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Time to look for a Plan B re Itoje?
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 11:47 am
by jngf
My concern is Itoje’s become like a scacred Cow to English rugby and I do wonder:
(I) How good is he as a Captain ? Yet to be convinced
(Ii) Is he still objectively the best we can do at 4 ? Rather like his Captaincy for England and Lions when he’s good he’s very good but he’s not that consistent
(Iii) Are we in danger of not having a back up 4 with enough experience Itoje is no longer available?
Re: Time to look for a Plan to Itoje?
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 12:13 pm
by Which Tyler
I] Too early to tell
II] Yes
III) Depends how important shirt numbers are for the two most similar positions on the pitch (AKA, no)
Re: Time to look for a Plan to Itoje?
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 1:22 pm
by Banquo
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat Jul 26, 2025 12:13 pm
I] Too early to tell
II] Yes
III) Depends how important shirt numbers are for the two most similar positions on the pitch (AKA, no)
Not many winning lions captains around
World class lock
His all round game and engine hard to replicate and as you imply his number is irrelevant. What you do need is some specialism as a right/tight head lock, you ideally need locks who cover 2 and 4 in the lineout at least both sides of the ball. All need to be mobile and good at the restart. Etc.
Re: Time to look for a Plan to Itoje?
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 2:18 pm
by FKAS
Ollie Chessum can slot in at both LH and TH lock and is a good lineout option. He's the option should Itoje be injured. Does somewhat rely on Martin being fit which is a 50/50 call most the time. Those three are all comfortable at international level, Itoje obviously above the other two.
It's the fourth option we need to bring on whether it be Coles or CCS, maybe an unyet identified option. Having four test quality locks is what any international side is aiming for (SA aside as they have about 6 at any given time).
Re: Time to look for a Plan to Itoje?
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 2:45 pm
by Banquo
FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Jul 26, 2025 2:18 pm
Ollie Chessum can slot in at both LH and TH lock and is a good lineout option. He's the option should Itoje be injured. Does somewhat rely on Martin being fit which is a 50/50 call most the time. Those three are all comfortable at international level, Itoje obviously above the other two.
It's the fourth option we need to bring on whether it be Coles or CCS, maybe an unyet identified option. Having four test quality locks is what any international side is aiming for (SA aside as they have about 6 at any given time).
Good and useful skill to have being able to play L and R lock
Re: Time to look for a Plan to Itoje?
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 8:15 pm
by Captainhaircut
Is question 2 a serious question?
Is there a suggestion we have a better lock option?
Re: Time to look for a Plan to Itoje?
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 11:00 pm
by Banquo
Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Sat Jul 26, 2025 8:15 pm
Is question 2 a serious question?
Is there a suggestion we have a better lock option?
Not only that, but Itoje is one of most consistently excellent players in the world. Thats why he does 80 mins every game every team.
Re: Time to look for a Plan to Itoje?
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 11:26 pm
by Danno
Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Jul 26, 2025 11:00 pm
Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Sat Jul 26, 2025 8:15 pm
Is question 2 a serious question?
Is there a suggestion we have a better lock option?
Not only that, but Itoje is one of most consistently excellent players in the world. Thats why he does 80 mins every game every team.
Aye, 33 matches this season, started every one of them. Subbed what, twice? When the game was already done.
If Sarries look to flog him again next season he really needs to take a step back for his own sake, no-one is invincible
Re: Time to look for a Plan to Itoje?
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 9:51 am
by twitchy
100% bait thread.
Re: Time to look for a Plan to Itoje?
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 10:08 am
by Danno
twitchy wrote: ↑Sun Jul 27, 2025 9:51 am
100% bait thread.
We usually manage to salvage a bit of discussion out of them regardless
Re: Time to look for a Plan to Itoje?
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 12:37 pm
by FKAS
Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Jul 26, 2025 2:45 pm
FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Jul 26, 2025 2:18 pm
Ollie Chessum can slot in at both LH and TH lock and is a good lineout option. He's the option should Itoje be injured. Does somewhat rely on Martin being fit which is a 50/50 call most the time. Those three are all comfortable at international level, Itoje obviously above the other two.
It's the fourth option we need to bring on whether it be Coles or CCS, maybe an unyet identified option. Having four test quality locks is what any international side is aiming for (SA aside as they have about 6 at any given time).
Good and useful skill to have being able to play L and R lock
Very useful. Helps a lot at club level so he can slot in alongside either of the other two locks where Martin is a proper TH lock unit and Henderson the lighter lineout specialist. Chessum sitting somewhere in the middle.
Re: Time to look for a Plan B re Itoje?
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 1:45 pm
by Beasties
A gooseberry lock, if you wiiiill.
