Harlequins vs Saracens - Sunday

[Danno]

Guscott is having a bit of a rant in TRP about full backs being viewed/trained/picked as specialists again. Misconceived as usual, but given what England have persevered with for four years I suppose I know what he means.

At least it seems like he's watching the same sport for once.

Slight aside, do we have a gripe thread for what the media says?

[Puja]

Guscott is having a bit of a rant in TRP about full backs being viewed/trained/picked as specialists again. Misconceived as usual, but given what England have persevered with for four years I suppose I know what he means.

At least it seems like he's watching the same sport for once.

Slight aside, do we have a gripe thread for what the media says?

Wait, is he for or against it? Cause I can't really understand the point of arguing that full-backs *shouldn't* be specialists, but it seems an odd time to go on a rant given that the current England squad has 3 specialist 15s for the first time in ages (plus Malins who, while technically a converted 10, is hardly unused to the position).

And no, no media gripe thread as of yet, although I will give a discount on the usual fee if you wanted to start a new thread of your own.

Puja

[Oakboy]

If Daly was fit would he be in the squad with a fair chance of being Jones's starting 15? Before going anywhere with a general FB debate, analysing the success/failure of shifting Daly there might be worthwhile. I don't remember any other such positional change getting so long without totally convincing.

[twitchy]

He will play for SA.

https://www.iol.co.za/sport/tyrone-gree ... d-48961474

"“I’m definitely not thinking about qualifying for England or anything like that,” Green told



“My big aim is to play for the Springboks and I know it’s possible because coach Jacques Nienaber and Rassie (Erasmus, director of rugby) have said they will pick guys from abroad. It’s my big dream to wear the green and gold.”

[Puja]

If Daly was fit would he be in the squad with a fair chance of being Jones's starting 15? Before going anywhere with a general FB debate, analysing the success/failure of shifting Daly there might be worthwhile. I don't remember any other such positional change getting so long without totally convincing.

Good question. A point could be argued for Eddie wanting a genuine full-back, given his continued selection of Furbank in squads, but that does seem to be contraindicated by Daly's perpetual presence in matchday teams.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

It will be interesting to see what happens with Daly. He's obviously an EJ favourite with lots of positive attributes, but the Lions tour was pretty strange for him form wise, and he seems to be a pure 13 again for Saracens? It's hard to picture him nailing down a spot at 13 for England but Malins/Steward will be looking to take their chances at fullback this Autumn. In theory a Tuilagi/Daly pairing would offer a huge amount going forward but I just can't see it.

Is he out with a new injury or was this just the post-Lions opportunity to get any necessary surgery and rehab done?

I assumed Furbank would go the way of Harrison, Burrell (and possibly Isiekwe) but he keeps reappearing.

[Danno]

Guscott is having a bit of a rant in TRP about full backs being viewed/trained/picked as specialists again. Misconceived as usual, but given what England have persevered with for four years I suppose I know what he means.

At least it seems like he's watching the same sport for once.

Slight aside, do we have a gripe thread for what the media says?

Wait, is he for or against it? Cause I can't really understand the point of arguing that full-backs *shouldn't* be specialists, but it seems an odd time to go on a rant given that the current England squad has 3 specialist 15s for the first time in ages (plus Malins who, while technically a converted 10, is hardly unused to the position).

And no, no media gripe thread as of yet, although I will give a discount on the usual fee if you wanted to start a new thread of your own.

Puja

He's for it, which - as you point out - is peculiar timing

Not sure why I posted in here, other than it was late.

[Peej]

I'm sure Daly will play 13 for Sarries. It would be a straight shoot-out between him and Loz

[Dan. Dan. Dan.]

I wouldn't be surprised to eventually see Slade and Daly fight it out as the plan B 13 if (when?) Tuilagi gets crocked. Be nice to think we could throw Lozowski, Lawrence and Marchant (Joseph!?) in there too, but it's Eddie so...
I feel like the inclusion of Steward signals a gameplan change at 15 so if successful, the Daly experiment could finally be over. He was genuinely world class on the wing for a couple of years, but I think with May and Watson having money in the bank, Nowell being an Eddie favourite, and ridiculous amounts of talent (Radwan, Sleightholme, Lynagh, Cokanisiga, Malins, Thorley, Hassell-Collins, Loader etc etc) coming through, he'll have a hard time getting back to that.