England Training Squad

[Digby]

I'd rather Eddie pick Robson, but it seems more likely rather than Robson being the backup the hope is Wiggle continues like Stringer

[Banquo]

I'd rather Eddie pick Robson, but it seems more likely rather than Robson being the backup the hope is Wiggle continues like Stringer

cripes....but to my original point there isn't the evidence to support the existence of a plan b, just a bunch of supposition. The only recent evidence is Maunder going to Argentina.

[Digby]

I'd rather Eddie pick Robson, but it seems more likely rather than Robson being the backup the hope is Wiggle continues like Stringer

cripes....but to my original point there isn't the evidence to support the existence of a plan b, just a bunch of supposition. The only recent evidence is Maunder going to Argentina.

Had he picked Maunder now I'd consider that plan B, and I'd like to see a plan B. Just in the absence of a plan B there really only seems one option he can be keeping in reserve, other than hoping that some youngster suddenly looks like a new Gregan

[Banquo]

I'd rather Eddie pick Robson, but it seems more likely rather than Robson being the backup the hope is Wiggle continues like Stringer

cripes....but to my original point there isn't the evidence to support the existence of a plan b, just a bunch of supposition. The only recent evidence is Maunder going to Argentina.

Had he picked Maunder now I'd consider that plan B, and I'd like to see a plan B. Just in the absence of a plan B there really only seems one option he can be keeping in reserve, other than hoping that some youngster suddenly looks like a new Gregan

Maunder has been crocked and he doesnt pick more than 2 sh's. I still dont get that so called Wiggle is your projected plan B, given all the obvious evidence that he hasn't picked him and that he will be too old come 2019 and that he doesnt fit any of Eddie's plans. But hey ho- perhaps we can compromise on 'lack of a credible plan b and/or back up to the two average intl 9's in place'?.

[Mikey Brown]

I sadly think old Dick Wiggle is the most likely next option too. Regardless of game time.

[Banquo]

I sadly think old Dick Wiggle is the most likely next option too. Regardless of game time.

and regardless of being 36 come the next world cup? Why do you think that?

[Puja]

Of course he will have to name a 3rd, and it remains an extrapolation that Care and Youngs will still be fit and up to it (assuming they are now!) when both over 30; I think stating that the 3rd would be Wiggie (let alone Wiggle ), who by then will be 36 and who hasn't started a game under Eddie and who is an entirely different style to the other two, and further would change the whole 'finishers' dynamic...to be odd. Mind its not the first time.

Maybe, Eddie is just waiting till Spencer overtakes Wigglesworth as 1st choice at Sarries.

Frankly, I don't get why Robson isn't in the frame, as he'd fit the current model of the team perfectly. Wiggy would require a major change imo, and as I said will be past it come the RWC, even if up to it today (marginal)

If we wanted to have a quasi-poach of someone on the fringes of their Premiership team to annoy the Scots, I'd rather we'd looked at Vellacott ahead of Graham.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

I sadly think old Dick Wiggle is the most likely next option too. Regardless of game time.

and regardless of being 36 come the next world cup? Why do you think that?

Because he's fucking boring. What do you want from me?

[Digby]

I sadly think old Dick Wiggle is the most likely next option too. Regardless of game time.

and regardless of being 36 come the next world cup? Why do you think that?

Because he's fucking boring. What do you want from me?

Banquo is just very against players in their mid 30s, or stupid kids as he terms them. I'm still hoping we call up Robson, but then I'm hoping we call up Kvesic and in both instances it feels like it's just not going to happen for them. On which basis and given Eddie is content to play a simple game off 9 I can see having his 3rd choice as a player who could slot into a 8, 9, 10 unit and already has 20 odd (30 odd even?) caps is a simple solution, albeit it's a risky solution and a solution to a problem he doesn't need to have

[Which Tyler]

The only evidence we have, suggests that Maunder is plan B; and that evidence is scanty.

So we have to look at logic.
Logic dictates that Wigglesworth is known not to be international quality whilst he was at his peak (near a decade ago) but knows the likely 8 and an option at 10; whilst requiring an entirely new game-plan whilst he's on the pitch.
Logic also custards that Robson may or may not be international quality, is at his peak, but knows an option at 8 and would be close to a like-for-like replacement for the first choice starter (infuriatingly inconsistent, and much happier running than passing, a hit-or-miss box kick).

I still wish Ben Spencer had moved on from Sarries 1-2 contracts ago; I also wish that Exeter hadn't brought White in to stifle the development of Maunder and Townsend.

[Puja]

Logic also custards that

The rest of your post was germane and interesting, but I am quoting just to preserve this awesome typo for posterity.

Puja

[Digby]

Logic dictates that Wigglesworth is known not to be international quality whilst he was at his peak (near a decade ago)

Was that his peak? Also that was in a team trying to move the ball to a degree that isn't always the case now, and I'd envisage were he called up we'd play a very simple game running off the 9, okay with width but only using that width if the defence had loused up and the 10 wanted to move the ball wider

[Oakboy]

The only evidence we have, suggests that Maunder is plan B; and that evidence is scanty.

So we have to look at logic.
Logic dictates that Wigglesworth is known not to be international quality whilst he was at his peak (near a decade ago) but knows the likely 8 and an option at 10; whilst requiring an entirely new game-plan whilst he's on the pitch.
Logic also custards that Robson may or may not be international quality, is at his peak, but knows an option at 8 and would be close to a like-for-like replacement for the first choice starter (infuriatingly inconsistent, and much happier running than passing, a hit-or-miss box kick).

I still wish Ben Spencer had moved on from Sarries 1-2 contracts ago; I also wish that Exeter hadn't brought White in to stifle the development of Maunder and Townsend.

A big 'yes' of agreement to your last sentence. The worst-case scenario of two badly-timed injuries to Youngs and Care still hovers, unlikely or not. I'd far rather have any (or any three) of the other names you mention than Wigglesworth.

[fivepointer]

The SH issue is simply bizarre. In every other position its clear there is a pecking order with obvious candidates to replace injured players. That is to be expected. Eddie has spoken about having 3 top class options in each position and has been quietly building those options throughout the side.
Yet in arguably the key position in the team, we dont know who would come in if one of the anointed two should pick up a knock.
I just dont get it.

[oldbackrow]

The SH issue is simply bizarre. In every other position its clear there is a pecking order with obvious candidates to replace injured players. That is to be expected. Eddie has spoken about having 3 top class options in each position and has been quietly building those options throughout the side.
Yet in arguably the key position in the team, we dont know who would come in if one of the anointed two should pick up a knock.
I just dont get it.

Ford!

[Digby]

The SH issue is simply bizarre. In every other position its clear there is a pecking order with obvious candidates to replace injured players. That is to be expected. Eddie has spoken about having 3 top class options in each position and has been quietly building those options throughout the side.
Yet in arguably the key position in the team, we dont know who would come in if one of the anointed two should pick up a knock.
I just dont get it.

Ford!

Or Smith. Actually we very rarely have players who appear at 9 and 10 and I'd actually expect to see a few more give it a whirl, even if only to see what problems the other role can cause them

[Banquo]

The only evidence we have, suggests that Maunder is plan B; and that evidence is scanty.

So we have to look at logic.
Logic dictates that Wigglesworth is known not to be international quality whilst he was at his peak (near a decade ago) but knows the likely 8 and an option at 10; whilst requiring an entirely new game-plan whilst he's on the pitch.
Logic also custards that Robson may or may not be international quality, is at his peak, but knows an option at 8 and would be close to a like-for-like replacement for the first choice starter (infuriatingly inconsistent, and much happier running than passing, a hit-or-miss box kick).

I still wish Ben Spencer had moved on from Sarries 1-2 contracts ago; I also wish that Exeter hadn't brought White in to stifle the development of Maunder and Townsend.

You lost me at custards

[Banquo]

and regardless of being 36 come the next world cup? Why do you think that?

Because he's fucking boring. What do you want from me?

Banquo is just very against players in their mid 30s, or stupid kids as he terms them. I'm still hoping we call up Robson, but then I'm hoping we call up Kvesic and in both instances it feels like it's just not going to happen for them. On which basis and given Eddie is content to play a simple game off 9 I can see having his 3rd choice as a player who could slot into a 8, 9, 10 unit and already has 20 odd (30 odd even?) caps is a simple solution, albeit it's a risky solution and a solution to a problem he doesn't need to have

You missed my Conrad Smith love in, clearly.

It remains an optimistic nay bizarre solution to think that a 36 year old would slot into a RWC team no problem.

[Banquo]

The SH issue is simply bizarre. In every other position its clear there is a pecking order with obvious candidates to replace injured players. That is to be expected. Eddie has spoken about having 3 top class options in each position and has been quietly building those options throughout the side.
Yet in arguably the key position in the team, we dont know who would come in if one of the anointed two should pick up a knock.
I just dont get it.

quite, and in fact my original point, before Digby went all Last of the Summer Wine on me.

[Digby]

A reference which alludes me a little as I've never seen it. I can remember catching a few seconds of the theme song as a young child whilst someone was channel hopping.

I would assume Eddie would see anyone else coming in at 9 as a problem, and merely Wiggle as the solution with the least number of problems. Why he wants 5 fly halves and only 2 scrum halves I don't know, it's more than a little weird. And oh for an Austin Healey

[Banquo]

A reference which alludes me a little as I've never seen it. I can remember catching a few seconds of the theme song as a young child whilst someone was channel hopping.

I would assume Eddie would see anyone else coming in at 9 as a problem, and merely Wiggle as the solution with the least number of problems. Why he wants 5 fly halves and only 2 scrum halves I don't know, it's more than a little weird. And oh for an Austin Healey

eludes I hope. Still running in 2010 I believe, though somewhat lost its way

I don't think Wiggle, as he is apparently known (Wiggy I thought, but that's also Rowntree), does present the 'least number of problems'; age is one problem two years hence, another is a change to starting planning (he has no break, unlike either Care or Youngs), and he certainly doesn't fit Eddie's finisher mode. True, IF Vunipola were fit and IF Faz were at 10, can see some merit. Else it just looks a change of style to accommodate a player at the tail end of his career; so I think it creates as many problems as it solves. Anyhow, we plainly disagree on what Plan B should be in the case of injury to Care and Youngs (mind Plan A wouldn't be where I'd start anyway!)

[Digby]

A reference which alludes me a little as I've never seen it. I can remember catching a few seconds of the theme song as a young child whilst someone was channel hopping.

I would assume Eddie would see anyone else coming in at 9 as a problem, and merely Wiggle as the solution with the least number of problems. Why he wants 5 fly halves and only 2 scrum halves I don't know, it's more than a little weird. And oh for an Austin Healey

eludes I hope. Still running in 2010 I believe, though somewhat lost its way

I don't think Wiggle, as he is apparently known (Wiggy I thought, but that's also Rowntree), does present the 'least number of problems'; age is one problem two years hence, another is a change to starting planning (he has no break, unlike either Care or Youngs), and he certainly doesn't fit Eddie's finisher mode. True, IF Vunipola were fit and IF Faz were at 10, can see some merit. Else it just looks a change of style to accommodate a player at the tail end of his career; so I think it creates as many problems as it solves. Anyhow, we plainly disagree on what Plan B should be in the case of injury to Care and Youngs (mind Plan A wouldn't be where I'd start anyway!)

Ah, yes, eludes. And it's not what I think plan B should be, it's only what I assume Eddie has in mind for a plan B given he's not doing anything else about it, I'd be more concerned about age/burnout if Sarries weren't so good at looking after their players (though they're slipping in this regard), and Wiggle must know he's got the possible fairytale career ending

[Mellsblue]

The only evidence we have, suggests that Maunder is plan B; and that evidence is scanty.

So we have to look at logic.
Logic dictates that Wigglesworth is known not to be international quality whilst he was at his peak (near a decade ago) but knows the likely 8 and an option at 10; whilst requiring an entirely new game-plan whilst he's on the pitch.
Logic also custards that Robson may or may not be international quality, is at his peak, but knows an option at 8 and would be close to a like-for-like replacement for the first choice starter (infuriatingly inconsistent, and much happier running than passing, a hit-or-miss box kick).

I still wish Ben Spencer had moved on from Sarries 1-2 contracts ago; I also wish that Exeter hadn't brought White in to stifle the development of Maunder and Townsend.

You lost me at custards

tart

[Digby]

The only evidence we have, suggests that Maunder is plan B; and that evidence is scanty.

So we have to look at logic.
Logic dictates that Wigglesworth is known not to be international quality whilst he was at his peak (near a decade ago) but knows the likely 8 and an option at 10; whilst requiring an entirely new game-plan whilst he's on the pitch.
Logic also custards that Robson may or may not be international quality, is at his peak, but knows an option at 8 and would be close to a like-for-like replacement for the first choice starter (infuriatingly inconsistent, and much happier running than passing, a hit-or-miss box kick).

I still wish Ben Spencer had moved on from Sarries 1-2 contracts ago; I also wish that Exeter hadn't brought White in to stifle the development of Maunder and Townsend.

You lost me at custards

tart

Another half baked post

[Mellsblue]

You lost me at custards

tart

Another half baked post

I was very happy with it. Like the cat who got the custard cream.