RugbyRebels

Stuart Barnes has suggested Earl for the 12 shirt against Ireland. Also stating that he could still scrum down in certain plays. Fantastic and innovative idea! I'd love to see England go for it

Spiffy wrote: ↑Fri Mar 01, 2024 5:23 pm Stuart Barnes has suggested Earl for the 12 shirt against Ireland. Also stating that he could still scrum down in certain plays. Fantastic and innovative idea! I'd love to see England go for it

You know, bullying is against the board rules...

Puja

Didnt Jones suggest something similar? Might be legs in it after all.

Had that idea ever seemed credible, one assumes he would not have been encouraged to bulk up.

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Mar 01, 2024 6:01 pm

Spiffy wrote: ↑Fri Mar 01, 2024 5:23 pm Stuart Barnes has suggested Earl for the 12 shirt against Ireland. Also stating that he could still scrum down in certain plays. Fantastic and innovative idea! I'd love to see England go for it

You know, bullying is against the board rules...

Puja

Would someone let Ireland know before the 9th…

Sweet baby jesus. Warburton what have you done:

‘Ollie Lawrence looks to be a much better 13, where he excels for Bath, than the 12 England are asking him to be, so, to throw in a curve-ball suggestion, could Freddie Steward eventually be converted to an inside centre, as Roberts and Jordie Barrett have been for Wales and New Zealand respectively?

The No 12 spot has been such a problem for England for so long. That was why Sam Burgess played there against us in that famous 2015 World Cup match at Twickenham. I know that there are concerns about Steward’s distribution skills, but there are also concerns about his pace and ability to turn at full back.’

He is clearly a fine international player, who is quite brilliant in the air, and he may need to think about how he can become a regular again if George Furbank takes the No 15 jersey. He would have to play there for Leicester Tigers first, of course, but I think he has the power in contact (and he could always bulk up further for that role) and his aerial skills could be used in attack.’

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/engl ... -gzlgz7fjj

In the history of the board . . . All duck when p/d reads it.

Can't see Furbank keeping the 15 shirt first and foremost. He was poor Vs Scotland and against Ireland who kick to compete way more we'll need Steward back.

It's not Steward's distribution skills that would worry me about him playing 12 either. He's not light on his feet and he's a lanky bugger, not sure he'd be able to react and get down low to make tackles on the gain line at 12.

Not sure how much he could bulk up either, he's already 16 stone. If he bulks up further the acceleration issues (no pace problem but he does need a few strides to get up to pace) is unlikely to get better. With his frame you could get him to 17 stone but I'm not sure that would help.

Sweet baby jebus. So many cunning plans. Drives home how lazy and unsophisticated a decision it was to persist with poor old Owen at 12 for so long.


Fuck it. Just splash out on another league convert. You can have a press conference with a nice buffet and an open bar. Ireland will moider a totally green (Ha!) England makeshift midfield.

Come now, come now. Let’s hear Sam out,….

Now for the back row. England pack needs to carry a luxury player…. And that is Dombrandt. For this to happen we need a wrecking ball at 6 and somebody everyone hates - plus us - at 7. Step forward CCS and Earl

Might Earl, after bulking up, no longer consider himself a flanker? It was a questionable decision by him, his club and country. I think it will make him more injury-prone in the long-term. I'd guess that SB supported it and will retain him in the 8 shirt v Ireland.

p/d wrote: ↑Fri Mar 01, 2024 10:28 pm Now for the back row. England pack needs to carry a luxury player…. And that is Dombrandt. For this to happen we need a wrecking ball at 6 and somebody everyone hates - plus us - at 7. Step forward CCS and Earl

Aye luxury players that can't keep up with the pace of lesser teams are what you want against Ireland, probably the best team in the world right now. I don't think Dombrant would make the Irish A side let alone the first team though you could say that about a number of the English backrow.

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 2:25 pm

p/d wrote: ↑Fri Mar 01, 2024 10:28 pm Now for the back row. England pack needs to carry a luxury player…. And that is Dombrandt. For this to happen we need a wrecking ball at 6 and somebody everyone hates - plus us - at 7. Step forward CCS and Earl

Aye luxury players that can't keep up with the pace of lesser teams are what you want against Ireland, probably the best team in the world right now. I don't think Dombrant would make the Irish A side let alone the first team though you could say that about a number of the English backrow.

Still find it surprising that, by this stage of his career, and given his natural attributes of size, decent speed, good hands etc, Dombrandt has not been coached into a much better player than he is. He is 26 now and not that likely to change much. His play seems to lack a bit of hard-nosed edge and dog for international rugby, and maybe his Quins-based style is too loose for England's play-by-numbers game.
In the broader picture, you'd wonder if England would fare better with a maverick or two in the team, for a bit of the unexpected. (Though I can't think of any such mavericks off the top of my head.)

I'm really looking forward to the team announcement and the game. Will SB make changes in personnel and game plan? Based on two scraped wins this 6N and the 2/5 level of recent times, does he have the courage to throw caution to the wind in a 'nothing to lose' effort? Dare he risk a thumping or must he keep it tight out of desperation?

Whichever route he takes, his reputation is on the line. The chances of winning must be about 1 in 10 but what a victory it would be. Running Ireland close could be a great turning point. Any negativity leading to a bad performance/defeat leaves a mountain to climb after the mistake-ridden effort in Scotland. I yearn to see an inspired performance. Going down fighting would be progress.

Spiffy wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 4:05 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 2:25 pm

p/d wrote: ↑Fri Mar 01, 2024 10:28 pm Now for the back row. England pack needs to carry a luxury player…. And that is Dombrandt. For this to happen we need a wrecking ball at 6 and somebody everyone hates - plus us - at 7. Step forward CCS and Earl

Aye luxury players that can't keep up with the pace of lesser teams are what you want against Ireland, probably the best team in the world right now. I don't think Dombrant would make the Irish A side let alone the first team though you could say that about a number of the English backrow.

Still find it surprising that, by this stage of his career, and given his natural attributes of size, decent speed, good hands etc, Dombrandt has not been coached into a much better player than he is. He is 26 now and not that likely to change much. His play seems to lack a bit of hard-nosed edge and dog for international rugby, and maybe his Quins-based style is too loose for England's play-by-numbers game.
In the broader picture, you'd wonder if England would fare better with a maverick or two in the team, for a bit of the unexpected. (Though I can't think of any such mavericks off the top of my head.)

To be fair do we know that Domrandt isn’t more suited to what England are trying to do. Dog is always something we want but perhaps improvement of his overall game is all we actually need.
I have no idea where he sits in SB’s plan but if players like him and Mercer are deemed dispensable then the link between forwards and backs will continue to look fractured

Spiffy wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 4:05 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 2:25 pm

p/d wrote: ↑Fri Mar 01, 2024 10:28 pm Now for the back row. England pack needs to carry a luxury player…. And that is Dombrandt. For this to happen we need a wrecking ball at 6 and somebody everyone hates - plus us - at 7. Step forward CCS and Earl

Aye luxury players that can't keep up with the pace of lesser teams are what you want against Ireland, probably the best team in the world right now. I don't think Dombrant would make the Irish A side let alone the first team though you could say that about a number of the English backrow.

Still find it surprising that, by this stage of his career, and given his natural attributes of size, decent speed, good hands etc, Dombrandt has not been coached into a much better player than he is. He is 26 now and not that likely to change much. His play seems to lack a bit of hard-nosed edge and dog for international rugby, and maybe his Quins-based style is too loose for England's play-by-numbers game.
In the broader picture, you'd wonder if England would fare better with a maverick or two in the team, for a bit of the unexpected. (Though I can't think of any such mavericks off the top of my head.)

I mean he’s improved drastically as a club player in the last couple of seasons. Him not making much of a dent at international level is hard to put down to one specific thing. I think he may have missed his chance with (Borthwick’s) England, but I still think there’s potential for a game-breaking player there.

I’d be fascinated how a team like Ireland would have used his talents to be honest. Not that you’re short of 8 options.

The thing about Earl bulking up is weird. He has said himself he’s only added 2 or 3 kilos and has no idea why people keep going on about it. Has Borthwick ever actually picked him as a flanker though? I feel like even when CCS has come on he’s done weird things like put Roots at 7.

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 6:17 pm

Spiffy wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 4:05 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 2:25 pm

Aye luxury players that can't keep up with the pace of lesser teams are what you want against Ireland, probably the best team in the world right now. I don't think Dombrant would make the Irish A side let alone the first team though you could say that about a number of the English backrow.

Still find it surprising that, by this stage of his career, and given his natural attributes of size, decent speed, good hands etc, Dombrandt has not been coached into a much better player than he is. He is 26 now and not that likely to change much. His play seems to lack a bit of hard-nosed edge and dog for international rugby, and maybe his Quins-based style is too loose for England's play-by-numbers game.
In the broader picture, you'd wonder if England would fare better with a maverick or two in the team, for a bit of the unexpected. (Though I can't think of any such mavericks off the top of my head.)

I mean he’s improved drastically as a club player in the last couple of seasons. Him not making much of a dent at international level is hard to put down to one specific thing. I think he may have missed his chance with (Borthwick’s) England, but I still think there’s potential for a game-breaking player there.

I’d be fascinated how a team like Ireland would have used his talents to be honest. Not that you’re short of 8 options.

I don't think Dombrant has really advanced in the last couple of seasons. He burst on the scene and developed quickly initially but has then stalled. I don't think he's got the work rate to make it with Ireland and I think that's Borthwick's issue with him (and Mercer). Earl is relentless both sides of the ball as is Weise Borthwick's hand picked 8 for Tigers. Solid Balance obviously sees enough in Dombrant to persevere with him and Dombrant must be making the effort because otherwise he'd be dispensed with in the same manner as Mercer.

I think the earlier comment about Dombrant lacking a bit of dog for international level is probably right. He's not got the aggression and drive of other international 8s and he's going to need to find it.

Amazing how resigned we are to losing to Ireland but at the same time risk averse to trying something different.

The current back row is dependent on Earl doing the carrying whilst minimal threat from the other 2.

Dombrandt’s style of play throws up far more options and added support to our backs. CCS looks to be an explosive player who would offer way more starting than coming off the bench when we are chasing.

Big George alongside Itoje will add a lot as well. Just don’t ask him to catch

Just for the lols. Stephen Jones’s XV:
Marler
George
Heyes
Martin
Itoje
Chessum
CCS
Vunipola
Spencer
F. Smith
Murley
Lawrence
Tuilagi
Freeman
Steward.

I’m all for mixing things up, but……

Simple philosophy - pick the biggest (apart from Murley). Anyone who advocates recalling Billy V can't be taken seriously.

CCS seems to be getting a fair bit of press coverage. Maybe, he's being lined up to start.

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sun Mar 03, 2024 9:32 am Just for the lols. Stephen Jones’s XV:
Marler
George
Heyes
Martin
Itoje
Chessum
CCS
Vunipola
Spencer
F. Smith
Murley
Lawrence
Tuilagi
Freeman
Steward.

Seriously!!!!! What the fuck has Cole done wrong

p/d wrote: ↑Sun Mar 03, 2024 9:26 am Amazing how resigned we are to losing to Ireland but at the same time risk averse to trying something different.

The current back row is dependent on Earl doing the carrying whilst minimal threat from the other 2.

Dombrandt’s style of play throws up far more options and added support to our backs. CCS looks to be an explosive player who would offer way more starting than coming off the bench when we are chasing.

Big George alongside Itoje will add a lot as well. Just don’t ask him to catch

aye