England squad announcement

[Puja]

Squad being named tomorrow - what do we predict for the startling selections?

I reckon there'll be recalls for BillyV and George, but none for Ford because Eddie doesn't like admitting that he's wrong. I also reckon he'll leave out Dombrandt, partly because he enjoys making pundits cry, but partly because Dombrandt couldn't bring it when he was tested against a big side. Ludlow will inexplicably make it in though. The only scrum-halves will be Youngs and Robson, cause Eddie also enjoys making me cry.

What's everyone else's predictions?

Puja

[fivepointer]

We've been here before with Jones squads. He names a large provisional squad with some interesting new names then revert to the usual suspects.
I suspect we're in for some disappointment.
I do think he'll keep Ford as one of the two 10's with Smith. He wont ditch Farrell, who he will earmark to play 12.

[Scrumhead]

Squad being named tomorrow - what do we predict for the startling selections?

I reckon there'll be recalls for BillyV and George, but none for Ford because Eddie doesn't like admitting that he's wrong. I also reckon he'll leave out Dombrandt, partly because he enjoys making pundits cry, but partly because Dombrandt couldn't bring it when he was tested against a big side. Ludlow will inexplicably make it in though. The only scrum-halves will be Youngs and Robson, cause Eddie also enjoys making me cry.

What's everyone else's predictions?

Puja

I agree with most of this. I think you’re right re. Billy, George, Dombrandt and Ludlow.

I think Quirke will get in though.

[FKAS]

Hookers - George, LCD, Blamire
LH - Mako, Marler, Genge
TH - Sinckler, Stuart, Heyes
Lock - Itoje, Hill, Ewels, Lawes
Flanker - Underhill, Curry, Earl, Ludlum
8 - Billy V, Dombrandt
9 - Youngs, Randall, Quirke
10 - Ford, Smith
Centre - Farrell, Manu, Slade, Lawrence, Marchant
Wing - May, Watson, Radwan
15 - Malins, Steward

That 34 is my best guess. Robson a high profile casualty. Most of the surprising and interesting names from the training squad miss out as is the Eddie way.

[Scrumhead]

LCD’s injury didn’t look good. I’d be surprised if he’ll be fit for the AIs. Not sure about Watson? Originally he indicated he was going to play on and then changed his mind. The way he pulled up, I thought it was some kind of tear, or worse.

This is what I think we’ll see (not necessarily my preference):

1. Marler / Genge / Obano
2. George / Blamire / *Dolly
3. Sinckler / Stuart / Heyes
4. Itoje / Lawes
5. Hill / Ewels
6. Curry / Ludlam
7. Underhill / Ludlow
8. Vunipola / Simmonds
9. Youngs / Randall / Quirke
10. Farrell / Smith
11. May / Nowell
12. Tuilagi / Lawrence
13. Slade / Marchant
14. Watson** / Radwan
15. Malins / Steward

*There’s always at least one surprise and if LCD is going to be out, I can see Dolly getting a shot based upon his form ahead of someone like Dunn. Oghre probably would have got the call, but I’m not sure he will having started the season on the flank and now with a poorly timed-ban. Capon’s lineout woes won’t have helped him. Dan Frost could be an out of nowhere Eddie style wild card though.

**If Watson is out, I can see Malins being played on the wing with another centre, maybe Ojomoh coming in. Even in Bath’s $hit show against Saracens, he shone with his offloads.

[Mikey Brown]

Isn’t Dolly Aus capped?

[chris1850]

I know Bath were terrible today but Dunn was absolutely awful. Shouldn't be anywhere near the squad on that showing. Dolly is a good shout

[p/d]

Isn’t Dolly Aus capped?

English through and through Mikey

[Scrumhead]

Isn’t Dolly Aus capped?

Nope. Born in Australia but came through the Sale academy and was a regular for England at U20 (and U18 I think?) level.

[Spiffy]

Don't think it will happen, but I'd like to see Lozowski get another chance to show his stuff. He is fast, is a good all round footballer and playmaker who can cover 12/13 and 10 at a pinch. He is playing with some verve after his stint in France which seems to have done him the world of good in self confidence and decision making.

[FKAS]

Isn’t Dolly Aus capped?

Nope. Born in Australia but came through the Sale academy and was a regular for England at U20 (and U18 I think?) level.

Dolly is only 22. Had an extended stay with his grandparents up on Manchester when 17 and got spotted playing local rugby and ended up in the Sale academy. Couldn't get a look in at Sale and ended up playing in the Championship for Coventry and then picked up by Leicester as a squad player. He did do some loans pre Coventry whilst still at Sale and as mentioned played England age grade qualifying through grandparents I presume.

[FKAS]

Another thing on Dolly is that he isn't the biggest and isn't a powerful scrummager which are among the normal preferences of Eddie.

[Oakboy]

I can't understand why Ewels would be in the squad. Isiekwe, IMO, is a far better player. Yesterday's comparison was just reinforcement.

[16th man]

Itoje's hand injury reportedly making him a doubt.

That will need someone to really step up to fill the gap he leaves.

[TheNomad]

I can't understand why Ewels would be in the squad. Isiekwe, IMO, is a far better player. Yesterday's comparison was just reinforcement.

Totally agree with this. It’s been years now and I just don’t see it with Ewels

[Scrumhead]

I think we all feel the same about Ewels TBH. The squad I listed was what I expect to see, not what I would like to see.

Having said that, I’m not sure Isiekwe really did a lot yesterday other than taking lineouts and restarts though TBH. He got stopped on the gainline on pretty much all his carries too which is not great for such a big, athletic bloke playing in a team that was utterly dominant. I don’t think he was bad - just military medium. I’d love to see him focus on playing lock. Swapping between lock and flanker isn’t helping him IMO.

In the meantime, I’d prefer Ribbans to Ewels.

[Mikey Brown]

I'd just assumed Dolly was a late-20s journeyman with a small handful of Aus caps. Not sure why exactly - just seemed like a Tigers sort of signing.

[Puja]

I'd just assumed Dolly was a late-20s journeyman with a small handful of Aus caps. Not sure why exactly - just seemed like a Tigers sort of signing.

Can't blame you on previous form, but we've recently gone much more to the Wasps style of shopping around the Championship and hoovering up ex-age grade players who've fallen through elsewhere. Much better value for money, IMO.

Dolly's not got an earthly chance of getting in the EPS though. He's got got lineout basics and is very good at hiding behind a maul, but apart from that, he's squad ballast.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah I hadn’t seen enough to know if he was being mentioned for any reason other than scoring a few tries from the back of a maul. With Montoya available I’d think he’d need to be some player to keep a starting spot.

[fivepointer]

Hooker is a bit of a problem if LCD is crocked.
George was likely to come back but that now seems certain. Dunn's form has evaporated and Jones doesnt seem to rate him anyway. Oghre's banned but doesnt look like an international 2 to me. Its too early for Riley and Dolly hasnt really shown enough to earn a call up. Langdon has tailed off a bit and Capon has gone off the radar.
Blamire is likely to be retained and may well add to his caps. I think we could do worse than bring in the other Newcastle hooker, McGuigan.

[Peej]

There's no way I'd pick Oghre over George. Singleton the other forgotten hooker of the crop playing regularly

[fivepointer]

I'd forgotten about him! He's in with a shout.

[Scrumhead]

Forgot Singleton. He’s started he season well but came off injured this weekend. Not sure what it was?

[Raggs]

Don't think anyone would take Oghre over George but i don't think he's an awful 3rd choice to help develop.

[Scrumhead]

Yeah I hadn’t seen enough to know if he was being mentioned for any reason other than scoring a few tries from the back of a maul. With Montoya available I’d think he’d need to be some player to keep a starting spot.

Slightly harsh … he’s put himself about as well as the tries.

I can totally see Eddie going with a wildcard for the 3rd hooker. Might not be Dolly, but it wouldn’t totally surprise me.

I really rate McGuigan but I think he’s unlikely.

Oghre’s current ban and playing mostly at 7 this season is not the ideal recipe for a call-up.