New and Improved EPS Watch/Player Form Thread

[fivepointer]

Really like what i've seen of Wimbush. He's definitely got ......something.

Can he kick on this season?

[Banquo]

Hopefully we’ll see the Wimbush generation …

[Mikey Brown]

I wasn't aware of Wimbush being thought of as an international prospect at all. I didn't really know if the last few posts were serious or not. I knew he was big but wasn't sure what else he offered.

I can't say this highlight reel was particularly illuminating, other than that he has a semi-decent step/hands for a big guy I guess.



Am I missing something?

[FKAS]

I think with Wimbush it's the potential as opposed to where he is now. He's big, quick and has good hands. He's only 20 and was picked out of the Exeter University link with the Chiefs so is fresh into pro rugby. He's looked at home at Prem level already. If he can make a couple of developmental jumps over the next couple of years then yeah he could be very much on the England radar.

[Mellsblue]

Is there a developmental league he can play in?

[FKAS]

Is there a developmental league he can play in?

He was playing BUCS already. It's where they found him. Might go on loan to Pirates. Now if only the RFU would sort something more meaningful out eh...

[Oakboy]

Is there a developmental league he can play in?

Have Exeter got loads of quality ICs ahead of him? I'd be surprised if he's not there or thereabouts as a starter.

[Banquo]

Is there a developmental league he can play in?

[Puja]

Is there a developmental league he can play in?

Have Exeter got loads of quality ICs ahead of him? I'd be surprised if he's not there or thereabouts as a starter.

Slade's rehab from surgery could be at an ideal time for him. It does give him a chance to get into the XV.

Puja

[FKAS]

Is there a developmental league he can play in?

Have Exeter got loads of quality ICs ahead of him? I'd be surprised if he's not there or thereabouts as a starter.

All his starts were at 13. I think he appeared on the wing a few times as well. Versatility could get him some game time. Chiefs have got Hawkins and the former NZ under 20 centre whatever his name is as options at 12.

[Banquo]

Can he kick

...is all the attack coach will want to know...

[Which Tyler]

...is all the attack coach will want to know...

Nah, needs to be willing and able to chase, even a completely lost cause that's a complete waste of energy to chase

[Puja]

Can he kick

...is all the attack coach will want to know...

If he's playing 12, then it's just be "Can he crash it up?"

Puja

[FKAS]

Can he kick

...is all the attack coach will want to know...

If he's playing 12, then it's just be "Can he crash it up?"

Puja

And make his tackles, our defence now being a key element of our attack.

[Puja]

Marler a doubt for the AIs with a broken foot.

Also, having started doing the m-b-m again today, I'm now in favour of Wimbush at 12 for England. Our sole criteria for 12 appears to be "looks big and scary and willing to either run into traffic or look like you're going to run into traffic to draw defence while we play around you." Wimbush certainly has the frame for it and if he can hold onto the ball in traffic, that would appear to be a novel bonus rather than a pre-requisite skill for selection.

Puja

[Danno]

if he can hold onto the ball in traffic
Puja

I'm tempted to post the stoning sketch from Life of Brian at this point

[Mellsblue]

Times article today had this little nugget:

‘Genge would like to see that data used in the coverage of rugby.

“It would be cool if they show the impacts on the telly and and how fast the players are running,” he said. “[The Bristol wing] Rich Lane’s ten-metre time was 0.4 seconds quicker than Noah Lyles, who won the 100m at the Olympics.‘

#startingschool

[Scrumhead]

I wasn’t sure where to put this, but I thought it was a good read: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/christ-t ... es-exeter/

Nicely articulates why switching between the back row and second row (and vice versa) isn’t as easy as it’s sometimes made out to be. We talk about it quite casually here, but given we have quite a few options who split their time between both (Chessum, Coles, occasionally Martin and Itoje), I thought it was relevant.

[TheNomad]

Where do we discuss the issue around Borthwick's backroom staff all buggering off? Bit of a concern, really

[twitchy]

In the "what's next for 24/25" thread from about page 5.

[Mellsblue]

Not strictly player form but given rugby’s need for personalities and M&J players, Theo Dan was utter class with my kids yesterday. My eldest has a very amusing assortment of selfies on his phone.

[Banquo]

Not strictly player form but given rugby’s need for personalities and M&J players, Theo Dan was utter class with my kids yesterday. My eldest has a very amusing assortment of selfies on his phone.

What was the score?

Just looked up- decent effort. Fairly strong Sarries team.

[Scrumhead]

I think with Wimbush it's the potential as opposed to where he is now. He's big, quick and has good hands. He's only 20 and was picked out of the Exeter University link with the Chiefs so is fresh into pro rugby. He's looked at home at Prem level already. If he can make a couple of developmental jumps over the next couple of years then yeah he could be very much on the England radar.

100% agree. However, it looks like Gatland is sniffing around very unhelpfully: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/warren-g ... for-wales/

Another one of those situations were a player is pressured into making decisions before they’re even ready for test rugby …

[FKAS]

I think with Wimbush it's the potential as opposed to where he is now. He's big, quick and has good hands. He's only 20 and was picked out of the Exeter University link with the Chiefs so is fresh into pro rugby. He's looked at home at Prem level already. If he can make a couple of developmental jumps over the next couple of years then yeah he could be very much on the England radar.

100% agree. However, it looks like Gatland is sniffing around very unhelpfully: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/warren-g ... for-wales/

Another one of those situations were a player is pressured into making decisions before they’re even ready for test rugby …

Yeah I saw that. Wimbush would probably suit Gatland's need for big centres but the continual change in the Wales backline (particularly around 10) would probably not make for the most enjoyable introduction to test rugby. Let's hope he sees sense.

Must be slightly galling for young Welsh centres coming through to see Gatland would rather chase a young English centre who's barely played a full season, is on an academy contract and whom has only a solitary grandparent linking him to Wales. Chiefs might have to start contract negotiations soon though otherwise the Regions will be sniffing round.

[Oakboy]

Do Exeter have some special link to Wales? [Tshiunza, Hawkins, Jenkins x 2(Dafyd and Iwan). IFW was nearly Welsh as well.] If so, there's a fair chance of Wimbush being under pressure perhaps.