Uncapped players

[Raggs]

Not sure if mentioned here, but Luke James should certainly be looked at.

[Puja]

Not sure if mentioned here, but Luke James should certainly be looked at.

I'd be in favour of that. He just appears to be very competent at things, no matter the size of the game. I'd like to see if he can step up.

Watching the Saints vs Sale game, you'd think that Kruis's retirement and Lawes's possible injury would open up a recall for Isiekwe (not actually uncapped, but effectively). His lineout work's been spectacular. I'd also be in favour of Iyogun getting an apprentice slot. He's stepped up very well under a great deal of pressure and has recovered exceptionally well from being bullied by Cole in his first match.

Puja

[FKAS]

Having Cole in his first match might turn out to be a plus for him. Yes, he got turned inside out at scrum time but there's not many better technicians than Cole. Certainly not in the Prem where I'd say on Koch has a similar scrum ability. As long as he's learnt from that experience then he'll do well.

[Scrumhead]

If Billy isn't available then Curry will be in the 8 shirt. Eddie's not for turning.

I do fear you may be right:( - then again some of us have said from the outset Eddy should have resigned after RWC2019 final and I’ve seen nothing to change my opinion on this yet....

So ... you’re ‘not for turning’ either then ...

Your point on Dombrandt is odd ...

He might be have spent most of his time in rugby as an 8, but don’t forget he’s 2 seasons in to his professional career having joined Quins straight from uni. Not what I would call ‘experienced’ in the truest sense.

[jngf]

Just playing devil's advocate, but how was not picking Dombrandt and playing Curry at 8 a big mistake?

Because Alex Dombrandt is an experienced and talented no.8 and in the context of this role Tom Curry’s a rank amateur - did you see the number of 3 out 10 ratings he was getting on his first test there? Don’t get me wrong some of Eddy’s experiments do work - I actually think bringing Lewis Ludlum into the test squad was an inspired move as Ludlum has the type of versitility to move between the 6,7 and 8 roles in a way that T Curry imo simply doesn’t.

Is Dombrandt an experienced 8? Genuine question.

And Curry's first game at 8 was France away where the ratings were generally low, but that said the lowest I've found so far is a 5 out of 10, and almost all of them having him higher rated than Maro Itoje. A

And why do you think Ludlam can play 8 BTW?

https://www.therugbyblog.com/six-nation ... us-france/

4/10 rating here and not many of the 5/10 ratings seemed convinced. Being honest I’m not sure much has changed since including Eddy’s stubboness to keep going with a failed experiment - reminds me too much of MJ persisting with Borthwick until fate intervened...

On Ludlum - imo more athletic, arguably quicker ,more powerful - though I think 6 may be his best position at test level - above all I think he has genuinely demonstrated the kind of backrow versitility that Eddy and Mitchell keep claiming (for me rather unconvincingly) in behalf of T Curry. I would say Mark Wilson is the other genuinely versatile England backrow though can’t get excited about him at 7.

[padprop]

Don't see it with Isiekwe personally. Battling it out with Moon for 3rd best second row at Saints and always felt if he from Worcester and not Sarries no one would have been making any noise. If you wanted to make a pick based of potential, Kpoku would get my vote.

[Timbo]

I imagine Tom Dunn will be in the mix if we pick 3 hookers. Obano has a shot, but will probably need an injury or two. J Hill as mentioned is easily one of the best 4 locks in the country at the moment. I can see Ted Hill getting in as lock/6 cover (especially if Lawes is out), as looking towards developing a World Cup squad having someone who can play second and back row is invaluable. Jack Willis at flanker obviously.

Backline, I’d happily see Maunder in there. Don’t think he’s getting the credit he deserves post lock down. J Simmonds if we go with 3 10’s. For me 100% Ollie Lawrence and Cam Redpath (again, especially if Manu is out). And Max Malins.

Tom Dunn
Obano
J Hill
T Hill*
J Willis
J Maunder*
J Simmonds
O Lawrence
C Redpath
Malins

* I know they already have throw away garbage time caps

[Stom]

Surely Marchant gets in if Manu is out...

[16th man]

Not sure if mentioned here, but Luke James should certainly be looked at.

Seems to have the knack of getting over the line. I know he gets stick on here for his latter day conversion to full back, but it's very much like Cueto was. Not being lightening fast or a physical monster, but being in the right place and moving in just the right way to get it done.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Surely Marchant gets in if Manu is out...

I think Marchant would be in anyway. Well, hopefully.

I half expect maybe a bigger squad citing exceptional circumstances.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I imagine Tom Dunn will be in the mix if we pick 3 hookers. Obano has a shot, but will probably need an injury or two. J Hill as mentioned is easily one of the best 4 locks in the country at the moment. I can see Ted Hill getting in as lock/6 cover (especially if Lawes is out), as looking towards developing a World Cup squad having someone who can play second and back row is invaluable. Jack Willis at flanker obviously.

Backline, I’d happily see Maunder in there. Don’t think he’s getting the credit he deserves post lock down. J Simmonds if we go with 3 10’s. For me 100% Ollie Lawrence and Cam Redpath (again, especially if Manu is out). And Max Malins.

Tom Dunn
Obano
J Hill
T Hill*
J Willis
J Maunder*
J Simmonds
O Lawrence
C Redpath
Malins

* I know they already have throw away garbage time caps

Hard to disagree. Not 100% convinced by Dunn, but maybe because there’s a gap from George and LCD to the next group. Am warming more and more to Dunn. He’s getting much more consistent, which is great to see.

Obano in a seriously contested position. Mako, Marler, Genge, Obano.....not a bad problem to have

[Mikey Brown]

Not sure if mentioned here, but Luke James should certainly be looked at.

Seems to have the knack of getting over the line. I know he gets stick on here for his latter day conversion to full back, but it's very much like Cueto was. Not being lightening fast or a physical monster, but being in the right place and moving in just the right way to get it done.

He does? In what sense? I was under the impression he was originally a centre though.

[16th man]

Not sure if mentioned here, but Luke James should certainly be looked at.

Seems to have the knack of getting over the line. I know he gets stick on here for his latter day conversion to full back, but it's very much like Cueto was. Not being lightening fast or a physical monster, but being in the right place and moving in just the right way to get it done.

He does? In what sense? I was under the impression he was originally a centre though.

I meant Cueto

[Stom]

Seems to have the knack of getting over the line. I know he gets stick on here for his latter day conversion to full back, but it's very much like Cueto was. Not being lightening fast or a physical monster, but being in the right place and moving in just the right way to get it done.

He does? In what sense? I was under the impression he was originally a centre though.

I meant Cueto

Cueto got more stick on the wing, tbh. For his try scoring record in the 2nd half of his international career. Which was atrocious.

[Banquo]

He does? In what sense? I was under the impression he was originally a centre though.

I meant Cueto

Cueto got more stick on the wing, tbh. For his try scoring record in the 2nd half of his international career. Which was atrocious.

He was very poor at 15 when he played there for England too.

[Stom]

I meant Cueto

Cueto got more stick on the wing, tbh. For his try scoring record in the 2nd half of his international career. Which was atrocious.

He was very poor at 15 when he played there for England too.

Most players were poor back then...

Damn, we're so lucky to have the depth we have now. Compared to the fallow years under Robinson, Ashton and then MJ...

[fivepointer]

Luke James very good last night i thought. Looks to be a very solid all rounder with good skills and decision making.

[FKAS]

Luke James very good last night i thought. Looks to be a very solid all rounder with good skills and decision making.

Could be an ideal 23rd man in the squad. I thing he's played wing, 12, 13 and 15 for Sale. Eddie Jones does like a player with versatility though it's not helped Luke's brother.

[Raggs]

Damn Twitter. I did head to head ruck marks for Willis and Ben Curry in the sale wasps game.

Because of how it can screw up the page a bit, copy the link and remove the * from the start.

*

Basically Willis had a higher workrate. Hit more attacking rucks and was slightly more effective at attacking rucks (this is what Eddie wants to see often, secure our ball. Curry was slightly more effective in defensive rucks than Willis.

This was viewed as a poor game for Willis, and a very good one for Ben.

From looking at it, though less than previously Ben Curry still seemed to spend time on the very edge, rather than being reasonably close to the action. Willis seems to have become more of a prime carrying option for Wasps, making it tougher for him to get to rucks.

In fact I need to include that!

[Scrumhead]

Surely Marchant gets in if Manu is out...

I think Marchant would be in anyway. Well, hopefully.

I half expect maybe a bigger squad citing exceptional circumstances.

Yeah - me too. 40 something I reckon.

Marchant is criminally under-utilised by Quins ATM. Our gameplan in attack is to kick for our wingers/Brown to chase or for the 12 crash it up. Marchant literally doesn’t see the ball.

He’s still excellent in defence but it’s such a waste of arguably our best player.

[Stom]

Surely Marchant gets in if Manu is out...

I think Marchant would be in anyway. Well, hopefully.

I half expect maybe a bigger squad citing exceptional circumstances.

Yeah - me too. 40 something I reckon.

Marchant is criminally under-utilised by Quins ATM. Our gameplan in attack is to kick for our wingers/Brown to chase or for the 12 crash it up. Marchant literally doesn’t see the ball.

He’s still excellent in defence but it’s such a waste of arguably our best player.

Hmm, something about Gustard... resist the urge...

Must resist the urge...

[Tigersman]

Personally I feel Joe Heyes needs to be capped this year.
Even if he isn't starting for Tigers.
The welsh are chasing after him hard currently, and with at his age it would be more longer term investment since realistically he should be coming into his "prime age" in 3 more years, and promising tightheads are far harder to get than Centres that we have already lost.
I mean a bench spot v Georgia or Italy would be it.

[fivepointer]

I'm sure it will be a bigger squad as the Prem final will mean we will be without players for the Barbarians game. If, say, Exeter and Bath contest the final we could be without a dozen or more squad members.
I think the workload over 7/8 weeks means a squad of around 40 is odds on.

[Banquo]

Luke James very good last night i thought. Looks to be a very solid all rounder with good skills and decision making.

Is he Matt Perry pace wise or quicker?

[Banquo]

Cueto got more stick on the wing, tbh. For his try scoring record in the 2nd half of his international career. Which was atrocious.

He was very poor at 15 when he played there for England too.

Most players were poor back then...

Damn, we're so lucky to have the depth we have now. Compared to the fallow years under Robinson, Ashton and then MJ...

They were all shit selectors and barely made a composite intl head coach between them, but the cupboard was somewhat bare