6N Back Row

[Dasheragain]

How has Val Rapava Ruskin been getting on for Gloucester?

To be honest, three looseheads (Genge, Mako, Marler) is pretty good and we're talking about our fourth choice here, also for the bench only - I wonder if he should just pick someone solid, rather than thinking too much about potential.

[Mellsblue]

I think VRR has been out injured. I also like Hepburn over Obano but he’s only just come back from injury.

[Puja]

VRR has barely played with suspensions and injury and then struggling to get ahead of Hohneck. Shame really.

I've got no problem wth Obano benching in the absence of Genge and Mullan. It's not like there's too many solid options out there that wouldn't be far worse than just chucking Benny-boy in at the deep end.

Puja

[Gloskarlos]

VRR has barely played with suspensions and injury and then struggling to get ahead of Hohneck. Shame really.

I've got no problem wth Obano benching in the absence of Genge and Mullan. It's not like there's too many solid options out there that wouldn't be far worse than just chucking Benny-boy in at the deep end.

Puja

He's still injured, hasn't been available for selection for most of this season, its not really that he is viewed as being behind Hohneck (which he is now of course as a resut of the injury but once he is fit to challenge I see it being a little different)

[fivepointer]

One of this seasons great frustrations has been VRR's lack of action due to injury. He's an international prop I reckon and would be handily placed to prove that if he was fit.
One name that doesnt come up much when discussing LH's is Ross Harrison at Sale. He's a really good player, very consistent and effective.

[Mellsblue]

One name that doesnt come up much when discussing LH's is Ross Harrison at Sale. He's a really good player, very consistent and effective.

Hes a long way down the list, for me. Just behind A Waller in about 9th place.

[fivepointer]

One name that doesnt come up much when discussing LH's is Ross Harrison at Sale. He's a really good player, very consistent and effective.

Hes a long way down the list, for me. Just behind A Waller in about 9th place.

Oh he's far better than Waller. He's not in the top 4 but if you're missing 3 who are then you've got to cast the net wider.

[Scrumhead]

Ross Harrison is a decent Premiership player but I don’t think he’s test quality.

The known order for looseheads is something like: Marler, Mako, Genge, Mullan

Beyond that is anyone’s guess ...

Hepburn and Harrison were in the last Saxons squad and Eddie has previously called up Catt and, more recently Obano (albeit only for a training squad).

Rapava-Ruskin is presumably somewhere in the conversation but I’m less sure on the Wallers. Let’s hope that 5th choice is as deep as we need to go.

[Mellsblue]

One name that doesnt come up much when discussing LH's is Ross Harrison at Sale. He's a really good player, very consistent and effective.

Hes a long way down the list, for me. Just behind A Waller in about 9th place.

Oh he's far better than Waller. He's not in the top 4 but if you're missing 3 who are then you've got to cast the net wider.

I’d disagree. If all are fit, I’d rank them as follows:
Mako
Marler
Genge
Mullan
Hepburn
VRR
Obano
Catt
Waller
Harrison

[Puja]

Hes a long way down the list, for me. Just behind A Waller in about 9th place.

Oh he's far better than Waller. He's not in the top 4 but if you're missing 3 who are then you've got to cast the net wider.

I’d disagree. If all are fit, I’d rank them as follows:
Mako
Marler
Genge
Mullan
Hepburn
VRR
Obano
Catt
Waller
Harrison

Which Waller? I think I'd have E above Harrison and A below, but it's tight.

Our loosehead situation remains ridiculous. Remember when we had Tim Paine as a first choice?

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Oh he's far better than Waller. He's not in the top 4 but if you're missing 3 who are then you've got to cast the net wider.

I’d disagree. If all are fit, I’d rank them as follows:
Mako
Marler
Genge
Mullan
Hepburn
VRR
Obano
Catt
Waller
Harrison

Which Waller? I think I'd have E above Harrison and A below, but it's tight.

Our loosehead situation remains ridiculous. Remember when we had Tim Paine as a first choice?

Puja

A Waller at Northampton above Harrison.
As you say, the depth is pretty good. I wouldn’t worry about any of my top 5 playing. I reckon I would add the next two in to that bracket if they get plenty of game time over the next 12 months.

[Digby]

No Auterac?

[Mellsblue]

Forgot about him I’d put him in and around his current team mates.

[p/d]

Forgot about him I’d put him in and around his current team mates.

Looks to have gone backwards.

Injuries and a visit to ‘Toni & Guy’ have been his undoing

[Mellsblue]

Forgot about him I’d put him in and around his current team mates.

Looks to have gone backwards.

Injuries and a visit to ‘Toni & Guy’ have been his undoing

I was going to suggest that the positives from his year at Bedford had been coached out of him but the haircut theory seems more plausible.

[Rich]

To get back to the back row, does anyone think Gary Graham (pinched under the nose of Gregor Townsend) stands a chance of getting into the XIII against Italy ?

Could he be the bolter that Moriarty was for Wales ?

On that subject, what price Vellacott getting a game ?

[Scrumhead]

With Haskell’s suspension and Billy’s injury, Graham has a great chance of some game time.

Vellacott has got to get in the squad first. If he’s picked, it’s possible Eddie might give him 10 minutes against Italy to tie him in if nothing else.

[twitchy]

To get back to the back row, does anyone think Gary Graham (pinched under the nose of Gregor Townsend) stands a chance of getting into the XIII against Italy ?

Could he be the bolter that Moriarty was for Wales ?

On that subject, what price Vellacott getting a game ?

EJ deserves respect for he has done with england but if graham (who barely makes the newcastle team) gets in ahead of armand and ewers you have to seriously raise some eye brows. What sort of message is that for other players?

I posted a telegraph article by healey a while back that nailed it.

[Mellsblue]

To get back to the back row, does anyone think Gary Graham (pinched under the nose of Gregor Townsend) stands a chance of getting into the XIII against Italy ?

Could he be the bolter that Moriarty was for Wales ?

On that subject, what price Vellacott getting a game ?

EJ deserves respect for he has done with england but if graham (who barely makes the newcastle team) gets in ahead of armand and ewers you have to seriously raise some eye brows. What sort of message is that for other players?

I posted a telegraph article by healey a while back that nailed it.

Jones has definitely had Ewers in camp, Jones’ first, and I think Armand too. Ewers might get back in if he can string some games together. Jones obviously doesn’t like what he sees in Armand. I'm inclined to agree. Looks like Tom Wood mkII to me. Good Prem player but nothing that makes you think he’ll make a success of the step up.
I haven’t seen Graham play but he is in his first season of top flight rugby and Jones may see something in him that makes him think he’ll be good enough come Japan.
Alternatively, we could just wait for tomorrow’s EPS and then argue about fact.

[Oakboy]

On the subject of tomorrow's announcement etc., has it been confirmed that Haskell will be suspended?

[Puja]

On the subject of tomorrow's announcement etc., has it been confirmed that Haskell will be suspended?

Disciplinary hearing this evening, alongside Bastereaud's one for calling a Treviso player a "fucking f****t". I really hope the latter gets the book thrown at him - I don't care if you were angry and are sorry now; you shouldn't have that word close to the tip of your tongue in any case especially not when you're a role model - but I expect the disciplinary panel to wuss out for both cases.

Puja

[p/d]

‘Wuss’.......now, now Puja

[Puja]

‘Wuss’.......now, now Puja

Fine - I expect the discplinary panel to London Irish out. Happy now?

Can we use "Mallinder out" to suggest ducking out of something you don't fancy being involved with?

Puja

[p/d]

Will be interesting to read how they came to their decision (whatever that will be).

Though, like you, expect them to show leniency

[Puja]

Will be interesting to read how they came to their decision (whatever that will be).

Though, like you, expect them to show leniency

I can save you the wait - "He pleaded guilty, apologised publically, was very contrite and has promised to do charity work with an LGBT group and learn from his mistakes. 8 week ban, halved for good behaviour and biscuit etiquette, and with 3 weeks suspended cause he didn't really mean it. Next! Ah, Mr Haskell - luckily for you, we've already shown our commitment to being against blows to the head this month by banning Marler, so you get 2 weeks. You were planning on playing in the Anglo-Welsh Cup you say? Well, in which case, keep your flights for Italy booked, Mr Haskell."

Puja