Ruck marks.

[Banquo]

I think to some degree we were still operating the same system, but with a significantly more hardworking backrow. Lawes hits ruck at a similar rate to the starting props, whereas Haskell is on par with Robshaw. Lawes is also generally less effective in the rucks. So our nomads were getting to more rucks. At times we did over resource, but others we seemed to try and use 1-2 where possible, with the nomad providing the backup.

...and I think that's an issue, as its very reliant on carriers making dents, and supporters making great decisions with good technique. When your carriers gets smacked back, you need to over compensate, and then you end up with less options...etc.

We sometimes use the same system (the prongs) but we've certainly set up with more 3 man pods in the last two games is my impression. And there's little doubt we're mostly about a power game, though we're about power whilst often picking Hartley, Cole and Simmonds who are more support than power options.

For 20 odd games our power game was at times giving us quicker ball, enough quick ball to win at any rate. We've not tipped that far away from doing similar, but we've definitely been found out a bit.

I'm now hoping the players weren't fatigued from being over trained, if Eddie is seriously saying in public he's never going to pick some players again when he's knowingly overtrained the group that's more than a little unreasonable

That resonates with what I thought I was watching! I guess the other tipping has been persisting until Ireland with having a luxury brontosaurus at 6.

[Raggs]

In the Ireland game though, we had fast ball, and managed to turn it into slow ball behind the gainline. 8 times in the 22, and coming away with just 3 scores. And that's with a lot of penalties and front foot ball.

Hearing again they were heavily trained.

As for saying he's not going to pick players, Armand (who's behind god knows how many, with others up and coming), and Wigglesworth (I hope we now move to find a proper 3rd choice, if not 4th), could easily never be picked again, and have nothing to do with overtraining.

[Digby]

But Eddie doesn't need to make that comment, he'll annoy those players, he'll annoy their club coaches, he'll annoy friends of those players - some of whom one assumes he'll be picking again. Yes he's perhaps acted out of emotion, but he's not paid a big salary to get upset in public and say something needless, and if he's an issue with someone like Wigglesworth he might do better having a word with the bloke who's refused to look at any 9 other than Youngs and Care

There's no positive available to Eddie in making that comment is why I've a problem with it. He only needs to speak to the players privately, and then not pick them next time. It wouldn't work at the best of times, but in the Ireland game we veered away from the 10-12 game supported by the 2 man prongs, and from the previous game we made 6 changes in the pack and changed both halfbacks against the most controlled side in world rugby, I just can't see how his comments are helpful to us, and by extension to him

[Raggs]

But Eddie doesn't need to make that comment, he'll annoy those players, he'll annoy their club coaches, he'll annoy friends of those players - some of whom one assumes he'll be picking again. Yes he's perhaps acted out of emotion, but he's not paid a big salary to get upset in public and say something needless, and if he's an issue with someone like Wigglesworth he might do better having a word with the bloke who's refused to look at any 9 other than Youngs and Care

There's no positive available to Eddie in making that comment is why I've a problem with it. He only needs to speak to the players privately, and then not pick them next time. It wouldn't work at the best of times, but in the Ireland game we veered away from the 10-12 game supported by the 2 man prongs, and from the previous game we made 6 changes in the pack and changed both halfbacks against the most controlled side in world rugby, I just can't see how his comments are helpful to us, and by extension to him

Eddie said "other guys are maybe going to struggle to participate in the future." explicitly when referring to the number of injuries (backrow mentioned in particular). Goes out of his way to tell the reporter off when the reporter says some people won't play again.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rug ... 61401.html

[Banquo]

But Eddie doesn't need to make that comment, he'll annoy those players, he'll annoy their club coaches, he'll annoy friends of those players - some of whom one assumes he'll be picking again. Yes he's perhaps acted out of emotion, but he's not paid a big salary to get upset in public and say something needless, and if he's an issue with someone like Wigglesworth he might do better having a word with the bloke who's refused to look at any 9 other than Youngs and Care

There's no positive available to Eddie in making that comment is why I've a problem with it. He only needs to speak to the players privately, and then not pick them next time. It wouldn't work at the best of times, but in the Ireland game we veered away from the 10-12 game supported by the 2 man prongs, and from the previous game we made 6 changes in the pack and changed both halfbacks against the most controlled side in world rugby, I just can't see how his comments are helpful to us, and by extension to him

Eddie said "other guys are maybe going to struggle to participate in the future." explicitly when referring to the number of injuries (backrow mentioned in particular). Goes out of his way to tell the reporter off when the reporter says some people won't play again.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rug ... 61401.html

yep, I couldn't find a direct reference to him dropping players, despite seeing that (fake) soundbite repeated.

[Digby]

Some guys aren't going to play again Vs some guys are dropped then. You say potato...

[Greebo]

Thanks Raggs, I do read them and find them interesting. Certainly makes me understand what each player contributes. Doesn't always confirm my bias towards certain players!

[Raggs]

Thanks Raggs, I do read them and find them interesting. Certainly makes me understand what each player contributes. Doesn't always confirm my bias towards certain players!

I think the one that keeps getting me is Hartley. Especially when you see George not actually doing much more than him when he's starting.