England training squad

[Puja]

‘When I arrived in England in 2018, the rule was that you are eligible to play after three years of residency. I moved to Exeter and went straight on loan to Cornish Pirates. Two months later, the rule went up to five years. I was living in the UK for three years straight and I couldn’t go home because of Covid. That’s why!’

Well done FKAS for finding an answer from the horse's mouth (even if delivered via a shitrag). Although "I only didn't go home because of a pandemic" doesn't exactly scream a deep and abiding love for this country.

However, I'm not convinced that Schickerling's right that he is eligible. I was under the impression that you had to be capped by a certain date to fall under the 3 years ruling, otherwise you then dropped onto the 5 years one.

ETA. This article certainly seems to agree with me: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/new-elig ... om-injury/

ETETA. I've just read the WR regulations and I'm almost certain that I'm right: https://www.world.rugby/organisation/go ... appendix-3. The footnote specifically states, "The sixty-month residency requirement comes into effect after the cut-off date of December 31, 2021. The residency requirement up to and including December 31, 2021 is “thirty-six consecutive months of Residence immediately preceding the time of playing”." So anyone not already captured for a nation by December 31, 2021, then falls under the new regulation of 60 months residency.

Can anyone refute that? Am I reading something wrong? I can't believe the RFU *haven't* checked this, as it seems an incredibly basic thing to do, but I've learned in my life never to underestimate people's capacity for unexpected idiocy.

Puja

[Raggs]

Cole had been poor long before the final, which was a shame because he is a quality player, and is now showing that again.

Puja, could easily read that just to mean that as long as you've done your 3 years before that date you're ok,

[Banquo]

OK - let’s simplify this …

I challenged Oakboy’s comment that Daly is ‘England’s best winger’. I stand by my comment that he’s ‘not in the conversation for that accolade’. To laud someone as the ‘best’, I think it has to be a pretty unequivocal argument. If we put it to a poll, I’d be very surprised if Daly came out on top, or even in the top 3.

That doesn’t mean I don’t rate him. I’m simply qualifying my original statement.

I think he could -still - be the best wing we have but tricky to know, and more importantly how are we wanting to play and who else is being considered; I think with his track record and skills he should be in a conversation about our best wings. Just opinion and not sure a ‘poll’ is a great measure

Well I wasn’t actually going to post a poll.

If we said ‘pick your England back three’, how many pick Daly? Not that many IMO.

…and? see mells comment. Opinions, eh

[Stom]

Does Northmore deserve a look in?

[Scrumhead]

Northmore is playing really well and from a wider squad POV, he’s in with a shout. I just don’t know whether his strengths really suit what Eddie wants from a centre?

[Mellsblue]

He’s a talented player but he’s a poor man’s Marchant, imo.

[Banquo]

Northmore is playing really well and from a wider squad POV, he’s in with a shout. I just don’t know whether his strengths really suit what Eddie wants from a centre?

I like the cut of his jib- quick and powerful. I've not seen much of the rest of his skill set tbh.

[Mikey Brown]

His all round skills aren’t anywhere near as good as Marchant (not that I’d really compare them to be honest) but he really does run some fantastic lines. He does look in good shape this season and quicker than last.

I’d have Marchant ahead of him but at the very least he might offer more balance to a centre pairing if we’re stuck with Farrell at 12.

[Banquo]

His all round skills aren’t anywhere near as good as Marchant (not that I’d really compare them to be honest) but he really does run some fantastic lines. He does look in good shape this season and quicker than last.

I’d have Marchant ahead of him but at the very least he might offer more balance to a centre pairing if we’re stuck with Farrell at 12.

I'd say he and Marchant would theoretically complement each other, but I believe Northmore's outings at 12 haven't been all that good? But could easily be talking bollox- I've just been impressed with his running and finishing the couple of times I've seen a full game with him in it.

[chris18501]

Fair point, but the difference is that Daly has plenty of good competition for a spot on the wing. Farrell and Manu have very little at 12. We don’t have to play someone out of position on the wing, but we’re more or less forced to at 12.

Manu might not have played much but when he does feature for Sale it is usually at 12. In fact, I think he may only have played at 12 for them.

Think he played outside van Rensburg once last season. Short-lived experiment!

[Scrumhead]

His all round skills aren’t anywhere near as good as Marchant (not that I’d really compare them to be honest) but he really does run some fantastic lines. He does look in good shape this season and quicker than last.

I’d have Marchant ahead of him but at the very least he might offer more balance to a centre pairing if we’re stuck with Farrell at 12.

I'd say he and Marchant would theoretically complement each other, but I believe Northmore's outings at 12 haven't been all that good? But could easily be talking bollox- I've just been impressed with his running and finishing the couple of times I've seen a full game with him in it.

The trouble is that both are best suited to playing 13. Marchant playing as a winger is better than Northmore playing at 12, so when they do play together it’s generally not as a centre partnership.

[Banquo]

His all round skills aren’t anywhere near as good as Marchant (not that I’d really compare them to be honest) but he really does run some fantastic lines. He does look in good shape this season and quicker than last.

I’d have Marchant ahead of him but at the very least he might offer more balance to a centre pairing if we’re stuck with Farrell at 12.

I'd say he and Marchant would theoretically complement each other, but I believe Northmore's outings at 12 haven't been all that good? But could easily be talking bollox- I've just been impressed with his running and finishing the couple of times I've seen a full game with him in it.

The trouble is that both are best suited to playing 13. Marchant playing as a winger is better than Northmore playing at 12.

That was my sense of what I've heard, but I don't see why Northmore shouldn't be a decent 12, but for being blocked by Esterhuizen. He seems reasonably physical- more so than Marchant as a casual observer.

[Peej]

Northmore looked good last season but then his form went to pot after his deserved call up. He's looked good this season though.

Marchant appears to be suffering for his versatility a bit, pushed out to the wing at Quins where he definitely won't get a recall to England.

[Mikey Brown]

I'd say he and Marchant would theoretically complement each other, but I believe Northmore's outings at 12 haven't been all that good? But could easily be talking bollox- I've just been impressed with his running and finishing the couple of times I've seen a full game with him in it.

The trouble is that both are best suited to playing 13. Marchant playing as a winger is better than Northmore playing at 12.

That was my sense of what I've heard, but I don't see why Northmore shouldn't be a decent 12, but for being blocked by Esterhuizen. He seems reasonably physical- more so than Marchant as a casual observer.

That’s about fair I think. In theory Northmore could do what he does at 12, but it didn’t seem to click in the few chances we gave it. Seems to me (as someone who’s never played centre) some players just innately get where they need to be in one position, but maybe not the other, regardless of whether their skills are supposedly more suited to 12 or 13.

We briefly put Northmore on the wing, presumably to allow Marchant to keep fighting for the England 13 shirt, but that didn’t really work either. I’d previously viewed Northmore as a bit like Sam James, but he’s really looked impressive recently and seemed to have added a bit of pace.

No Guy Porter though.

[Banquo]

The trouble is that both are best suited to playing 13. Marchant playing as a winger is better than Northmore playing at 12.

That was my sense of what I've heard, but I don't see why Northmore shouldn't be a decent 12, but for being blocked by Esterhuizen. He seems reasonably physical- more so than Marchant as a casual observer.

That’s about fair I think. In theory Northmore could do what he does at 12, but it didn’t seem to click in the few chances we gave it. Seems to me (as someone who’s never played centre) some players just innately get where they need to be in one position, but maybe not the other, regardless of whether their skills are supposedly more suited to 12 or 13.

We briefly put Northmore on the wing, presumably to allow Marchant to keep fighting for the England 13 shirt, but that didn’t really work either. I’d previously viewed Northmore as a bit like Sam James, but he’s really looked impressive recently and seemed to have added a bit of pace.

No Guy Porter though.

Gotcha.

[FKAS]

Northmore looked good last season but then his form went to pot after his deserved call up. He's looked good this season though.

Marchant appears to be suffering for his versatility a bit, pushed out to the wing at Quins where he definitely won't get a recall to England.

I dunno, he's pretty exceptional under the high ball and has great hands as well as pace. Would be a very Eddie selection to bring him back in and play him on the wing. Was only last Autumn we were trialling the three centre combination and if Freeman/Arundell and Steward are going to also be in the back three you could play dual fullbacks and three centres in attack quite easily. Drop to the more traditional set up in defence.

[Banquo]

Northmore looked good last season but then his form went to pot after his deserved call up. He's looked good this season though.

Marchant appears to be suffering for his versatility a bit, pushed out to the wing at Quins where he definitely won't get a recall to England.

I dunno, he's pretty exceptional under the high ball and has great hands as well as pace. Would be a very Eddie selection to bring him back in and play him on the wing. Was only last Autumn we were trialling the three centre combination and if Freeman/Arundell and Steward are going to also be in the back three you could play dual fullbacks and three centres in attack quite easily. Drop to the more traditional set up in defence.

Had this debate before, and I'm not against mixing it up in attack, but that three centre thing just looked awkward mostly; they ended up with a 10 and three 'centres'crowded into the same space as three players normally, quite flat, and with nobody hitting from depth, a full back (say Steward) staioned on the wing....and it just wasn't well done.

With the back three options available to us, I'd think using them in a more traditional way would be better, with all three of those runners you mention deployed from deep; all you need is two runners and a passer in midfield and happy days

[Spiffy]

Northmore is playing really well and from a wider squad POV, he’s in with a shout. I just don’t know whether his strengths really suit what Eddie wants from a centre?

I like the cut of his jib- quick and powerful. I've not seen much of the rest of his skill set tbh.

Given the lack of good alternative candidates at present, quick and powerful might just be enough. Was quite surprised by his gas against Saints at the weekend - though his try was a really soft one against some terrible defence.

[Stom]

Northmore looked good last season but then his form went to pot after his deserved call up. He's looked good this season though.

Marchant appears to be suffering for his versatility a bit, pushed out to the wing at Quins where he definitely won't get a recall to England.

I dunno, he's pretty exceptional under the high ball and has great hands as well as pace. Would be a very Eddie selection to bring him back in and play him on the wing. Was only last Autumn we were trialling the three centre combination and if Freeman/Arundell and Steward are going to also be in the back three you could play dual fullbacks and three centres in attack quite easily. Drop to the more traditional set up in defence.

Had this debate before, and I'm not against mixing it up in attack, but that three centre thing just looked awkward mostly; they ended up with a 10 and three 'centres'crowded into the same space as three players normally, quite flat, and with nobody hitting from depth, a full back (say Steward) staioned on the wing....and it just wasn't well done.

With the back three options available to us, I'd think using them in a more traditional way would be better, with all three of those runners you mention deployed from deep; all you need is two runners and a passer in midfield and happy days

You mean one runner, one passer, and Owen Farrell in midfield, right?

[Scrumhead]

Northmore is playing really well and from a wider squad POV, he’s in with a shout. I just don’t know whether his strengths really suit what Eddie wants from a centre?

I like the cut of his jib- quick and powerful. I've not seen much of the rest of his skill set tbh.

Given the lack of good alternative candidates at present, quick and powerful might just be enough. Was quite surprised by his gas against Saints at the weekend - though his try was a really soft one against some terrible defence.

Marchant and Northmore have similar strengths although I’d argue the former is better in pretty much all facets. It wouldn’t make any sense to exclude one at the expense of the other. I don’t know why Eddie rates Porter more highly, but at least he is a different, more physical player so perhaps there’s some logic to it?

There’s also Slade back to fitness, a good possibility Tuilagi plays at 13 (assuming Farrell stays at 12) and Will Joseph looking like the exciting bolter. I don’t see a ‘lack of good alternative candidates’ at all?

[Mellsblue]

Marchant and Northmore have similar strengths although I’d argue the former is better in pretty much all facets.

Exactly how I see it.

[Banquo]

I dunno, he's pretty exceptional under the high ball and has great hands as well as pace. Would be a very Eddie selection to bring him back in and play him on the wing. Was only last Autumn we were trialling the three centre combination and if Freeman/Arundell and Steward are going to also be in the back three you could play dual fullbacks and three centres in attack quite easily. Drop to the more traditional set up in defence.

Had this debate before, and I'm not against mixing it up in attack, but that three centre thing just looked awkward mostly; they ended up with a 10 and three 'centres'crowded into the same space as three players normally, quite flat, and with nobody hitting from depth, a full back (say Steward) staioned on the wing....and it just wasn't well done.

With the back three options available to us, I'd think using them in a more traditional way would be better, with all three of those runners you mention deployed from deep; all you need is two runners and a passer in midfield and happy days

You mean one runner, one passer, and Owen Farrell in midfield, right?

please don't. I'm trying not to think about it.

[Banquo]

I like the cut of his jib- quick and powerful. I've not seen much of the rest of his skill set tbh.

Given the lack of good alternative candidates at present, quick and powerful might just be enough. Was quite surprised by his gas against Saints at the weekend - though his try was a really soft one against some terrible defence.

Marchant and Northmore have similar strengths although I’d argue the former is better in pretty much all facets. It wouldn’t make any sense to exclude one at the expense of the other. I don’t know why Eddie rates Porter more highly, but at least he is a different, more physical player so perhaps there’s some logic to it?

There’s also Slade back to fitness, a good possibility Tuilagi plays at 13 (assuming Farrell stays at 12) and Will Joseph looking like the exciting bolter. I don’t see a ‘lack of good alternative candidates’ at all?

Northmore is a fair bit bigger than Marchant though, isn't he? As above, not really familiar with his game, but he seems more a power runner than Marchant.

[Scrumhead]

Nope. I wouldn’t have said that at all. Without looking at the height/weight stats, I don’t think there’s a lot in it and Northmore is more of a strike running 13 than a ‘power runner’. He’s OK in contact, but that isn’t something I’d have highlighted as a strength.

[Banquo]

Nope. I wouldn’t have said that at all. Without looking at the height/weight stats, I don’t think there’s a lot in it and Northmore is more of a strike running 13 than a ‘power runner’. He’s OK in contact, but that isn’t something I’d have highlighted as a strength.

Ok, but he is 10kg heavier and two inches taller. Just looks bigger and swerves rather than steps, and certainly bounced some Saints defenders, but will defer to your quins knowledge.

Just looking at their stats on the website (obviously Marchant has spent time on the wing), Northmore yards per carry are greater than Marchants, and his tackle stats are much worse. Will watch them closely next time.

(all stats from quins website)