Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 5:31 pm
What a way to start the week.
Page 12 of 22
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 5:37 pm
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 5:37 pm
Loz in yesterday's ST. I noted:
"I was picked for England in all three back-row positions, which was an honour, but the one in which I performed best was the one in which I played regularly for Wasps – No 8. I hope that, unlike his predecessor, Borthwick factors this into selection."
+1
"I was picked for England in all three back-row positions, which was an honour, but the one in which I performed best was the one in which I played regularly for Wasps – No 8. I hope that, unlike his predecessor, Borthwick factors this into selection."
+1
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 5:50 pm
He was a fantastic 6 for England and esp the Lions prior to wrecking his knee. Then SCW took a shine to Back, stuck Hill at 6 and the rest followed.loudnconfident wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 5:37 pm Loz in yesterday's ST. I noted:
"I was picked for England in all three back-row positions, which was an honour, but the one in which I performed best was the one in which I played regularly for Wasps – No 8. I hope that, unlike his predecessor, Borthwick factors this into selection."
+1
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 5:54 pm
Volley carried Loz
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 6:13 pm
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 6:32 pm
He's got to be pretty close. Only 9 Prem games under his belt though so maybe been left at Glaws to up his minutes.
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 6:47 pm
I just meant he seems like a good guy, puts the work in, and was fairly new to centre (as I understood it?) when he was thrown in there for England. But yeah, I don’t really want to see him in an England squad.Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 5:24 pmFaz hasn't started much other than at 12 for quite a long time now iirc. Which is odd, as he never starts there for sarries.Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 5:19 pmSee that's been my thinking for most of the last 7 or 8 years, but I've recently swung back to wanting Farrell at 10, in lieu of Smith/Ford with a real 12. I don't know how much that's down to having had him at 12 more recently for England. I might go back the other way very quickly after watching him there for a few games. If I felt England could reliably get more out of Smith that would change too.Puja wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 5:13 pm What is Borthwick doing to them all?!
On the bright side, it increases the chances of Smith at 10 - I don't mind Farrell at 12, as I do think it can work and I'd rather have our best 10 and a slightly worse 12 than have a worse 10 and a slightly better 12. Fly-half is more important.
Puja
I have nothing against Porter at all, I just can't see which of these problems he is solving. What a shame for Kelly.
I have a lot against Porter tbh. He's not looked up to it so far, and he hasn't played for about a month.
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 6:50 pm
On the plus side, Smith/Faz at 10/12 would allow Fin Smith on the bench for an expertly trolled capture cap. This makes it more likely, although it's a coin toss between that and Faz/Manu I suspect.
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 7:17 pm
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 7:25 pm
Is Borthwick as petulant as Eddie? It’s hard to see that being a factor.SDHoneymonster wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 6:50 pm On the plus side, Smith/Faz at 10/12 would allow Fin Smith on the bench for an expertly trolled capture cap. This makes it more likely, although it's a coin toss between that and Faz/Manu I suspect.
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 8:22 pm
One that never seems mentioned when these late midfield call ups happen - Sam James. Big, strong, rugby smart, cool head and good ball skills. Not a flier, but adequate pace. Totally unspectacular but usually rock solid and does everything well. Teams often benefit from the reassuring presence of a player like that.
He seems to have been around for ages but is still only 28. Eddie Jones did have him in previous squads, but something obviously didn't work.
He seems to have been around for ages but is still only 28. Eddie Jones did have him in previous squads, but something obviously didn't work.
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 8:23 pm
Sam's been editing his own Wiki page
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 9:14 pm
Gutted about Kelly. I hope it’s not serious. He really does have an awful habit of getting injured at the worst possible times for England.
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 9:45 pm
If we can get Kelly back in for the Italy game so we can trial a youthful backline of; JVP, Smith, Freeman, Kelly, Lawrence, Murley/OHC, Steward then that would be fun.
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 10:20 pm
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 10:21 pm
My cynicism is growing by the moment
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 10:22 pm
I don't know Italy are to be underestimated. They're really building something and they'll be hunting us as one of the last major scalps that they haven't yet got.
It worked with Ford!
I wouldn't start with Smith/Farrell, but if we're having to do Farrell, I'd rather have him somewhere that he's not setting the tone for the entire backline.
This. I want this. Not to start (I don't particularly want Porter starting either), but I'd want him in to see the level he needs to aim for and see how he copes training at a higher level. I'm such a fan of him and, while it's a bit late for apprentices, it's hopefully only going to be for a few days training if Kelly's not seriously injured, so we may as well.
Mind, if it is the case that it's only a couple of days, it does make some sense to have Porter, who knows the environment, can just drop back in, and can fill in across the backline in training matches. If he's not gonna start, Porter makes as much sense as anyone for a warm body at training.
Puja
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 10:27 pm
The trouble with Farrell is that it always sets the tone for the entire backline.
10 or 12, the ball rarely gets wider.
It worked with Ford because he'd be in position to take the Farrell pass and get to the real backs. Farrell doesn't trust anyone that isn't Ford
10 or 12, the ball rarely gets wider.
It worked with Ford because he'd be in position to take the Farrell pass and get to the real backs. Farrell doesn't trust anyone that isn't Ford
Re: Squad named
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 10:30 pm
Ford and Smith really arent comparable as players, plus imo Ford Faz wasnt all that as a combo.Puja wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 10:22 pmI don't know Italy are to be underestimated. They're really building something and they'll be hunting us as one of the last major scalps that they haven't yet got.
It worked with Ford!
I wouldn't start with Smith/Farrell, but if we're having to do Farrell, I'd rather have him somewhere that he's not setting the tone for the entire backline.
This. I want this. Not to start (I don't particularly want Porter starting either), but I'd want him in to see the level he needs to aim for and see how he copes training at a higher level. I'm such a fan of him and, while it's a bit late for apprentices, it's hopefully only going to be for a few days training if Kelly's not seriously injured, so we may as well.
Mind, if it is the case that it's only a couple of days, it does make some sense to have Porter, who knows the environment, can just drop back in, and can fill in across the backline in training matches. If he's not gonna start, Porter makes as much sense as anyone for a warm body at training.
Puja
Re: Squad named
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2023 7:42 am
I am trying to take this as a sign that Kelly is in the Abbott category of England 12s, up to it if injured inconveniently rather than the alternative which is just crap.
We're still paying the devil after Woodward sold Dawson, Wilkinson and Greenwood's souls at the crossroads in 2002.
Re: Squad named
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2023 8:34 am
Re: Squad named
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2023 12:37 pm
I suppose it's not realistic to hope for Lawrence and Marchant at 12/13. Frankly, I fear for the required watershed change in style/application if either of Farrell or Tuilagi start at centre, never mind both. SB has certainly got some problems to solve if we are to show any attacking flair. Much as I want OHC to start, I'd rather he didn't if it's outside Smith, Farrell, Tuilagi.
Re: Squad named
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2023 12:46 pm
Just got to put who and what number on the back burner and concentrate on the performance. I am far more interested in what happens on the pitch than sweating over who gets handed which shirt ............. at this stage of SB's tenure.
(better not be Faz and 12)
(better not be Faz and 12)
Re: Squad named
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2023 12:51 pm
On one hand I get what you’re saying, it’s important we have the right attitude, direction, clarity etc. but surely you can’t separate that from the 15 players who are picked?p/d wrote: ↑Tue Jan 31, 2023 12:46 pm Just got to put who and what number on the back burner and concentrate on the performance. I am far more interested in what happens on the pitch than sweating over who gets handed which shirt ............. at this stage of SB's tenure.
(better not be Faz and 12)
Maybe the fact we’re all so unable to find a consensus on any (or all but a handful of) the shirts means they’re all close enough in quality that it doesn’t matter?
There is still potential for horribly imbalanced selections though, even when picking good individuals. That’s more of what concerns me. A backrow or midfield with the wrong balance could easily tip this game in the wrong direction.