Argentina tour

[fivepointer]

Its close to what we all expected. I'm not dismayed by no Earl as we have plenty of good back row options. Would have preferred to see Pollock with England but that looked unlikely after the weekend.

Lock was always going to be an issue along with FH. Ford will obviously step up but his cover at 10 is going to be a tricky call. With 3 of our top locks unavailable i think its inevitable Ewels will get a call up.

[p/d]

Is Benson injured? I would have him on one leg before inviting Slade of Farrell back in

he's not even started a prem match, much as I like the cut of his jib...

I think the cut of his jib ticks the necessary box.

[Banquo]

Is Benson injured? I would have him on one leg before inviting Slade of Farrell back in

he's not even started a prem match, much as I like the cut of his jib...

I think the cut of his jib ticks the necessary box.

mind, not many alternatives spring to mind..

[Danno]

he's not even started a prem match, much as I like the cut of his jib...

I think the cut of his jib ticks the necessary box.

mind, not many alternatives spring to mind..

Quite. Charlie Atkinson? Not really the same since Wasps went. Bailey has been totally off the radar (WhichT reliably informs me he's been injured). Can't think of any others

[Banquo]

I think the cut of his jib ticks the necessary box.

mind, not many alternatives spring to mind..

Quite. Charlie Atkinson? Not really the same since Wasps went. Bailey has been totally off the radar (WhichT reliably informs me he's been injured). Can't think of any others

George Furbank may be fit to cover Ford in extremis.

[Danno]

mind, not many alternatives spring to mind..

Quite. Charlie Atkinson? Not really the same since Wasps went. Bailey has been totally off the radar (WhichT reliably informs me he's been injured). Can't think of any others

George Furbank may be fit to cover Ford in extremis.

Wouldn't have a problem with that. Is there any update on his arm? It looked like the kind of damage that would really flare up after a few hours

[Which Tyler]

Quite. Charlie Atkinson? Not really the same since Wasps went. Bailey has been totally off the radar (WhichT reliably informs me he's been injured). Can't think of any others

The only others I can think of are Bath or Quins 3rd choice options, with a solid solitary Prem start between them.
Am I right in thinking both are converted FBs, rather than specialist FHs? despite looking to the manor born at 10.

Obviously, WAY too early for either, even as backup to Ford; Bailey should be back fairly soon, but may find himself already overtaken by CD (for the 22 shirt)

ETA: nope, looks like Benson's always and only been a FH

[Danno]

Quite. Charlie Atkinson? Not really the same since Wasps went. Bailey has been totally off the radar (WhichT reliably informs me he's been injured). Can't think of any others

The only others I can think of are Bath or Quins 3rd choice options, with a solid solitary Prem start between them.
Am I right in thinking both are converted FBs, rather than specialist FHs? despite looking to the manor born at 10

ETA: nope, looks like Benson's always and only been a FH

Maybe Farrell is just being a big bumbum by taking all our 10s at once

[Mikey Brown]

This all feels so negative. I’m really looking forward to these games.

George can help with a pretty green tight five, and Ford similar in the backs. Brilliant that JVP is back to form again and there’s loads of good backrow options still.

[p/d]

This all feels so negative. I’m really looking forward to these games.

George can help with a pretty green tight five, and Ford similar in the backs. Brilliant that JVP is back to form again and there’s loads of good backrow options still.

This.

[Scrumhead]

This all feels so negative. I’m really looking forward to these games.

George can help with a pretty green tight five, and Ford similar in the backs. Brilliant that JVP is back to form again and there’s loads of good backrow options still.

100% totally agree.

[Banquo]

This all feels so negative. I’m really looking forward to these games.

George can help with a pretty green tight five, and Ford similar in the backs. Brilliant that JVP is back to form again and there’s loads of good backrow options still.

aye, as I said, great dev opp for young props, and for a fair few to establish or cement. Dingers for skip!!

These tours always benefit iirc

[Danno]

Deffo. Fly half is a worry though. Ford's not playing 80 and he's not immune to a bit of an injury

[p/d]

But with Dingers as skip we will get through it

[Puja]

Is Benson injured? I would have him on one leg before inviting Slade of Farrell back in

I'll be honest, I had completely forgotten his existence. Mind, he's in the same space as Donoghue in being ridiculously underprepared for a full-bore international - he has had a grand total of 7 top club level appearances (not PRC or Championship loan), all of those were from the bench and only three were for 20 minutes or more. I love the enthusiasm for the youth, but it's far too soon to be making statements like that.

Puja

[Danno]

Is Benson injured? I would have him on one leg before inviting Slade of Farrell back in

I'll be honest, I had completely forgotten his existence. Mind, he's in the same space as Donoghue in being ridiculously underprepared for a full-bore international - he has had a grand total of 7 top club level appearances (not PRC or Championship loan), all of those were from the bench and only three were for 20 minutes or more. I love the enthusiasm for the youth, but it's far too soon to be making statements like that.

Puja

I think the Farrell bit is fair. He's got 50 plus more caps than his talents ever warranted and I'm pleased for him to see out a career on a sofa somewhere with great food, wine and comforts.

Slade I could handle as a 10 if and only if Ford goes down. Prior to that screw it, chuck Benson on the bench, see if he sinks or swims the way he's managed in almost every senior game so far. I'm not seeing many other options tbh

[FKAS]

Is Benson injured? I would have him on one leg before inviting Slade of Farrell back in

I'll be honest, I had completely forgotten his existence. Mind, he's in the same space as Donoghue in being ridiculously underprepared for a full-bore international - he has had a grand total of 7 top club level appearances (not PRC or Championship loan), all of those were from the bench and only three were for 20 minutes or more. I love the enthusiasm for the youth, but it's far too soon to be making statements like that.

Puja

I'd take both Benson and Donoghue at present. Reward form, we are short on alternatives that aren't very average ala Charlie Atkinson. Orlando Bailey I rate highly but he's injured and down the pecking order.

Benson is a reliable goal kicker and isn't short of confidence. Donoghue similar but also offers a playmaking fullback option.

Get them some game time in the USA friendly and then bring back in Ford and Steward for the Pumas with one of the two on the bench.

[Beasties]

Do we know when the squad will be announced?

[Banquo]

apropos of not much,is Ford the best player to never get a Lions call up (yet )? Considering those who have, pretty unlucky imo.

[FKAS]

apropos of not much,is Ford the best player to never get a Lions call up (yet )? Considering those who have, pretty unlucky imo.

Got to be right up there.

[Oakboy]

apropos of not much,is Ford the best player to never get a Lions call up (yet )? Considering those who have, pretty unlucky imo.

It is especially weird to hear Farrell senior refer to his injured son (with no current form) in connection with one of the two standby positions when Ford (in superb form) does not even merit a mention.

[Which Tyler]

apropos of not much,is Ford the best player to never get a Lions call up (yet )? Considering those who have, pretty unlucky imo.

He's got to be in the conversation - alongside Underhill and Henson, off the top of my head (making the rash assumption that we're limiting the field to those actually eligible for the Lions)

[Epaminondas Pules]

apropos of not much,is Ford the best player to never get a Lions call up (yet )? Considering those who have, pretty unlucky imo.

He's got to be in the conversation - alongside Underhill and Henson, off the top of my head (making the rash assumption that we're limiting the field to those actually eligible for the Lions)

Gavin? Toured in 2005

Jim? Yet to tour. Bloody muppets!

[Puja]

Is Benson injured? I would have him on one leg before inviting Slade of Farrell back in

I'll be honest, I had completely forgotten his existence. Mind, he's in the same space as Donoghue in being ridiculously underprepared for a full-bore international - he has had a grand total of 7 top club level appearances (not PRC or Championship loan), all of those were from the bench and only three were for 20 minutes or more. I love the enthusiasm for the youth, but it's far too soon to be making statements like that.

Puja

I'd take both Benson and Donoghue at present. Reward form, we are short on alternatives that aren't very average ala Charlie Atkinson. Orlando Bailey I rate highly but he's injured and down the pecking order.

Benson is a reliable goal kicker and isn't short of confidence. Donoghue similar but also offers a playmaking fullback option.

Get them some game time in the USA friendly and then bring back in Ford and Steward for the Pumas with one of the two on the bench.

I'd take them both on tour as well, but if Ford stubs his toe, there's no way I'm starting either of them against the Pumas (barring them looking incredibly convincing to the coaches in training). They're just too green. FYI, the USA game is the last stop on the tour, rather than the first, although there's a solid chance that one or both of them will play the France XV game as Ford will be unavailable if Sale make the Prem final.

apropos of not much,is Ford the best player to never get a Lions call up (yet )? Considering those who have, pretty unlucky imo.

Without a single doubt. He's just always been horrendously unlucky with the players he's been competing with across his time and various injuries and runs of form. This time especially was hard cause he is in supreme form, but I don't know I can blame Farrell - would've been a hell of a call to pick three English 10s, FSmith has the shirt and form at international plus the Leinster result, and MSmith has a gamechanging style plus will be needed to cover full-back while Kinghorn's away. He was always going to be up against it without having the England 10 shirt in his possession.

It is especially weird to hear Farrell senior refer to his injured son (with no current form) in connection with one of the two standby positions when Ford (in superb form) does not even merit a mention.

In fairness to Senior, wasn't it the case that he only mentioned Junior when specifically asked? I don't think he referenced him except in answer to a question about him, did he?

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Gavin? Toured in 2005

Oops - I had it in my head that Gav was famous for being "the best player never to tour" at the time - someone from those Welsh grand-slam teams was - who am I thinking of?