RugbyRebels

Which Tyler wrote:Just out of interest - who's the first choice 12 for each of the not-12 Premiership clubs?
Bath: Redpath - Sco
Bristol: Leiua ? - Ton
Exeter: Devoto - Eng
Gloucester: Atkinson - Eng
Harlequins: Esterhuizen - RSA
Leicester: Kelly - Eng
LIrish: Van Rensburg - RSA
Newcastle: Lucock - Eng
Northampton: Hutchinson - Sco
Sale: RJvR - RSA
Saracens: Tompkins - Wal
Wasps: Gopperth / Le Bourgeois - NZ / Eng
Worcester: Venter RSA

So Devoto, Atkinson, Kelly, Lucock and possibly Le Bourgoise as full-time ICs who are first choice for their club.
Atkinson is in the wider squad.
Devoto has been looked at and found wanting.
Lucock isn't even close to be mentioned as an outside bet.
Le Bourgeois isn't actually first choice.

By process of elimination, Kelly should start for England.

Which Tyler wrote:I'd thought Mills for Wasps - but checked Statbunker to be sure - and found him sitting on 19 minutes, so had to look elsewhere.

My mistake on Leuia.

Happy to be corrected on O'Connor - add him to the Devoto line of "looked at and found wanting"

I'd have no problem with Kelly being in the mix TBH, though I think he's one for after the RWC. Another for post-RWC would be MOjo who's been doing good things as well; but he needs to go into next season and see if he's still an IC, see if he can become a 1st choice, and see how he adapts to opponents actually analysing his videos and countering him.

Banquo wrote: POC hasn't been starting at Brizz, but IMO is very good. Fraser D is prefered at 12 at Saints now, according to his dad and by appearances...and performance, been excellent there- imo he could easily have been recalled to the squad.

jimKRFC wrote:

Banquo wrote: POC hasn't been starting at Brizz, but IMO is very good. Fraser D is prefered at 12 at Saints now, according to his dad and by appearances...and performance, been excellent there- imo he could easily have been recalled to the squad.

POC has started 2 of the last 3 games and is starting show some decent form there again. Earlier in the season it was Bedlow (eqp) at 12, and if he wasn't out injured it'd be him or POC fighting for the start. Bristol have also ran Frisch (eqp) at 12, but Leuia has dropped out of contention for 12 as he's "erratic" there.

Oakboy wrote:You are all forgetting 36!!!

Banquo wrote:

jimKRFC wrote:

Banquo wrote: POC hasn't been starting at Brizz, but IMO is very good. Fraser D is prefered at 12 at Saints now, according to his dad and by appearances...and performance, been excellent there- imo he could easily have been recalled to the squad.

POC has started 2 of the last 3 games and is starting show some decent form there again. Earlier in the season it was Bedlow (eqp) at 12, and if he wasn't out injured it'd be him or POC fighting for the start. Bristol have also ran Frisch (eqp) at 12, but Leuia has dropped out of contention for 12 as he's "erratic" there.

Good! I like him a lot as a player, but he was out of favour earlier as a starter (excellent bench option, tbf)?

Oakboy wrote:You are all forgetting 36!!!

Danno wrote:Didn't watch the Exeter match, but the week before vs Sarries Launch only played the first half on his return from injury. He put in a hell of a shift, was absolutely everywhere but must have emptied the tank and he couldn't finish the match

p/d wrote:I’d be a bit pissed off if I was Wasps.

p/d wrote:I’d be a bit pissed off if I was Wasps.

Oakboy wrote:It does make some sort of sense to bring Launchbury back for the Italy game. If he gets a good 50 minutes in against the weakest team he might then be ready for the next one with a week off in between.

Banquo wrote:

p/d wrote:I’d be a bit pissed off if I was Wasps.

He's probably quite happy on the other hand. Money for old age an all that.

Stom wrote:That’s great news. We can get rid of Ewels.

I guess Lawes is fit, then?

p/d wrote:

Banquo wrote:

p/d wrote:I’d be a bit pissed off if I was Wasps.

He's probably quite happy on the other hand. Money for old age an all that.

And catch up with his Wasps teammates….. oh wait

Banquo wrote:

Stom wrote:That’s great news. We can get rid of Ewels.

I guess Lawes is fit, then?

Don't think so. Prob Itoje, Launchbury, Isiekwe, Curry, Simmonds to start; looks alright.