of latent perception of the kind of players they are. I’ll ask them if they want to play left and right next time, and see what they say.”

Both are skilful link-men, though Tom would now seem to be the more aggressive runner. He averages 10.1 carries per 80 minutes, racking up 41 metres each game and beating three defenders. Ben is lower by those metrics (with 7.4 carries, 22 metres and 1 beaten defender per 80 minutes in the Premiership) but averages just under eight passes to Tom’s 5.5.

Clearly, they are accomplished enough to adapt to what Sale require. Sanderson reckons that Ben could “easily” shift to blindside, for instance. And this prompts the question of what line-up England could field. Jack Willis, Ben Earl and Alex Dombrandt are in the mix before one ponders lock-hybrids such as Courtney Lawes and Ollie Chessum. Kevin Sinfield’s eyes lit up on Monday when asked about back-row selection.

[Banquo]

Very good from Sanderson. I'm sure jngf is onnit like a car bonnet

[ilovelamp]

Val RR absolutely outstanding again for Glos in Bordeaux against another monster French pack. He’s easily the outstanding player, in any position, in England right now.

Seb Atkinson also had a very strong game, makes a lot of tough yards. When he adds some subtlety to his distribution he will be some player. He’s a unit as well.

Ollie Thorley was also immense, looks like the player we saw burst on the scene all those years ago.

[fivepointer]

Val RR absolutely outstanding again for Glos in Bordeaux against another monster French pack. He’s easily the outstanding player, in any position, in England right now.

Seb Atkinson also had a very strong game, makes a lot of tough yards. When he adds some subtlety to his distribution he will be some player. He’s a unit as well.

Ollie Thorley was also immense, looks like the player we saw burst on the scene all those years ago.

Agree completely about the 3 players.
Val R-R is head and shoulders above every LHP right now. His omission from the England squad is utterly inexplicable.
Atkinson looks a tremendous acquisition. For a young lad with limited experience he is looking every inch a serious prospect.
Thorley was just terrific. Looked powerful and eager for work.
Also thought Clement put in a very tough and gritty 80 minutes of graft.
Glos overall were excellent.

[Mellsblue]

[Puja]

Ungf. Those are tasty.

Puja

[Banquo]

NIce hands, what's not to like. Presume Stevewick had to make some compromises with his 5 changes and that compromised VRR out.

[ilovelamp]

That clip includes the disgusting head on head clear out on Varney (who they targeted throughout) by their tight head. Ignored by Murphy, even though it was in plain sight, and the TMO. Unbelievably poor from the officials.

[Banquo]

That clip includes the disgusting head on head clear out on Varney (who they targeted throughout) by their tight head. Ignored by Murphy, even though it was in plain sight, and the TMO. Unbelievably poor from the officials.

There were a couple of obvious ones missed in the Exeter Castres game yesterday. The TMO's seem to be generally a bit sh*t. Its a tough gig being a ref these days, but you do wonder what the TMO's are looking at sometimes.

[ilovelamp]

That clip includes the disgusting head on head clear out on Varney (who they targeted throughout) by their tight head. Ignored by Murphy, even though it was in plain sight, and the TMO. Unbelievably poor from the officials.

There were a couple of obvious ones missed in the Exeter Castres game yesterday. The TMO's seem to be generally a bit sh*t. Its a tough gig being a ref these days, but you do wonder what the TMO's are looking at sometimes.

Hard to feel any sympathy for Murphy when he was literally looking directly at it. No idea why he didn’t call it as it was a definite red card. They had three in the bin including Jalibert, who was phenomenal for parts of the game btw, and should have had two reds.

As I said really poor officiating from the whole team.

[Timbo]

That clip includes the disgusting head on head clear out on Varney (who they targeted throughout) by their tight head. Ignored by Murphy, even though it was in plain sight, and the TMO. Unbelievably poor from the officials.

There were a couple of obvious ones missed in the Exeter Castres game yesterday. The TMO's seem to be generally a bit sh*t. Its a tough gig being a ref these days, but you do wonder what the TMO's are looking at sometimes.

Hard to feel any sympathy for Murphy when he was literally looking directly at it. No idea why he didn’t call it as it was a definite red card. They had three in the bin including Jalibert, who was phenomenal for parts of the game btw, and should have had two reds.

As I said really poor officiating from the whole team.

Even if you’re not sure on the head contact, it’s a clear as day penalty for taking the 9 as you’ll ever see.

[Banquo]

That clip includes the disgusting head on head clear out on Varney (who they targeted throughout) by their tight head. Ignored by Murphy, even though it was in plain sight, and the TMO. Unbelievably poor from the officials.

There were a couple of obvious ones missed in the Exeter Castres game yesterday. The TMO's seem to be generally a bit sh*t. Its a tough gig being a ref these days, but you do wonder what the TMO's are looking at sometimes.

Hard to feel any sympathy for Murphy when he was literally looking directly at it. No idea why he didn’t call it as it was a definite red card. They had three in the bin including Jalibert, who was phenomenal for parts of the game btw, and should have had two reds.

As I said really poor officiating from the whole team.

fair, I was really saying that in general reffing is a bit of a mare now. Not necessarily excusing them, but when the TMO's are generally so poor it makes it tougher.

[ilovelamp]

There were a couple of obvious ones missed in the Exeter Castres game yesterday. The TMO's seem to be generally a bit sh*t. Its a tough gig being a ref these days, but you do wonder what the TMO's are looking at sometimes.

Hard to feel any sympathy for Murphy when he was literally looking directly at it. No idea why he didn’t call it as it was a definite red card. They had three in the bin including Jalibert, who was phenomenal for parts of the game btw, and should have had two reds.

As I said really poor officiating from the whole team.

fair, I was really saying that in general reffing is a bit of a mare now. Not necessarily excusing them, but when the TMO's are generally so poor it makes it tougher.

Agree with that, it’s a tough gig and they are under increasing scrutiny.

[Puja]

Probably not EPS, but didn't know where else to talk about the potentially sad news about Ben Moon's injury woes: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/64403920

Really decent bloke and the only one left from Exeter's climb up the leagues, joining in ND1 and going on to play for England against NZ at a packed Twickenham. Hope he does get to come back, even if only for a last hurrah.

Puja