6 Nations Squad 2022

[Puja]

Pronouncing his name. It’s the only reason I can think of as to why the name Ewels keeps appearing in his squad listing

I still mourn the loss of Uzokwe and Ibuanokpe to top level rugby and the terror that a pack involving them, Itoje and Isiekwe would put into Kiwi commentators.

Puja

Maybe you lot could start by not referring to everyone that is not white and from Polynesia as a "south sea Islander" like some fucking RLS novel.

Fair point.

Mind, the worst commentary failures I've ever seen came from the Australian when France toured a few years back and they were faced with the sudden realisation that they had no idea how to pronounce Harinordoquy's name (and since he was their main carrier at the time, it came up *a* *lot*). They went through several variations as the match went on, before eventually settling down to "Harry-no-door-key".

Puja

[Danno]

I still mourn the loss of Uzokwe and Ibuanokpe to top level rugby and the terror that a pack involving them, Itoje and Isiekwe would put into Kiwi commentators.

Puja

Maybe you lot could start by not referring to everyone that is not white and from Polynesia as a "south sea Islander" like some fucking RLS novel.

Fair point.

Mind, the worst commentary failures I've ever seen came from the Australian when France toured a few years back and they were faced with the sudden realisation that they had no idea how to pronounce Harinordoquy's name (and since he was their main carrier at the time, it came up *a* *lot*). They went through several variations as the match went on, before eventually settling down to "Harry-no-door-key".

Puja

Wasps fans are currently upset about this https://www.rugbypass.com/news/who-are- ... -vunipolo/

[Mr Mwenda]

North sea islander should definitely be used to refer to people from the isles, the Faroese, Icelanders, Newfies and Greenlanders.

[jngf]

Marler is now confirmed as being back in training. Courtney Lawes and Jonny Hill are not fit to train as of yet.

England debut for Chessum looming, off the bench at least, unless Isiekwe's made a ridiculous impression to leapfrog him.

Puja

Is the assumption Ewels starts if Hill is out? I think Lawes probably only plays 6, if he is even fit. I'd be tempted to give Chessum the start. He just looks built for it.

I am assuming Ewels starts, yes. I'd prefer that he not, as we have sufficient proof that he is a decent player just below what is needed for top-level international rugby (as I suspect we'll discover is Atkinson's level) and I think we should be looki g to do better.

However, I am willing to trust Eddie on this - while Ewels is proven to be not quite good enough, I don't want to give the shirt to Chessum/Isiekwe by fiat. If they're not good enough to take the shirt from him, then I'd rather he plays and fills a shirt well enough than play someone else because they're young and haven't failed yet.

tl;dr - I'd prefer Ewels not play, but that preference is based upon Chessum/Isiekwe having torn the shirt away from him in training. If they haven't made a clear case to start, then go with Old Sort-Of-Reliable.

Puja

For me Ewels is the modern day Borthwick / Deacon. Club standard not necessarily test standard and further not really supplying the things (ballast, hard carrying) that complement Itoje’s skillset and bring balance to our second row.

[Puja]

Is the assumption Ewels starts if Hill is out? I think Lawes probably only plays 6, if he is even fit. I'd be tempted to give Chessum the start. He just looks built for it.

I am assuming Ewels starts, yes. I'd prefer that he not, as we have sufficient proof that he is a decent player just below what is needed for top-level international rugby (as I suspect we'll discover is Atkinson's level) and I think we should be looki g to do better.

However, I am willing to trust Eddie on this - while Ewels is proven to be not quite good enough, I don't want to give the shirt to Chessum/Isiekwe by fiat. If they're not good enough to take the shirt from him, then I'd rather he plays and fills a shirt well enough than play someone else because they're young and haven't failed yet.

tl;dr - I'd prefer Ewels not play, but that preference is based upon Chessum/Isiekwe having torn the shirt away from him in training. If they haven't made a clear case to start, then go with Old Sort-Of-Reliable.

Puja

For me Ewels is the modern day Borthwick / Deacon. Club standard not necessarily test standard and further not really supplying the things (ballast, hard carrying) that complement Itoje’s skillset and bring balance to our second row.

Yeah, I'd say that's an eminently fair comparison - he's not terrible by any stretch of the imagination, but he'll never do anything more than fill a shirt at international level.

Trouble is, I don't know whether Chessum/Isiekwe will do any better. Chessum is promising, but so new to top-flight rugby and my overwhelming impression of Isiekwe from last season is that he didn't have enough heft to be a really good 5 and had been better suited to playing 6 for Saints. I haven't seen much of him this season though - anyone with more knowledge willing to chip in?

Puja

[Timbo]

Athletically Isiekwe is in a different stratosphere to Ewels. I agree that at times he underwhelms in terms of raw aggression, but that might be more perception than reality. His physical dimensions are those of a test 2nd row- he dwarfs Itoje when they’re stood next to each other for example. He is Sarries’ primary lineout jumper and always works his balls off. Think he won fans and players player of the season last year at Saints.

I’d pick over him Ewels and Chessum, lock or 6 wherever he’s needed.

[fivepointer]

If Hill and Lawes dont make it that will be a significant loss.

Ewels will play lock and I still think Ludlam may end up in the back row.

Be surprised if Chessum jumps straight into starting and I think Isiekwe offers a touch more experience to cover from the bench. Neither player offers the optimum power and ballast as a starting lock to my mind.

Only picking 3 out and out locks wasnt the best move in hindsight.

[Oakboy]

I've always rated Isiekwe. I have found it strange that Jones does not appear to have him higher in the pecking order - especially as a straight like-for-like with Lawes. Normally versatility counts. Perhaps he is not as automatic a 2nd row pairing with Itoje as club familiarity should indicate.

Having said that, if Lawes and Hill are both unavailable I'd think hard about having both Ewels and Isiekwe in the 23, never mind the XV. Maybe, a back row and bench re-think and start one or the other at lock?

[FKAS]

I suspect we'll see;

1. Genge
2. LCD
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Ewels
6. Isiekwe
7. Curry
8. Dombrandt

16. George, 17. Marler, 18. Stuart, 19. Chessum, 20. Ludlam

Gives Eddie options from the bench and keeps the three lineout jumper specialists in the side whilst still being able to drop the 8 to carry off the top from the lineout. I'd be surprised if he went back to dual opensides in what's forecast to be a wet and windy day in Edinburgh.

[Danno]

Forecast for Saturday in Edinburgh is, predictably, grim as hell. Rain in the am, heavy for the rest of the day, gusty winds.

[Timbo]

Lawes and Hill confirmed as out. Randall retained over Quirke and no Barbeary. Marchant has been retained, which suggests to me that if he comes out of isolation at the earliest possible time he’ll be in the 23.

[Mikey Brown]

Well this is certainly getting interesting.

[I R Geech]

Forecast for Saturday in Edinburgh is, predictably, grim as hell. Rain in the am, heavy for the rest of the day, gusty winds.

Will probably suit England’s ‘kick ruck repeat’ style more than our ‘harum scarum fecks sake what are you doin Finn style’ unfortunately.

[Danno]

Forecast for Saturday in Edinburgh is, predictably, grim as hell. Rain in the am, heavy for the rest of the day, gusty winds.

Will probably suit England’s ‘kick ruck repeat’ style more than our ‘harum scarum fecks sake what are you doin Finn style’ unfortunately.

Nah, you're at home. EJ wants to piss off the papers and we'll try to grind it out Exe style and keep getting pinged.

[jngf]

Really wishing (but certainly not expecting) Sam Simmonds to get a start on a flanker berth - despite his no.8 club role I’d really like to see him up against Hamish Watson - and it would pose Scotland a fresh and unexpected challenge.

[Stom]

Forwards

Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 5 caps)
Ollie Chessum, Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 36 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 4 caps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 26 caps)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 61 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 3 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 51 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 74 caps)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 9 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 15 caps)

Backs

Mark Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 52 caps)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 77 caps)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish, uncapped)
Max Malins (Saracens, 10 caps)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 7 caps)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 34 caps)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 43 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 5 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 5 caps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 112 caps)

[Mikey Brown]

Really wishing (but certainly not expecting) Sam Simmonds to get a start on a flanker berth - despite his no.8 club role I’d really like to see him up against Hamish Watson - and it would pose Scotland a fresh and unexpected challenge.

[Mikey Brown]

Forwards

Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 5 caps)
Ollie Chessum, Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 36 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 4 caps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 26 caps)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 61 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 3 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 51 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 74 caps)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 9 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 15 caps)

Backs

Mark Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 52 caps)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 77 caps)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish, uncapped)
Max Malins (Saracens, 10 caps)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 7 caps)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 34 caps)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 43 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 5 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 5 caps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 112 caps)

What is this exactly? I can't even think how many have been cut here - just Barbeary, Quirke and Northmore?

[Which Tyler]

Alfie Barbeary, Joe Heyes, Orlando Bailey, Adam Radwan, Louis Lynagh, Raffi Quirke, Luke Northmore all released to their clubs for the weekend.

[Puja]

Bath'll be pleased to get Bailey back.

I reckon dropping Barbeary is one part him actually not being ready for internationals yet and 2 parts Jones wanting to be able to drop him and tell him that he's not good enough yet, to try and get a reaction out of him and burst his bubble.

Puja

[Danno]

Bath'll be pleased to get Bailey back.

I reckon dropping Barbeary is one part him actually not being ready for internationals yet and 2 parts Jones wanting to be able to drop him and tell him that he's not good enough yet, to try and get a reaction out of him and burst his bubble.

Puja

Hard to argue with that

[Puja]

Bath'll be pleased to get Bailey back.

I reckon dropping Barbeary is one part him actually not being ready for internationals yet and 2 parts Jones wanting to be able to drop him and tell him that he's not good enough yet, to try and get a reaction out of him and burst his bubble.

Puja

Hard to argue with that

50p says that he's not called back up again this 6N just to really rub the point in.

Mind, I'm mocking him, but it's probably very good management by Uncle Eddie. Barbeary's got so much room to grow, but it'd be really easy for him to stop here and think he's made it.

Puja

[Spiffy]

Bath'll be pleased to get Bailey back.

I reckon dropping Barbeary is one part him actually not being ready for internationals yet and 2 parts Jones wanting to be able to drop him and tell him that he's not good enough yet, to try and get a reaction out of him and burst his bubble.

Puja

[Spiffy]

Bath'll be pleased to get Bailey back.

I reckon dropping Barbeary is one part him actually not being ready for internationals yet and 2 parts Jones wanting to be able to drop him and tell him that he's not good enough yet, to try and get a reaction out of him and burst his bubble.

Puja

Why do you think Barbeary is not ready? He seems to be outplaying most of his peers at league level regularly, and there are not many other criteria to go on. He is big, powerful, quick, smart, good hands etc. and has been a game changer for Wasps. What more do you want to see? Do you think Ludlam is a better back rower?
Jones may not like the media talking him up, but if so why penalize Barbeary for that? They have been talking up Farrell for years with no adverse effects on his selection.

[fivepointer]

I wouldnt read too much into the Barbeary omission. I didnt expect him to play in this game so i'm not surprised he's been left out. Jones will want as much experience as he can get in the matchday 23.
England are in a bit of bother. This team is going to be heavily compromised with a real makeshift air about it.
Of those left in the squad, 6 will be left out of the 23. I reckon Rodd, Blamire, Chessum, OH-C plus 2 out Atkinson, Daly, Furbank and Marchant. If Marchant is fit to play, then i think Atkinson will be cut, then its a toss up between Daly and Furbank for the 23 shirt.
Captain? Talk of Curry or LCD, but oddly no mention of Itoje.