2019 World Cup Squad - Contenders

[Scrumhead]

With the season due to kick off in 6 weeks, I thought it might be worth compiling a list of who the contenders are and keep a track of it over the season.

I’m including anyone who Eddie has shown genuine interest in previously or I feel he’s likely to this season. Feel free to chip in though ...

My ‘key’ is bold for likely, regular text for possible and italics for wildcards/bolters:

1. M. Vunipola / Marler / Genge* / Hepburn / Mullan / Obano* / Boyce

2. Hartley / George / Cowan-Dickie / Singleton / Taylor / Dunn

3. Cole / Sickler / Williams / P. Hill / Thomas / Schonert / Brookes

4. Itoje / Lawes / Isiekwe / Ewels / J. Hill

5. Launchbury / Kruis / Spencer / Attwood

6. Robshaw / Shields / Wilson / Armand / J. Willis* / Ross / Rhodes

7. Underhill / T. Curry / Graham / Haskell / B. Curry / Earl

8. B. Vunipola / Hughes / S. Simmonds / Clifford / Morgan

9. B. Youngs / Care / Robson / Spencer / Vellacott

10. Ford / Cipriani / Smith

11. Daly / Solomona / Yarde / Cokanasiga / Lewington

12. Farrell / Lozowski / Francis / Devoto / Redpath

13. Slade / Joseph* / Te’o / Tuilagi / Trinder

14. Watson* / May / Nowell / Earle / Rokoduguni / Ashton

15. Brown / Woodward

*currently injured

I may have forgotten some, but I’d wager that the World Cup squad will come from that group, injuries permitting.

What’s clear is that we haven’t got too many obvious choices in the back row, centre or at fullback so I think these are the areas where the ‘wildcards and bolters’ could have the biggest say.

For example, I wonder whether moves to new clubs and new coaching input could reignite the careers of players like Brookes or Ashton? Similarly, with no disrespect to London Irish, I’d imagine Saracens and Bath will provide more of a platform for Lewington and Cokanasiga to put themselves more firmly on the radar.

There’s also the guys returning from injury. Tuilagi is the obvious one there but Attwood and Devoto could make a case if they play well this season IMO.

Thoughts welcome ...

[Oakboy]

That seems pretty comprehensive to me.

On factor might be significant - injury. You have asterisked Genge, Joseph and Watson but others have shown some degree of vulnerability: Taylor, Hartley, Lawes, Kruis, Attwood, Underhill, Billy, Hughes, Devoto, T'eo, Tuilagi, Nowell, etc.

Now, in the normal course of top rugby availability, there are bound to be players missing with injury. The question remains, though, "Does Jones get more than his share?"

[Scrumhead]

Sure - I just asterisked the ones that currently have long-term injuries. That part of the list will most definitely evolve.

[Mikey Brown]

That seems pretty comprehensive to me.

On factor might be significant - injury. You have asterisked Genge, Joseph and Watson but others have shown some degree of vulnerability: Taylor, Hartley, Lawes, Kruis, Attwood, Underhill, Billy, Hughes, Devoto, T'eo, Tuilagi, Nowell, etc.

Now, in the normal course of top rugby availability, there are bound to be players missing with injury. The question remains, though, "Does Jones get more than his share?"

That’s a pretty chunky list of injury prone players. Not that I disagree with any of them.

Also I’d love to have Watson back but May is surely nailed on right now?

I imagine I’ll give way to Watson/Daly if both fit.

Id love to see Devoto, Robson, Clifford and a few of those others get a shot but don’t feel that confident they will.

We really need to work out what we want from the 13 shirt. EJ seems absolutely wedded to the idea they are only there to defend and (Joseph wipes the floor with all other options, but...) run crash-ball or dummy lines (Te’o is good at this but doesn’t seem to justify a spot in the side on this alone).

Slade made a good stab at this, and even managed to sneak in some crafty handling, but seemed a bit overawed with the volume of defending required and our weird blitzy-in-out-drift thing. Similarly he made a couple of decent gains running the ball up the middle but really should never be seen as the heavy carrier in a back division. It was only next to Ford/Farrell that it may have appeared he was making any headway at all.

I’m a big fan, obviously, and would like to find him a role in this squad but this is one the clearest areas EJ has shown he simply doesn’t know what he is trying to achieve, or is still keeping the shirt warm for Te’o/Manu?

[Oakboy]

In terms of absolute class, the potential back three unit of Watson, May and Daly is the most exciting selection provided that Watson settles in at FB.

[Scrumhead]

Agreed. It has all the ingredients to be a quality back three, it’s just rare all three are available to see it in action.

[Which Tyler]

In terms of absolute class, the potential back three unit of Watson, May and Daly is the most exciting selection provided that Watson settles in at FB.

If only Watson could get some game-time at FB for his club. As it is, it'll have to be Daly

[Oakboy]

In terms of absolute class, the potential back three unit of Watson, May and Daly is the most exciting selection provided that Watson settles in at FB.

If only Watson could get some game-time at FB for his club. As it is, it'll have to be Daly

If the three are fit I'd choose Watson at 15. The dilemma, for me, comes if Watson is the only one of them not fit. I just do not understand Daly at 15 when he's probably our classiest overall player - on the wing. Daly at 15, with May and Nowell on the wings compared with Brown at FB and Daly/May on the wings? I'd choose the latter trio even though I'm a big Nowell fan.

[Scrumhead]

Yeah. I agree.

Unfortunately the losing run last season means that Eddie really has to do well in the AIs. That more or less kills any chances of experimentation that we’re not forced into by injury.

[Timbo]

I would add Jonny Hill, who was literally in our last 23 over Isiekwe, Jack Clifford and Rokoduguni to the original list. All have a chance to be involved given a fair wind.

[Renniks]

Great list, thanks

As always, looking at this - 9 and 12 are biggest concerns

Front-row and Back-row becoming less of a concern due to players are more of a concern due to EJ

I also wish we had other clear options at 15

[Gloskarlos]

I'd potentially put Trinder in if he starts the season on fire - esp with JJ injured at the mo, and VRR has looked phenomenal in pre-season by all accounts, outside chance he could be involved.

[Oakboy]

Yeah. I agree.

Unfortunately the losing run last season means that Eddie really has to do well in the AIs. That more or less kills any chances of experimentation that we’re not forced into by injury.

Arguably, Jones rode the crest of the winning wave. That was when he should have experimented, one or two players at a time. To find himself on the back of a losing streak and still needing to try out new players is not exactly good planning.

As a principle, leading into a RWC how many final games where all experimentation is finished would you like?

I would really like a settled team (apart from injuries) for at least the last ten games. Juggling starters and bench is reasonable so adding in half a dozen or so injuries at any point, Jones should have an established first choice 30 by now. Maybe he has.

[Scrumhead]

I'd potentially put Trinder in if he starts the season on fire - esp with JJ injured at the mo, and VRR has looked phenomenal in pre-season by all accounts, outside chance he could be involved.

I’m a big fan of both Trinder and VRR but I think both are unlikely to be anything other than very long shots.

Trinder impressed Eddie enough to be name-checked in the build-up to the Barbarians game, but did himself no favours when it actually came to it. He’d need others to be injured/terrible form to be a contender IMO.

VRR is an interesting one. He’s been great when he’s been fit but his injury record in recent years has been pretty poor and he has a long list of strong competitors ahead of him. Genge’s injury probably does him a favour and he could well leapfrog a few of the less experienced options, but given that he’s never been in a squad under Eddie, I think he’d be hard pressed to make the squad.

[Gloskarlos]

I'd potentially put Trinder in if he starts the season on fire - esp with JJ injured at the mo, and VRR has looked phenomenal in pre-season by all accounts, outside chance he could be involved.

I’m a big fan of both Trinder and VRR but I think both are unlikely to be anything other than very long shots.

Trinder impressed Eddie enough to be name-checked in the build-up to the Barbarians game, but did himself no favours when it actually came to it. He’d need others to be injured/terrible form to be a contender IMO.

VRR is an interesting one. He’s been great when he’s been fit but his injury record in recent years has been pretty poor and he has a long list of strong competitors ahead of him. Genge’s injury probably does him a favour and he could well leapfrog a few of the less experienced options, but given that he’s never been in a squad under Eddie, I think he’d be hard pressed to make the squad.

Agree on both - there are large 'if's' to be overcome.

There is an interview on shedweb with Trinder from a few days ago talking about his England camp experiences - nothing came across in that to suggest his 20 mins against the Baa Baas had any long term negative affect on any potential Eddie relationship.

VRR - if he can stay fit may just get on the radar, time will tell, I don't see him as a starter but one or two more injuries to others could see him in the squad.

[Digby]

Back-row becoming less of a concern due to players are more of a concern due to EJ

We've no proven fit number 8 and no proven class on the flanks, at best we've moved from a pile of Meh to a pile of maybe

[Raggs]

I would add Jonny Hill, who was literally in our last 23 over Isiekwe, Jack Clifford and Rokoduguni to the original list. All have a chance to be involved given a fair wind.

Isiekwe was injured.

[Which Tyler]

Given our relative paucity of options - I think there may well be room for a bolter at IC or FB.
The only real option for IC I can see coming up through the ranks, who could force their way into contention would be Redpath and Williams - though both have been talked about a reasonable amount, so not fully bolter territory.
FB on the other hand - Bath have signed Ruaridh McConnochie from England 7s programme; and with Watson out; he could well be getting some reasonably gametime at FB. Now, he's been playing 7s for a few years; with both an Olympic and now World Cup silver medals in his pocket. Fitness, speed, handling and mentality won't be an issue; so if he takes well to the larger game, he could become a contender.
At 26 is coming into his prime, whilst not being marked down for being overlooked by previous regimes; he's also got Eddie's absolute favourite aspect, that he's spent time playing in NZ (wing and FB in XVs).

[Scrumhead]

I’ve added Redpath, Trinder and Roko.

McConnochie and VRR are too far of a stretch for me. My initial thought was that a player really needs to have been in a proper squad recently to be in contention.

I’ve added Ben Earl too on that basis.

Another massive wildcard could be Le Bourgeois. I expect him to get a decent amount of game time at Wasps and he has the size and skill set to be of interest if he can prove his ability to make the step up.

He definitely doesn’t qualify as a contender at the moment but if we’re going wild on the wildcards I thought he was worth a mention.

[fivepointer]

I've long contended VRR is international quality. His problem is he's playing in the position we have the greatest depth in. If he can stay fit, he might force his way in but its a stretch with so many other good options.
If Trinder was an option i feel sure he would have gone to SA (he should have)
As mentioned above, 9, 12 and 15 are the positions we might see someone break through. If Williams can really get going at Falcons he might come into contention but has he shown true international class in the Premiership yet?
One player who might come into the frame is Henry Thomas. Injury has really held him back, but like one or two others, an injury free season could push his claims forward.
But really we are looking at injuries and/or a player having a truly outstanding season to come into the squad now.
I think we can probably ink in 25 names now, with the rest to be decided by players who have had some exposure, or involvement in a squad.

[Mellsblue]

I’ve added Ben Earl too on that basis.

Another massive wildcard could be Le Bourgeois. I expect him to get a decent amount of game time at Wasps and he has the size and skill set to be of interest if he can prove his ability to make the step up.

Another convert to qualities of the Goldington Rd finishing school.

IIRC, and I was the wrong end of a few beers, Trinder was a defensive liability against the BaaBaas. I'm not surprised he wasn’t in Jones’s thoughts after that performance.

[Puja]

Given our relative paucity of options - I think there may well be room for a bolter at IC or FB.
The only real option for IC I can see coming up through the ranks, who could force their way into contention would be Redpath and Williams - though both have been talked about a reasonable amount, so not fully bolter territory.
FB on the other hand - Bath have signed Ruaridh McConnochie from England 7s programme; and with Watson out; he could well be getting some reasonably gametime at FB. Now, he's been playing 7s for a few years; with both an Olympic and now World Cup silver medals in his pocket. Fitness, speed, handling and mentality won't be an issue; so if he takes well to the larger game, he could become a contender.
At 26 is coming into his prime, whilst not being marked down for being overlooked by previous regimes; he's also got Eddie's absolute favourite aspect, that he's spent time playing in NZ (wing and FB in XVs).

And Eddie's second favourite aspect, annoying the Scots by picking someone dual-qualified.

Puja

[morepork]

Brad Shields. A couple of caps off the bench, out of position, no domestic rugger whatsoever, and he will walk into the world cup squad?

[Oakboy]

Brad Shields. A couple of caps off the bench, out of position, no domestic rugger whatsoever, and he will walk into the world cup squad?

Apparently! Rating him ahead of Armand is ridiculous, IMO.

[Scrumhead]

Well Shields seems to have moved with encouragement from Eddie who we know is mostly unimpressed by the other options at 6. I don’t agree with it, but it appears that unless Shields gets injured or massively sh*ts the bed, he’s a very strong contender.