England A

[Mikey Brown]

I’ve always kind of wondered with Sinkler if this was simply the trade-off for getting his aggression/discipline in check.

Thats probably not how it works, but he should theoretically be in his prime now.

Maybe we can blame Eddie Jones somehow?

[Mellsblue]

What's Watson done to upset you?

Puja

Just perma crocked, same with LCD and Manu.

I believe part of the t&c’s are workload management. I accept Watson’s work load management needs to be nothing more than a brisk stroll once a day but it may help.

[Which Tyler]

Not really England A, but England U20s have a match against Bath United ahead of the J6N:
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/bath- ... 20-fixture

[Banquo]

Skivington seems a decent guy, but not sure how he got this gig. Vesty, yes.

[Puja]

Skivington seems a decent guy, but not sure how he got this gig. Vesty, yes.

He does appear to be very highly rated every time someone mentions promising young English coaches, but his Gloucester record for his 3.5 seasons in charge has been second-bottom, 5th, second-bottom, and currently on track to finish second-bottom. At some point, his team will need to start living up to his reputation.

Puja

[FKAS]

They were flying high last season before dive bombing due to injuries etc last season iirc. This season has been similarly injury plagued as well. He needs to revamp that squad with some extra quality in the summer. Can't keep playing the way he wants to with those props.

Great to see Vesty involved with England. He's been the most prominent English attack coach for a while now. I'm hoping Borthwick finds away to get some of his input into the first team as well. His multi phase attack often built off a first phase move would work with Borthwick.

[Mikey Brown]

Especially given we’re going to be picking the entire set of Northampton backs.

[Stom]

Now we have a senior squad, any news on when the A squad will be announced?

[Puja]

Now we have a senior squad, any news on when the A squad will be announced?

I would imagine not until the week before the actual game - I'd imagine the side to be made up mostly from the non-playing members of the squad, with added guests, so it'll depend on how the Italy and Wales games go and what injuries we've picked up.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Assuming there's some overlap between the squads, I think we're probably looking at 23 something like:

1. Baxter / Brantingham
2. Walker / Langdon
3. Painter / Opoku-Fordjour
4. Coles / Hammond
5. Bamber
6. Cunningham-South
7. Pepper
8. Barbeary / Fisilau
9. Warr / Porter
10. F. Smith
11. Radwan
12. Ojomoh / Hartley
13. Beard
14. Roebuck / Sleightholme
15. Carpenter

Rationale wise, I was going for players Borthwick has name checked recently or picked before (Walker). I'd pick Langdon ahead of Walker, but I thought it made sense to stick with club combos where possible.

[Puja]

You'd've thought Isiekwe ahead of Bamber, wouldn't you, given his place in the squad? I'd also take Tuima in the second row.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

That’s not the squad I would personally pick. I was just trying to pick out the players that had been namechecked. I know Bamber definitely was. Not sure about Tuima?

Given that the game captures players, I’d definitely prefer to lock in Tuima.

[FKAS]

One of Isiekwe or Coles will be featuring off the bench though so I'd assume only one would be in the A squad for this.

I'd have thought Furbank would probably come in at 15 and more than likely captain the side.

I'm hoping by this point that Fin Smith has had a chance in the first team and taken it as well but that might be overly optimistic.

[Puja]

That’s not the squad I would personally pick. I was just trying to pick out the players that had been namechecked. I know Bamber definitely was. Not sure about Tuima?

Given that the game captures players, I’d definitely prefer to lock in Tuima.

Ah, that makes more sense.

I had not heard of Stick Bothways mentioning Bamber in a serious sense - I had thought the only reference was in that human interest/paean where the author was talking up that he could potentially be an international in the future. Be surprised if he was anywhere close in real life.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Quite like what i've seen of Bamber. He certainly has the physique and for a big man does get around pretty well. An A team call up wouldnt be the worst call.
Wouldnt be surprised if Josh Iosefa-Scott got a call. He is EQ apparently and is playing well this season. An Exeter 1-2 at THP?

[Puja]

Quite like what i've seen of Bamber. He certainly has the physique and for a big man does get around pretty well. An A team call up wouldnt be the worst call.
Wouldnt be surprised if Josh Iosefa-Scott got a call. He is EQ apparently and is playing well this season. An Exeter 1-2 at THP?

Is he, by gods? That'd be a useful option.

Puja

[FKAS]

I've heard a rumour that Tigers have asked for JVP to be released for the Quins game in order to get game time. If not he could be in the A Team to get game time, particularly with the lack of established 9 options.

[Scrumhead]

Quite like what i've seen of Bamber. He certainly has the physique and for a big man does get around pretty well. An A team call up wouldnt be the worst call.
Wouldnt be surprised if Josh Iosefa-Scott got a call. He is EQ apparently and is playing well this season. An Exeter 1-2 at THP?

Is he, by gods? That'd be a useful option.

Puja

I can’t say I’ve been that impressed with Iosefa-Scott TBH. He’s big an carries pretty well but his scrummaging isn’t great. I just don’t see him as a future test player.

[p/d]

Quite like what i've seen of Bamber. He certainly has the physique and for a big man does get around pretty well. An A team call up wouldnt be the worst call.
Wouldnt be surprised if Josh Iosefa-Scott got a call. He is EQ apparently and is playing well this season. An Exeter 1-2 at THP?

Is he, by gods? That'd be a useful option.

Puja

I can’t say I’ve been that impressed with Iosefa-Scott TBH. He’s big an carries pretty well but his scrummaging isn’t great. I just don’t see him as a future test player.

Same here. The step up will find him out.

[Banquo]

Is he, by gods? That'd be a useful option.

Puja

I can’t say I’ve been that impressed with Iosefa-Scott TBH. He’s big an carries pretty well but his scrummaging isn’t great. I just don’t see him as a future test player.

Same here. The step up will find him out.

yeah, but ....physical kiwi

[p/d]

I can’t say I’ve been that impressed with Iosefa-Scott TBH. He’s big an carries pretty well but his scrummaging isn’t great. I just don’t see him as a future test player.

Same here. The step up will find him out.

yeah, but ....physical kiwi

When you put it like that i question what I was thinking. Scrumhead, yet again, sends me flailing down a cul de sac

[Banquo]

I've heard a rumour that Tigers have asked for JVP to be released for the Quins game in order to get game time. If not he could be in the A Team to get game time, particularly with the lack of established 9 options.

He is very close according to his dad

[FKAS]

I've heard a rumour that Tigers have asked for JVP to be released for the Quins game in order to get game time. If not he could be in the A Team to get game time, particularly with the lack of established 9 options.

He is very close according to his dad

Good. Really felt for him picking up the injury he did on the eve of the tournament.

[Puja]

Same here. The step up will find him out.

yeah, but ....physical kiwi

When you put it like that i question what I was thinking. Scrumhead, yet again, sends me flailing down a cul de sac

I agree he's not a world beater, but the competition on our tighthead side isn't exactly overwhelming. C.f. the current EPS, featuring a 90 year old man, the 90 year old man's club understudy, and the one that's behind both of them.

Puja

[fivepointer]

yeah, but ....physical kiwi

When you put it like that i question what I was thinking. Scrumhead, yet again, sends me flailing down a cul de sac

I agree he's not a world beater, but the competition on our tighthead side isn't exactly overwhelming. C.f. the current EPS, featuring a 90 year old man, the 90 year old man's club understudy, and the one that's behind both of them.

Puja

Well, yes. We dont have unlimited options at TH.

A year ago I would have turned my nose up at him. But he looks a different player this season. He seems fitter and his scrummaging doesnt lose out in a comparison with Painter. The Exe scrum is strong throughout the full 80.