Maro Itoje?

First topic message reminder :

Apparently he was listed by Lancaster as one of the 63 players he considers to be Englands future and a possible for the 2015 world cup squad in his interview presentation for the England job.


Who?

He's been the main cover when he's started as 6 I believe and has had time there in the prem and Europe.

So as I said, most of game time (where's he's impressed the most at the higher level) has been at 6.

Yes, completely agree. I think he will end up in the 2nd row personally, but not just yet. He has the potential to be best 2nd row we have, top quality, best in the world potential; but he's not fulfilled it yet and I don't believe the 2nd row is his best opportunity to go to the WC.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Has he actually played much at lock?

He's obviously going to get bigger but I'm on about the here and now.

Thats the critical part. Anyone going to this world cup needs to be able to do the business NOW. Not in the future.

If Itoje is deemed good enough then he'll go...if not he wont.

Lancaster and Rowntree aren't daft, though sometimes I wonder

No 7&1/2 wrote:Yes, completely agree. I think he will end up in the 2nd row personally, but not just yet. He has the potential to be best 2nd row we have, top quality, best in the world potential; but he's not fulfilled it yet and I don't believe the 2nd row is his best opportunity to go to the WC.

I agree that 2nd row will probably be his final position (having watched Karl Dickson - I think, may have been another pedestrian SH - overhaul him with ease I suspect his pace is not good enough for back row) but for me he really needs to improve his line out work. For the Saxons I felt he allowed the Irish jumpers to (in Beshockeds language) bully him while for Sarries he seems rarely used. He is a clear talent but I reserve judgement on whether he is the Messiah.

GF, at times Rowntree is daft as a brush. Astute though.

Potential LT, potential. If he fulfils it, he'll be quite handy!

Do you take potential to a WC?

Is Itoje currently better than the others? or is he on a similar level with far more scope of improvement so worth taking.

Realistically I think There's 3 players who are overlapping a bit, all of which could go and not let us down. Slater, Itoje and Burgess. They are all potential for England at the moment. I'd say that Burgess and Itoje could be a brilliant 6 and lock. Slater is the best lock for me at present, Burgess is hte best 6 (but big questions as lack of time, given he's a special case from league though don't think he has much to prove, lineout an issue). Itoje is the best option to cover both positions, is close to Slater anyway and could see the argument to take him, as he will benefit a lot.

These 3 will not all go and a lot of this decision will come down to decisions elsewhere and who can cover. Will Easter be going and offer cover to the 2nd row, will Vunipola be considered a 6. Will Burgess be seen as cover for 12, or even cover for 6 with 12 his 1st choice position. These are just a few of the ifs with people covering.

Yeah, I would be worried if Burgess was 6 with the lineout. Launchbury isn't great in that area either....it would leave us open.