Nick Mallett's England..

First topic message reminder :

Which players will he go for?
How will he have us play?

We had the choice of either NZ or Canada when we moved out here and in the end it came down to Canada being closer for family to both visit and to rush back to the UK in an emergency (plus some other factors). When I think about it its funny that such a major life changing decision came down to that, although I'm more than happy with my lot here in Canada.

We certainly fancied NZ at the time and I have some family who live there and wouldn't dream of ever leaving. That said one of my last wishes ever would be to watch a test match at Newlands.

I have friends and family out in NZ. Apparently it's rained continuously all summer, so you may have made a good choice, even if just for this year.

biltongbek wrote:As far as developing Italy as an international team, you cannot as a coach try to develop a game plan that your limited resources cannot cater for. Mallet was talking on Supersport and said Italy has less rugby players than the Eastern Cape in SA, now the Eastern Cape as a comparison lost to our currie cup winners of last year by 80 points a few weeks ago, if there isn't enough talent you are limited in what you can do with them, but like I said before I will be very happy if he doesn't get the job

The IRB says Italy has 66176 registered players which is more than the higher ranked Wales, Tonga, Samoa & Scotland.

If you're lacking talent in certain areas you still have to seek to develop and innovate with the players you've got, find a way of bringing it on. Italy tightened up in many ways, but never really seemed intent enough on bringing on key aspects of their play, and consequently didn't look like making the next significant jump.

The first couple of games Brunel has been in charge, with the same resources as Mallett, there has been no loss in the solid aspects of their game, but it's been notable that they are seeking to develop beyond that, and they've looked better for it.

I feel Mallett would be too comfortable a fit for England. I don't think we would do badly under him, and he would probably successfully address certain aspects of our play, but I don't think he would be innovative enough in the areas that are of the biggest concern, which is what we need to seriously compete with the very best.

He's not afraid to think or to back himself. In England he would have the choice of players available to pick a team to play his preferred style. I would say:

15 Armitage
14 Strettle
13 Turner Hall
12 Hape
11 Sharples
10 Farrell
9 Youngs

1 Stevens
2 Hartley
3 Cole
4 Botha
5 Palmer
6 Lawes
8 Morgan
7 Wood

WelshinEdinburgh wrote:Also have a look at Bergamasco at scrum half, has Croft played there?

Well Croft is fast and I don't think he should start at 6 (unless we can get a real physical ruck-demon at 7, not sure we have anyone available) and Youngs is playing so poorly right now we may as well try. The backs won't get much ball, but let's be honest they don't anyway, mostly there for chargedowns and tackling

Glas a du wrote:He's not afraid to think or to back himself. In England he would have the choice of players available to pick a team to play his preferred style. I would say:

15 Armitage
14 Strettle
13 Turner Hall
12 Hape
11 Sharples
10 Farrell
9 Youngs

1 Stevens
2 Hartley
3 Cole
4 Botha
5 Palmer
6 Lawes
8 Morgan
7 Wood

Oh god I hope not

After watching the first 2 games, i dont think that Mallet would pick Hape.
I very mutch doubt that he would pick Armatage either.

why would he even consider armitage and hape? There are far better players available, and as an international coach, you'd expect him to be able to see that!

The biggest problem for any coach the way I see it, is who is currently contracted and when do their contracts come to an end?

Will he be able to contract anyone from the get go, or will he be limited due to existing contracts?