New and Improved EPS Watch/Player Form Thread

[Mikey Brown]

I hope Kruis gets the nod. He always worked well with Itoje.

[FKAS]

I’m interested to see how Sutton Bonnington’s locks pan out - personally would love to see Itoje and Lawes dogging it out for the “athletic” berth and Chessum, Ribbans and ideally a rejuvenated Launchbury challenging for the tighthead lock spot. I do think we need some more of the carrying from a standing start in heavy traffic from somewhere in the second row - so maybe that puts a player like Martin more in the frame?

Launchbury hasn't been named in any squads so I don't think he's in consideration.

Lawes is a backrow now as a starting option, he might get used as a lock off the bench. Isiekwe is I suspect the Itoje understudy. Hill, Chessum, Ribbans and Martin fighting it for the tighthead lock.

Isiekwe's not in the squad either.

Puja

Well that's some good news at least.

[Puja]

I hope Kruis gets the nod. He always worked well with Itoje.

Thinking back to earlier editions of the board where the solution to every problem was Simon Shaw.

Puja

[jngf]

I hope Kruis gets the nod. He always worked well with Itoje.

Thinking back to earlier editions of the board where the solution to every problem was Simon Shaw.

Puja

Shaw & Johnson - a pair of almost springbokian beauty

[Epaminondas Pules]

I hope Kruis gets the nod. He always worked well with Itoje.

Thinking back to earlier editions of the board where the solution to every problem was Simon Shaw.

Puja

Don’t forget Sheridan!

[Mikey Brown]

I hope Kruis gets the nod. He always worked well with Itoje.

Thinking back to earlier editions of the board where the solution to every problem was Simon Shaw.

Puja

Don’t forget Sheridan!

The only man in the world who could get Simon Shaw off the ground.

[Danno]

Sweet jesus

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... -all-three

[Mikey Brown]

Call Slade up. Malins back on the wing. We’ll be making more plays than we know what to do with.

[Shiny]

Sweet jesus

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... -all-three

Yup, play all 3 at the same time and guess the outcome.

A, all 3 get injured and Malins plays fly half for the rest of the tournament.
B, we put 70 points on Chilie so therefore it must be a great plan and we do it for the rest of the tournament and get smashed again tier 1 opposition.
C, the ghost of Eddie past visits Soggy Buttcrack in a dream and tells him "Ah, look mate, flyhalves are overrated, you need Youngs at 9 and Mitchell who kicks a lot so must be at 10".

[Mellsblue]

I hope they bloody do it. I’m off to Lille this weekend and given previous on the pitch and forecasts off the pitch it could be a miserable way to spend well north of £500. Watching the turgid shoite they’ve served so far may send me over the edge. At least a left field selection will liven things up. The only other hope is that the female Chile rugby fans are of the same, erm, quality as the female football fans.

[Danno]

Sweet jesus

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... -all-three

Yup, play all 3 at the same time and guess the outcome.

A, all 3 get injured and Malins plays fly half for the rest of the tournament.
B, we put 70 points on Chilie so therefore it must be a great plan and we do it for the rest of the tournament and get smashed again tier 1 opposition.
C, the ghost of Eddie past visits Soggy Buttcrack in a dream and tells him "Ah, look mate, flyhalves are overrated, you need Youngs at 9 and Mitchell who kicks a lot so must be at 10".

Dunno about the ghost of Eddie - the inspiration seem to be Rassie who is hellbent on picking all scrum halves in the backs right now

[Tom Moore]

Just as worrying is the Telegraph interview with Wigglesworth, where he name checks backs we've got who can run and pass, like somehow that shouldn't be a non-negotiable for international backs.

[Mellsblue]

Just as worrying is the Telegraph interview with Wigglesworth, where he name checks backs we've got who can run and pass, like somehow that shouldn't be a non-negotiable for international backs.

I assume he’s talking about Youngs crabbing across the field before throwing the ball at Ford’s feet/face.

[fivepointer]

"Farrell, you imagine, has been like a coiled spring these past couple of weeks"

The ice man just waiting to be let loose.

Obviously he's going to play and i think its a fair bet Smith will too. Maybe Ford will sit this one out.

[FKAS]

Just as worrying is the Telegraph interview with Wigglesworth, where he name checks backs we've got who can run and pass, like somehow that shouldn't be a non-negotiable for international backs.

I assume he’s talking about Youngs crabbing across the field before throwing the ball at Ford’s feet/face.

The truly worrying thing was that against Japan Youngs ability to hold the defence and then deliver a horrible pass was more effective than Mitchell's sideways scuttle which brought up the defence onto the English attack before Mitchell delivered a competent pass.

Currently the running and passing by England players isn't so much the problem, the problem is the catching.

[Banquo]

Just as worrying is the Telegraph interview with Wigglesworth, where he name checks backs we've got who can run and pass, like somehow that shouldn't be a non-negotiable for international backs.

I assume he’s talking about Youngs crabbing across the field before throwing the ball at Ford’s feet/face.

The truly worrying thing was that against Japan Youngs ability to hold the defence and then deliver a horrible pass was more effective than Mitchell's sideways scuttle which brought up the defence onto the English attack before Mitchell delivered a competent pass.

Currently the running and passing by England players isn't so much the problem, the problem is the catching.

in fairness they don't have time to practice passing and catching, what with the team kicking and chasing routines.

[p/d]

Just as worrying is the Telegraph interview with Wigglesworth, where he name checks backs we've got who can run and pass, like somehow that shouldn't be a non-negotiable for international backs.

I assume he’s talking about Youngs crabbing across the field before throwing the ball at Ford’s feet/face.

Stop winding FKAS up!

[p/d]

On the upside Ribbans has said we have to play like England v Chile. Ticket prices have just rocketed

[Which Tyler]

Stop winding FKAS up!

But... why?

[p/d]

Stop winding FKAS up!

But... why?

point well made. As you were Mells

[Mellsblue]

Stop winding FKAS up!

But... why?

point well made. As you were Mells

Good. It’s battering down outside and I’m in a potentially three hour Teams meeting about RAAC - I need some fun.

[p/d]

But... why?

point well made. As you were Mells

Good. It’s battering down outside and I’m in a potentially three hour Teams meeting about RAAC - I need some fun.

Ouch!!!

Makes the 30min meeting discussing which clip from Black Swan to use for a marketing campaign seem a breeze

[Puja]

On the upside Ribbans has said we have to play like England v Chile. Ticket prices have just rocketed

Yeah, I saw that one too. Not sure it was the best line to use when we're getting booed by our own fans.

Puja

[Banquo]

But... why?

point well made. As you were Mells

Good. It’s battering down outside and I’m in a potentially three hour Teams meeting about RAAC - I need some fun.

Between RAAC and a wet place?

[Mellsblue]

point well made. As you were Mells

Good. It’s battering down outside and I’m in a potentially three hour Teams meeting about RAAC - I need some fun.

Between RAAC and a wet place?

If only the ‘R’ stood for rock.