England vs. Ireland - Saturday 21st Nov

[Raggs]

What are the press talking about? Eddie. It's always Eddie.

I'd absolutely love the guy if I played for him. Compare and contrast to previous regimes where there were stories about the players coming out all the time, twisted and turned etc. Now it's always all about Eddie. The team can just get on without having to worry about the press.

Has Youngs had a terrible game since the final? I'm noticing bad passes from him far less (perhaps because there are less passes), he's sniping well too.

[Digby]

Quite, Youngs is playing well. And he's playing better than anyone coming into the squad with the hope of pressuring him. He's not playing at the same level as Dupont, but that's a high bar for all I like to set a high bar

[Mellsblue]

I reckon the Irish team will be talking about Eddie. Just as the French team probably were just before they gave us a bit of a kicking in Feb.
Youngs has played well....against Italy and Georgia. I hope he carries that form through to this weekend and the next 12 months.

[Mr Mwenda]

If the Irish team need that fairly mild statement to get up for it then they've already lost.

[Banquo]

What are the press talking about? Eddie. It's always Eddie.

I'd absolutely love the guy if I played for him. Compare and contrast to previous regimes where there were stories about the players coming out all the time, twisted and turned etc. Now it's always all about Eddie. The team can just get on without having to worry about the press.

Has Youngs had a terrible game since the final? I'm noticing bad passes from him far less (perhaps because there are less passes), he's sniping well too.

Yep he’s a master at protecting his players.

Youngs is still playing by rote rather than instinctively imo.

[Mikey Brown]

Do these lightning rod tactics really have any affect on the opposition coaching team/players? I’m sure the media love it just because it’s easy to write about, but I can’t imagine Farrell is doing anything drastically different because of it. Making sure Porter doesn’t get pinged off the park was surely already a consideration.

[Puja]

Do these lightning rod tactics really have any affect on the opposition coaching team/players? I’m sure the media love it just because it’s easy to write about, but I can’t imagine Farrell is doing anything drastically different because of it. Making sure Porter doesn’t get pinged off the park was surely already a consideration.

Probably not, but it does have an impact on the refs. I'm still annoyed about the "Scrum Straight, Joe!" bollocks from 2015.

Puja

[Raggs]

Do these lightning rod tactics really have any affect on the opposition coaching team/players? I’m sure the media love it just because it’s easy to write about, but I can’t imagine Farrell is doing anything drastically different because of it. Making sure Porter doesn’t get pinged off the park was surely already a consideration.

Probably not, but it does have an impact on the refs. I'm still annoyed about the "Scrum Straight, Joe!" bollocks from 2015.

Puja

I'd guess it could have a small effect on the ref. But again, for me it's still all about getting the press talking about anything but your team.

[Stom]

What are the press talking about? Eddie. It's always Eddie.

I'd absolutely love the guy if I played for him. Compare and contrast to previous regimes where there were stories about the players coming out all the time, twisted and turned etc. Now it's always all about Eddie. The team can just get on without having to worry about the press.

Has Youngs had a terrible game since the final? I'm noticing bad passes from him far less (perhaps because there are less passes), he's sniping well too.

Yep he’s a master at protecting his players.

Youngs is still playing by rote rather than instinctively imo.

He's still doing reasonably well. Criticism of Youngs atm is more criticism of the way the team is set up than the player himself. Which makes a change. Farrell is the one who cannot execute when doing anything remotely creative or attack oriented.

[Digby]

What are the press talking about? Eddie. It's always Eddie.

I'd absolutely love the guy if I played for him. Compare and contrast to previous regimes where there were stories about the players coming out all the time, twisted and turned etc. Now it's always all about Eddie. The team can just get on without having to worry about the press.

Has Youngs had a terrible game since the final? I'm noticing bad passes from him far less (perhaps because there are less passes), he's sniping well too.

Yep he’s a master at protecting his players.

Youngs is still playing by rote rather than instinctively imo.

I tend to think every 9 is playing more and more by rote. It's so fast now I don't see how you do otherwise

Which is a bit interesting for England in that you'd straight away more onto communication and taking some decision making off the 9, but then we see how many varied players we stand at first receiver with the 10 off doing a sudoku

[Digby]

He's still doing reasonably well. Criticism of Youngs atm is more criticism of the way the team is set up than the player himself. Which makes a change. Farrell is the one who cannot execute when doing anything remotely creative or attack oriented.

Though Youngs can still produce utter shite when it comes to basic skills. He's going to spend a long time trying to live down the RWC final, and he might never manage that

[JellyHead]

Does anyone no what is odd about Porters technique? I can't find anything or any visuals. All I can find are questions about should he be on the lose head rather than tight.

[fivepointer]

Does anyone no what is odd about Porters technique? I can't find anything or any visuals. All I can find are questions about should he be on the lose head rather than tight.

There's nothing odd. He looks pretty good technically. He's not a particularly big guy but seems very solid. He's played on both sides of the scrum.

Jones talking nonsense again.

[Timbo]

The Welsh mentioned Porters scrummaging technique, and I think Sarries did too. No idea what the issue is exactly, but probably something quite nuanced and technical.

[twitchy]

They flagged porter's technique on blood and mud this week before eddie's comments.

[Banquo]

What are the press talking about? Eddie. It's always Eddie.

I'd absolutely love the guy if I played for him. Compare and contrast to previous regimes where there were stories about the players coming out all the time, twisted and turned etc. Now it's always all about Eddie. The team can just get on without having to worry about the press.

Has Youngs had a terrible game since the final? I'm noticing bad passes from him far less (perhaps because there are less passes), he's sniping well too.

Yep he’s a master at protecting his players.

Youngs is still playing by rote rather than instinctively imo.

He's still doing reasonably well. Criticism of Youngs atm is more criticism of the way the team is set up than the player himself. Which makes a change. Farrell is the one who cannot execute when doing anything remotely creative or attack oriented.

Don’t wholly agree, he is still pretty average on the pass and indecisive, and often making the wrong call. Unfortunately it is likely true that he is the best suited to the plan, assuming the plan isn’t a function of his inadequacies. He may be playing a bit better, but a low bar frankly.
Totally agree on Faz, but what’s new.

[Banquo]

What are the press talking about? Eddie. It's always Eddie.

I'd absolutely love the guy if I played for him. Compare and contrast to previous regimes where there were stories about the players coming out all the time, twisted and turned etc. Now it's always all about Eddie. The team can just get on without having to worry about the press.

Has Youngs had a terrible game since the final? I'm noticing bad passes from him far less (perhaps because there are less passes), he's sniping well too.

Yep he’s a master at protecting his players.

Youngs is still playing by rote rather than instinctively imo.

I tend to think every 9 is playing more and more by rote. It's so fast now I don't see how you do otherwise

Which is a bit interesting for England in that you'd straight away more onto communication and taking some decision making off the 9, but then we see how many varied players we stand at first receiver with the 10 off doing a sudoku

I should have been more precise- Youngs plays as if every decision is prescribed by position on the pitch or what phase of play he is in. The likes of DuPont or Smith do seem to play a tad more instinctively and certainly with more alacrity. And if he were playing by rote skills wise, his repetition work could not have been of the highest standard.

Agreed on communication and scanning or lack of both. With no crowds you’d think communication a lot easier.

[Banquo]

Does anyone no what is odd about Porters technique? I can't find anything or any visuals. All I can find are questions about should he be on the lose head rather than tight.

Nothing much. Eddie is laying the groundwork of doubt in the refs mind should Mako have one of his less good scrummaging days, which aren’t as common as they once were- he’s quite unorthodox in fairness

[twitchy]

I just re listened to the bit. The said (in defense of ryhs carre) that porter was constantly pushing before the ball was put in and wasn't penalised for it.

[Banquo]

I just re listened to the bit. The said (in defense of ryhs carre) that porter was constantly pushing before the ball was put in and wasn't penalised for it.

Not much new there for a tight head. They will do it until pinged.

[twitchy]

I just re listened to the bit. The said (in defense of ryhs carre) that porter was constantly pushing before the ball was put in and wasn't penalised for it.

Not much new there for a tight head. They will do it until pinged.

Yeah they were criticising the ref and saying that pivac's handling of carre vs gatland's was very poor.

[Banquo]

I just re listened to the bit. The said (in defense of ryhs carre) that porter was constantly pushing before the ball was put in and wasn't penalised for it.

Not much new there for a tight head. They will do it until pinged.

Yeah they were criticising the ref and saying that pivac's handling of carre vs gatland's was very poor.

Young lad gets handed ar5e sour grapes shock

[Digby]

Yep he’s a master at protecting his players.

Youngs is still playing by rote rather than instinctively imo.

I tend to think every 9 is playing more and more by rote. It's so fast now I don't see how you do otherwise

Which is a bit interesting for England in that you'd straight away more onto communication and taking some decision making off the 9, but then we see how many varied players we stand at first receiver with the 10 off doing a sudoku

I should have been more precise- Youngs plays as if every decision is prescribed by position on the pitch or what phase of play he is in. The likes of DuPont or Smith do seem to play a tad more instinctively and certainly with more alacrity. And if he were playing by rote skills wise, his repetition work could not have been of the highest standard.

Agreed on communication and scanning or lack of both. With no crowds you’d think communication a lot easier.

Dupont maybe. Smith just passes more in more areas, which I happen to prefer but it's just a different bias/default. Dupont we'll have to see now video analysis will go to town on him

[Banquo]

I tend to think every 9 is playing more and more by rote. It's so fast now I don't see how you do otherwise

Which is a bit interesting for England in that you'd straight away more onto communication and taking some decision making off the 9, but then we see how many varied players we stand at first receiver with the 10 off doing a sudoku

I should have been more precise- Youngs plays as if every decision is prescribed by position on the pitch or what phase of play he is in. The likes of DuPont or Smith do seem to play a tad more instinctively and certainly with more alacrity. And if he were playing by rote skills wise, his repetition work could not have been of the highest standard.

Agreed on communication and scanning or lack of both. With no crowds you’d think communication a lot easier.

Dupont maybe. Smith just passes more in more areas, which I happen to prefer but it's just a different bias/default. Dupont we'll have to see now video analysis will go to town on him

The mindset and style of passing more often imo should be the default (certainly outside the 22) it leaves more options open for a fraction longer. And Smith certainly seems sharper in thought and deed.

[Digby]

I should have been more precise- Youngs plays as if every decision is prescribed by position on the pitch or what phase of play he is in. The likes of DuPont or Smith do seem to play a tad more instinctively and certainly with more alacrity. And if he were playing by rote skills wise, his repetition work could not have been of the highest standard.

Agreed on communication and scanning or lack of both. With no crowds you’d think communication a lot easier.

Dupont maybe. Smith just passes more in more areas, which I happen to prefer but it's just a different bias/default. Dupont we'll have to see now video analysis will go to town on him

The mindset and style of passing more often imo should be the default (certainly outside the 22) it leaves more options open for a fraction longer. And Smith certainly seems sharper in thought and deed.

I would prefer more passing too, but that's not a better identification process it's just looking for something else. And we can even reference the video Raggs linked up a while back (probably more than a year) where Smith was talking about how TJ makes more breaks, and breaks isn't something Smith looks for especially, Smith is focussed on the pass