RugbyRebels

I’ve seen quite a lot of comments (not specifically here) about players who’ve missed out and I thought it was worth talking about in more detail. Those with a decent/good shout IMO are as follows:

1. B. Obano (Bath)
2. H. Thacker (Bristol)
3. N. Schonert (Worcester)
4. J. Hill (Exeter)
5. E. Stooke (Bath)
6. Willis (Wasps)
7. S. Simmonds (Exeter)
8. A. Dombrandt (Harlequins) / Mercer (Bath)
9. D. Robson (Wasps) / B. Spencer (Saracens)
10. M. Smith (Harlequins) / J. Simmonds (Exeter)
11. G. Ibitoye (Harlequins)
12. M. Atkinson (Gloucester)*
13. A. Lozowski (Saracens) / J. Marchant (Harlequins/Blues)**
14. T. O’Flaherty (Exeter)
15. M. Malins (Saracens)***

* Played well enough to deserve a chance IMO, but too old to be a serious contender
** Would almost certainly be involved if he wasn’t on sabbatical in NZ
*** Quite possibly would have been involved if not for injury

That’s a pretty good group of players but with the exception of the 9s, the back row players and possibly Jonny Hill, who has really been hard done by there?

Obano is a decent contender in good form but is unlucky to have Mako, Marler and Genge in his way, whereas on the tighthead, I simply went with Schonert on the basis that Eddie’s included him on previous occasions.

You could maybe add a few others like Rapava-Ruskin, Paul Hill or possibly Painter to this group, but none of those have really shone to the extent that I think they had a good case to be in.

There’s also a few more like Ollie Lawrence that expect to be in contention in the medium term, but they haven’t played enough to be selected yet.

Of those, I'd say that none of the tight 5 are unfortunate to miss out - they're all 4th best in their position - at best.
Same goes for the centres and wingers, where there's only debate for their inclusion instead of Dingwall or Furbank.

In the backrow... Dombrandt is (apparently) out of form this season, Mercer is injured, Willis' time will come, but he's young yet, and we're not going to waste him by waiting until the summer (or even Autumn) to get involved, and Simmonds... yeah, he can feel hard done by, given that Eddie is switching flankers to play 8 - then why not try a natural flanker who's spent a few years playing 8? Presumably Eddie saw something about him that still needs to be worked on from when he was playing for England.
SHs - been done to death, There's just something about Robson that Eddie doesn't like (and it's not that he's head and shoulders above the holders anyway - one of those who is perceived as better because he hasn't played IMO. The likes of Spencer and Simpson aren't even nailed on starters for their clubs. I'm as annoyed as everyone else about what's going on at SH - but there just aren't any putting their hands up and demanding selection (mosty because they're not first choice starter for their club)
FHs - Smith's done his time as an apprentice, whilst Ford and Farrell have plenty of time left in them. Simmond's is "unlucky" not to get the apprentice slot, but so is Vunipola. If either had got it instead, then we'd probably say that Umaga was unlucky not to get the apprentice slot.


In short - Sam Simmonds is the only one who can be pissed off at his non-selection; and it seems likely that he's been given some "work on"s, that aren't up to scratch yet. No-one else is both demanding inclusion and avialable for selection.
I'd also say that the only players Eddie has picked who are "lucky" to be there are the 2 SHs - and they're lucky in that, whilst a bit shit, they're still no worse than the alternatives - apart from age.

Burt (for example) would usually have 3-4 players demanding to be dropped, but selected anyway; and 5-6 players demanding selection being overlooked, and then another few questionable calls. Eddie's got 4-5 questionable calls with none of them being outright wrong.

You could easily make a case for a number of players who have genuine claims, but as ever with selection, we are talking reasonably fine margins. Inevitably when you have a wide choice in certain positions there will be good players left out as the above squad demonstrates.
Given the back row we've selected, I would say Simmonds and Dombrandt have been hard done by. I would say Marcus Smith is well ahead of Umaga, and I would have gone for Ollie Lawrence ahead of Dingwall. I certainly would have included at least one younger SH, either Spencer, who I think deserves a proper chance, or take a look at Randall whose game seems to be developing this season.
Moon is perhaps a touch fortunate to get in ahead of his clubmate Ribbans, as well as Hill and Stooke.
I would also say that Thacker is a better player than Singleton.

1. B. Obano (Bath) - has played very well. Tough position with Marler, Mako and Genge ahead. A nice problem to have. Hopefully the summer tour awaits.
2. H. Thacker (Bristol) - Really? Has not ben that great so far this season and has a knock doesn't he?
3. N. Schonert (Worcester) - he's gone for Stuart and Williams, which is a very good choice.
4. J. Hill (Exeter) - Yeah, probably the hardest done by IMO. Again hopefully he'll get a chance in the summer. I'd add Isiekwe who has been excellent again this season.
5. E. Stooke (Bath) - He's gone for Ewels, which is the right call. Moon, not so sure. Stooke is there or there abouts mind.
6. Willis (Wasps) - Should be in the mix, but then so should Hill and Earl. Tough selection and again a nice headache to have.
7. S. Simmonds (Exeter) - Hard done by definitely. On good form.
8. A. Dombrandt (Harlequins) / Mercer (Bath) - I'm mixed with Dombrandt. He can be eye opening and frustrating in equal measure. With Billy out I'd have looked at one of SImmonds (again) or Dombrandt. Mercer is injured.
9. D. Robson (Wasps) / B. Spencer (Saracens) - both have been pretty average at best this season. Neither is in any kind of form. If they want to get selected they have to play better. There is a chance now with two 30+ SH's left in the squad, but if I'm honest I'd skip them and blood Randall and maunder with Mitchell in the summer.
10. M. Smith (Harlequins) / J. Simmonds (Exeter) - In place of Umaga yeah.
11. G. Ibitoye (Harlequins) - Nah. Not over those selected.
12. M. Atkinson (Gloucester)* - Nah. Devoto every day.
13. A. Lozowski (Saracens) / J. Marchant (Harlequins/Blues)** - Nah. Not over those selected, esp wityh Marchant being abroad. I'd add in Lawrence, but hes only just back from injury.
14. T. O’Flaherty (Exeter) - Not by a long way.
15. M. Malins (Saracens)*** - injured. Not enough games. Talented but has to actually play more.

I don't think anyone can have too many qualms about the squad overall. I'd have made probably 2-3 different picks - Willis, Dombrandt, and S.Simmonds coming in to the backrow - but other than that, the other choices are just quibbles.

It's just that...

a) we have no 8 in the squad.
b) we have picked Lawes at 6.

Other than that, the squad is pretty OK.

One huge problem in making definitive statements about this is the old issue of club form as a standard. Some players simply cope better at a higher level than others. Exeter's prop, Moon, is an example. Not a current starter for his club, he never let England down. (I'm not saying he should be in ahead of those that are.)

What we have in some positions is the great attribute that the 5th or 6th choice are pretty useful. Other positions are not well covered. SH is the obvious one. I'd rather have a change than settle for mediocrity.

Where the real selectorial skill comes in is in choosing a player who will effortlessly make the step up. That sometimes means taking a risk and backing judgement. Tomorrow's FB debutant is a prime example. A few more would suit me. I'd have started Sam Simmonds and Johnny Hill because they are the best in their position at the best club.

Stom wrote:I don't think anyone can have too many qualms about the squad overall. I'd have made probably 2-3 different picks - Willis, Dombrandt, and S.Simmonds coming in to the backrow - but other than that, the other choices are just quibbles.

It's just that...

a) we have no 8 in the squad.
b) we have picked Lawes at 6.

Other than that, the squad is pretty OK.

I have qualms at 9 and frustrations at 12. That said, neither are well stocked larders

Bluntly every premiership no.8 whose fit and eligible to play for England!

Great to see Tompkins look so lively for Wales!

Banquo wrote:Great to see Tompkins look so lively for Wales!

I've rarely seen a debutant that pumped up. Good on him! His straight running was pretty effective.