England Squad Announcement

by Guest Fri 25 May 2012, 10:44

First topic message reminder :

Foden
Ashton
Barritt
Farrell
Wade
Hodgson
Dickson
Stevens
Hartley
Doran Jones
Botha
Palmer
Johnson
Fearns
Dowson

Mears
Mullan
Launchbury
Gibson
Wrigglesworth
Joseph
Goode

http://www.espnscrum.com/england/rugby/story/164557.html

Was hoping for a few changes in the backs myself. thoughts?

by **Biltong** Mon 28 May 2012, 09:44

GeordieFalcon wrote:
Does anyone think England have the power to take on SA in slog

Peter,

I actually think at our disposal we have got the players to do that...
The front row will give SA a lot of trouble...and we have some potential beasts in the back row...Fearns, Morgan, Launchbury (I would have started him in the Second row for this Baa Baas game) and even Robshaw is tough with a phenominal engine.

BUt its the second row thats really concerning me....we just look so lightweight...and whilst Botha is willing to put his head where it hurts he is also distinctly average...and whilst Palmer has been one of Englands best performers over the last couple of years....i believe we have better about...

Geordie, our Sharks front row is most likely the front row we will go with, and Beast, Bismarck and Jannie has been in top form this past few weeks.

It might not be as one sided as you expect.

by Geordie Mon 28 May 2012, 09:46

Yeah...Botha was excellent Sam. I would say Johnson put himself in the frame for the 6 spot in two weeks.

Fearns was ok, quietly went about his role....but not as obvious as Johnson or Botha.

by Geordie Mon 28 May 2012, 09:49

Biltng,
I dont think it will be one sided mate....far from it. The boks are never weak up front.

by **Biltong** Mon 28 May 2012, 09:50

To be fair we have been a few times in the last two years, especially when John smit moved to Prop, I think that has left an impression on some that our scrum is weaker than it actually is.

by bluestonevedder Mon 28 May 2012, 09:55

I thought Tom Johnson was fantastic too. Carried well and he has got some serious speed. Did some good graft work too.

Fearns was underwhelming for me. I expected a bit more from him, but he did the basics.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 28 May 2012, 11:06

How did stevens go at loosehead?

by **Biltong** Mon 28 May 2012, 11:08

Didn't see the first half, but in the second half, your front row was bashed a few times

by Cumbrian Mon 28 May 2012, 11:10

LondonTiger wrote:How did stevens go at loosehead?

He was a bit indifferent, didn't give any penalties away (that I remember) but didn't get the better of his man either. The scrum was a mess all game, it was difficult to tell who went well and who didn't.

by Geordie Mon 28 May 2012, 11:14

I think with Fearns he didnt do much carrying or flash stuff...but he seemed to be in every ruck ....making a nuisance....possibly that allowed Botha and Johnson a little more freedom in the open.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 28 May 2012, 11:26

The boks are never weak up front.

I don't know the combination of Steenkamp, Chilliboy, Jannie Du Plessis were given a fair old kicking at Welford Rd a couple of years back. I think Jannie is still a potential weakness for the Boks. For such a great scrummaging nation it still suprises me he gets in the team as he is remarkably average compared to the classy options of the Beast at 1 and Bismark at 2. Having said that I'm sure Jannie will now run rampant all tour...

by **Biltong** Mon 28 May 2012, 11:33

We've had a lack of depth at 3 for some time Sam.

But to be fair to Jannie, he has improved.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 28 May 2012, 11:55

Which is odd because there's some pretty good tightheads loitering around other leagues. Brian Mujarti being a prime example of an excellent tighthead in the scrum and the loose. Does his playing in England automatically exclude him or could the Boks get desperate enough to bring him back?

by **Biltong** Mon 28 May 2012, 11:58

Unless you made a big name for yourself in SA and you are part and parcel to the coach's plans for a RWC you won't easily be called in.

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