RugbyRebels

jngf wrote:

Puja wrote:

Mikey Brown wrote:Seems pretty decent?

Chessum is an interesting one.

No Vunipolas, Underhill or Ford… I just don’t know what to say, but fine. Is Underhill injured again? Is Mako just done at the top level? I’m not convinced he’s been the same player for quite a while now.

Guys like Furbank and Atkinson I quite like, but just not sure how they fit in. Similarly Ludlum. Is he a genuine contender for the 23 or just a good squad guy? He’s certainly been playing well, but yes I’d like to see Curry just play 7 again.

I think Chessum's a decent pick. Young player who's really kicked on for Leicester this season, comfortable as a lock or a 6, very mobile around the park and has an excellent workrate. If we're picking a lock at 6, he's probably the form pick in the Prem and a very good Lawes understudy.

Not sure about Heyes at 3 - promising player, but deservedly behind Cole this season. Mind, Blamire's not exactly first choice either - I guess it does make sense to have third choice be players who can learn from the experience, but it does put us in a parlous position if there are a couple of injuries.

Here's a better format:

Genge
Marler
Rodd

George
LCD
Blamire

Sinckler
Stuart
Heyes

Itoje
Hill
Ewels

Lawes
Chessum
Curry
Ludlam
Simmonds
Dombrandt
Barbeary

Youngs
Randall
Quirke

Smith
Fazlet
Bailey

Slade
Marchant
Atkinson
Northmore

May
Nowell
Steward
Malins
Hassell-Collins
Furbank
Freeman


Puja

Chessum’s a bit unit too - 2.03m ( 6’8”) is according to various sources

Raggs wrote:Eddie looking at Bailey as a potential 12 is interesting.

Raggs wrote:Eddie looking at Bailey as a potential 12 is interesting.

TheNomad wrote:

Raggs wrote:Eddie looking at Bailey as a potential 12 is interesting.

Did he mention that? I do feel he has the skill set

Danno wrote:Even Brian Moore was kicking Fazlet on his podcast this week

Spiffy wrote:You could pick a very good team out of that lot, with a powerful pack and attack-orientated backs. The only thing is, that with Faz retained, named captain, and therefore a starter, any midfield attacking zip and flair will be lacking.
How does Ewels manage to hang on to a spot ?

Spiffy wrote:You could pick a very good team out of that lot, with a powerful pack and attack-orientated backs. The only thing is, that with Faz retained, named captain, and therefore a starter, any midfield attacking zip and flair will be lacking.
How does Ewels manage to hang on to a spot ?

morepork wrote:Faz over Ford. What a fucking dildo.

Raggs wrote:If Ford isn't in the world cup squad, then I'll start spitting feathers. Until then, I'm just looking at is as Ford has completed being a fly half, and he can just sit in the cupboard until he's needed, whilst we try and get some more players to the same level.

Mikey Brown wrote:Mellsblue said above that Jones says Ford has things to improve on. I don't know if that's a direct quote or not, but it kind of goes against the idea he's just so good we don't need to even play him anymore (which certainly doesn't sound like a very Jones thing in the first place).

I'm slightly baffled by your assertion that we've seen Ford's maximum ability, Oakboy. Maybe the relentless actually was down to Ford and Jones has dropped him because he's not interested in that anymore, but I'm not convinced. I don't think there's anybody in the world better at bringing attackers forward on to the ball and timing a pass, but it seemingly hasn't been the focus of our game for most of the time Ford has been at 10. If that was Ford going against the plan I'd be amazed that he lasted as long as he did.

Scrumhead wrote:

Raggs wrote:If Ford isn't in the world cup squad, then I'll start spitting feathers. Until then, I'm just looking at is as Ford has completed being a fly half, and he can just sit in the cupboard until he's needed, whilst we try and get some more players to the same level.

Yep. This is how I see it. While I’m not 100% sure there’s a way back for Mako and Billy, it’s not entirely dissimilar for them too. Simply put, we already know what they can do and there’s more to be gained by giving time to others who have the potential to be better options.

I’m assumed the lack of options at 12 are Farrell’s saving grace?

Raggs wrote:If Ford isn't in the world cup squad, then I'll start spitting feathers. Until then, I'm just looking at is as Ford has completed being a fly half, and he can just sit in the cupboard until he's needed, whilst we try and get some more players to the same level.

Mikey Brown wrote:Mellsblue said above that Jones says Ford has things to improve on. I don't know if that's a direct quote or not, but it kind of goes against the idea he's just so good we don't need to even play him anymore (which certainly doesn't sound like a very Jones thing in the first place).

I'm slightly baffled by your assertion that we've seen Ford's maximum ability, Oakboy. Maybe the relentless actually was down to Ford and Jones has dropped him because he's not interested in that anymore, but I'm not convinced. I don't think there's anybody in the world better at bringing attackers forward on to the ball and timing a pass, but it seemingly hasn't been the focus of our game for most of the time Ford has been at 10. If that was Ford going against the plan I'd be amazed that he lasted as long as he did.

Raggs wrote:

Mikey Brown wrote:Mellsblue said above that Jones says Ford has things to improve on. I don't know if that's a direct quote or not, but it kind of goes against the idea he's just so good we don't need to even play him anymore (which certainly doesn't sound like a very Jones thing in the first place).

I'm slightly baffled by your assertion that we've seen Ford's maximum ability, Oakboy. Maybe the relentless actually was down to Ford and Jones has dropped him because he's not interested in that anymore, but I'm not convinced. I don't think there's anybody in the world better at bringing attackers forward on to the ball and timing a pass, but it seemingly hasn't been the focus of our game for most of the time Ford has been at 10. If that was Ford going against the plan I'd be amazed that he lasted as long as he did.

Jones is hardly going to say that Ford is finished, and he's got his spot in the squad sewn up is he.

Mako and Billy are a little different for me, but still similar, you know what you get, and if we don't get better options built up, they're safe to fall back on.

Farrell is a 12, not a 10, basically. So there's no point in comparing him and Ford at this point. Yes Farrell can play 10 as well, but it's just how things are. Don't think he's done too poorly at 12 recently either.

Mikey Brown wrote:I for one disagree, but even I can't stomach another conversation about the trade-off between Farrell being a 10 that can't pass or a 12 who can't run.

I'm sure we'll see him hopping back and forth between the two, leaving everybody unhappy.