Wasps vs Quins Sun 4.30pm

[FKAS]

Definitely felt for the young replacement loosehead, that was a chastening experience for him. He'll have learnt a lot about what it takes to play at Prem level, most notably fitness levels. The power at scrum time may well come as he finishes growing.

[Beasties]

Tom Willis really playing fantastically in recent weeks. Can't wait to see him get his shot for England in 3 or 4 years time.

I'm getting seriously worried Eddie decides it's time to promote him. Wasps don't need to lose a player of his influence right now. He is getting some proper man strength and is making some serious yards as a result. Put that on top of his relentless workrate and this lad is turning into some player. Imagine him and Kenningham in the same backrow, bloody nightmare to play against.

[Beasties]

Nearchou came on in the first half when Hislop had to go off for an HIA, which he then failed. Poor lad was done in by 60 minutes and was smashed to bits in the scrums (though kept putting his body in the way to his credit).

He was blowing out his arse after 10 mins. He'll be severely demoralised after that experience poor lad.

[Peej]

@Peej

Poor kid. Definitely wasn’t up to the task …

One thing that really bugged me was that they kept calling him ‘near-chew’. Surely, it’s pronounced ‘ne-ar-coo’?

I felt really bad for him when Healey picked out that one of the tries was solely due to him getting back into the line late and getting easily stepped and rounded by Care. Poor sod was out on his feet and did well even to drag himself back to the defensive line - didn't deserve getting berated by the analyst that he should've been fitter and better.

Puja

I agree, especially as there were a lot of Wasps players that should have plugged the gap. Did his calf too, so may even have a few weeks on the sidelines at a time when playing in the Prem Cup would have done him some good

[Digby]

Nearchou came on in the first half when Hislop had to go off for an HIA, which he then failed. Poor lad was done in by 60 minutes and was smashed to bits in the scrums (though kept putting his body in the way to his credit).

He was blowing out his arse after 10 mins. He'll be severely demoralised after that experience poor lad.

demoralised? well maybe, but perhaps he'll be super hyped up at getting the game time, and oaky it might highlight he's got a lot of work to do but so what. he's just played for Wasps at age 20 or so, he's got plenty to be proud about

[fivepointer]

Tough for a young prop with limited experience up against Collier (who gave Hislop a very hard time) and then Louw. Looks like he could do with getting fitter, but he's got plenty of time to develop his all round game.

Wasps will be disappointed to have a 16 pt lead and then fluff a couple of very good try scoring opportunities.

[I R Geech]

Tough for a young prop with limited experience up against Collier (who gave Hislop a very hard time) and then Louw. Looks like he could do with getting fitter, but he's got plenty of time to develop his all round game.

Wasps will be disappointed to have a 16 pt lead and then fluff a couple of very good try scoring opportunities.

He used to be a lot leaner and reasonably quick, but looks to have put on a serious amount of ‘mass’. Looked shagged after the warm up at Bath. Shame, he’s a good lad and a good ball player.

[Scrumhead]

Tom Willis really playing fantastically in recent weeks. Can't wait to see him get his shot for England in 3 or 4 years time.

I'm getting seriously worried Eddie decides it's time to promote him. Wasps don't need to lose a player of his influence right now. He is getting some proper man strength and is making some serious yards as a result. Put that on top of his relentless workrate and this lad is turning into some player. Imagine him and Kenningham in the same backrow, bloody nightmare to play against.

I’m surprised he hasn’t had a more serious look already. IMO Willis is pretty much the perfect Number 8 for England.

[Danno]

Tom Willis really playing fantastically in recent weeks. Can't wait to see him get his shot for England in 3 or 4 years time.

I'm getting seriously worried Eddie decides it's time to promote him. Wasps don't need to lose a player of his influence right now. He is getting some proper man strength and is making some serious yards as a result. Put that on top of his relentless workrate and this lad is turning into some player. Imagine him and Kenningham in the same backrow, bloody nightmare to play against.

I’m surprised he hasn’t had a more serious look already. IMO Willis is pretty much the perfect Number 8 for England.

I'm banging on about it a bit now, but not if he's asked to play like Billy, as every single 8 has been. Totally agree otherwise

[Mikey Brown]

I’d say he’s definitely the best option if EJ is set on continuing that style. Not to say that’s all he can do, but he seems far more suited to smashing it up over and over than anyone else, and has the hands and work rate too.

[Digby]

We've not even had a look at Dombrandt yet. And there aren't the same number of soft shoulders in test rugby.

[Mikey Brown]

I'm not suggesting we don't look at Dombrandt, I'm just surprised that EJ didn't go for Willis if he wants another heavy carrier to plough in to defenders. I'm not sure how the soft shoulders thing makes any difference when they're all starting at the same point.

[Digby]

The soft shoulders thinking comes down to projection, how one considers talent will transfer to the higher level. Not really seeing anything from Willis that obviously encourages one to look at him with a view to England, whereas his brother does imo encourage just such a look

And Eddie can't go for every unknown, there are already 20 odd players in the squad with feck all to shout about at test level. And still there's the claim he can just look at more.

[Mikey Brown]

That feels like a triple whammy of non-sequiturs but okay.