England v Barbarians

[Banquo]

If Brown is on the wing against South Africa i’ll be concerned. But given that Eddie quite reasonably wants to look at Daly as a 15 in a low pressure game, but also needs to get some game time into his (probable) first choice fullback, the selection makes sense. If Brown is required to play that first test against South Africa and doesn’t start this weekend, he won’t have started a game for 5 weeks.

well that is a form of logic at least

[Oakboy]

I suppose it's a last chance for Francis to look like an international. It's odd how some marginal (that's over- generous in Francis's case, IMO) players get chance after chance whereas others don't figure. Having him start with Cipriani on the bench seems a calculated insult.

[Raggs]

You'd prefer to see Cips at 12?

Eddie is getting some minutes in the legs of players that'll need it on tour, he's trying one or two things out, and then the rest is basically filler in my mind.

[Banquo]

I suppose it's a last chance for Francis to look like an international. It's odd how some marginal (that's over- generous in Francis's case, IMO) players get chance after chance whereas others don't figure. Having him start with Cipriani on the bench seems a calculated insult.

what, because Cips is such a good 12

[Tigersman]

I suppose it's a last chance for Francis to look like an international. It's odd how some marginal (that's over- generous in Francis's case, IMO) players get chance after chance whereas others don't figure. Having him start with Cipriani on the bench seems a calculated insult.

Chance after chance?
TBF to him how many times has he messed up for England?

[Oakboy]

I suppose it's a last chance for Francis to look like an international. It's odd how some marginal (that's over- generous in Francis's case, IMO) players get chance after chance whereas others don't figure. Having him start with Cipriani on the bench seems a calculated insult.

what, because Cips is such a good 12

He's a better 10 than Ford, which is what should count.

[Banquo]

I suppose it's a last chance for Francis to look like an international. It's odd how some marginal (that's over- generous in Francis's case, IMO) players get chance after chance whereas others don't figure. Having him start with Cipriani on the bench seems a calculated insult.

what, because Cips is such a good 12

He's a better 10 than Ford, which is what should count.

...but why link it to Francis being selected? And how is it FRancis' 'last chance'? He played well in Argentina.

[Tigersman]

I suppose it's a last chance for Francis to look like an international. It's odd how some marginal (that's over- generous in Francis's case, IMO) players get chance after chance whereas others don't figure. Having him start with Cipriani on the bench seems a calculated insult.

what, because Cips is such a good 12

He's a better 10 than Ford, which is what should count.

So what has that got to do with Francis playing 12?

[Scrumhead]

As Banquo said, Francis was quite good in Argentina. He was better than Slade IMO.

That said, he’s been average to poor for Saints so I’m hoping that playing at 12 outside Biggar will do him a favour rather than him doing a sub par job at 10.

[Puja]

Is Harry Mallinder injured or was he just out of favour at Saints towards the end of the season?

Puja

[Puja]

I have only just realised that Trinder wasn't even in the original extended Brighton training squad involving none of the playoff players, only being called up after an injury, and yet in 2 weeks he's impressed Eddie enough to go into the starting lineup. Good work!

Puja

[Banquo]

As Banquo said, Francis was quite good in Argentina. He was better than Slade IMO.

That said, he’s been average to poor for Saints so I’m hoping that playing at 12 outside Biggar will do him a favour rather than him doing a sub par job at 10.

quite difficult not to be shyte for Saints, so average to poor is a result

on a serious note, fckin hard to shine in a bollox team, whilst being shunted around the backline

[Banquo]

Is Harry Mallinder injured or was he just out of favour at Saints towards the end of the season?

Puja

injured, was carrying a wonky shoulder, half explaining his so-called 'defence'

[Beasties]

Looking forward to the new improved Mallinder next season. Do any of us think that fixing his shoulder will improve him? What I've seen of him so far is of a big skillful suprisingly quick unit that's a also a collosal tart. Data protection rules notwithstanding obvs.

[Which Tyler]

His shoulder could explain him trying to take a soft contact on that side when tackling.
It does not explain him avoiding tackling on that side; nor on the other side; nor preferring to not catch the ball than expose his ribs; nor failing to dive on a ball on the floor; nor literally hide behind the post rather than defend the try line.
By the standards of a professional rugby player, the man's a coward; I would not want in the trenches beside me.
The later-season experiment of covering his defensive weakness by playing him at FB to be the last line of defence, was utterly astounding to me.

IMO he just scared of pain. In Joe Bloggs that's fine, in a professional rugby player, that's a career ending trait if he doesn't overcome it.

[Puja]

I'm hoping that finally having a full-time coach who's not his Dad will sort him out. I doubt Chris Boyd will have too much time for the Sir Robin act.

Puja

[Banquo]

Looking forward to the new improved Mallinder next season. Do any of us think that fixing his shoulder will improve him? What I've seen of him so far is of a big skillful suprisingly quick unit that's a also a collosal tart. Data protection rules notwithstanding obvs.

I tend to agree, but let us see

[Banquo]

His shoulder could explain him trying to take a soft contact on that side when tackling.
It does not explain him avoiding tackling on that side; nor on the other side; nor preferring to not catch the ball than expose his ribs; nor failing to dive on a ball on the floor; nor literally hide behind the post rather than defend the try line.
By the standards of a professional rugby player, the man's a coward; I would not want in the trenches beside me.
The later-season experiment of covering his defensive weakness by playing him at FB to be the last line of defence, was utterly astounding to me.

IMO he just scared of pain. In Joe Bloggs that's fine, in a professional rugby player, that's a career ending trait if he doesn't overcome it.

That's what I think too- I was howled down a while ago for suggesting it iirc....hence 'half-explain' . He has been carrying the shoulder for over a year, according to a 'source', but to me it looks like he doesnt fancy it. But, let us see if/when fixed, it makes any difference.

[Scrumhead]

I was fully expecting Redpath to play 12 for this game. It seems ideal - chuck him in to see what he can do and whether he can be 2018's Giteau as a late charge for Fazlet's backup. If he's not playing here, what's the point in him going on tour at all?

Given that he was having surgery on his knee yesterday; it's unlikely that he'll be going on tour to anywhere - unless it's a beach-side rehab clinic.
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/exclusiv ... cl-injury/

Well fuck.

Hopefully Trinder will get his place on tour. We need an outside centre who isn't a fly-half or Te'o.

Puja

Interesting article on the BBC re. Trinder: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44260242

The quote at the end from Eddie gives me hope: “We’ve been really impressed with Henry Trinder. I know he was a very good youn player who had a tough time with injuries. He has come in to the camp full of enthusiasm and maturity and has really impressed us.”

[Puja]

Given that he was having surgery on his knee yesterday; it's unlikely that he'll be going on tour to anywhere - unless it's a beach-side rehab clinic.
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/exclusiv ... cl-injury/

Well fuck.

Hopefully Trinder will get his place on tour. We need an outside centre who isn't a fly-half or Te'o.

Puja

Interesting article on the BBC re. Trinder: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44260242

The quote at the end from Eddie gives me hope: “We’ve been really impressed with Henry Trinder. I know he was a very good youn player who had a tough time with injuries. He has come in to the camp full of enthusiasm and maturity and has really impressed us.”

I'm still taken by the fact that he wasn't in the initial Brighton squad until called up for injury, so not even in Eddie's thoughts when no-one from the top 4 were available, nor Manu, nor Joseph. To go from that to beating out Te'o for a start against the Baabaas is impressive. Long may it continue!

Puja

[fivepointer]

Delighted for Trinder. He really deserves some luck, and a place on the plane to SA. I'm sure its between him and Francis to replace Redpath.

[twitchy]

Really hope trinder takes his chance and remains fit.

[Rich]

Really hope trinder takes his chance and remains fit.

Who are you kidding ?

he's there to make up the numbers and has ZERO future in an England shirt.

The May Barbarians fixture is purely a money making exercise.

[Puja]

Really hope trinder takes his chance and remains fit.

Who are you kidding ?

he's there to make up the numbers and has ZERO future in an England shirt.

The May Barbarians fixture is purely a money making exercise.

I think you're wrong - assuming he doesn't trip on the way into the ground and wreck his ACL, I think he'll get capped in SA. Normally this Barbarians game is a shadow side, but Eddie's clearly using it as a warm-up, given he's playing Marler, Sinckler, Launchbury, Robshaw, Youngs, Ford, May, Brown, Daly. This is the first team minus the Exeter and Saracens players.

Trinder's ahead of Te'o today and he's got a good chance to show he should be ahead of Slade and Lozowski for 13 as well.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Really hope trinder takes his chance and remains fit.

Who are you kidding ?

he's there to make up the numbers and has ZERO future in an England shirt.

The May Barbarians fixture is purely a money making exercise.

I think you're wrong - assuming he doesn't trip on the way into the ground and wreck his ACL, I think he'll get capped in SA. Normally this Barbarians game is a shadow side, but Eddie's clearly using it as a warm-up, given he's playing Marler, Sinckler, Launchbury, Robshaw, Youngs, Ford, May, Brown, Daly. This is the first team minus the Exeter and Saracens players.

Trinder's ahead of Te'o today and he's got a good chance to show he should be ahead of Slade and Lozowski for 13 as well.

Puja

Jones is on record as saying he is picking his strongest side. However, you can temper that with the fact it was Jones who said it and Brown is playing on the wing.
Trinder is absolute quality in attack and I can see him forcing his way into the tour squad. I can’t see him getting past Teo in to the test team, though. Not if we continue with the Ford - Farrell axis.