RugbyRebels

I wouldn’t.

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2024 2:21 pm I wouldn’t.

Agreed. He'd walk into our XV if I was picking it but without some sort of a guarantee from SB to that effect where is the incentive to come back? I'd change the rules on picking players based elsewhere and allow SB to choose a maximum of two per squad.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Wed Jul 24, 2024 8:28 am

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2024 2:21 pm I wouldn’t.

Agreed. He'd walk into our XV if I was picking it but without some sort of a guarantee from SB to that effect where is the incentive to come back? I'd change the rules on picking players based elsewhere and allow SB to choose a maximum of two per squad.

England selection is the only thing likely to tempt him and Underhill is playing fantastically well for England so Borthwick isn't going to go and promise a starting shirt to Willis. Incidentally I doubt Borthwick would promise a squad place to anybody let alone a starting shirt. He'd tell them they'd be in the frame and to go earn it.

What sides have got cap space to spend big on an openside? Maybe Bristol or Quins. Would Borthwick assist with a central contract? Doubtful, straight away. There's not much to tempt him back.

I can totally understand Willis staying in France, no doubt he’s got a good thing going on there. But make no mistake, in terms of testing himself as an athlete & rugby player no amount of club trophies & success will make up for not being involved on a Lions tour & playing test rugby for England against the best teams over a prolonged period. And peforming in a World Cup ofcourse. It’d be like a 100m runner thinking he’s the best in the world but never going to the olympics.

francoisfou wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 2:41 pm There are probably some missing, so if any of you know of any more please include them.
Dax - Myles Edwards

You can add Ribbans to the list for Toulon. Understandable omission given that he is definitely South African, but he is EQ and has caps

Adam_P wrote: ↑Wed Jul 24, 2024 4:10 pm

francoisfou wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 2:41 pm There are probably some missing, so if any of you know of any more please include them.
Dax - Myles Edwards

You can add Ribbans to the list for Toulon. Understandable omission given that he is definitely South African, but he is EQ and has caps

Thanks, Adam.
A serious omission, as he's been one of Toulon's best signings!

Courtney Lawes will make his début for Brive in tomorrow evening’s opening ProD2 fixture against Oyonnax and will play 2nd row. Ross Moriarty will wear 7, Sam Johnson 12 and Stuart Olding 23.

A point in favour of England picking from England - the French leagues kicking off three weeks before the Premiership while the final is one week later. Difficult to reconcile that with international duty.

Puja

I'm amazed if Lawes didn't have it in his contract he only ever plays 6.

Junior Kpoku, Will Rowlands, Dan Lancaster, Henry Arundell and Sam James all started for Racing 92 in their friendly against Lyon

Round 2 in ProD2 is currently under way and there are some Brits (and honorary Brits) in action:

Béziers v Biarritz (last night 19-23). For Biarritz: 14 Zack Kibirige and 12 Tyler Morgan (ex Dragons with 5 Welsh caps)
Angoulême v Brive. For Angoulême: 11 Jonny May. For Brive: 4 Courtney Lawes, 7 Ross Moriarty, 12 Sam Johnson, 22 Stuart Olding
Oyonax v Nevers. For Oyonnax: 4 Ewan Johnson, 1 Ollie Kebble
Agen v Nice. For Agen: 14 Henry Purdy and for Nice 8 ex All Black and Tigers Jordan Taufua
Montauban v Mont de Marsan. For Montauban: 19 Karl Wilkins (ex Northampton and Bedford)
Valence Romans v Dax. For VR 21 George Worth and for Dax 23 Nephi Leatigaga (ex Tigers)
Grenoble v Provence. For Grenoble 10 Sam Davies and 5 Pierce Philips (ex Edinburgh and Wuss). Provence 12 Jimmy Gopperth, 23 Tomàs Francis, 19 Teimana Harrison)

Round 1 of this season's Top 14 begins tomorrow but the teams have yet to be announced.

Farrell (10) and Arundell (11) start for Racing against Castres

Dan Lancaster on the bench

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Fri Sep 06, 2024 5:03 pm Farrell (10) and Arundell (11) start for Racing against Castres

Dan Lancaster on the bench

Ex Sale centre Sam James will wear 12 for Racing and Will Collier 3 for Castres

Elsewhere, Stuart Hogg will be at fullback for his Montpellier début, and Billy V at 8 (no Sam Simmonds in the matchday squad). Ali Crossdale will be at 11 for the away trip to Bayonne. Joe Simmonds and Dan Robson will be Pau's half backs at Clermont.

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Fri Sep 06, 2024 5:03 pm Farrell (10) and Arundell (11) start for Racing against Castres

Dan Lancaster on the bench

Ah nepotism...

FKAS wrote: ↑Fri Sep 06, 2024 7:33 pm

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Fri Sep 06, 2024 5:03 pm Farrell (10) and Arundell (11) start for Racing against Castres

Dan Lancaster on the bench

Ah nepotism...

well...yes. Dan Lancaster not even impressive in the champ

La Rochelle v Toulon Sunday afternoon: Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam make their débuts for Toulon who also include Dan Biggar and Dave Ribbans in the starting XV. Jack Nowell will wear 14 for La Rochelle.

Bordeaux/Bègles v Stade Français (21:05 this evening) : Jonny Gray will make his B/B début from the bench. For SF, Joe Marchant wears 13.

Oh and Junior Kpoku started at 6 for Racing! Arundell scored their first try and Farrell kicked four conversions. Castres ended up winning.

Vannes v Toulouse on Sunday evening - for Toulouse : Blair Kinghorn on the wing and Jack Willis wing forward. Mako V makes his début for Vannes. Ex Tiger and Glaws Sione Kalamafoni wears 8 for Vannes.

Farrell, Arundell, Lancaster and James all in the starting backline for Racing this weekend.

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Fri Sep 13, 2024 6:09 pm Farrell, Arundell, Lancaster and James all in the starting backline for Racing this weekend.

Another try for Arundell; Farrell took a yellow card in the first half, but Racing won out in the end.

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2024 9:34 am

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Fri Sep 13, 2024 6:09 pm Farrell, Arundell, Lancaster and James all in the starting backline for Racing this weekend.

Another try for Arundell; Farrell took a yellow card in the first half, but Racing won out in the end.

How did Burt Jnr get on?

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2024 9:54 am

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2024 9:34 am

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Fri Sep 13, 2024 6:09 pm Farrell, Arundell, Lancaster and James all in the starting backline for Racing this weekend.

Another try for Arundell; Farrell took a yellow card in the first half, but Racing won out in the end.

How did Burt Jnr get on?

Puja

Bit of a mix. Some really nice touches. Covered 10 when Farrell saw yellow. Also some poor execution at times.

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2024 10:30 am

Puja wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2024 9:54 am

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2024 9:34 am

Another try for Arundell; Farrell took a yellow card in the first half, but Racing won out in the end.

How did Burt Jnr get on?

Puja

Bit of a mix. Some really nice touches. Covered 10 when Farrell saw yellow. Also some poor execution at times.

From the highlights the kick from just inside his own half is pretty nice. Over hit high ball just before it less so.

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2024 10:30 am

Puja wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2024 9:54 am

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2024 9:34 am

Another try for Arundell; Farrell took a yellow card in the first half, but Racing won out in the end.

How did Burt Jnr get on?

Puja

Bit of a mix. Some really nice touches. Covered 10 when Farrell saw yellow. Also some poor execution at times.

I don't understand that signing outside nepotism. Why was Faz yellow carded....let me guess..