Training Squad named ...

[Scrumhead]

I know he was in the U20s, but I meant that he’s only really become a regular in the last 4/5 years which is relatively late considering he’s 29. Comparatively speaking, a lot of wingers tend to break through earlier than other positions.

Anyway - we’re in agreement on where he’s at now.

[FKAS]

Yeah no need with Kenningham at this stage I don’t think.

Devoto I’d really like to see for England, but hard not to feel his ship has already sailed with Eddie.

I think Devoto will come into the squad. Currently the options at 12 are both pretty young in Kelly and Ojomoh.

Agree on Kenningham there's openside options that are more experienced and more rounded available at this point. His time will come if he keeps developing.

I wonder if the updated squad will be named on Sunday night or Monday morning. If the latter, then you'd've thought there was latitude for the A game players to change the coaches' plans - if Kelly for example has a stormer, then maybe Devoto isn't needed as an experienced head for the tests. Same with Heyes and Harry Williams or Lawrence and Slade.

Puja

If Will Stuart is in the side I see no point in calling up Williams. He's not good enough to overtake either Sinckler and Stuart who are both younger than him. Better to give game time so younger players who could offer more going forward. Heyes being the obvious candidate having played in every game for Tigers this season. I would hope that those players who show up in the A game are retained, the experiences guys could do with a full pre season and also the kick up the backside that competition brings.

Scrumhead I had to go back and check if I'd seen Harper play and it turns out I have and didn't notice. That's not a bad thing for a young tighthead because it means he wasn't getting stuffed at scrum time or no more than Sale sometimes are anyway. I agree on Street and to lesser degree Painter. They haven't stepped up to senior rugby and flourished yet. Street has been disappointing whilst Painter I think is slowly adapting, he got away with being a unit at age grade and is now starting to develop past just throwing his weight around. I think Heyes has adapted faster because comparably he wasn't so big so had to look to his technique earlier, particularly playing senior rugby at 19 where he was a stone or two lighter than some opposition looseheads. Plus having to scrum against Ayerza and then Genge when coming through was probably an education in itself.

Possibly to soon for Harper, he'd probably be best served getting a full pre season under him and then going for starts at Sale. Build it up from there.

[fivepointer]

Heyes has probably had more game time. He's certainly further along than Street and Painter. Its too early for Harper but he is a very exciting prospect.

I dont expect Williams to get a call, nor anyone else unless there is an injury. Hill will likely start the tests and i'm happy with that. He has the kind of game that could easily see him move into genuine contention for a full squad place and he is only 26. His best years could well lie ahead of him now that he seems to have overcome injury issues. Heyes will get game time and Davison will fill in.

The 3 loose heads are sorted too.

[FKAS]

Hill at 26 is older than Stuart and I think a year younger than Sinckler. Prime age for a prop to come into his own though.

On a purely tactical basis I'd start Heyes and then have Hill come in early in the second half. I think Heyes is more technical come scrum time and still mobile enough round the park, Hill is ridiculously mobile for a prop so as the opposition look to set themselves after half time his fresh legs could help cause problems. High intensity start to the second half against an opposition that will have probably had a tough time up front in the first half. Get the damage done and kill the game off.

[Mr Mwenda]

But do teddy bears shit in the woods exclusively?

[Mellsblue]

But do teddy bears shit in the woods exclusively?

No. The randy buggers love a good orgy.

[fivepointer]

Elsewhere, Miles Reid sustained a facial bone fracture in training on Wednesday which will rule him out of England’s summer series of fixtures.

The England A team will be named on Friday, 25 June with the match shown live on Channel 4.

Thats a real shame for Reid. He has had a terrific season and i was hoping he would get a run in the A game.

[Which Tyler]

Dammit

[Scrumhead]

Elsewhere, Miles Reid sustained a facial bone fracture in training on Wednesday which will rule him out of England’s summer series of fixtures.

The England A team will be named on Friday, 25 June with the match shown live on Channel 4.

Thats a real shame for Reid. He has had a terrific season and i was hoping he would get a run in the A game.

Same. Hill or Martin at 6 then?

[jngf]

Elsewhere, Miles Reid sustained a facial bone fracture in training on Wednesday which will rule him out of England’s summer series of fixtures.

The England A team will be named on Friday, 25 June with the match shown live on Channel 4.

Thats a real shame for Reid. He has had a terrific season and i was hoping he would get a run in the A game.

Same. Hill or Martin at 6 then?

Cough....Ludl...cough

[Digby]

Leaves us with every Ludl helps, or Ludl is cheap shit and doesn't belong at the big table

[Puja]

Elsewhere, Miles Reid sustained a facial bone fracture in training on Wednesday which will rule him out of England’s summer series of fixtures.

The England A team will be named on Friday, 25 June with the match shown live on Channel 4.

Thats a real shame for Reid. He has had a terrific season and i was hoping he would get a run in the A game.

Same. Hill or Martin at 6 then?

Cough....Ludl...cough

Good point - Ludlow is still in the squad, isn't he?

Puja

[jngf]

Same. Hill or Martin at 6 then?

Cough....Ludl...cough

Good point - Ludlow is still in the squad, isn't he?

Puja

I gave myself an each way bet there and I actually agree with you Puja about Ludlow

[Mikey Brown]

You agree with Puja that Ludlow is in the squad?

[jngf]

You agree with Puja that Ludlow is in the squad?

I agree that Ludlow would be a good test 6 option (though not sure he’s not been culled from latest squad?) I think the contention, if any, is that I think Ludlum would be a good 6 option too - and perhaps he’s better seen as a 6 than a 7 at this level? - which is not too say that neither he nor Ludlow could not do a respectable job at 7 too - but I really wan’t to see what Ben Curry could do there.

[Scrumhead]

9 Scottish players have been withdrawn from their A squad due to 1 player testing positive.

5 new players including Cam Hunter-Hill and Ben Vellacott added.

[Puja]

Who wants to bet that Eddie refuses to call up Dombrandt just because?

Thinking of dual-qualified players, I actually think there's half a chance he might call up Lynagh. Wouldn't be against it.

Puja

[Stom]

Lynagh makes some fundamental errors but his awareness in attack is great. Though I do feel he might not be as good without smith and green.

I’d be picking the Quins 8,9,10 combo every day of the week. Find a 12 and stick Marchant at 13 and that’s a backbone and a half.

[Banquo]

Lynagh makes some fundamental errors but his awareness in attack is great. Though I do feel he might not be as good without smith and green.

I’d be picking the Quins 8,9,10 combo every day of the week. Find a 12 and stick Marchant at 13 and that’s a backbone and a half.

Lynagh does great bits and pieces work for a young lad- his ruck work was really good today alongside the eye catching attack.

[Mikey Brown]

Not seen any official confirmation of this. Seems ridiculous not to look at Simmonds and Devoto, whilst giving Slade a rest would seem like quite a good idea.

[fivepointer]

Here's the squad. No Simmonds or Devoto. Ogrhe back for Capon, Martin dropped (??), Sleightholme unfit, Dingwall misses out.

FORWARDS
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Trevor Davison (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, uncapped)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 28 caps)
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Paul Hill (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, 1 cap)
Jack Kenningham (Harlequins, uncapped)
Curtis Langdon (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 8 caps)
Lewis Ludlow (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Josh McNally (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Chunya Munga (London Irish, uncapped)
Beno Obano (Bath Rugby, 1 cap)
Gabriel Oghre (Wasps, uncapped)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 22 caps)
Harry Wells (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)

BACKS
Josh Bassett (Wasps, uncapped)
Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
Dan Kelly (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, 6 caps)
Max Malins (Bristol Bears, on loan from Saracens, 7 caps)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 5 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Dan Robson (Wasps, 12 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 38 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, uncapped)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Jacob Umaga (Wasps, uncapped)

[Scrumhead]

Surprised to see Martin drop out.

Disappointed Simmonds is apparently behind Umaga but not too bothered as I’m hoping it’s the Marcus Smith show.

Kenningham in is interesting, but he has been incredible for Quins so not entirely undeserved.

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah I can see why Eddie would want to have a closer look, but seems odd to drop Martin in order to get a sixth open-side in to the squad.

[TheNomad]

Yeah I can see why Eddie would want to have a closer look, but seems odd to drop Martin in order to get a sixth open-side in to the squad.

Yeah weird - especially as the group of locks there (which he can obviously cover) doesn't look that inspiring

Shame Isiewkwe and Ribbans can't be there

[Timbo]

Wonder if there is scope for Martin to join up with the 20’s. Seems a shame for him to miss their 6 Nations for the sake of 2 weeks training.