England A v Scotland A Sunday 27th June 2021

England A v Scotland A
Sunday 27th June 2021
Welford Rd
Leicester

Kick off 14:00

Live on Channel 4

Well an A team game between the old rivals, where players will get captured, but not capped. Hard to know how this one will go with not much in the way of form and no doubt a lot of players new to the international set up. hard to make any predictions really.

Scotland will be using this as a bit of a trial before cutting down their squad size prior to heading of to eastern Europe for their two proper tests, so expect to see a few of their uncapped players putting in an audition for that role. I would expect to see some of the youngsters starting and maybe a few more experienced players on the bench to steady the ship if they are struggling.

The last A team game between England and Scotland proved a bit of a triumph for the scots and saw the emergence of several players who have gone on to become major stars, Stuart Hogg amongst them. If I was going to pick anyone on that pathway this time around, I would probably be looking at Jamie Dobie, our exciting young SH, who could still be playing U20s this season, he looks very much like one for the future and hopefully there will be some others as well.

ENGLAND:

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
14. Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
13. Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, 6 caps)
12. Dan Kelly (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
11. Max Malins (Bristol Bears (loan) / Saracens, 7 caps)
10. Jacob Umaga (Wasps, uncapped)
9. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, uncapped)

1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 28 caps)
2. Curtis Langdon (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
4. Harry Wells (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
5. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
6. Lewis Ludlow (C) (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
7. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
8. Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)

16. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
17. Beno Obano (Bath Rugby, 1 cap)
18. Trevor Davison (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
19. Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, 1 cap)
20. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 8 caps)
21. Dan Robson (Wasps, 12 caps)
22. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
23. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)

SCOTLAND:

15. Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby)
14. Rufus McLean (Glasgow Warriors)
13. Matt Scott (Leicester Tigers) CAPTAIN
12. Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors)
11. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby)
10. Ross Thompson (Glasgow Warriors)
9. Charlie Shiel (Edinburgh Rugby)

1. Nick Auterac (Northampton Saints)
2. Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks)
3. Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warrriors)
4. Cameron Henderson (Leicester Tigers)
5. Kiran McDonald (Glasgow Warriors)
6. Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby)
7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors)
8. Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh Rugby)

16. Adam McBurney (Ulster Rugby)
17. Robin Hislop (Doncaster Knights)
18. Javan Sebastian (Scarlets)
19. Jamie Hodgson (Edinburgh Rugby)
20. Callum Hunter-Hill (Saracens)
21. Ben Vellacott (Wasps)
22. Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors)
23. George Taylor (Edinburgh Rugby)

Decent looking team Biggee. Any ideas if this will have TV coverage?

On Channel 4

Not too sure how we will enter this game. I would think because it is England, Blair might go for something closer to his "best" 23.

Would be looking at adding Kebble, Cummings and Ritchie to give a real spine of proven international experience into the pack with Hislop, McDonald and Crosbie/Darge making way.

Darge has been playing like a man possessed since his move West. It will be interesting to see if he can thrive at this level as well.
Blain has also caught the eye in his limited Edinburgh appearances.
Mclean and Forbes have also shown glimpses of real promise in recent months.
Thompson got the call up to play for Warriors first team at the right time ( into a team struggling for form and wins) and has played with a maturity beyond his tender years.
It has been great to see so many of these young players get game time and show their worth.  
Really looking forward to this one (fingers crossed that the pack can hold their own !!)

I'll have a stab at the England A side (what I think will happen rather than my choices)

1. Obano
2. Blamire
3. Davison
4. Ewels
5. McInally
6. Hill
7. Ludlam
8. Chick

9. Robson
10. Umaga
11. Cokanasiga
12. Kelly
13. Lawrence
14. Radwan
15. Furbank

16. Capon 17. Rodd 18. Heyes 19. Wells 20. Martin 21. Mitchell 22. Furbank 23. Steward

Based on the guys who've been in camp longer having the best shot of starting the game, so the Sale, Bristol and Saracens players not really considered, and the bigger names being saved for the Test matches

Hazel Sapling wrote:Not too sure how we will enter this game. I would think because it is England, Blair might go for something closer to his "best" 23.

Would be looking at adding Kebble, Cummings and Ritchie to give a real spine of proven international experience into the pack with Hislop, McDonald and Crosbie/Darge making way.

I can't see this - I don't think we need it at our current stage of development and the players available Plus the pressure will really be on Blair if he picks a strong team!

I actually reckon Crosbie could captain the team - he's definitely one earmarked for the future.

I can't see the point in putting out his strongest team for this game, especially as he will be trimming the squad afterwards.

Surely he has to give the new players a chance, quite a few of them probably won't be going on the tour and this may be there only shot to prove their worth

BamBam wrote:I'll have a stab at the England A side (what I think will happen rather than my choices)

1. Obano
2. Blamire
3. Davison
4. Ewels
5. McInally
6. Hill
7. Ludlam
8. Chick

9. Robson
10. Umaga
11. Cokanasiga
12. Kelly
13. Lawrence
14. Radwan
15. Furbank

16. Capon 17. Rodd 18. Heyes 19. Wells 20. Martin 21. Mitchell 22. Furbank 23. Steward

Based on the guys who've been in camp longer having the best shot of starting the game, so the Sale, Bristol and Saracens players not really considered, and the bigger names being saved for the Test matches

Furbank gets everywhere eh. I really think Jones will be looking at the younger guys with a couple of seniors. So I think we'll see Heyes and Hill as the tightheads and Genge and Tuilagi in for starts, and Furbank only appearing once. Good stab at it I'd feel though. Would like to see Ojomoh captured as well as can't see him getting in for Canada or USA.

Tuilagi out. Again. Poor guy needs his health and med status looked at through very different eyes and/or start planning the rest of his life. I think some players who are getting injured more frequently still look at Jonny Wilkinson as the role model for sticking with it and eventually coming back. But there are a number of reasons he was a one in a million.

A summer off might not be the worst thing. Capturing Dingwall might be worthwhile too

BamBam wrote:A summer off might not be the worst thing. Capturing Dingwall might be worthwhile too

If you don't capture Dingwall soon, we just might have to do it for you

May as well cap him. Probably does mean that Ojomoh and Kelly are getting games for certain. Shame for Tuilagi. And the Lions.

Given that Eddie will want to look at a lot of the youngsters and having seen what's been posted about the front row, I think there'll be only one or two capped people in the team (presumably Ewels as Captain) and that there will be a couple of "old stagers" on the bench to help out should things be getting a bit out of hand. Those in bold have caps. Those in bold and italics only have 1 cap. Hill and Martin can both cover each other's position, so may be the other way round in the match 23.

1. Obano
2. Blamire
3. Davison
4. Martin
5. Ewels (C)
6. T. Hill
7. B.Curry
8. Chick
9. Mitchell
10. Umaga
11. Bassett
12. Ojomoh
13. Lawrence
14. Radwan
15. Steward

Bench could be as follows:

16. Langdon
17. Genge
18. Heyes
19. McNally
20. Underhill
21. Robson
22. Malins/Furbank (both cover 10)
23. Cokanasiga

Surely his Eddieness will need to pick dombrandt and Marcus smith???

How England can have two really classy players at 8 in Simmons and dombrandt and not playing them, meanwhile Scotland can’t find a single 8 in our whole population is just mind boggling and depressing

Well Dombrandt and Marcus Smith have another pressing engagement this weekend.  But after that, we have to see them have their go.  They have certainly earned it.  

If Eddie Jones doesn't put the Farrell straightjacket on them, I feel a bit bad for USA and Canada.  They will think they came to play Rugby and be caught in a track meet.  Only thing that could slow things down would be to take Smith off after 40 or 50 minutes and move Dombrandt or maybe Obano to fly half....

doctor_grey wrote:Well Dombrandt and Marcus Smith have another pressing engagement this weekend.  But after that, we have to see them have their go.  They have certainly earned it.  

If Eddie Jones doesn't put the Farrell straightjacket on them, I feel a bit bad for USA and Canada.  They will think they came to play Rugby and be caught in a track meet.  Only thing that could slow things down would be to take Smith off after 40 or 50 minutes and move Dombrandt or maybe Obano to fly half....

And Simmonds (x2)

Dombrandt. For a big lad he can't half shift

I presume the teams are named on Thursday at some point because I've not seen anything on Scottish Rugby twitter page (they always tweet the night before a team is announced, basically stating when the team is announced, morning or afternoon).

After last night, I'm in need of a pick me up . Think I'll stick to Rugby lol, you guys are a lot respectful than the members of the Tartan Army Facebook group, I'm getting slated for stating that Mr Clarke doesn't deserve sacked!

Highland Shaun wrote:I presume the teams are named on Thursday at some point because I've not seen anything on Scottish Rugby twitter page (they always tweet the night before a team is announced, basically stating when the team is announced, morning or afternoon).

After last night, I'm in need of a pick me up . Think I'll stick to Rugby lol, you guys are a lot respectful than the members of the Tartan Army Facebook group, I'm getting slated for stating that Mr Clarke doesn't deserve sacked!

It'll be Friday as the game is Sunday.

tigertattie wrote:Surely his Eddieness will need to pick dombrandt and Marcus smith???

How England can have two three really classy players at 8 in Simmons, Chick and dombrandt and not playing them, meanwhile Scotland can’t find a single 8 in our whole population is just mind boggling and depressing

Corrected that for you TT

GeordieFalcon wrote:

tigertattie wrote:Surely his Eddieness will need to pick dombrandt and Marcus smith???

How England can have two threefour really classy players at 8 in Simmons, Chick, T. Willis and dombrandt and not playing them, meanwhile Scotland can’t find a single 8 in our whole population is just mind boggling and depressing

Corrected that for you TT

Re-Corrected. Tom Willis is looking every bit as good as his brother in the later end of the season.

Forgot about Tom, your right...he's looking very impressive.

I stand corrected...FOUR classy 8's

So we'll probably see Ben Curry running out at 8 on Sunday....

I really hope Furbank isn't playing, not good enough and has never been good enough for international rugby.

I have a suspicion that Genge is going to captain the games Vs USA and Canada. He captained Tigers Vs Wasps on theast game of the season somewhat unexpectedly. Eddie has dropped some hints about leadership before then and had also been at Tigers training ground before naming the initial training squad. Apparently couldn't help himself and stepped in to coach a session. Considering how well Genge played and managed the referee (far better than Tigers normal captains) he may have put himself forward. Ewels is obviously another favourite though.

I'm hoping to see England line up;

1. Genge (c)
2. Blamire
3. Heyes
4. Ewels
5. Hill
6. Martin
7. Curry
8. Chick
9. Randall
10. Umaga
11. Radwan
12. Ojomah
13. Kelly
14. Cockasiga
15. Steward

Capon, Rodd, Hill/Davison, McInally, Underhill, Mitchell, Malins, Lawrence.

Exciting backline and backrow. Tight five that's tough but mobile and on the bench a nice mix of experience and youth. We can also ensure a large number of promising youngsters are tied in.

I'd also like to see us bed in that front row and use them again next week.

Genge really needs to bring that form to this level Sam. We know what he can do....but he's not showing it at top level....yet..

i really hope this Summer might be the start of him coming through. Otherwise...he will have competition for that spot very soon.

Obano, Rodd, West etc all putting in performances.

On the team...yeah i like it!

lostinwales wrote:Dombrandt. For a big lad he can't half shift

He arrived at Quins in a crate labelled "Nick Easter Mk II - just as big, just as skilful, but now much, much faster"

(As an aside, it's remarkable the number of Mk II players Quins have unearthed recently - Marcus Smith is Nick Evans Mk II, Joe Marchant is George Lowe Mk II, and now Jack Kenningham looks like Chris Robshaw Mk IV - "still two of them on the pitch, but they're both faster and better carriers". I would say that Joe Marler is Jason Leonard Mk II, but they are both true originals).

Ewels has been stand in captain before for England vs the Barbarians and was Jones pick then. He captains his club. I think he'll probably get the nod.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Genge really needs to bring that form to this level Sam. We know what he can do....but he's not showing it at top level....yet..

i really hope this Summer might be the start of him coming through. Otherwise...he will have competition for that spot very soon.

Obano, Rodd, West etc all putting in performances.

On the team...yeah i like it!

It is the big frustration with Genge. At Tigers he's all action in attack and destroys tightheads at scrum time (ask Will Stuart). At international level he looks merely solid and unspectacular, he's got to translate that ability soon otherwise as you say he's liable to be overtaken. West is injured so won't get a chance at the minute and Rodd is currently to weak at the set piece but has massive potential. Obano though, he could ease Genge out of the back up role with some good performances this summer.

Genge as a captain I think actually improved his game for Tigers because he didn't get involved with the opposition quite so much and with him being a talker and affable he got the ref onside very well. Cherry did a better job than Coley did as captain that was an experiment not repeated.

One of the things that strikes me any time I listen to Genge is that he's smart and much more of a thinker than you'd expect from first impressions, which also makes the failure to bring everything he's got to England frustrating, as you would have thought he'd adapt better.

I can see why he'd make a good club captain

formerly known as Sam wrote:I really hope Furbank isn't playing, not good enough and has never been good enough for international rugby.

I have a suspicion that Genge is going to captain the games Vs USA and Canada. He captained Tigers Vs Wasps on theast game of the season somewhat unexpectedly. Eddie has dropped some hints about leadership before then and had also been at Tigers training ground before naming the initial training squad. Apparently couldn't help himself and stepped in to coach a session. Considering how well Genge played and managed the referee (far better than Tigers normal captains) he may have put himself forward. Ewels is obviously another favourite though.

I'm hoping to see England line up;

1. Genge (c)
2. Blamire
3. Heyes
4. Ewels
5. Hill
6. Martin
7. Curry
8. Chick
9. Randall
10. Umaga
11. Radwan
12. Ojomah
13. Kelly
14. Cockasiga
15. Steward

Capon, Rodd, Hill/Davison, McInally, Underhill, Mitchell, Malins, Lawrence.

Exciting backline and backrow. Tight five that's tough but mobile and on the bench a nice mix of experience and youth. We can also ensure a large number of promising youngsters are tied in.

I'd also like to see us bed in that front row and use them again next week.

Yeah, typical Tigger, my players bigger than your player (which he is)  

It should be remembered that Steward is yet to prove himself at any level above premiership. Before being picked for England Furbank was tearing up the premiership defenses. That match against Scotland in weather that could only suit a team born to 300 days of stormy rain a year, really knocked his confidence and he is only now beginning to look the player he was.

lostinwales wrote:One of the things that strikes me any time I listen to Genge is that he's smart and much more of a thinker than you'd expect from first impressions, which also makes the failure to bring everything he's got to England frustrating, as you would have thought he'd adapt better.

I can see why he'd make a good club captain

It's the hair cuts, Marler must be his long lost elder brother. Both have a much greater intelligence than their appearance would have you believe, but haircuts that make you think they came out a bad punk rock band in the seventies.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

lostinwales wrote:One of the things that strikes me any time I listen to Genge is that he's smart and much more of a thinker than you'd expect from first impressions, which also makes the failure to bring everything he's got to England frustrating, as you would have thought he'd adapt better.

I can see why he'd make a good club captain

It's the hair cuts, Marler must be his long lost elder brother. Both have a much greater intelligence than their appearance would have you believe, but haircuts that make you think they came out a bad punk rock band in the seventies.

Marler is a bright guy, no doubts. And a good family man with his (big) feet firmly on the ground. Agree Genge sounds like a bright guy as well. But maybe we have seen his ceiling?

Scotland have traditionally done well against England in these A games.

I do hope that Blair lets the (extremely) youngfellers have a go, however.

I care more about good performances than winning the game.

Terrible that Tualagi is injured again. In a way it vindicates Gatland's decision not to rush him into the Lions squad. However, I think that we all now need to expect that he won't be in this Lions tour.

formerly known as Sam wrote:
It is the big frustration with Genge. At Tigers he's all action in attack and destroys tightheads at scrum time (ask Will Stuart). At international level he looks merely solid and unspectacular, he's got to translate that ability soon otherwise as you say he's liable to be overtaken. West is injured so won't get a chance at the minute and Rodd is currently to weak at the set piece but has massive potential. Obano though, he could ease Genge out of the back up role with some good performances this summer.

Genge as a captain I think actually improved his game for Tigers because he didn't get involved with the opposition quite so much and with him being a talker and affable he got the ref onside very well. Cherry did a better job than Coley did as captain that was an experiment not repeated.

I think adapting to International level as a prop is probably the hardest step up from club level, perhaps after fly half. Scrummaging is the platform and suddenly every front row you come up against is the best in their country. If you've got poor technique you get found out, and that undermines other parts of your game.

I can remember Marler from his first couple of seasons at Quins - he had a much bigger carrying game. But then he went on the tour to SA, and while he did better than people had expected and wasn't minced by the Bokke props, he has spoken about knowing he needed to make a choice to get much better at scrummaging. He has become one of the top scrummaging looseheads in the world, and his defence has improved immeasurably but his carrying has suffered in proportion. Mako has kept the carrying but at the expense of being vulnerable against the best scrums.

Genge looked to me as if he was struggling in the scrum in the 6N, and it dragged the rest of his game down. He will need to make a choice about what he wants to do. I think he will adapt, but he's not there yet.

England A is likely to be our toughest game and I am more circumspect than throwing in all the youngest blokes.

Saying that more than happy to see McLean, Blain, Dobie, Henderson and Ashman in the starting XV.

Poorfour wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:
It is the big frustration with Genge. At Tigers he's all action in attack and destroys tightheads at scrum time (ask Will Stuart). At international level he looks merely solid and unspectacular, he's got to translate that ability soon otherwise as you say he's liable to be overtaken. West is injured so won't get a chance at the minute and Rodd is currently to weak at the set piece but has massive potential. Obano though, he could ease Genge out of the back up role with some good performances this summer.

Genge as a captain I think actually improved his game for Tigers because he didn't get involved with the opposition quite so much and with him being a talker and affable he got the ref onside very well. Cherry did a better job than Coley did as captain that was an experiment not repeated.

I think adapting to International level as a prop is probably the hardest step up from club level, perhaps after fly half. Scrummaging is the platform and suddenly every front row you come up against is the best in their country. If you've got poor technique you get found out, and that undermines other parts of your game.

I can remember Marler from his first couple of seasons at Quins - he had a much bigger carrying game. But then he went on the tour to SA, and while he did better than people had expected and wasn't minced by the Bokke props, he has spoken about knowing he needed to make a choice to get much better at scrummaging. He has become one of the top scrummaging looseheads in the world, and his defence has improved immeasurably but his carrying has suffered in proportion. Mako has kept the carrying but at the expense of being vulnerable against the best scrums.

Genge looked to me as if he was struggling in the scrum in the 6N, and it dragged the rest of his game down. He will need to make a choice about what he wants to do. I think he will adapt, but he's not there yet.

I thought he looked stable but not destructive at scrum time. Certainly better in that department than Mako but that's not setting the bar that high. I'm certainly expecting more this summer.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:I really hope Furbank isn't playing, not good enough and has never been good enough for international rugby.

I have a suspicion that Genge is going to captain the games Vs USA and Canada. He captained Tigers Vs Wasps on theast game of the season somewhat unexpectedly. Eddie has dropped some hints about leadership before then and had also been at Tigers training ground before naming the initial training squad. Apparently couldn't help himself and stepped in to coach a session. Considering how well Genge played and managed the referee (far better than Tigers normal captains) he may have put himself forward. Ewels is obviously another favourite though.

I'm hoping to see England line up;

1. Genge (c)
2. Blamire
3. Heyes
4. Ewels
5. Hill
6. Martin
7. Curry
8. Chick
9. Randall
10. Umaga
11. Radwan
12. Ojomah
13. Kelly
14. Cockasiga
15. Steward

Capon, Rodd, Hill/Davison, McInally, Underhill, Mitchell, Malins, Lawrence.

Exciting backline and backrow. Tight five that's tough but mobile and on the bench a nice mix of experience and youth. We can also ensure a large number of promising youngsters are tied in.

I'd also like to see us bed in that front row and use them again next week.

Yeah, typical Tigger, my players bigger than your player (which he is)  

It should be remembered that Steward is yet to prove himself at any level above premiership. Before being picked for England Furbank was tearing up the premiership defenses. That match against Scotland in weather that could only suit a team born to 300 days of stormy rain a year, really knocked his confidence and he is only now beginning to look the player he was.

I think I missed the games where Furbank was tearing it up before his first cap. I remember him looking a bright young player but was slightly surprised he got the call. He's one of those natural footballer type rugby players that's got a nice skillset and pace but doesn't necessarily suit any position particularly. At club level he'll be a valuable utility player but at International rugby lacks the positional Specialty.

I think Steward will be solid for England but might not blow people away. Unlike most other young back three players the area he's not quite managed to bring to the fore is his attack. He could be the glue that brings some very attacking wingers into a working back three though.

Well I'm sure I read that on a good tour Jones would be hoping for 4 players to go on to be heavily involved in the squad going forward. Full back is certainly one of the positions he'll be hoping for. And I think the 2 leading guys from this squad are Steward and Malins rather than Furbank.

George Carlin wrote:

Terrible that Tualagi is injured again. In a way it vindicates Gatland's decision not to rush him into the Lions squad. However, I think that we all now need to expect that he won't be in this Lions tour.

I think its time Manu was simply forgotten about with regards to England. Time to move on, focus on what we have (Slade, Farrell, Joseph etc) or develop what can be (Lawrence, Odogwu, Marchant, Ojomoh etc etc)...

Manu just needs to try and play regular club rugby.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

Terrible that Tualagi is injured again. In a way it vindicates Gatland's decision not to rush him into the Lions squad. However, I think that we all now need to expect that he won't be in this Lions tour.

I think its time Manu was simply forgotten about with regards to England. Time to move on, focus on what we have (Slade, Farrell, Joseph etc) or develop what can be (Lawrence, Odogwu, Marchant, Ojomoh etc etc)...

Manu just needs to try and play regular club rugby.

Bit hard when Farrell and Slade can't play together. Lawrence has looked out of his depth so far. Joseph and Marchant are very similar but currently our best bets for a strike runner. Ojomoh and Kelly are both very raw and neither play 13 regularly or if ever for their clubs.

Manu when fit and in form is one of the best centres in the world. He's the perfect impact player to pair with Farrell. His injuries are the only thing in his career between him and hitting 100 caps and a Nonu/SBW level of reputation. Calling him up for this tour was stupid. A full pre season will be far more beneficial, I suspect Eddie only included him so he could get fit and potentially be available for the Lions. Gives some opportunities to others now. Hopefully Marchant gets opportunities now as he's at a great age to push his way in.

https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/mitchell-to-lead-england-a-as-head-coach-against-scotland

John Mitchell is going to be our head coach for the game, I'd assumed it would be Eddie. Could be a trial run for the future..

Manu may well be one of the best in the world when hes fit....but when is that...and when is he actually available for a prolonged period....?
Relying on Manu is utterly futile these days.

I agree Farrell and Slade dont work for me either...i was merely listing them as options we currently have.

Personally I firmly believe the time is now to develop the kids coming through. Lawrence as you say hasnt looked great...maybe these games will be good for him, especially with Smith pulling the strings at 10.

O'Connor might be the one to come in also.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Manu may well be one of the best in the world when hes fit....but when is that...and when is he actually available for a prolonged period....?
Relying on Manu is utterly futile these days.

I agree Farrell and Slade dont work for me either...i was merely listing them as options we currently have.

Personally I firmly believe the time is now to develop the kids coming through. Lawrence as you say hasnt looked great...maybe these games will be good for him, especially with Smith pulling the strings at 10.

O'Connor might be the one to come in also.

Hadn't clicked but he wasn't pulled into the current squad, although Malins, Capon and Randall were

Actually your right i missed that he wasnt selected aswell...

Brilliant that this game is been televised. That's a tasty looking England squad and with Skinner banned, Fagerson injured it's twitchy bum time, could be a long afternoon for us

We are poor on TH, I probably would start the Scarlets Sebastian but not overly convinced. Hoping that Ashman, Bayliss and Dobie start and we go with a starting 15 of

1 Keeble (Bhatti)
2 Ashman (Turner)
3 Sebastian
4 Cummings
5 ? McDonald?
6 Bayliss
7 Richie (Captain)
8 Bradbury
9 Dobie (Steele)
10 Hastings
11 Kinghorn
12 Lang (Scott)
13 Hutchinson
14 McLean
15 Forbes

Is that Sam Skinner - is he available after his ban?

MichaelT wrote:Is that Sam Skinner - is he available after his ban?

Skinner is still banned and M Fagerson is out of the tour with an injury I think.

MichaelT wrote:Is that Sam Skinner - is he available after his ban?

Aah yes you could be right was it a 4 or 6 week ban, I know he will miss the EPL final so he is probably not available