New and Improved EPS Watch/Player Form Thread

[FKAS]

George Martin out for the rest of the season with the shoulder injury he picked up in the 6N. Probably rules him out of any summer tour as well.

[Epaminondas Pules]

George Martin out for the rest of the season with the shoulder injury he picked up in the 6N. Probably rules him out of any summer tour as well.

That’s him nailed on to tour Argentina then!

[FKAS]

George Martin out for the rest of the season with the shoulder injury he picked up in the 6N. Probably rules him out of any summer tour as well.

That’s him nailed on to tour Argentina then!

Probably. He'd probably be better off with a extended rear period. It's a nerve issue in his shoulder and I don't think those are an easy fix. A period of rest and rehab is I imagine what the doctor orders, Which will no doubt confirm.

[Which Tyler]

Probably. He'd probably be better off with a extended rear period. It's a nerve issue in his shoulder and I don't think those are an easy fix. A period of rest and rehab is I imagine what the doctor orders, Which will no doubt confirm.

I'd need a lot more than "a nerve issue in his shoulder" to pass comment.
Covers both a stinger that takes a minute or so to resolve, up to something career ending, and anything in between

[Mikey Brown]

Probably. He'd probably be better off with a extended rear period. It's a nerve issue in his shoulder and I don't think those are an easy fix. A period of rest and rehab is I imagine what the doctor orders, Which will no doubt confirm.

I'd need a lot more than "a nerve issue in his shoulder" to pass comment.

I feel like this goes against the spirit and the values of RR.

[Mellsblue]

Probably. He'd probably be better off with a extended rear period. It's a nerve issue in his shoulder and I don't think those are an easy fix. A period of rest and rehab is I imagine what the doctor orders, Which will no doubt confirm.

I'd need a lot more than "a nerve issue in his shoulder" to pass comment.

I feel like this goes against the spirit and the values of RR.

Quite. Form an uninformed opinion based on rumour and conjecture and then defend it to the death.

[TheNomad]

Owen Farrell can’t displace Dan Lancaster at Racing right now, which is incredibly funny, but what exactly does that say about English rugby?

I honestly don’t know what you mean. Many on here have said ‘Faz’ was over rated for a long time. I’d say it definitely implies that.

I don’t think it says much else, other than there’s also good depth in English rugby, seeing as there’s another England product who’s replaced him.


I never saw the fuss with Farrell, and finally feel vindicated

[Oakboy]

Owen Farrell can’t displace Dan Lancaster at Racing right now, which is incredibly funny, but what exactly does that say about English rugby?

I honestly don’t know what you mean. Many on here have said ‘Faz’ was over rated for a long time. I’d say it definitely implies that.

I don’t think it says much else, other than there’s also good depth in English rugby, seeing as there’s another England product who’s replaced him.


I never saw the fuss with Farrell, and finally feel vindicated

Well, arguably, we have four better FHs in the squad already (if you count Furbank). In a funny sort of way, it shows just how good Jack Willis is. Some of the French press have described him as the best backrower in Europe. Where does that leave English punditry in their past claims about Farrell?

I think we do need to give Farrell praise for going to France when he did. It might have been a bad decision for him but it was a good one for English international rugby.

[Mikey Brown]

Owen Farrell can’t displace Dan Lancaster at Racing right now, which is incredibly funny, but what exactly does that say about English rugby?

I honestly don’t know what you mean. Many on here have said ‘Faz’ was over rated for a long time. I’d say it definitely implies that.

I don’t think it says much else, other than there’s also good depth in English rugby, seeing as there’s another England product who’s replaced him.


I never saw the fuss with Farrell, and finally feel vindicated

I feel like you explained it pretty well. I’m saying it doesn’t really work as a way of assessing the quality of the leagues.

The 100 cap, triple Lion etc etc player can’t make the starting team for a big fancy French side, but an Ealing Trailfinders player can.

[Beasties]

Ouch.

[Captainhaircut]

Sounds like Ojomoh picked up a fairly nasty injury yesterday. Likely to miss the summer tour which is a shame.

Centre looking quite problematic for the summer with Freeman and Lawrence missing. Beard looks badly out of form.

On the plus side, Atkinson is excellent and Hartley looked very good (and very large) yesterday. Could Dingwall move to 13 and partner one of those?

[Banquo]

Sounds like Ojomoh picked up a fairly nasty injury yesterday. Likely to miss the summer tour which is a shame.

Centre looking quite problematic for the summer with Freeman and Lawrence missing. Beard looks badly out of form.

On the plus side, Atkinson is excellent and Hartley looked very good (and very large) yesterday. Could Dingwall move to 13 and partner one of those?

Dingwall is a rare bird that can and does play both inside and outside centre for Saints, and mixes it up in the same game. So yes- he's probably a better defender at 13 than 12 as well.

I think Northmore could be developed too. Maasi-White still needs some coaching.

[Mikey Brown]

I’ve missed the last couple of Quins games. Is Beard’s poor form based on much more than that? He’s been fantastic this season and was great in the recent Saracens win.

It’s hard to know what to make of the Quins backs a lot of the time with the inconsistency up front and harem scares approach all over.

Dingwall as a steady hand alongside Atkinson could be good, but you feel that lacks a bit of punch.

[Banquo]

I’ve missed the last couple of Quins games. Is Beard’s poor form based on much more than that? He’s been fantastic this season and was great in the recent Saracens win.

It’s hard to know what to make of the Quins backs a lot of the time with the inconsistency up front and harem scares approach all over.

Dingwall as a steady hand alongside Atkinson could be good, but you feel that lacks a bit of punch.

Beard was poor yesterday, looked light on confidence.

Dingers imo should keep the 12 shirt based on performance, but agreed that need some gas and/or power in midfield alongside

[FKAS]

I’ve missed the last couple of Quins games. Is Beard’s poor form based on much more than that? He’s been fantastic this season and was great in the recent Saracens win.

It’s hard to know what to make of the Quins backs a lot of the time with the inconsistency up front and harem scares approach all over.

Dingwall as a steady hand alongside Atkinson could be good, but you feel that lacks a bit of punch.

Beard was poor yesterday, looked light on confidence.

Dingers imo should keep the 12 shirt based on performance, but agreed that need some gas and/or power in midfield alongside

It's from famine to feast for options at 12 for England. Dingwall is a handy glue player that holds the midfield together. Joe Woodward is quickly offering very similar at Tigers, switching between defending at 12 and 13 depending on who he partners in the centre (same as Dingwall). Hartley is offering the potential for a hard hitting option with a kicking game. Seb Atkinson is a Rolls Royce of a centre offering both that glue option but with extra weight and power.

Ojomoh could have been a bag of tricks at 12 or 13. We definitely need someone to offer power and/or pace on there. Ma'asi White is a bit raw but he's the type of player we'd maybe take and then play Vs USA and look to build up. Similar to how Dingwall and Beard have been in squads to gain experience. Hartley interchanging with Dingwall in the centres could be a workable option for just this tour. Would be a handy time for Wimbush to come back into form, otherwise does Butt get a look in?

[Puja]

Sounds like Ojomoh picked up a fairly nasty injury yesterday. Likely to miss the summer tour which is a shame.

Centre looking quite problematic for the summer with Freeman and Lawrence missing. Beard looks badly out of form.

On the plus side, Atkinson is excellent and Hartley looked very good (and very large) yesterday. Could Dingwall move to 13 and partner one of those?

Dingwall is a rare bird that can and does play both inside and outside centre for Saints, and mixes it up in the same game. So yes- he's probably a better defender at 13 than 12 as well.

I think Northmore could be developed too. Maasi-White still needs some coaching.

I don't see what people see in Northmore - looks bang average in all facets and, while he does pull out something excellent, he complements it with regular basic errors.

Woodward and Waghorn are also going to be in the conversation for the summer, although I'd rate them a distance behind SAtkinson.

What would be people's opinions on trying IFW at 13 in the summer (assuming no Freeman/Lawrence)? Played there when he was at Wasps, he's not the kind of winger that needs the wide-open spaces to be effective, and I'd certainly be keen on getting the ball in his hands as often as possible.

Puja

[Puja]

Would be a handy time for Wimbush to come back into form, otherwise does Butt get a look in?

Tsch! Butt can't even get past Butt for Bath.

...wait, something's gone wrong there.

Puja

[Banquo]

Sounds like Ojomoh picked up a fairly nasty injury yesterday. Likely to miss the summer tour which is a shame.

Centre looking quite problematic for the summer with Freeman and Lawrence missing. Beard looks badly out of form.

On the plus side, Atkinson is excellent and Hartley looked very good (and very large) yesterday. Could Dingwall move to 13 and partner one of those?

Dingwall is a rare bird that can and does play both inside and outside centre for Saints, and mixes it up in the same game. So yes- he's probably a better defender at 13 than 12 as well.

I think Northmore could be developed too. Maasi-White still needs some coaching.

I don't see what people see in Northmore - looks bang average in all facets and, while he does pull out something excellent, he complements it with regular basic errors.

Woodward and Waghorn are also going to be in the conversation for the summer, although I'd rate them a distance behind SAtkinson.

What would be people's opinions on trying IFW at 13 in the summer (assuming no Freeman/Lawrence)? Played there when he was at Wasps, he's not the kind of winger that needs the wide-open spaces to be effective, and I'd certainly be keen on getting the ball in his hands as often as possible.

Puja

fair on Northmore, bit older than I thought, but he is talented.

IFW ...would need be getting gametime at 13. I'd not thought of him as such, but he signed at wasps as one as you said, so a decent shout.

[Banquo]

I’ve missed the last couple of Quins games. Is Beard’s poor form based on much more than that? He’s been fantastic this season and was great in the recent Saracens win.

It’s hard to know what to make of the Quins backs a lot of the time with the inconsistency up front and harem scares approach all over.

Dingwall as a steady hand alongside Atkinson could be good, but you feel that lacks a bit of punch.

Beard was poor yesterday, looked light on confidence.

Dingers imo should keep the 12 shirt based on performance, but agreed that need some gas and/or power in midfield alongside

It's from famine to feast for options at 12 for England. Dingwall is a handy glue player that holds the midfield together. Joe Woodward is quickly offering very similar at Tigers, switching between defending at 12 and 13 depending on who he partners in the centre (same as Dingwall). Hartley is offering the potential for a hard hitting option with a kicking game. Seb Atkinson is a Rolls Royce of a centre offering both that glue option but with extra weight and power.

Ojomoh could have been a bag of tricks at 12 or 13. We definitely need someone to offer power and/or pace on there. Ma'asi White is a bit raw but he's the type of player we'd maybe take and then play Vs USA and look to build up. Similar to how Dingwall and Beard have been in squads to gain experience. Hartley interchanging with Dingwall in the centres could be a workable option for just this tour. Would be a handy time for Wimbush to come back into form, otherwise does Butt get a look in?

...bit early to be calling a feast, given these are mostly a few decent prem showings, but take your point and young enough to improve quickly with more game time

[Mikey Brown]

Northmore hits gaps in the line like nobody else. It sure looks good on highlights, but much like Dombrandt I doubt it would work the same way at the top level.

It would be fantastic if it did, but his injury record is so poor that he’s probably not worth the investment anyway.

[Tom Moore]

Sounds like Ojomoh picked up a fairly nasty injury yesterday. Likely to miss the summer tour which is a shame.

Centre looking quite problematic for the summer with Freeman and Lawrence missing. Beard looks badly out of form.

On the plus side, Atkinson is excellent and Hartley looked very good (and very large) yesterday. Could Dingwall move to 13 and partner one of those?

Dingwall is a rare bird that can and does play both inside and outside centre for Saints, and mixes it up in the same game. So yes- he's probably a better defender at 13 than 12 as well.

I think Northmore could be developed too. Maasi-White still needs some coaching.

I don't see what people see in Northmore - looks bang average in all facets and, while he does pull out something excellent, he complements it with regular basic errors.

Woodward and Waghorn are also going to be in the conversation for the summer, although I'd rate them a distance behind SAtkinson.

What would be people's opinions on trying IFW at 13 in the summer (assuming no Freeman/Lawrence)? Played there when he was at Wasps, he's not the kind of winger that needs the wide-open spaces to be effective, and I'd certainly be keen on getting the ball in his hands as often as possible.

Puja

I thought I'd read IFW was out for the summer somewhere.

[Captainhaircut]

I definitely think IFW could do a job at outside centre. Even if it just gave us options for the bench, that would be interesting. Wonder if Exeter might have a look given that they have Wyatt, PBB and Hodge who can play back 13 and some fairly limited centre options.

Thought JVP was very good today. If he can find form and Quirke can stay fit, we can finally have some good options at 9.

Solving 11, 12 and 13 feel like the the main positions in the first 15. Then depth at 3, 4/5, 9 and 15.

[Banquo]

I definitely think IFW could do a job at outside centre. Even if it just gave us options for the bench, that would be interesting. Wonder if Exeter might have a look given that they have Wyatt, PBB and Hodge who can play back 13 and some fairly limited centre options.

Thought JVP was very good today. If he can find form and Quirke can stay fit, we can finally have some good options at 9.

Solving 11, 12 and 13 feel like the the main positions in the first 15. Then depth at 3, 4/5, 9 and 15.

think wing is one of the least of the issues. Would like to see actually see IFW at 13, esp in defence before saying he could do an intl job there.

[Danno]

I definitely think IFW could do a job at outside centre. Even if it just gave us options for the bench, that would be interesting. Wonder if Exeter might have a look given that they have Wyatt, PBB and Hodge who can play back 13 and some fairly limited centre options.

Thought JVP was very good today. If he can find form and Quirke can stay fit, we can finally have some good options at 9.

Solving 11, 12 and 13 feel like the the main positions in the first 15. Then depth at 3, 4/5, 9 and 15.

think wing is one of the least of the issues. Would like to see actually see IFW at 13, esp in defence before saying he could do an intl job there.

Shoving him in at 13 feels disrespectful to Argentina (if fit and touring). They're not a side to be underestimated.

Longer term it's not a bad idea but when he's such a ridiculously talented winger, why move him unless you absolutely have to have all the best players on the field at once. We've been square pegging the backs* for so long now and I'm sort of frustrated with it

*ho ho ho

[Banquo]

I definitely think IFW could do a job at outside centre. Even if it just gave us options for the bench, that would be interesting. Wonder if Exeter might have a look given that they have Wyatt, PBB and Hodge who can play back 13 and some fairly limited centre options.

Thought JVP was very good today. If he can find form and Quirke can stay fit, we can finally have some good options at 9.

Solving 11, 12 and 13 feel like the the main positions in the first 15. Then depth at 3, 4/5, 9 and 15.

think wing is one of the least of the issues. Would like to see actually see IFW at 13, esp in defence before saying he could do an intl job there.

Shoving him in at 13 feels disrespectful to Argentina (if fit and touring). They're not a side to be underestimated.

Longer term it's not a bad idea but when he's such a ridiculously talented winger, why move him unless you absolutely have to have all the best players on the field at once. We've been square pegging the backs* for so long now and I'm sort of frustrated with it

*ho ho ho

aye