Digby wrote:
If it's my order Hughes wouldn't be on the list, nor Harrison. Simmonds is only worth looking at if Eddie knows what he wants from him, he can't ape Billy and sending him to stand on the wing not being involved wasn't useful either, which leaves Dombrandt as the only realistic option
Did you not watch Quins v Exeter?
I didn't watch any rugby this weekend, but I don't know I'd draw much from a performance up against the might of Quins, all due respect to Quins (which obviously isn't very much)
Some of the defense was laughable. Super Rugby level...
Ismael in particular, but hey, he's come from Super Defense Optional Rugby anyway.
I didn't watch any rugby this weekend, but I don't know I'd draw much from a performance up against the might of Quins, all due respect to Quins (which obviously isn't very much)
Some of the defense was laughable. Super Rugby level...
Ismael in particular, but hey, he's come from Super Defense Optional Rugby anyway.
quins did miss a chunky % of tackles...Chiefs conceded 21 pens, I guess mostly in the last 10 mins!
Beasties wrote:
I've always been a fan of Taylor from when he started at Sale. He's a tackling machine and has a good all round game. Eddie did actually select him for a squad early on didn't he? I do think however that he's one of those players whose chance was scuppered by injuries and that he's gonna struggle to get Eddie's attention again. There are quite a few decent hookers in front of him in the Eng pecking order now. Also I imagine Eddie will be thinking about taking a closer look at Barbeary at some point rather than his Wasps club mate.
How long do you envisage Eddie staying? Alfie is only going to be 21/22 in the cycle (is he 18 or 19 now?) heading into the next WC when he'd need to be breaking into the squad, he's done well so far but the jump from where he is now to the EPS is massive, and that before Eddie can just stick with players like Dunn to support his main two
It was more the general point that I think Taylor may have missed the boat as far as Eddie's concerned, and he likes to bring early stage youngsters in for development purposes.
Beasties wrote:
I've always been a fan of Taylor from when he started at Sale. He's a tackling machine and has a good all round game. Eddie did actually select him for a squad early on didn't he? I do think however that he's one of those players whose chance was scuppered by injuries and that he's gonna struggle to get Eddie's attention again. There are quite a few decent hookers in front of him in the Eng pecking order now. Also I imagine Eddie will be thinking about taking a closer look at Barbeary at some point rather than his Wasps club mate.
How long do you envisage Eddie staying? Alfie is only going to be 21/22 in the cycle (is he 18 or 19 now?) heading into the next WC when he'd need to be breaking into the squad, he's done well so far but the jump from where he is now to the EPS is massive, and that before Eddie can just stick with players like Dunn to support his main two
It was more the general point that I think Taylor may have missed the boat as far as Eddie's concerned, and he likes to bring early stage youngsters in for development purposes.
For sure, he's a bit older than Dunn, and a fair bit older than Walker
How long do you envisage Eddie staying? Alfie is only going to be 21/22 in the cycle (is he 18 or 19 now?) heading into the next WC when he'd need to be breaking into the squad, he's done well so far but the jump from where he is now to the EPS is massive, and that before Eddie can just stick with players like Dunn to support his main two
It was more the general point that I think Taylor may have missed the boat as far as Eddie's concerned, and he likes to bring early stage youngsters in for development purposes.
For sure, he's a bit older than Dunn, and a fair bit older than Walker
For some reason I thought he was 26. Then, yeah, his time might have passed but I still think he’s quality
Beasties wrote:
It was more the general point that I think Taylor may have missed the boat as far as Eddie's concerned, and he likes to bring early stage youngsters in for development purposes.
For sure, he's a bit older than Dunn, and a fair bit older than Walker
For some reason I thought he was 26. Then, yeah, his time might have passed but I still think he’s quality
He was part of that sensational young Sale front row with Harrison and Thomas, and none of them have achieved as much as I thought they might have. With the caveat that to play at Prem level is of itself hardly nothing
Barbeary will be 23 when the next World Cup takes place, so *IF* he is as good as some say and *IF * he can get and stay fit, he could easily be in contention at that point.
But he needs to break into the squad before that, so aged 21-22 he needs to be playing enough first team rugby and be doing so at such a level he claims an EPS slot. Maybe you'd take a young (third choice) wing with no caps if they looked electric, but a hooker?
Digby wrote:But he needs to break into the squad before that, so aged 21-22 he needs to be playing enough first team rugby and be doing so at such a level he claims an EPS slot. Maybe you'd take a young (third choice) wing with no caps if they looked electric, but a hooker?
Well indeed. How many times has he played for Wasps?
Digby wrote:But he needs to break into the squad before that, so aged 21-22 he needs to be playing enough first team rugby and be doing so at such a level he claims an EPS slot.
Well, yes. Like Genge, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Joe Cokanasiga did in the last cycle. Or even Ludlum, as he barely played any consistent Prem rugby until 2019.
No games for the 1sts. this season and currently out on loan to Nottingham, but don't think he's featured in any league matches (might be wrong.)
Certainly has the credentials but needs game time somewhere.
(Can't help but smile at a Genge/Barb./Sink. front row.
Someone will think of a name for it..)
Digby wrote:But he needs to break into the squad before that, so aged 21-22 he needs to be playing enough first team rugby and be doing so at such a level he claims an EPS slot.
Well, yes. Like Genge, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Joe Cokanasiga did in the last cycle. Or even Ludlum, as he barely played any consistent Prem rugby until 2019.
Not really, Cokanasiga was a winger, the Curry's didn't play in the front row and very oddly had the physicality to survive playing Pram rugby aged 19 even then, and Genge was a year or two older by the last WC than Alfie would be.
Even supposing we take 3 hookers next time, which shouldn't be a thing but who knows, the 3rd slot is more likely to go to someone like Dunn than Barbeary, even allowing for Singleton (like Genge a few years older in the cycle than Alfie will be)
Raggs wrote:He's currently injured. Hence no u20s appearances.
Ah, the Wasps development programme at work again!
He's been with Nottingham, so it may be their work. In his first appearance off the bench for Nottingham, he apparently made a 50 yard break from their own 5m line I believe.
Then he didn't seem to appear for a while, then I think briefly in the A league, and another long silence. No real information unfortunately.
I'd be happy if he can get more minutes for Nottingham before the season is out, a good level for front rowers to hone their skills.
Raggs wrote:He's currently injured. Hence no u20s appearances.
Ah, the Wasps development programme at work again!
He's been with Nottingham, so it may be their work. In his first appearance off the bench for Nottingham, he apparently made a 50 yard break from their own 5m line I believe.
Then he didn't seem to appear for a while, then I think briefly in the A league, and another long silence. No real information unfortunately.
I'd be happy if he can get more minutes for Nottingham before the season is out, a good level for front rowers to hone their skills.
Given his age it's plenty. He shouldn't overdoing the gym work for now so I don't see a quick route into seniors rugby
Digby wrote:
Ah, the Wasps development programme at work again!
He's been with Nottingham, so it may be their work. In his first appearance off the bench for Nottingham, he apparently made a 50 yard break from their own 5m line I believe.
Then he didn't seem to appear for a while, then I think briefly in the A league, and another long silence. No real information unfortunately.
I'd be happy if he can get more minutes for Nottingham before the season is out, a good level for front rowers to hone their skills.
Given his age it's plenty. He shouldn't overdoing the gym work for now so I don't see a quick route into seniors rugby
Me neither. I'd want him playing for Notts for another season I reckon, preferably getting plenty of minutes.
It's a route we've used for Stuart and West, both of whom played there for 2 seasons I believe, and both of whom are now regular prem players (West more through injury, but he's rapidly making a case for himself).
Digby wrote:But he needs to break into the squad before that, so aged 21-22 he needs to be playing enough first team rugby and be doing so at such a level he claims an EPS slot.
Well, yes. Like Genge, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Joe Cokanasiga did in the last cycle. Or even Ludlum, as he barely played any consistent Prem rugby until 2019.
Not really, Cokanasiga was a winger, the Curry's didn't play in the front row and very oddly had the physicality to survive playing Pram rugby aged 19 even then, and Genge was a year or two older by the last WC than Alfie would be.
Even supposing we take 3 hookers next time, which shouldn't be a thing but who knows, the 3rd slot is more likely to go to someone like Dunn than Barbeary, even allowing for Singleton (like Genge a few years older in the cycle than Alfie will be)
I don’t really know what point you’re trying to make.
I simply said that if he is as prodigiously talented as some say then he can’t be discounted from making the next World Cup on age grounds as he’ll be 23- the same age Singleton was when taken to the last World Cup.
Timbo wrote:
Well, yes. Like Genge, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Joe Cokanasiga did in the last cycle. Or even Ludlum, as he barely played any consistent Prem rugby until 2019.
Not really, Cokanasiga was a winger, the Curry's didn't play in the front row and very oddly had the physicality to survive playing Pram rugby aged 19 even then, and Genge was a year or two older by the last WC than Alfie would be.
Even supposing we take 3 hookers next time, which shouldn't be a thing but who knows, the 3rd slot is more likely to go to someone like Dunn than Barbeary, even allowing for Singleton (like Genge a few years older in the cycle than Alfie will be)
I don’t really know what point you’re trying to make.
I simply said that if he is as prodigiously talented as some say then he can’t be discounted from making the next World Cup on age grounds as he’ll be 23- the same age Singleton was when taken to the last World Cup.
My point is you probably can discount such thoughts, even if he's a blinding talent.
Digby wrote:
Not really, Cokanasiga was a winger, the Curry's didn't play in the front row and very oddly had the physicality to survive playing Pram rugby aged 19 even then, and Genge was a year or two older by the last WC than Alfie would be.
Even supposing we take 3 hookers next time, which shouldn't be a thing but who knows, the 3rd slot is more likely to go to someone like Dunn than Barbeary, even allowing for Singleton (like Genge a few years older in the cycle than Alfie will be)
I don’t really know what point you’re trying to make.
I simply said that if he is as prodigiously talented as some say then he can’t be discounted from making the next World Cup on age grounds as he’ll be 23- the same age Singleton was when taken to the last World Cup.
My point is you probably can discount such thoughts, even if he's a blinding talent.
On age grounds?
Singleton was about 5 months older when selected in 2019 than Barbeary will be in 2023. And Singleton, while a very decent talent, is not a ‘blinding talent’ by any stretch.
Timbo wrote:
I don’t really know what point you’re trying to make.
I simply said that if he is as prodigiously talented as some say then he can’t be discounted from making the next World Cup on age grounds as he’ll be 23- the same age Singleton was when taken to the last World Cup.
My point is you probably can discount such thoughts, even if he's a blinding talent.
On age grounds?
Singleton was about 5 months older when selected in 2019 than Barbeary will be in 2023. And Singleton, while a very decent talent, is not a ‘blinding talent’ by any stretch.
Yes on age grounds. He'll need to develop physically which is a problem in itself if people are being responsible, get into a first team and play well enough to push past options like Singleton, Dunn, Walker...
It's possible, it just seems very unlikely to me in advance
Matt Dawson's column on BBC Sport says, "From what I understand, Eddie wants to take a full squad to Japan. If a player if fit, they are going to go."
No-one has ever accused Dawson of being well-informed before, but I wouldn't be surprised if this was the truth - Eddie has promised development sides before and then picked the first XV. Seems irresponsible for players like Curry and Underhill (less so the Sarries players) who will have a busy next two years.
Wasn't the point of going through this 6N's with so little experimentation was that Jones could look at options in the less pressurised setting of a 2 test series in Japan?
Frankly there are a few players who could do with time off, even if they are passed as fit or not.
