JWC

[Puja]

That's an... interesting selection. Mitchell over Randall seems absolutely barking; I can only conclude that they're giving Harry a rest, but that's no good if we lose the match! I'm also slightly baffled at Lamb over Bayliss and Atkins over Udogwu.

Puja

[fivepointer]

I though the same. Also surprised Dawe isn't starting. I guess some of the regular starters just need managing at this point. I'm assuming Wright isn't available, hence Butler still at 13.

[twitchy]

They were seriously wrecked at the end the aus game.

[Mellsblue]

Odogwu is a strange one. First choice last year, first choice at Sale at the start of the season amd then jettisoned to Sale Jets in the second half of the season. You'd understand if he became a Sale squad player when Charnley and Solomona arrived but everything else seems strange.

[Which Tyler]

Hmmm, not convinced about Atkins on the wing - good full back, BT can get caught out of position playing in his specialist position, so moving him sideways is unlikely to help. Seems completely unnecessary with Odogwu on the bench too - is there something wrong with PO's game that I'm just not seeing? Dropped down to ND2, dropped from the U20s, then only makes the bench during an injury crisis.

Pity Bayliss is only deemed good enough for the bench, I thought he'd looked better than that so far. Good to see Umaga finally fit to play, even though I'm not convinced by him just yet.

[Scrumhead]

That's an... interesting selection. Mitchell over Randall seems absolutely barking; I can only conclude that they're giving Harry a rest, but that's no good if we lose the match! I'm also slightly baffled at Lamb over Bayliss and Atkins over Udogwu.

Puja

Yeah - I agree on all of this. Odd all round.

[fivepointer]

Wright confirmed as injured and out of the tournament. Sirker is a completely new name to me.

England have three wins from three, but have been searching for their very best form, particularly with the likes of Tom Curry, Ben Curry, Joe Cokanasiga, Jack Maunder, and Nick Isiekwe all in Argentina with the senior side, while they are also missing Sam Aspland-Robinson, Dominic Morris, Ali Crossdale, Max Wright, and Will Evans, among others, with injury.

That has meant yet more call ups, with Northampton Saints’ James Grayson and England 7s star Callum Sirker both joining up with the squad.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Sirker is a good talent. Looked a cracking prospect at U16's with Harrow, but missed an entire season with shoulder injuries. Very fast and fleet of foot.

[twitchy]

Starting soon for any one that has forgotten.

[twitchy]

Mercer scores after 3 mins.

[twitchy]

14-7 to eng after 16 mins

[twitchy]

Half time. 17-7 Way less mistakes than the aus game so far. We look great in the loose. Our scrum is being battered though and that could be key for the second half.

Just as I type this brophy clews limps off, looks bad.

[twitchy]

What a finish. Mercer scores with 5 mins to go to win 24-22. To be fair to SA they destroyed our set piece.

[Banquo]

woo hoo, excellent

[twitchy]

Interesting. Flatman discussing mercer. Says he is a fantastic ball carrier in space. Reckons he doesn't tackle enough or do enough work saying he strolls around at times. Compares him to the SA number 8 who he reckons has a better skill set for senior rugby.

[Banquo]

Interesting. Flatman discussing mercer. Says he is a fantastic ball carrier in space. Reckons he doesn't tackle enough or do enough work saying he strolls around at times. Compares him to the SA number 8 who he reckons has a better skill set for senior rugby.

...well he is U20, and workrate can easily be....worked on. See Billy.

[twitchy]

I agree but I guess flats knows what he talking about following bath so closely. Possibly a bit of public advice for mercer. He reckons eddie is testing how he takes not being selected for the argentina tour.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Interesting. Flatman discussing mercer. Says he is a fantastic ball carrier in space. Reckons he doesn't tackle enough or do enough work saying he strolls around at times. Compares him to the SA number 8 who he reckons has a better skill set for senior rugby.

A very odd bit of punditry if you ask me. He gets through a mass of hard graft. He's superb on the oppo maul. Tackles galore. Clears rucks aplenty. Steals ball. Excellent lineout operator. Being uber critical he needs to adjust his body position over the ball. Not the best competitor in that facet, but does steal ball using his long levers.

Labelling him as a bit of an 'out wide man'.

[Digby]

I'd much rather start with a player that talented than start with a grafter and try to bolt on some ability. I'd allow they could well be right though, not seeing the games live is a real issue, made worse by TV coverage zooming in so much

[Raggs]

Billy was talented but too fat to work hard. Mercer definitely isn't too fat...

However he did put in a very big shift just a few days ago so should be forgiven if he looks a bit slower today.

[Banquo]

Billy was talented but too fat to work hard. Mercer definitely isn't too fat...

However he did put in a very big shift just a few days ago so should be forgiven if he looks a bit slower today.

and how did Billy become less fat?

[twitchy]

Billy became shitter when he lost weight under lancaster. The vunipolas are powered by pizza.

[Timbo]

Don't really see where Flatman is coming from with that assessment tbh. Mercer has a huge skill set and seems to work plenty hard to me. Sometimes it feels like he's doing too much and trying too hard if anything.

But that aside, the two Sarries boys Mallins and Earle need to be playing proper senior rugby next season. Both hugely impressive.

[twitchy]

In other news NZ look ridiculously good vs france. With more injuries we are in for a tough time I reckon.

[Scrumhead]

I've only just finished up at work so haven't seen the game but I'm looking forward to seeing the highlights.

Regardless of how we do on Sunday, it's an enormous achievement for an understrength and injury-ravaged to have reached another final.

Top work.