England *EPS 2014* and 6N Squad

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EPS

Forwards (17)
David Attwood (Bath Rugby) Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) Alex Corbisiero (Northampton Saints) Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers) Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby) Joe Launchbury (London Wasps) Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) Joe Marler (Harlequins) Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby) Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers) Chris Robshaw (Harlequins) Billy Vunipola (Saracens) Mako Vunipola (Saracens) David Wilson (Bath Rugby) Tom Wood (Northampton Saints) Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Backs (16)
Chris Ashton (Saracens) Brad Barritt (Saracens) Mike Brown (Harlequins) Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby) Danny Care (Harlequins) Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints) Owen Farrell (Saracens) George Ford (Bath Rugby) Ben Foden (Northampton Saints) Alex Goode (Saracens) Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby) Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers) Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby) Christian Wade (London Wasps) Marland Yarde (London Irish) Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)


England RBS 6 Nations squad (35)

Forwards (18)
David Attwood (Bath Rugby) Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby) Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs) Joe Launchbury (London Wasps) Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) Joe Marler (Harlequins) Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby) Matt Mullan (London Wasps) Chris Robshaw (Harlequins) Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers) Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks) Billy Vunipola (Saracens) Mako Vunipola (Saracens) Rob Webber (Bath Rugby) Tom Wood (Northampton Saints) Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Backs (17)
Chris Ashton (Saracens) Brad Barritt (Saracens) Mike Brown (Harlequins) Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints) Danny Care (Harlequins) Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints) Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby) Owen Farrell (Saracens) George Ford (Bath Rugby) Alex Goode (Saracens) Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby) Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints) Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby) Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby) Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens) Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)


England Saxons squad:
Forwards (17): C Clark (Northampton), J Crane (Leicester), P Doran Jones (Harlequins), W Fraser (Saracens), J Haskell (Wasps), T Johnson (Exeter), G Kitchener (Leicester), G Kruis (Saracens), K Myall (Wasps), D Paice (London Irish), G Robson (Harlequins), E Slater (Leicester), H Thomas (Sale), T Waldrom (Leicester), L Wallace (Harlequins), R Webber (Bath), N Wood (Gloucester).

Backs (15): A Allen (Leicester), L Burrell (Northampton), E Daly (Wasps), G Ford (Bath), J Joseph (Bath), J May (Gloucester), U Monye (Harlequins), S Myler (Northampton), J Nowell (Exeter), C Sharples (Gloucester), J Simpson (Wasps), D Strettle (Saracens), M Tait (Leicester), J Tomkins (Saracens), R Wigglesworth (Saracens).

That Saxons squad looks quality, especially when you compare it to the one that was named in August.

England Saxons squad:

Forwards (17): C Clark (Northampton), J Crane (Leicester), P Doran Jones (Harlequins), W Fraser (Saracens), J Haskell (Wasps), T Johnson (Exeter), G Kitchener (Leicester), G Kruis (Saracens), K Myall (Wasps), D Paice (London Irish), G Robson (Harlequins), E Slater (Leicester), H Thomas (Sale), T Waldrom (Leicester), L Wallace (Harlequins), R Webber (Bath), N Wood (Gloucester).

Backs (15): A Allen (Leicester), L Burrell (Northampton), E Daly (Wasps), G Ford (Bath), J Joseph (Bath), J May (Gloucester), U Monye (Harlequins), S Myler (Northampton), J Nowell (Exeter), C Sharples (Gloucester), J Simpson (Wasps), D Strettle (Saracens), M Tait (Leicester), J Tomkins (Saracens), R Wigglesworth (Saracens).


A lot of dead wood is gone, players rewarded for form (Gibson, Ward, Waller) and plenty of guys in on pure potential (Wilson, Hill, Slade)

Probably the best Saxons squad (IMO) since Lancs took over

My only slight grumble - Dan Robson isn't in there

Notch wrote:CJ Ireland has always, always been its own country. It may have been part of the British Empire but it always had its own distinct political and cultural identity and only for 119 years lacked its own parliament.

If he's been living in England for some time and wants to commit to representing them, fair play to them. Ireland Wolfhounds are likely to have a few ourselves. Could be as many as three lads in that boat. The army thing is a complete herring- is there a British rugby team? The answer is no, there is not- at least not until the sevens starts in the Olympics perhaps- so why would that matter?

Ireland are likely to name something like;

1. David Kilcoyne
2. Rob Herring
3. Rodney Ah-You
4. Iain Henderson
5. Dan Tuohy
6. Robbie Diack
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Robin Copeland
9. Kieran Marmion
10. Ian Keatley
11. Andrew Trimble
12. Ian Madigan
13. Robbie Henshaw
14. Fergus McFadden
15. Felix Jones

16. Damien Varley 17. Jack McGrath 18. Stephen Archer 19. Devin Toner 20. Tommy O'Donnell 21. Isaac Boss 22. Darren Cave 23. Dave Kearney

Good side, is Henshaw usually a 13 though? And what do you feel about Madigan's lack of gametime for Leinster? Nice back 3 there and what could be the next Ireland lock pairing

I think Henshaw is seen as a possible BOD successor, only after Payne, so I would assume he is a 13.

What about that lad Hanrahan who scored a late try for Munster in the Heino? Is he in the senior squad?

beshocked wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

beshocked wrote:You risk losing the match and damaging the confidence of the player. Also what if someone like Brown picks up an injury in the 5th minute? You would be stuck with Watson at 15 for the remaining 75 minutes.

Has he been picked in the squad as a full back or a winger?

At full back he's behind Brown and Goode.

On the wing he's behind Ashton and May.

Depending on the bench you may have other options than that but as i said there's always a risk when introducing new players. How do we know any players isn't going to be terrible or brilliant before they've had a chance? How would you introduce new players?

Let them prove themselves at club level first then give them a go at international level. Give them time to hone their skills.

Fast tracking youngsters who haven't even excelled at club level is an unhealthy way to go in my opinion.

Are Nowell and Watson doing better than the likes of Strettle,Cueto,May,Benjamin and Rokodiguini? Not in my opinion.

Fair enough. i think you'll be pleasantly surprised should they get the chance though.

lostinwales wrote:Cant disagree with that Munk...

If we do go this route with the British army why should it just be England who gets a look in? This guy is playing in England but he  is/was in a Scottish regiment.  As an aside an uncle of mine did play in a Scottish representative team post WW2 as he was in a Scottish regiment at the time. There is a trickle of Scots blood but its fairly well swamped by English/Cornish.

i think it's residency not army that makes him eligible for england

Aye, Henshaw can play fullback but long term he is viewed as the best (native) Irish option to replace O'Driscoll. 13 is his best position.

Madigan will definitely play in this one to try and make up for his lack of game time for Leinster. Same thing with McFadden, and Henderson for that matter.

I think it makes it interesting, because in the autumn Paddy Jackson was established as the second choice 10 but Madigan was on the bench ahead of him despite that because he can cover 12 and 15 with so much distinction. There would be a bit of pressure on Schmidt to drop Madigan from the 23 since he's been in poor form but i wouldn't be at all surprised for Schmidt to keep it the same way- and for it to work out for us too boot.

Ireland always use this game a bit differently to England because its an extension of our wider training squad for the senior team. Like most of our A games the likely starters and bench players are hard to guess at, because mainly it'll be the two guys who are playing for one spot in the 6N squad and the bench is emptied very early on to give everyone a chance.  For instance, Herring and Varley will both get a shot and it's hard to tell which of them will start and which of them will bench- that goes for all of the guys on the bench.

There will be at least 12 players from the 44-man senior squad cut after this game, and about 20/21 of the candidates for the chop will be in this match day squad. So this game determines whether they will be in training on the Monday after the game with BOD, POC and co. or back at their province, doing some weights in a half-empty gym and crying into their protein shake.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Bathman_in_London wrote:That's a pretty decent Saxons squad, it looks as if most of the dead wood has been cut out and instead we have young players who will be looking to make it up to the 1st team. How many games are the actually playing this year?

Without wanting to get into the nationality thing too much, we as fans would like to believe that the players get themselves ready for a game by listening to Henry the V's speech and crying as they salute the flag.
In reality they get paid a lot more to be in the EPS and put their body on the line for their teammates, and the desire to be the best, not for the 60 odd million people who live in England.

Couldnt agree more mate...Robson, Waldrom,LI hooker,forgot his name ...all out...

No Garvey mind you!

No 7&1/2 wrote:

beshocked wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

beshocked wrote:You risk losing the match and damaging the confidence of the player. Also what if someone like Brown picks up an injury in the 5th minute? You would be stuck with Watson at 15 for the remaining 75 minutes.

Has he been picked in the squad as a full back or a winger?

At full back he's behind Brown and Goode.

On the wing he's behind Ashton and May.

Depending on the bench you may have other options than that but as i said there's always a risk when introducing new players. How do we know any players isn't going to be terrible or brilliant before they've had a chance? How would you introduce new players?

Let them prove themselves at club level first then give them a go at international level. Give them time to hone their skills.

Fast tracking youngsters who haven't even excelled at club level is an unhealthy way to go in my opinion.

Are Nowell and Watson doing better than the likes of Strettle,Cueto,May,Benjamin and Rokodiguini? Not in my opinion.

Fair enough. i think you'll be pleasantly surprised should they get the chance though.

I would be happy to be proved wrong in this case.

Bathman_in_London wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Bathman_in_London wrote:That's a pretty decent Saxons squad, it looks as if most of the dead wood has been cut out and instead we have young players who will be looking to make it up to the 1st team. How many games are the actually playing this year?

Without wanting to get into the nationality thing too much, we as fans would like to believe that the players get themselves ready for a game by listening to Henry the V's speech and crying as they salute the flag.
In reality they get paid a lot more to be in the EPS and put their body on the line for their teammates, and the desire to be the best, not for the 60 odd million people who live in England.

Couldnt agree more mate...Robson, Waldrom,LI hooker,forgot his name ...all out...

No Garvey mind you!

Dont get me started....he must have given lancaster a right good kicking at half time in that fateful Saxons game....

Robshaw confirmed as captain. Shock news of the century....

 

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Bathman_in_London wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Bathman_in_London wrote:That's a pretty decent Saxons squad, it looks as if most of the dead wood has been cut out and instead we have young players who will be looking to make it up to the 1st team. How many games are the actually playing this year?

Without wanting to get into the nationality thing too much, we as fans would like to believe that the players get themselves ready for a game by listening to Henry the V's speech and crying as they salute the flag.
In reality they get paid a lot more to be in the EPS and put their body on the line for their teammates, and the desire to be the best, not for the 60 odd million people who live in England.

Couldnt agree more mate...Robson, Waldrom,LI hooker,forgot his name ...all out...

No Garvey mind you!

Dont get me started....he must have given lancaster a right good kicking at half time in that fateful Saxons game....

Still no Garvey! Having said that did they need another Saxons flanker? With Ewers, Dickinson, Wallace and Clark in there? Interestingly Clark doesn't appear in the squad for the Wolfhounds game.

Youd've though Callum Clark would've been able to twist Lancaster's arm....

munkian wrote:Youd've though Callum Clark would've been able to twist Lancaster's arm....

That's a peach.

Not funny, Hawkins mightve been able to elbow his way into the squad if it wasnt for Clark

Jeez, give the guy a break...

munkian wrote:Youd've though Callum Clark would've been able to twist Lancaster's arm....

Nice one Munk, I didn't think you had a sense of humour!   

On that bombshell...

Saxons match squad released featuring a whole bunch of players form outside the EPS..

Plenty of exciting young talent like errr Varndell and Tait

Forwards: Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby), Calum Clark (Northampton Saints), Will Collier (Harlequins), Sam Dickinson (Northampton Saints), Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Jamie George (Saracens), Jamie Gibson (Leicester Tigers), Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers), George Kruis (Saracens), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Luke Wallace (Harlequins), Alex Waller (Northampton Saints), Dave Ward (Harlequins), Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)

Backs: Miles Benjamin (Leicester Tigers), Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), Elliot Daly (London Wasps), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Dave Lewis (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby), Mathew Tait (Leicester Tigers), Tom Varndell (London Wasps)


Read more at http://www.espnscrum.com/england/rugby/story/211325.html#5FolRqjTj1C8MTrb.99

Exciting slightly older talent?

I agree that is the best Saxons squad I've seen for a while. Waller deserves his call up and I know everyone hates him but Clark is really playing well at the moment. Deserved to be MoM for me when Saints won at Leinster. Hope to see Ewers start at 8 and not Dickinson, he seems a decent enough prem player but I'm not sure he is international standard and at 28 that's unlikely to change (currently not first choice 8 at Saints due to Manoa). Like everyone else who watches rugby in England I have no idea what Garvey has to do to redeem himself.

Glad to see both George & Ward as the hooking options. Wish George was getting a little more game time but it's understandable that he is only second choice at his club. Bit like Heywood at Saints, another talented 2 who doesn't start very often. At least he will during the 6N and think he could be pushing for the Saxons in the near future.

Certainly would have gone with Robson before Simpson in the backs, I'm not even convinced that Simpson is a prem standard 9 let alone anything higher.

B91212 wrote:I agree that is the best Saxons squad I've seen for a while. Waller deserves his call up and I know everyone hates him but Clark is really playing well at the moment. Deserved to be MoM for me when Saints won at Leinster. Hope to see Ewers start at 8 and not Dickinson, he seems a decent enough prem player but I'm not sure he is international standard and at 28 that's unlikely to change (currently not first choice 8 at Saints due to Manoa). Like everyone else who watches rugby in England I have no idea what Garvey has to do to redeem himself.

Glad to see both George & Ward as the hooking options. Wish George was getting a little more game time but it's understandable that he is only second choice at his club. Bit like Heywood at Saints, another talented 2 who doesn't start very often. At least he will during the 6N and think he could be pushing for the Saxons in the near future.

Certainly would have gone with Robson before Simpson in the backs, I'm not even convinced that Simpson is a prem standard 9 let alone anything higher.

Would be nice if we could at least be informed of what he is trying to redeem himself from! As far as most are concerned he got subbed off at half time in a Saxons game without explanation and hasn't featured since regardless of form or ability.

Completely agree with views re Robson as well. Definitely merits a place in that squad ahead of Simpson IMO.

king_carlos wrote:

B91212 wrote:Like everyone else who watches rugby in England I have no idea what Garvey has to do to redeem himself.

Would be nice if we could at least be informed of what he is trying to redeem himself from! As far as most are concerned he got subbed off at half time in a Saxons game without explanation and hasn't featured since regardless of form or ability.

I'm surprised why at least something hasn't come out from a ex-player in the media in something. Most people agree he should be considered for the EPS let alone the Saxons and the ex-players now in the media tend to still be very close to the squads and managements. No offense to Jamie Gibson who is going okay now for Tigers but there is no way he's been as good as Garvey this season.

Perhaps it's now a Bath thing as I think Ferns should have been considered at 8 before Dickinson.

B91212 wrote:

king_carlos wrote:

B91212 wrote:Like everyone else who watches rugby in England I have no idea what Garvey has to do to redeem himself.

Would be nice if we could at least be informed of what he is trying to redeem himself from! As far as most are concerned he got subbed off at half time in a Saxons game without explanation and hasn't featured since regardless of form or ability.

I'm surprised why at least something hasn't come out from a ex-player in the media in something. Most people agree he should be considered for the EPS let alone the Saxons and the ex-players now in the media tend to still be very close to the squads and managements. No offense to Jamie Gibson who is going okay now for Tigers but there is no way he's been as good as Garvey this season.

Perhaps it's now a Bath thing as I think Ferns should have been considered at 8 before Dickinson.

Hard to imagine what went on given it hasn't come to light at all. If one party had been a long way out of line it would have come into the open I'd have thought. I can only think it must have been 6 of one, half a dozen of the other for it to have been kept completely under wraps.

Of course this is just speculation as we don't know for sure if anything actually happened! That said it's even stranger that his name doesn't even come up when discussing players who just missed out or could push for the summer tour etc. The complete silence on the issue certainly doesn't help the rumours though (nor do we for that matter).

Also agree that Fearns deserves a place in that Saxons squad now he's strung some games together. That squad will offer a strong team no doubt but can't avoid thinking I'd have much preferred to see Brookes at TH, Garvey at 6, Fearns on the bench covering back row and Robson at 9.

1.Waller 2.George/Ward 3.Collier/Wilson 4.Kruis 5.Kitchener 6.Clark 7.Gibson 8.Ewers
9.Lewis 10.Burns 11.Benjamin 12.Hill 13.Daly 14.Varndell/Rokoduguni 15.Tait

As said not a bad side but could look much better with a few adjustments IMO.

king_carlos wrote:1.Waller 2.George/Ward 3.Collier/Wilson 4.Kruis 5.Kitchener 6.Clark 7.Gibson 8.Ewers
9.Lewis 10.Burns 11.Benjamin 12.Hill 13.Daly 14.Varndell/Rokoduguni 15.Tait

Pretty much agree with, strong team. Probably Wallace at 7 and Gibson covering all 3 backrow positions from the bench would be the only change for me.

Launchbury rested by Wasps for this weekend against Viadana so should be relatively fresh for England.

There are some advantages being in the Amlin....

Launchbury rested by Wasps for this weekend against Viadana so should be relatively fresh for England.

There are some advantages being in the Amlin....

A bit late to this as I was busy yesterday but I am really pleased for Scott Wilson. Some of the Falcons fans may remember that I was convinced that he would end up playing for Scotland, really glad I was wrong. Strangely given the stretched resources at 3 he may not be that far off a call up to the first team! What's Davey Wilson's injury situation? I can't find anything concrete. Does it scare anyone else that we are potentially an injury to Cole away from Henry Thomas starting and Scott Wilson/ Will Collier backing up?!? Or am I forgetting anyone?

king_carlos wrote:

B91212 wrote:

king_carlos wrote:

B91212 wrote:Like everyone else who watches rugby in England I have no idea what Garvey has to do to redeem himself.

Would be nice if we could at least be informed of what he is trying to redeem himself from! As far as most are concerned he got subbed off at half time in a Saxons game without explanation and hasn't featured since regardless of form or ability.

I'm surprised why at least something hasn't come out from a ex-player in the media in something. Most people agree he should be considered for the EPS let alone the Saxons and the ex-players now in the media tend to still be very close to the squads and managements. No offense to Jamie Gibson who is going okay now for Tigers but there is no way he's been as good as Garvey this season.

Perhaps it's now a Bath thing as I think Ferns should have been considered at 8 before Dickinson.

Hard to imagine what went on given it hasn't come to light at all. If one party had been a long way out of line it would have come into the open I'd have thought. I can only think it must have been 6 of one, half a dozen of the other for it to have been kept completely under wraps.

Of course this is just speculation as we don't know for sure if anything actually happened! That said it's even stranger that his name doesn't even come up when discussing players who just missed out or could push for the summer tour etc. The complete silence on the issue certainly doesn't help the rumours though (nor do we for that matter).

Also agree that Fearns deserves a place in that Saxons squad now he's strung some games together. That squad will offer a strong team no doubt but can't avoid thinking I'd have much preferred to see Brookes at TH, Garvey at 6, Fearns on the bench covering back row and Robson at 9.

1.Waller 2.George/Ward 3.Collier/Wilson 4.Kruis 5.Kitchener 6.Clark 7.Gibson 8.Ewers
9.Lewis 10.Burns 11.Benjamin 12.Hill 13.Daly 14.Varndell/Rokoduguni 15.Tait

As said not a bad side but could look much better with a few adjustments IMO.

I think your preferences are spot on, completely agree.

Lawes and Wood were immense for Saints yesterday I thought. Their backs never got going at all, but those two were everywhere up front.

B91212 wrote:

king_carlos wrote:1.Waller 2.George/Ward 3.Collier/Wilson 4.Kruis 5.Kitchener 6.Clark 7.Gibson 8.Ewers
9.Lewis 10.Burns 11.Benjamin 12.Hill 13.Daly 14.Varndell/Rokoduguni 15.Tait

Pretty much agree with, strong team. Probably Wallace at 7 and Gibson covering all 3 backrow positions from the bench would be the only change for me.

Wallace should definitely be starting there. He's had a couple of seasons of good form compared to Gibson's half a dozen games.

Otherwise agree with all those. It'll be great to see Kruis gsetting a go, lets hope he stays fit! Would like Charlie Mathews on the bench as well.

yappysnap wrote:

B91212 wrote:

king_carlos wrote:1.Waller 2.George/Ward 3.Collier/Wilson 4.Kruis 5.Kitchener 6.Clark 7.Gibson 8.Ewers
9.Lewis 10.Burns 11.Benjamin 12.Hill 13.Daly 14.Varndell/Rokoduguni 15.Tait

Pretty much agree with, strong team. Probably Wallace at 7 and Gibson covering all 3 backrow positions from the bench would be the only change for me.

Wallace should definitely be starting there. He's had a couple of seasons of good form compared to Gibson's half a dozen games.

Otherwise agree with all those. It'll be great to see Kruis gsetting a go, lets hope he stays fit! Would like Charlie Mathews on the bench as well.

Agree should have had Wallace in there! Given I'd have considered him for an EPS place ahead of Kvesic on current performance I'm not really sure how I overlooked him. Must have just missed the name when reading the squad I guess, that post was sent on Friday evening come to think of it...   

Still same points would stand that a backrow of 6.Garvey 7.Wallace 8.Ewers 20.Fearns would look much stronger than 6.Clark 7.Wallace 8.Ewers 20.Gibson in my opinion.

What's people's views on steffon armitage? Missed a cracker or not as good as some think?

Mixture of the two I think Geordie.

At his best and with the right players around him he is outstanding. At the same time he has often lacked consistency and can go missing if the game doesn't suit him. If available I wouldn't be picking him ahead of Robshaw, I'd be pretty interested in seeing 6.Robshaw 7.Armitage 8.Vunipola though in fairness.

The way we play at the moment Robshaw suits what we want from our flankers perfectly as he gets through a mountain of work, leads from the front, rarely makes mistakes and acts as a real thorn in the side of the opposition. If we are to advance our attacking option however I feel we'll need another player in the back row who offers real support play and their own threat in the outside channels (as the likes of Tipuric and Hooper do).

If playing in England I'd have him in the EPS in a heartbeat as his pace of the mark, line breaking ability and link play offer us something that we don't currently have much of in the pack (especially with Croft injured). He'd give us welcome options to mix things up when needed if nothing else.

Carlos, there's not many I would swap for Robshaw at the moment...much maligned but I take that as a compliment. Him Wood and Billy or Morgan have a nice balance to it...

Am i right in thinking that of the 4 TH's in the squad 2 are now injured leaving us with Cole and Scotty Wilson.

Now Scotty has potential but not sure he's 6n ready just yet. So who'll get called up? Brookes? Stevens?

Is Thomas injured. Big blow if he is.

I'm intrigued by May's conversion to 13 in recent weeks. Does it give an indication that Lancaster may play him there or is he purely just covering for Glous?

Forgot about Henry Thomas. So it'd be Cole with Thomas on the bench.

I think I'd prefer Scotty Wilson over Thomas, he's an awful scrummager.

Past Cole & Wilson there's a fair drop off.

GeordieFalcon wrote:What's people's views on steffon armitage? Missed a cracker or not as good as some think?

Very good player but he wasn't up for the fight to earn the International shirt, he could have earned a very good wage in the Aviva so I don't think it was all about money.

Shame but it is his choice to play for Toulon.

Sarge, I wouldnt be overly impressed with Thomas being our next TH in line for the 6n.

I think Brookes at the moment is a far better player...but Scott Wilson will be a cracker.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Is Thomas injured. Big blow if he is.

I'm intrigued by May's conversion to 13 in recent weeks. Does it give an indication that Lancaster may play him there or is he purely just covering for Glous?

I am not a gloucs follower but I believe that, although primarily a wing, May has spent a lot of time at 13 and FB.

Playing May at 13 would fit with Lancaster's policy of not playing certain players in their primary position.

Is Robshaw really that maligned?

Are there really that many complaints about Wood,Robshaw, Billy/Morgan backrow?

king carlos I quite like the side you picked. In regards to the hooker and locks - I think you either pick the Sarries combo of George and Kruis or the Quins combo of Ward and Matthews.

Beshocked, is Fraser back yet?

Hes more likely cover from the bench than starting

ChequeredJersey wrote:Beshocked, is Fraser back yet?

Unfortunately no. He's going to be out for a long time. I think he's aiming to be back in the latter stages of the season.

Now looking at form, it would be good to see a team like this for T1, with experimentation occurring with the bench and maybe rotating in te odd player between matches (Goode for Brown as long as Brown wasn't on the wing would be ok) in sensible positions to try and avoid killing continuity-

15- Brown. Happy for Goode to get gametime here
14- it's gonna be Ashton, whether we want it or not. Would really like Nowell etc to get a go though
13- Burrell seems most suited here to me. Manu when he comes back. Ideally Daly
12- Twelvetrees for France. Happy to rotate in Barritt but he needs a more subtle 13 in my opinion
11- May
10- Farrell, but with one of the others (Ford I hope) getting time off a bench (but not in the France game)
9- Wrigglesworth or Dickson, Care also to get gametime
8- Billy but Morgan to get game time
7- Robshaw
6- Wood
5- Lawes
4- Launcbury, Attwood to get time though
3- Cole
2- Hartley
1- Mako or Marler, rotate so both get pitch time

The other LH, Youngs, Whatever TH the country has left, Attwood, Morgan, Care, Goode Eastmond

beshocked wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:Beshocked, is Fraser back yet?

Unfortunately no. He's going to be out for a long time. I think he's aiming to be back in the latter stages of the season.

Dont like to hear this. Is it the same injury ...or different ones?

Different injuries I believe.

Isn't Tait out too? And added to Wilson is Thomas and now Collier

And so it begins