The Armitage thing rumbles on.......

First topic message reminder :

http://www.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/story/252099.html

England to make an exception???

Armitage should not be playing for Toulon anyway, well either him or Bastareaud has to go, I am fed up of getting them both confused when I am watching Toulon on the tele.

I'm not sure England would need to change "style" per se, or move people around other than perhaps Robshaw to 6.

Other than picking Armitage at 7 and moving Robshaw to 6, what else needs to change??

Armitage is a 7, so why say he doesn't "fit into any position in the current England pack"?? He would fit at 7, he'd just compete at the breakdown and carry the ball better than Robshaw, and make a few less tackles.

Armitage's workrate is perceived to be poor - with a lack of fitness being blamed. Woodshaw have a very high workrate which frees up Morgan/BillyV to be primarily ball carriers. The suggestion therefore is that should Armitage be selected to start, then other players would have to up their work to cover that lost by losing one of Woodshaw.


Toulon usually select two hard workers alongside Steffon - hence why he was seen at No8 in the HEC final.

Well I think that's nonsense, particularly with Launchbury in the second row. Plenty work rate in that England pack, even with Armitage at 7 and Morgan at 8. England should at least try it.

We can all disagree. I think they shouldn't . It shouldn't be done while he's in France. And it shouldn't be in a rush for the World Cup. All opinion, of course

I don't mind at all those who suggest he shouldn't be picked because he's in France. I get that. Where I depart from what seems the consensus on here is the suggestion he's not good enough to play 7 for England.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Well I think that's nonsense, particularly with Launchbury in the second row. Plenty work rate in that England pack, even with Armitage at 7 and Morgan at 8. England should at least try it.

To Morgan's credit, his work rate has gone through the roof. I think one of his best qualities beside his carrying is his defence.

bluestonevedder wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:Well I think that's nonsense, particularly with Launchbury in the second row. Plenty work rate in that England pack, even with Armitage at 7 and Morgan at 8. England should at least try it.

To Morgan's credit, his work rate has gone through the roof. I think one of his best qualities beside his carrying is his defence.

Did you see his attempt on Nowell at the weekend? I think he should be castigated based on that single event

Both Morgan and Vunipola put in a big shift now. And I seem to remember them playing for the full 80 most of the time.

HammerofThunor wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:Well I think that's nonsense, particularly with Launchbury in the second row. Plenty work rate in that England pack, even with Armitage at 7 and Morgan at 8. England should at least try it.

To Morgan's credit, his work rate has gone through the roof. I think one of his best qualities beside his carrying is his defence.

Did you see his attempt on Nowell at the weekend? I think he should be castigated based on that single event

Both Morgan and Vunipola put in a big shift now. And I seem to remember them playing for the full 80 most of the time.

I did see that! Thank you pulling apart my compliment in one foul swoop. 

Didn't he make a try saving tackle on Nowell in the same game though?

Probably. His tckling is pretty good and he puts a fair few in.

HammerofThunor wrote:Probably. His tckling is pretty good and he puts a fair few in.

Tickling?

No, tuckling. Especially useful in mauls.

Starting to see Armitages name mentioned more now that Ben Morgan is out... Possibly out for the RWC as well as the Six Nations.

Starting to what?