6 Nations Squad 2022

[FKAS]

Seems pretty decent?

Chessum is an interesting one.

No Vunipolas, Underhill or Ford… I just don’t know what to say, but fine. Is Underhill injured again? Is Mako just done at the top level? I’m not convinced he’s been the same player for quite a while now.

Guys like Furbank and Atkinson I quite like, but just not sure how they fit in. Similarly Ludlum. Is he a genuine contender for the 23 or just a good squad guy? He’s certainly been playing well, but yes I’d like to see Curry just play 7 again.

I think Chessum's a decent pick. Young player who's really kicked on for Leicester this season, comfortable as a lock or a 6, very mobile around the park and has an excellent workrate. If we're picking a lock at 6, he's probably the form pick in the Prem and a very good Lawes understudy.

Not sure about Heyes at 3 - promising player, but deservedly behind Cole this season. Mind, Blamire's not exactly first choice either - I guess it does make sense to have third choice be players who can learn from the experience, but it does put us in a parlous position if there are a couple of injuries.

Here's a better format:

Genge
Marler
Rodd

George
LCD
Blamire

Sinckler
Stuart
Heyes

Itoje
Hill
Ewels

Lawes
Chessum
Curry
Ludlam
Simmonds
Dombrandt
Barbeary

Youngs
Randall
Quirke

Smith
Fazlet
Bailey

Slade
Marchant
Atkinson
Northmore

May
Nowell
Steward
Malins
Hassell-Collins
Furbank
Freeman


Puja

Chessum’s a bit unit too - 2.03m ( 6’8”) is according to various sources

Ollie is 6ft7 and 18 stone 8 according to the Tigers website. Very good lineout operator with a big work rate. Could suit Eddie's style of rugby very well as he's very mobile for a big lad.

[Raggs]

Eddie looking at Bailey as a potential 12 is interesting.

[Mikey Brown]

Eddie looking at Bailey as a potential 12 is interesting.

Ah yes, finally we've got a fly-half/playmaker option at centre.

[TheNomad]

Eddie looking at Bailey as a potential 12 is interesting.

Did he mention that? I do feel he has the skill set

[Raggs]

Eddie looking at Bailey as a potential 12 is interesting.

Did he mention that? I do feel he has the skill set

Yep, he says he's a 10/15 that they're hoping may be a 12 option (roughly). It's on englandrugby twitter.

[Danno]

Even Brian Moore was kicking Fazlet on his podcast this week

[Oakboy]

Even Brian Moore was kicking Fazlet on his podcast this week

As is Dawson on his BBC website spot.

[Spiffy]

You could pick a very good team out of that lot, with a powerful pack and attack-orientated backs. The only thing is, that with Faz retained, named captain, and therefore a starter, any midfield attacking zip and flair will be lacking.
How does Ewels manage to hang on to a spot ?

[Danno]

You could pick a very good team out of that lot, with a powerful pack and attack-orientated backs. The only thing is, that with Faz retained, named captain, and therefore a starter, any midfield attacking zip and flair will be lacking.
How does Ewels manage to hang on to a spot ?

How does Farrell?

[morepork]

Faz over Ford. What a fucking dildo.

[Beasties]

You could pick a very good team out of that lot, with a powerful pack and attack-orientated backs. The only thing is, that with Faz retained, named captain, and therefore a starter, any midfield attacking zip and flair will be lacking.
How does Ewels manage to hang on to a spot ?

Eddie innit. Ribbans nowhere, just how it is. Long time since I got excited about Eng squad announcements. At least he hasn’t killed Odogwu’s recovery stone dead.

[Danno]

Faz over Ford. What a fucking dildo.

Aye, to clarify my earlier post I've nothing against Bailey, but leaving Ford out at this point is spiteful.

If it was any other coach I'd start speculating about relationships with his mum/wife/sister/a.n.other, but it feels like he's been too outspoken and put right on the shitlist

[Mellsblue]

Ford has some work ons, according to Jones. Difficult to see what they are. I wonder if he’s done a Danny Care and dared to question Eddie?

[Mikey Brown]

Wasn't there a lot of talk before of Ford/Farrell basically being the backs/attack coaches, maybe the arrival of whoever the fuck is coaching that at the moment has prompted the shift away from Ford? Still doesn't really add up though does it. Hard to imagine which attack coach in the world wouldn't want him.

[Raggs]

If Ford isn't in the world cup squad, then I'll start spitting feathers. Until then, I'm just looking at is as Ford has completed being a fly half, and he can just sit in the cupboard until he's needed, whilst we try and get some more players to the same level.

[Oakboy]

I've got no issue with Jones deciding that Ford at FH can't take the team forwards - having already shown his maximum at international level. What I don't understand, and never will, is how Farrell stays, taking all the same parameters into account. The best I can do is to accept that Jones has reached a turning point and decided that there is only room for one or the other.

Where I totally disagree with Jones is in his stated view that Smith will benefit from Farrell alongside him at 12.

[Scrumhead]

If Ford isn't in the world cup squad, then I'll start spitting feathers. Until then, I'm just looking at is as Ford has completed being a fly half, and he can just sit in the cupboard until he's needed, whilst we try and get some more players to the same level.

Yep. This is how I see it. While I’m not 100% sure there’s a way back for Mako and Billy, it’s not entirely dissimilar for them too. Simply put, we already know what they can do and there’s more to be gained by giving time to others who have the potential to be better options.

I’m assumed the lack of options at 12 are Farrell’s saving grace?

[Mikey Brown]

Mellsblue said above that Jones says Ford has things to improve on. I don't know if that's a direct quote or not, but it kind of goes against the idea he's just so good we don't need to even play him anymore (which certainly doesn't sound like a very Jones thing in the first place).

I'm slightly baffled by your assertion that we've seen Ford's maximum ability, Oakboy. Maybe the relentless [kicking] actually was down to Ford and Jones has dropped him because he's not interested in that anymore, but I'm not convinced. I don't think there's anybody in the world better at bringing attackers forward on to the ball and timing a pass, but it seemingly hasn't been the focus of our game for most of the time Ford has been at 10. If that was Ford going against the plan I'd be amazed that he lasted as long as he did.

[Raggs]

Mellsblue said above that Jones says Ford has things to improve on. I don't know if that's a direct quote or not, but it kind of goes against the idea he's just so good we don't need to even play him anymore (which certainly doesn't sound like a very Jones thing in the first place).

I'm slightly baffled by your assertion that we've seen Ford's maximum ability, Oakboy. Maybe the relentless actually was down to Ford and Jones has dropped him because he's not interested in that anymore, but I'm not convinced. I don't think there's anybody in the world better at bringing attackers forward on to the ball and timing a pass, but it seemingly hasn't been the focus of our game for most of the time Ford has been at 10. If that was Ford going against the plan I'd be amazed that he lasted as long as he did.

Jones is hardly going to say that Ford is finished, and he's got his spot in the squad sewn up is he.

Mako and Billy are a little different for me, but still similar, you know what you get, and if we don't get better options built up, they're safe to fall back on.

Farrell is a 12, not a 10, basically. So there's no point in comparing him and Ford at this point. Yes Farrell can play 10 as well, but it's just how things are. Don't think he's done too poorly at 12 recently either.

[Mellsblue]

If Ford isn't in the world cup squad, then I'll start spitting feathers. Until then, I'm just looking at is as Ford has completed being a fly half, and he can just sit in the cupboard until he's needed, whilst we try and get some more players to the same level.

Yep. This is how I see it. While I’m not 100% sure there’s a way back for Mako and Billy, it’s not entirely dissimilar for them too. Simply put, we already know what they can do and there’s more to be gained by giving time to others who have the potential to be better options.

I’m assumed the lack of options at 12 are Farrell’s saving grace?

Given there is a brand new backs coach and they are implementing a more attacking game plan, I don’t see how Ford can just be brought back in when required. Also, if this is the case, why just Ford? Why not Youngs, May, George and/or Itoje?

[Banquo]

If Ford isn't in the world cup squad, then I'll start spitting feathers. Until then, I'm just looking at is as Ford has completed being a fly half, and he can just sit in the cupboard until he's needed, whilst we try and get some more players to the same level.

I'd buy the feathers in, just in case.

[Banquo]

Mellsblue said above that Jones says Ford has things to improve on. I don't know if that's a direct quote or not, but it kind of goes against the idea he's just so good we don't need to even play him anymore (which certainly doesn't sound like a very Jones thing in the first place).

I'm slightly baffled by your assertion that we've seen Ford's maximum ability, Oakboy. Maybe the relentless actually was down to Ford and Jones has dropped him because he's not interested in that anymore, but I'm not convinced. I don't think there's anybody in the world better at bringing attackers forward on to the ball and timing a pass, but it seemingly hasn't been the focus of our game for most of the time Ford has been at 10. If that was Ford going against the plan I'd be amazed that he lasted as long as he did.

I'm raising your slightly to a completely.

[Banquo]

Mellsblue said above that Jones says Ford has things to improve on. I don't know if that's a direct quote or not, but it kind of goes against the idea he's just so good we don't need to even play him anymore (which certainly doesn't sound like a very Jones thing in the first place).

I'm slightly baffled by your assertion that we've seen Ford's maximum ability, Oakboy. Maybe the relentless actually was down to Ford and Jones has dropped him because he's not interested in that anymore, but I'm not convinced. I don't think there's anybody in the world better at bringing attackers forward on to the ball and timing a pass, but it seemingly hasn't been the focus of our game for most of the time Ford has been at 10. If that was Ford going against the plan I'd be amazed that he lasted as long as he did.

Jones is hardly going to say that Ford is finished, and he's got his spot in the squad sewn up is he.

Mako and Billy are a little different for me, but still similar, you know what you get, and if we don't get better options built up, they're safe to fall back on.

Farrell is a 12, not a 10, basically. So there's no point in comparing him and Ford at this point. Yes Farrell can play 10 as well, but it's just how things are. Don't think he's done too poorly at 12 recently either.

Faz is a much better 10 than 12. I assume you are saying in Eddie's mind that Faz is now a 12? I wouldn't be at all surprised if Faz was at 10 most of the 6N tho.

[Mikey Brown]

I for one disagree, but even I can't stomach another conversation about the trade-off between Farrell being a 10 that can't pass or a 12 who can't run.

I'm sure we'll see him hopping back and forth between the two, leaving everybody happy.

[FKAS]

I for one disagree, but even I can't stomach another conversation about the trade-off between Farrell being a 10 that can't pass or a 12 who can't run.

I'm sure we'll see him hopping back and forth between the two, leaving everybody unhappy.

Fixed that for you.