Underhill wants to play for England

[Tom Moore]

Just in case people haven't seen:

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/underhi ... r-england/

[Banquo]

Me too. Chances, slim I'd say.

[Digby]

And me, though these days never mind chances being slim it's enough of a problem trying (frankly failing) to stay slim.

It is interesting to see the interest in a player who avoided the academy system, and of those that do they'll not all get picked up by the Rabo 12 and be put in such a shop window. It does worry me what we might be missing out on.

[padprop]

And me, though these days never mind chances being slim it's enough of a problem trying (frankly failing) to stay slim.

It is interesting to see the interest in a player who avoided the academy system, and of those that do they'll not all get picked up by the Rabo 12 and be put in such a shop window. It does worry me what we might be missing out on.

He was a star player in the Gloucester academy and also england under-18 captain, but yeah players such as ben morgan do often slip through the net.

[Bloggs]

Does the rule about not picking players outside the prem also apply to the Saxons? I just want Underhill involved in the England set up asap, he's class, yet still keep the same agreement. Maybe we could have a loophole for those who are studying outside of England?

[Digby]

And me, though these days never mind chances being slim it's enough of a problem trying (frankly failing) to stay slim.

It is interesting to see the interest in a player who avoided the academy system, and of those that do they'll not all get picked up by the Rabo 12 and be put in such a shop window. It does worry me what we might be missing out on.

He was a star player in the Gloucester academy and also england under-18 captain, but yeah players such as ben morgan do often slip through the net.

And he chose to walk away from that academy. Which is a variant to was injured, missed in scouting, developed post the scouting, lost interest in rugby, was a bit of a physical freak when younger but others have now caught up and surpassed. Lots of reasons people end up never being included or go from in to out of the academy system, but he clearly avoided staying in the academy, even if yes he was once in it.

Whether Underhill wanted to leave simply because of where he wanted to study for his degree I don't know, but the academy system can be unresponsive in too many ways. That the academy system is what it is wouldn't be too bad if we were more aware of what else was going on

[Spiffy]

And me, though these days never mind chances being slim it's enough of a problem trying (frankly failing) to stay slim.

It is interesting to see the interest in a player who avoided the academy system, and of those that do they'll not all get picked up by the Rabo 12 and be put in such a shop window. It does worry me what we might be missing out on.

He was a star player in the Gloucester academy and also england under-18 captain, but yeah players such as ben morgan do often slip through the net.

And he chose to walk away from that academy. Which is a variant to was injured, missed in scouting, developed post the scouting, lost interest in rugby, was a bit of a physical freak when younger but others have now caught up and surpassed. Lots of reasons people end up never being included or go from in to out of the academy system, but he clearly avoided staying in the academy, even if yes he was once in it.

Whether Underhill wanted to leave simply because of where he wanted to study for his degree I don't know, but the academy system can be unresponsive in too many ways. That the academy system is what it is wouldn't be too bad if we were more aware of what else was going on

Maybe he just figured Gloucester are a bit ordinary, and wanted somethng better

[Bob]

Gloucster to Cardiff isn't that much farther than Cardiff to Swansea. Another 10 mins in the car. Can't believe Glaws didn't try harder to keep him.

[Digby]

Gloucster to Cardiff isn't that much farther than Cardiff to Swansea. Another 10 mins in the car. Can't believe Glaws didn't try harder to keep him.

But did he want more of a university experience including living with his peers? And perhaps had he known how things would work out it might have been different, but I can't think he went firm in the knowledge he'd even make the Ospreys squad never mind the starting XV

[Mellsblue]

He had a few injuries whilst at Glos and realised that he wanted to focus on getting his degree in case the rugby didn't work out. The Glos academy couldn't provide the flexibility required so he went to Cardiff and to play for an Ospreys feeder club. Injuries at Ospreys and impressive training performances led to him representing Ospreys.

[Digby]

He had a few injuries whilst at Glos and realised that he wanted to focus on getting his degree in case the rugby didn't work out. The Glos academy couldn't provide the flexibility required so he went to Cardiff and to play for an Ospreys feeder club. Injuries at Ospreys and impressive training performances led to him representing Ospreys.

It's a bit slapdash it seems. Okay fine they've the link to Hartpury, but that's not going to cut it for everyone, and they've got a decent uni in Bristol close enough to have some other options. Underhill may have still wanted out, but they should have more choices.

[ilovelamp]

Mellsblue is pretty much spot on with his post. Underhill will be back at Glaws soon though.

[Digby]

Mellsblue is pretty much spot on with his post. Underhill will be back at Glaws soon though.

A swap with Moriarty might suit everyone.

[fivepointer]

looks like EJ is keen for him to play for England too -
"“He’s [Underhill] been playing very well for the Ospreys,” Jones said. “We’ve still got the situation that he’s playing outside of England and we have to sort that situation. I think we’re coming to a resolution and there’s no doubt he’ll be selected in the England squad in the next six months.”

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/m ... -rfu-rugby

[Which Tyler]

I wonder if Bath are sniffing around him now that it looks like Houston is heading home to challenge for caps.
We were supposed to have made initial inquiries a few months ago; but the last-minute loss of Houston may well change the picture; both in terms of desperation and in terms of space in the cap.

[francoisfou]

If he's good enough, then pick him - Saxons or senior team, and may the "exceptional circumstances" rule be applied!

[Flanking_Now_Hooks]

Maybe Bristol if they come up?

[Mellsblue]

PRL putting their foot down that this isn't an exceptional circumstance. Seems a bit ridiculous when you consider its because of one of their number that this unexceptional circumstance has occurred.

[twitchy]

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/domestic ... e-himself/

[Tigersman]

Can't see why he would want to go back to Glous TBH.

[Mellsblue]

Corry seems to have missed the point as to why Underhill is in Wales in the first place.

[Which Tyler]

Can't see why he would want to go back to Glous TBH.

Depends on whether there's any hard feelings there I guess.

I'd still put Bath, Wasps and Exeter as better fits though - they have (assuming Steff to Pests) top class 7s approaching the ends of their careers with not too much in the way of back-up. All 3 would give him a decent amount of game time of the bat, increasing once he graduates; and would set him up as heir apparent for 3-4 years time.
At Glos he wouldn't learn as much off Kvesic as he would Louw/Steff/Salvi; and wouldn't be heir apparent in a reasonable time frame.

I think those 3 clubs would all represent an ambitious, self-confident signing, at ambitious clubs. Glos would seem like a stop-gap signing, or fully confident that he'd get better than Kvesic; and also signal that he doesn't want to play for England, of course.

[Stom]

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/domestic ... e-himself/

When someone says that Luke Wallace is the best option for England, I'm not really going to rate that person's opinion particularly highly...

[jngf]

From reading another post I understand that Underhill is an especially powerful tackler for an openside,
much in the style of Peter Winterbottom.

[Spiffy]

From reading another post I understand that Underhill is an especially powerful tackler for an openside,
much in the style of Peter Winterbottom.

Surely any 7 aiming to make a mark at the top level of he game has to be a powerful tackler. It's part of the job description.