England A

[Epaminondas Pules]

Radwan?

Bonkers innit! Maverick though innit! Sweaty Ballbags and mavericks are not a match made in heaven!

[Scrumhead]

I will just take a moment to note "Oliver Sleightholme", "Oliver Hartley", and then "Ollie Hassell-Collins" for some reason. Plus Blamire is now a loosehead according to that formatting.

A few names that it's disappointing not to see - SAtkinson, Kelly, Brantingham, Warr, Joseph, Radwan, Carpenter - along with some names that will never seriously trouble an EPS squad in the future - Clark, Blake, Clement. You have to wonder what's happened to Ojomoh and Beard, who left the main squad like Blamire and Pearson, but apparently aren't needed for England A. It's not a terribly exciting squad all things told - some good players, but nothing where I'm looking at it going, "Wow, I'm excited to see them" or being thrilled about securing a dual qualified player. I'm mildly interested in having secured Englefield, as he's got a hell of a boot on him, and in keeping the Welsh away from Randall for another 3 years, but I'm not convinced that either of them will be in the England team in a couple of years' time.

Yeah, some weirdness here for sure.

I assumed that Englefield, Clark, Blake and Clement were beneficiaries of Skivington being the coach, but that doesn’t explain why Seb Atkinson would be absent? Blake looked very interesting when he got a bit of a run of games for Gloucester, but he’s barely featured recently. Clark has looked promising but I’m surprised he’s above Hammond who has played well all season. Skivington sent him out on loan recently too. Clement? OK player but given how many good back row players we have, there’s no way he should be near this squad.

Definitely a head scratcher not to see the players you’ve mentioned. The other odd omission for me is Painter. No Evans is disappointing and Batley is probably a bit unfortunate but looking at the age profile of the squad, it does seem like that may have counted against them.

With only 2 centres named, I’m assuming Beard and/or Ojomoh will be brought in? Not sure why they’ve disappeared from both squads though?

[Captainhaircut]

Painter the real miss for me. Surely he’s ahead of Harper. Still hold out hope that Brantingham will move to tighthead when he gets to Sarries.

Going to presume Quirke isn’t fit as well.

[Puja]

Gods, I'd forgotten about Painter. He was in my England XV at one point at the beginning of the season. Quirke is another good shout of a big name not present.

Puja

[Danno]

With only 2 centres named, I’m assuming Beard and/or Ojomoh will be brought in? Not sure why they’ve disappeared from both squads though?

And then there's Atkinson and Kelly. Why do we hate the midfield so.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Painter the real miss for me. Surely he’s ahead of Harper. Still hold out hope that Brantingham will move to tighthead when he gets to Sarries.

Going to presume Quirke isn’t fit as well.

I’m not sure Painter has really smashed the door down. He’s a bit better since moving to Exeter, but not crying out to be picked.

And yeah Quirkes not back yet

[fivepointer]

Painter just isnt mobile enough. He falls into the same category as Collier and Balmain who missed out due to the same weakness.
A bit surprised theres no Langdon in the squad. Also think Fitz Harding is an under rated very consistent player. Ibitoye worth a look?
End of the day they can only pick so many and i dont think theres anyone in the squad who is a genuinely bad pick.

[Adam_P]

Langdon is serving a ban

[Which Tyler]

With only 2 centres named, I’m assuming Beard and/or Ojomoh will be brought in? Not sure why they’ve disappeared from both squads though?

When did MOjo get dropped?
Most recent I remember was being pleased for him to be retained.

I've also heard that with this 8 week break for the clubs, several players are having minor-type operations that should be recovered in time for the restart, but that'd make them unavailable right now, which may explain some of the absences (kinda wish George Ford had made that choice TBH - based on club form pre-tournament, and ahead of Marcus' injury).

[FKAS]

Painter the real miss for me. Surely he’s ahead of Harper. Still hold out hope that Brantingham will move to tighthead when he gets to Sarries.

Going to presume Quirke isn’t fit as well.

I’m not sure Painter has really smashed the door down. He’s a bit better since moving to Exeter, but not crying out to be picked.

And yeah Quirkes not back yet

I think Painter missed the last Chiefs game before the international break so might be injured.

[Puja]

Just found out that Portugal will not have any of their France-based players for this game, making this an utter waste of everyone's time. It'll be professionals against semi-pros and no-one will learn anything as we put 80+ points on them.

Puja

[Danno]

FFS. Why can't we have anything nice.

[p/d]

FFS. Why can't we have anything nice.

I polished my shoes to a high shine this morning.

Does that help?

[Which Tyler]

Just found out that Portugal will not have any of their France-based players for this game, making this an utter waste of everyone's time. It'll be professionals against semi-pros and no-one will learn anything as we put 80+ points on them.

Puja

I was going to suggest sending the U20s as they're off this weekend, but it's next weekend isn't it. Dammit.

Might as well just make the Saxons an U24s then, and be done with it.

I guess it shouldn't be too surprising that clubs would be obstructive outside of the international window

[p/d]

Having just seen the Glaws v Exeter line up I note that Mercer didn't make the A's. Or has that already been mentioned.

[Danno]

FFS. Why can't we have anything nice.

I polished my shoes to a high shine this morning.

Does that help?

Not really. Think of all the things you could have done instead.

[p/d]

FFS. Why can't we have anything nice.

I polished my shoes to a high shine this morning.

Does that help?

Not really. Think of all the things you could have done instead.

I was milking a goat at the time.

[FKAS]

Just found out that Portugal will not have any of their France-based players for this game, making this an utter waste of everyone's time. It'll be professionals against semi-pros and no-one will learn anything as we put 80+ points on them.

Puja

Really?!? This not an international window. Missing most of their big names really does make the game somewhat worthless.

[p/d]

So that coupled with the two games this weekend might go some way to explaining the missing names.

Plus SB must have a list of players as injury cover for the squad

[Puja]

Just found out that Portugal will not have any of their France-based players for this game, making this an utter waste of everyone's time. It'll be professionals against semi-pros and no-one will learn anything as we put 80+ points on them.

Puja

Really?!? This not an international window. Missing most of their big names really does make the game somewhat worthless.

I believe the international windows for Portugal follow their Rugby Europe Championship weekends, not the 6N ones.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

https://x.com/therugbypaper/status/1759 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

RFU aiming for four A fixtures a year.

[FKAS]

https://x.com/therugbypaper/status/1759 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

RFU aiming for four A fixtures a year.

Keep moving it around the country, offer cheap or free tickets for kids. Why not, might cut down on the Celtic nations poaching dual qualified players.

[Tom Moore]

Anyone know if this is going to be on TV?

[Scrumhead]

https://x.com/therugbypaper/status/1759 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

RFU aiming for four A fixtures a year.

Keep moving it around the country, offer cheap or free tickets for kids. Why not, might cut down on the Celtic nations poaching dual qualified players.

Certainly a benefit, but the bigger piece for me is getting meaningful game time/development opportunities for players on the fringes of the senior squad.

It really depends on the quality of the opposition though. I’d argue that France, Ireland, SA and NZ are the only other countries that have the depth to put out equivalent A sides. If we’re playing developing test sides, it needs to be their first XV. Playing Portugal minus the majority of their professional players feels pointless.

[Oakboy]

https://x.com/therugbypaper/status/1759 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

RFU aiming for four A fixtures a year.

Keep moving it around the country, offer cheap or free tickets for kids. Why not, might cut down on the Celtic nations poaching dual qualified players.

Certainly a benefit, but the bigger piece for me is getting meaningful game time/development opportunities for players on the fringes of the senior squad.

It really depends on the quality of the opposition though. I’d argue that France, Ireland, SA and NZ are the only other countries that have the depth to put out equivalent A sides. If we’re playing developing test sides, it needs to be their first XV. Playing Portugal minus the majority of their professional players feels pointless.

Yes, especially as a leading game in getting A matches going again. Other countries might see it and not bother. Clubs might question whether the risk to players is worthwhile.