RugbyRebels

With the clamour for different players, I wanted to have a look at the uncapped players available.

Ignoring injuries, I’d go for:

1. T. West (Wasps)
2. W. Capon (Bristol)
3. J. Heyes (Tigers)
4. G. Martin (Tigers)
5. D. Ribbans (Saints)
6. A. Barbeary (Wasps)
7. W. Evans (Quins)
8. A. Dombrandt (Quins)
9. H. Randall (Bristol)
10. M. Smith (Quins)
11. O. Hassell-Collins (L. Irish)
12. P. O’Conor (Bristol)
13. P. Odogwu (Wasps)
14. R. Naulago (Bristol)*
15. F. Steward (Tigers)

*presumably he qualifies as a serving British soldier?

As usual, it’s a bit of a case of feast or famine, there are some positions where there are tough calls and others where the cupboard is pretty bare. I know O’Conor isn’t really a 12, but there aren’t many obvious options and at least he has played there recently.

I based my XV on this season alone, but you could easily swap Joe Simmonds in for Smith, Ben Curry in for Evans and Tom Parton in for Steward for example.

My overall impression is that with the exception of the 10s and Dombrandt, it’s actually recalls we’re looking at (i.e. Sam Simmonds, Nick Isiekwe etc.) rather than new caps. Also, in fairness to Eddie, he’s picked Martin, Ribbans, Randall and Odogwu and almost certainly would have picked Barbeary but for injury.

I’m not sure if Naulago qualifies? I’m always uncomfortable with picking players who quite clearly aren’t English. However, he does look as though he’s quickly re-acclimatised to union and I wouldn’t be surprised if Eddie is interested ... if not, I’d happily look at Nick David or Ben Loader.

Scrumhead wrote:
I based my XV on this season alone, but you could easily swap Joe Simmonds in for Smith, Ben Curry in for Evans and Tom Parton in for Steward for example.

Bench those guys

I really wish the Saxons was still a thing.

Does it have to be youngsters? Gaskell has been having a stormer of a season for instance, but I'd never suggest him for an actual england cap, but if all the capped players ended up isolating with false positives etc, he'd definitely be one I'd be looking to.

Think we might see quite a few of that side in North America in the summer.
Nick Schonert at THP for me. Val R-R on the other side. 12 really is a problem position. How about Luke James?

Is Barbeaey Going to be a 6 or a 2 going forward?

I've only seen him play six but I thought he was meant to be a hooker. He's a freak either way of course

Auterac has looked good for Saints, but maybe his time has passed.

I wasn’t solely looking at age, but while the likes of Gaskell and Slater are good players, I do feel as though their chance has passed. Then again, Wilson has shown door shouldn’t be completely closed on a late bloomer.

Luke James would be a good option at 12 in theory, but I honestly don’t remember the last time he played there. Asking him to do so at test level is a massive ask.

I was semi-tempted to pick Brophy-Clews. I don’t really understand why he doesn’t feature more regularly for Irish as he always seems to be a handful when he does play. He definitely has the ingredients to be a good playmaking 12 if given more regular game time IMO. At 6ft and 90kg, he’s got a decent physical presence too.

Scrumhead wrote:I wasn’t solely looking at age, but while the likes of Gaskell and Slater are good players, I do feel as though their chance has passed. Then again, Wilson has shown door shouldn’t be completely closed on a late bloomer.

Luke James would be a good option at 12 in theory, but I honestly don’t remember the last time he played there. Asking him to do so at test level is a massive ask.

I was semi-tempted to pick Brophy-Clews. I don’t really understand why he doesn’t feature more regularly for Irish as he always seems to be a handful when he does play. He definitely has the ingredients to be a good playmaking 12 if given more regular game time IMO. At 6ft and 90kg, he’s got a decent physical presence too.

I'd also say your selection of Piers O'Connor at 12 is a good one; think he's likely played there quite a lot, decent hands, decent pace, good lines of running. Dont know and don't care if he has a tip top kicking game.

Pretty much the best available from an uncapped POV I think. To be fair, I think he’s arguably the best uncapped centre (regardless of whether that’s at 12 or 13). His ability to do a job on the wing or at 15 would make him a good squad player IMO.

Scrumhead wrote:Pretty much the best available from an uncapped POV I think. To be fair, I think he’s arguably the best uncapped centre (regardless of whether that’s at 12 or 13). His ability to do a job on the wing or at 15 would make him a good squad player IMO.

agreed, always looks good when I see Briz play.

Scrumhead wrote:I wasn’t solely looking at age, but while the likes of Gaskell and Slater are good players, I do feel as though their chance has passed. Then again, Wilson has shown door shouldn’t be completely closed on a late bloomer.

Luke James would be a good option at 12 in theory, but I honestly don’t remember the last time he played there. Asking him to do so at test level is a massive ask.

I was semi-tempted to pick Brophy-Clews. I don’t really understand why he doesn’t feature more regularly for Irish as he always seems to be a handful when he does play. He definitely has the ingredients to be a good playmaking 12 if given more regular game time IMO. At 6ft and 90kg, he’s got a decent physical presence too.

Like I said, it depends on your definition. The best upcoming uncapped XV would be close to what you've picked for me, but if every capped player was unavailable, then some senior names are better options right now in my mind.

This thread feels like it's trying to guess an XV of the next 15 new caps for Wales, Ireland and Scotland. I miss having the Saxons so they couldn't poach with impunity.

Bored Falcon wrote:Is Barbeaey Going to be a 6 or a 2 going forward?

I've only seen him play six but I thought he was meant to be a hooker. He's a freak either way of course

I've asked this before - he's playing back row to get up to speed, with the plan that he'll move forward once his basics are right, but I do wonder if there won't be the temptation to keep him at 6 rather than risk him not being able to translate his loose play to having to do the hard work at hooker too. Guess we'll have to see how it goes.

Puja

Scrumhead wrote:I wasn’t solely looking at age, but while the likes of Gaskell and Slater are good players, I do feel as though their chance has passed. Then again, Wilson has shown door shouldn’t be completely closed on a late bloomer.

Luke James would be a good option at 12 in theory, but I honestly don’t remember the last time he played there. Asking him to do so at test level is a massive ask.

I was semi-tempted to pick Brophy-Clews. I don’t really understand why he doesn’t feature more regularly for Irish as he always seems to be a handful when he does play. He definitely has the ingredients to be a good playmaking 12 if given more regular game time IMO. At 6ft and 90kg, he’s got a decent physical presence too.

He's missed a lot of rugby through injury. Rare he can put a run of 3 or 4 games together.

Puja wrote:This thread feels like it's trying to guess an XV of the next 15 new caps for Wales, Ireland and Scotland. I miss having the Saxons so they couldn't poach with impunity.

Bored Falcon wrote:Is Barbeaey Going to be a 6 or a 2 going forward?

I've only seen him play six but I thought he was meant to be a hooker. He's a freak either way of course

I've asked this before - he's playing back row to get up to speed, with the plan that he'll move forward once his basics are right, but I do wonder if there won't be the temptation to keep him at 6 rather than risk him not being able to translate his loose play to having to do the hard work at hooker too. Guess we'll have to see how it goes.

Puja

I think Barbeary is a freak, that said, he will lose some loose play having to play hooker because there's extra energy required in the scrum, but I don't think it'll make that much difference, we still see the likes of LCD and George putting in impressive plays despite being hooker. For me it basically works that he'd potentially be a 9/10 flanker, or a 9/10 hooker. Now if you've got a bunch of 8/10 flankers, and 7/10 hookers, you're better off with him playing hooker.

However, I'm thinking that he doesn't necessarily need to stop playing on the flank, just because he's a hooker. We just need him to be nailing the hooker aspects.

Your hooker doesn't need to throw and with scrum feeds now days your flankers need to hook. Nailed on six for me.

JellyHead wrote:Your hooker doesn't need to throw and with scrum feeds now days your flankers need to hook. Nailed on six for me.

With Willis, Wills, Young and Shields, he's very much going to be a hooker for me.

Banquo wrote:Auterac has looked good for Saints, but maybe his time has passed.

cursed him, iffy today

Not sure about Hutchinson at first receiver. Doesn’t seem a natural.

POC had been class wherever he's picked, good defence, good hands, doesn't kick much but that's the game plan. Really changed a few minds with his performances as he was thought a weak link to start with.

Siva is an EQP through residence, he arrived in the UK at 18 in the army. He was dodgy in defence to start with but is clearly a really quick learner.

Mellsblue wrote:Not sure about Hutchinson at first receiver. Doesn’t seem a natural.

wrong thread but yes

jimKRFC wrote:POC had been class wherever he's picked, good defence, good hands, doesn't kick much but that's the game plan. Really changed a few minds with his performances as he was thought a weak link to start with.

Siva is an EQP through residence, he arrived in the UK at 18 in the army. He was dodgy in defence to start with but is clearly a really quick learner.

i like poc and good that he doesnt kick

Banquo wrote:

Mellsblue wrote:Not sure about Hutchinson at first receiver. Doesn’t seem a natural.

wrong thread but yes

Seems my decision making on here is as good as Hutchinson’s earlier.

I would have Sleighthome over OHC and Naulago for England. If he sorts his injury problems out he’s going to the top imo. Really well rounded wing with genuine top end gas.

Sam James? I'd take him at 13 over Odogwu. He can crash, he can be the playmaker and he's a leader.

Timbo wrote:I would have Sleighthome over OHC and Naulago for England. If he sorts his injury problems out he’s going to the top imo. Really well rounded wing with genuine top end gas.

This is me showing my age, but never having really rated his dad makes it hard to evaluate him properly!

Same with young Dr Glanville!