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Peej wrote:How can Isiekwe get picked with such limited rugby experience in a squad with so few locks?
Standard Eddie!!Oakboy wrote:Quite interesting that Eddie says he doesn't want to debate the Lions selection but then adds the barbed comment about getting 3 or 4 of the guys up to a higher standard than the Lions selections.
It's very soon ... but TBH, I have less of an issue with Isiekwe being selected, I'm just nervous about us taking only 3 locks, especially when two of them are very callow.Puja wrote:I agree with it. We have Lawes, Launch, Kruis and Itoje already at a high level and nailed on for the foreseeable. Will Attwood or Symons really ever break into that? I'd say better to take a punt on a rising superstar and pour your resources into him rather than giving England caps to players who are unlikely ever to trouble the selectors again.Peej wrote:How can Isiekwe get picked with such limited rugby experience in a squad with so few locks?
Puja
I think this is a pretty sensible point. What I'd ask about Isiekwe is how likely he is to play at Sarries in the next two years given Kruis, Itoje, Skelton and Rhodes are all in front of him.Scrumhead wrote:It's very soon ... but TBH, I have less of an issue with Isiekwe being selected, I'm just nervous about us taking only 3 locks, especially when two of them are very callow.Puja wrote:I agree with it. We have Lawes, Launch, Kruis and Itoje already at a high level and nailed on for the foreseeable. Will Attwood or Symons really ever break into that? I'd say better to take a punt on a rising superstar and pour your resources into him rather than giving England caps to players who are unlikely ever to trouble the selectors again.Peej wrote:How can Isiekwe get picked with such limited rugby experience in a squad with so few locks?
Puja
With the exception of Attwood, we don't have any other capped locks in realistic contention, but I think Symons or Barrow could/should have been selected as well as Isiekwe.
As we've seen recently, playing in the second row has it's occupational hazards and I think we should have taken the opportunity to blood at least one more with an outside chance of making it to Japan.
I've put my assessment on each element of the squad next to Digby's handy breakdown.Digby wrote:Props
Collier
Genge
Hill
Williams
Mullan
No huge surprises here but the selection of Collier and Williams suggests Eddie wants to develop a strong set-piece focused tight head as a contrast to the more mobile options like Sinckler and Hill.
Hookers
LCD
Hartley
Taylor can feel hard done by, but there isn't much between him and LCD and in a very inexperienced squad, Hartley's leadership role is key.
Locks
Ewels
Isiekwe
Launchbury
Strange. Taking only 3 locks leaves us exposed IMO and personally I feel like it's too soon for Isiekwe. I'd have taken four locks with Symons and Barrow ahead of him.
Back Row
Curry
Curry
Haskell
Hughes
Robshaw
Underhill
Wood
Only one 8 is an odd choice ... It's exciting to see the Currys and Underhill selected, but it's hard to see how 6 flankers will get meaningful game time on a two game tour. Hopefully we see one of the youngsters starting at 7 with the safety blanket of Robshaw at 6.
Halves
Care
Ford
Francis
Lozowski
Maunder
Interesting to see Maunder selected, buta big slap in the face for Robson. Francis is an interesting choice. Could be good, could be crap? Hard to tell at this point.
Centres
James
Mallinder
Marchant
Slade
I'm amazed by Mallinder getting in. It could either make him or crush him depending on the first impression he makes on Eddie. Pleased for James.
Back Three
Cockanasiga
Earle
May
Solomona
Interesting ... Solomona isn't a surprise but I'd far sooner have seen Wade. Earle has shown flashes of potential but is a wildcard. Cokanasiga could be amazing in a couple of years' time, but right now he's very raw and Championship rugby is no preparation for test rugby. His positioning looked very poor against Wales for the U20s so I'm concerned about chucking him in now ...
Vice-Captain
Mike Brown
: (
It is. I'm a bit surprised about some of the calls. Some positions look light to me and Eddie hasn't left much wriggle room if there is an injury. Big expectation on at least 2 of the 19 year olds as Maunder and Isiekwe will definitely be named in the matchday 23. Isiekwe is some talent but a 19 year old lock in a test match after playing a handful of games for his club? Thats some ask. Might have been fairer to look at someone like Barrow, who at least has plenty of premiership game time behind him. One untested winger will also have to play and if Brown cops an injury I'm not sure what we will do.Scrumhead wrote:I've put my assessment on each element of the squad next to Digby's handy breakdown.Digby wrote:Props
Collier
Genge
Hill
Williams
Mullan
No huge surprises here but the selection of Collier and Williams suggests Eddie wants to develop a strong set-piece focused tight head as a contrast to the more mobile options like Sinckler and Hill.
Hookers
LCD
Hartley
Taylor can feel hard done by, but there isn't much between him and LCD and in a very inexperienced squad, Hartley's leadership role is key.
Locks
Ewels
Isiekwe
Launchbury
Strange. Taking only 3 locks leaves us exposed IMO and personally I feel like it's too soon for Isiekwe. I'd have taken four locks with Symons and Barrow ahead of him.
Back Row
Curry
Curry
Haskell
Hughes
Robshaw
Underhill
Wood
Only one 8 is an odd choice ... It's exciting to see the Currys and Underhill selected, but it's hard to see how 6 flankers will get meaningful game time on a two game tour. Hopefully we see one of the youngsters starting at 7 with the safety blanket of Robshaw at 6.
Halves
Care
Ford
Francis
Lozowski
Maunder
Interesting to see Maunder selected, buta big slap in the face for Robson. Francis is an interesting choice. Could be good, could be crap? Hard to tell at this point.
Centres
James
Mallinder
Marchant
Slade
I'm amazed by Mallinder getting in. It could either make him or crush him depending on the first impression he makes on Eddie. Pleased for James.
Back Three
Cockanasiga
Earle
May
Solomona
Interesting ... Solomona isn't a surprise but I'd far sooner have seen Wade. Earle has shown flashes of potential but is a wildcard. Cokanasiga could be amazing in a couple of years' time, but right now he's very raw and Championship rugby is no preparation for test rugby. His positioning looked very poor against Wales for the U20s so I'm concerned about chucking him in now ...
Vice-Captain
Mike Brown
: (
It's a risky squad on a number of levels. Eddie has clearly selected it with an eye on the future, but I'd imagine the Argies will be looking at this squad believing they can get 2 wins.
Yep. Hard not to agree with that. Beaumont in particular seems to have a real blend of skill and power, would have liked to have seen him. Useful lock cover if it goes tits up too.fivepointer wrote:Its definitely a major snub to those who have been with the squad like Harrison, Williams, Beaumont, Taylor, Yarde , Roko and Haley
Haley doesn't bother me so much - he's been very very average for Sale this season. I think he might've just been in a good run of form last year and not be as good as hoped.TheNomad wrote:Bemused re: Taylor, Haley and Robson...and a few others. Strange
Otherwise exciting
Didn't Haley have a bad injury and not been the same since?Puja wrote:Haley doesn't bother me so much - he's been very very average for Sale this season. I think he might've just been in a good run of form last year and not be as good as hoped.TheNomad wrote:Bemused re: Taylor, Haley and Robson...and a few others. Strange
Otherwise exciting
Same with Robson and Spencer - they've not been turning in dominating performances and have not looked like internationals in waiting. I don't blame Eddie for skipping to the next generation.
Taylor, on the other hand, is massively unlucky.
Puja
Hehe. Funny but true.Peat wrote: 3) It contains Tom Wood
Sam James might be a bit underwhelmed by his review.
Maybe, it's Robson's perceived lack of progress this season? He HAS had game time whereas Spencer might claim he has not. I can't explain it otherwise. Let's face it, on his good days, this season, Youngs has not looked worse than Robson. That is some indictment, I know. I still believe that England cannot improve as a XV until we find a substantially better SH. I hoped that Simpson or Robson would step up but they haven't.Raggs wrote:Thing is, Dan Robson has only just turned 25, could easily be in contention for 2023, let alone should really be challenging for 2019. There's building a long legacy, and leaving players out needlessly I feel.
Not really a lot specific to take away for Marchant eitherMellsblue wrote:Sam James might be a bit underwhelmed by his review.
The "Mallinder potentially a wing" comment was a little odd.
