England v Barbarians

[Beasties]

What took me most about Curry was his physicality. I haven't seen him play much this year but I've read plenty on boards about how he's not strong enough but he looked pretty handy yest. He seems to have been quietly putting on a few pounds without anyone noticing it. I'd have played Willis in preference in SA before his injury but now I'd have no qualms playing Curry.

[Mikey Brown]

I’m already regretting engaging in this conversation, but I don’t remember claiming it would fix everything or that we shouldn’t make other changes in tactics/personnel. I just think he’d offer a lot if used correctly, and may help get more from the rest of the pack.

Mako not having to be both primary ball carrier and the only guy (including the scrum half) to usefully try and change the point of attack would be a pretty good starting point.

[twitchy]

Don Armand vs Saracens:
Tackles made: 18
Tackles missed: 0
Tackle success: 100%

Chris Robshaw vs Barbarians:
Tackles made: 8
Tackles missed: 7
Tackle success: 53%

[Puja]

What took me most about Curry was his physicality. I haven't seen him play much this year but I've read plenty on boards about how he's not strong enough but he looked pretty handy yest. He seems to have been quietly putting on a few pounds without anyone noticing it. I'd have played Willis in preference in SA before his injury but now I'd have no qualms playing Curry.

Agreed. He does actually look a couple of lbs heavier than Ben atm, which maybe suggests there is method to Eddie's madness. He's clearly made the most of his long injury lay-off.

Puja

[Epaminondas Pules]

What took me most about Curry was his physicality. I haven't seen him play much this year but I've read plenty on boards about how he's not strong enough but he looked pretty handy yest. He seems to have been quietly putting on a few pounds without anyone noticing it. I'd have played Willis in preference in SA before his injury but now I'd have no qualms playing Curry.

Agreed. He does actually look a couple of lbs heavier than Ben atm, which maybe suggests there is method to Eddie's madness. He's clearly made the most of his long injury lay-off.

Puja

That said Ben has had a cracking season. Would like to see them both involved if possible.

[Scrumhead]

What took me most about Curry was his physicality. I haven't seen him play much this year but I've read plenty on boards about how he's not strong enough but he looked pretty handy yest. He seems to have been quietly putting on a few pounds without anyone noticing it. I'd have played Willis in preference in SA before his injury but now I'd have no qualms playing Curry.

Agreed. He does actually look a couple of lbs heavier than Ben atm, which maybe suggests there is method to Eddie's madness. He's clearly made the most of his long injury lay-off.

Puja

Yeah. Looks like it.

I was one of the posters saying that the Curry twins were a little too light/lacking the required physicality. Based upon Tom’s performance yesterday, he seems to have bulked up and looked more aggressive.

That said, my reservations were always with the caveat of balance in the back row. With Billy back, we can definitely accommodate a slightly smaller 7. Wilson and Shields are more physical than Robshaw (generally not just yesterday), so that would help too.

[Mellsblue]

Don Armand vs Saracens:
Tackles made: 18
Tackles missed: 0
Tackle success: 100%

Chris Robshaw vs Barbarians:
Tackles made: 8
Tackles missed: 7
Tackle success: 53%

17/18 Premiership kicking percentage:
Twelvetrees: 89.74%
Ford: 84.38%
Cipriani: 81.82%
Burns: 81.48%
Farrell: 71.43%

[Raggs]

What took me most about Curry was his physicality. I haven't seen him play much this year but I've read plenty on boards about how he's not strong enough but he looked pretty handy yest. He seems to have been quietly putting on a few pounds without anyone noticing it. I'd have played Willis in preference in SA before his injury but now I'd have no qualms playing Curry.

It's the other Curry. Eddie has favoured this Curry because he's more physical (Ben is apparently more skillful, Tom more physical). And as commentary and others have pointed out, they've both put on a lot of size in the last year. Tom seemed to be upto it.

[Tigersman]

Don Armand vs Saracens:
Tackles made: 18
Tackles missed: 0
Tackle success: 100%

Chris Robshaw vs Barbarians:
Tackles made: 8
Tackles missed: 7
Tackle success: 53%

Whilst Robshaw isn't a England 6, Armand certainly isn't the answer either IMO.

[Mellsblue]

Such a shame about Willis. Would've loved to have seen:
6. Willis
7. Curry
8. Billy

20. Simmonds

[Beasties]

What took me most about Curry was his physicality. I haven't seen him play much this year but I've read plenty on boards about how he's not strong enough but he looked pretty handy yest. He seems to have been quietly putting on a few pounds without anyone noticing it. I'd have played Willis in preference in SA before his injury but now I'd have no qualms playing Curry.

It's the other Curry. Eddie has favoured this Curry because he's more physical (Ben is apparently more skillful, Tom more physical). And as commentary and others have pointed out, they've both put on a lot of size in the last year. Tom seemed to be upto it.

I've not seen anywhere near enough of either. At this point they are simply "the Currys" to me, I haven't been arsed enough to employ sufficient attention in differentiating between them. Obvs I'm going to have to make more of an effort now

[Peej]

Has a replacement for Willis been announced?

[Mellsblue]

Has a replacement for Willis been announced?

Hughes.

[Timbo]

I’m sure Ben Curry is just as good as his brother. I’ve seen plenty of both now and I can’t see how anyone could genuinely say one is better/more equipped for test rugby than the other.

[Spiffy]

Has a replacement for Willis been announced?

Hughes.

Have always found it hard to get enthusiastic about Hughes, though I can't explain why. One backrower who has really impressed me this year is Guy Thompson of Wasps. He is not even a regular starter but always seems to have a great game when he has the opportunity. Fast, smart and tough and with some ball skills too. He is 31 now and not likely to crack Eddie's radar but I think he could do a job at the national level as well as, or better than, some of the names currently batted around (Armand, Wilson, Graham, Ross etc..)
(His teammate Christian Wade should be on the England squad too. I'd like to see a back three of Daly/May/Wade - total gas/strike power to burn.)

[Lizard]

If you are going to be a one trick pony, scoring tries is a pretty good trick.

True, is it enough? Or does his lack of other tricks and divisive character count more.

I’d hate to see him in an England shirt again. I see no value in it to our growth.

I don't think a hat-trick is all that impressive when the oppo ships 9 tries. Scoring a third of your team's tries is hardly earth-shattering. In fact, scoring hat-tricks in 9-try thrashings is pretty common http://rugbyrebels.co/board/viewtopic.p ... 15#p135215

[Spiffy]

If you are going to be a one trick pony, scoring tries is a pretty good trick.

True, is it enough? Or does his lack of other tricks and divisive character count more.

I’d hate to see him in an England shirt again. I see no value in it to our growth.

I don't think a hat-trick is all that impressive when the oppo ships 9 tries. Scoring a third of your team's tries is hardly earth-shattering. In fact, scoring hat-tricks in 9-try thrashings is pretty common http://rugbyrebels.co/board/viewtopic.p ... 15#p135215

For his first try, his teammate in the centre had already crossed the line and just handed the ball to Ashton to dot down ( he also gave scrum half Laidlaw a freebie in the second half.) The game confirmed two basic flaws in Ashton's game - lack of pure top end pace and poor defence. He will not play for England again.

[richy678]

Don Armand vs Saracens:
Tackles made: 18
Tackles missed: 0
Tackle success: 100%

Chris Robshaw vs Barbarians:
Tackles made: 8
Tackles missed: 7
Tackle success: 53%

Yes. For whom the bell tolls me thinks.

[richy678]

Has a replacement for Willis been announced?

Hughes.

Have always found it hard to get enthusiastic about Hughes, though I can't explain why. One backrower who has really impressed me this year is Guy Thompson of Wasps. He is not even a regular starter but always seems to have a great game when he has the opportunity. Fast, smart and tough and with some ball skills too. He is 31 now and not likely to crack Eddie's radar but I think he could do a job at the national level as well as, or better than, some of the names currently batted around (Armand, Wilson, Graham, Ross etc..)
(His teammate Christian Wade should be on the England squad too. I'd like to see a back three of Daly/May/Wade - total gas/strike power to burn.)

Apart from the fact that May is just a fast muppet.
Wade being left out will be one those Sinbad things - I'm afraid he is destined to applauded by Twickenham crowds making consolation appearances for the Barbarians or non cap England games in a few years.
If he is picked for England his wing will get an aerial bombardment - but we know its coming - it might sound over simple but as soon as the forwards form up for the restart - just swap where he stands for a bigger back.

[Beasties]

Has a replacement for Willis been announced?

Hughes.

Have always found it hard to get enthusiastic about Hughes, though I can't explain why. One backrower who has really impressed me this year is Guy Thompson of Wasps. He is not even a regular starter but always seems to have a great game when he has the opportunity. Fast, smart and tough and with some ball skills too. He is 31 now and not likely to crack Eddie's radar but I think he could do a job at the national level as well as, or better than, some of the names currently batted around (Armand, Wilson, Graham, Ross etc..)
(His teammate Christian Wade should be on the England squad too. I'd like to see a back three of Daly/May/Wade - total gas/strike power to burn.)

Wasps fans are gutted that he's moving to Leics, he's a very good player. He's a terrific support runner and has good hands.

[Lizard]

Anyone know where I can find a good quality full replay video?

[Banquo]

Hughes.

Have always found it hard to get enthusiastic about Hughes, though I can't explain why. One backrower who has really impressed me this year is Guy Thompson of Wasps. He is not even a regular starter but always seems to have a great game when he has the opportunity. Fast, smart and tough and with some ball skills too. He is 31 now and not likely to crack Eddie's radar but I think he could do a job at the national level as well as, or better than, some of the names currently batted around (Armand, Wilson, Graham, Ross etc..)
(His teammate Christian Wade should be on the England squad too. I'd like to see a back three of Daly/May/Wade - total gas/strike power to burn.)

Apart from the fact that May is just a fast muppet.
Wade being left out will be one those Sinbad things - I'm afraid he is destined to applauded by Twickenham crowds making consolation appearances for the Barbarians or non cap England games in a few years.
If he is picked for England his wing will get an aerial bombardment - but we know its coming - it might sound over simple but as soon as the forwards form up for the restart - just swap where he stands for a bigger back.

Sinbad got picked plenty of times, just got injured a lot when selected; mind, it is also true that when eventually he stayed fit for a long period of time, later in his career, he was overlooked, maybe because of previous. Man, he was a great attacker.

[Which Tyler]

Anyone know where I can find a good quality full replay video?

I don't think any exist - the BBC's highlights were pretty comprehensive though (about an hour long) - just watch it on mute, as they were utterly unbearable

[Banquo]

Anyone know where I can find a good quality full replay video?

I don't think any exist - the BBC's highlights were pretty comprehensive though (about an hour long) - just watch it on mute, as they were utterly unbearable

Sky Sports website possibly?

[Tigersman]

Thompson should be known as Thompson of Tigers from now on.