The Official English Rugby Thread

[SaintK]

Who's covering second row? Dombrandt?

Chick? Think he's played some of his club rugby there.

Seems a bit lightweight? Dombrandt at least has the, uh, ballast

never thought Harry Wells was that much of a lightweight!
Radwan is an exciting selection

England: Steward; Cokanasiga, Slade, Kelly, Radwan; Smith, Randall; Genge, Blamire, Heyes, Wells, Ewels, Ludlow (capt), Underhill, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Langdon, Obano, Hill, Chick, Ludlam, Robson, Furbank, Marchant

[JM2K6]

On the plus side, the backs still look sane - would have liked Marchant at 13 given how he's played this year - and Smith has a good array of options around him. Steward can really make a name for himself here, I get the feeling Eddie is really hoping he makes it as the next 15 given Malins could be 2021 Elliot Daly on the wing.

[ASMO]

On the plus side, the backs still look sane - would have liked Marchant at 13 given how he's played this year - and Smith has a good array of options around him. Steward can really make a name for himself here, I get the feeling Eddie is really hoping he makes it as the next 15 given Malins could be 2021 Elliot Daly on the wing.

To be fair, Malins as a back 3 player is streets ahead of Daley.

[JM2K6]

On the plus side, the backs still look sane - would have liked Marchant at 13 given how he's played this year - and Smith has a good array of options around him. Steward can really make a name for himself here, I get the feeling Eddie is really hoping he makes it as the next 15 given Malins could be 2021 Elliot Daly on the wing.

To be fair, Malins as a back 3 player is streets ahead of Daley.

I mean in terms of a guy being turned into a winger. Daly was very good for England before the last Lions tour (and on the tour) in the 11 shirt. Malins still has some defensive issues and problems with the high ball, and him successfully playing wing for Bristol is a real bonus.

[Hal Jordan]

The way I look at these Tests is finding 5 or so future first team/match day squad players, some more long term extended squad players and tell your grandkids memories for the rest.

[Oxbow]

Thought Alex Mitchell might get a game in this one, not much to be learnt from playing Robson against Canada. Disappoint.

[Kawazaki]

Ewels needs to up his game, he was gash last weekend.

I'm trying to think of a good game he's had for England, it's alarming that he's only got one cap less than Underhill. I'd have gone for Ben Curry over Underhill to see what he can do with a start, if he's not injured then I'm not sure what you gain with the known capacities of Underhill and Ludlam. Pleased that Dombrandt is starting at least, and can look forward to going to Quins to "look at aspects of his game" after destroying the Canucks...

Ben Curry has been dropped because Sale have said previously they think he's the better brother. Eddiot knows better of course.

[SaintK]

Interesting signing by Quins?

Former American football player Christian Scotland-Williamson has joined English champions Harlequins.
The 27-year-old moves back to rugby union three years after leaving Worcester to join the Pittsburgh Steelers as a tight-end and will play as a second-row for Quins.

[JM2K6]

Yup, we needed a bit of ballast and a big hitting, hopefully big carrying lock is a useful option to have.

[Niegs]

The way I look at these Tests is finding 5 or so future first team/match day squad players, some more long term extended squad players and tell your grandkids memories for the rest.

“... and mightily bored they’ll be!”

[Margin__Walker]

McNally and Hill now injured in training. Eddie's leaving a real trail of destruction this summer

[JM2K6]

Take the fucking hint, Eddie

[Kawazaki]

Eddiot strikes again.

Would be interesting to see a tally from his time since he started in December 2015. He broke Sam Jones in September 2016 but I'm sure there must be a few he injured before then as well.

He's a dinosaur and a real and present danger to the current and future well-being of English rugby.

[geordie_6]

Whilst Eddie does have a history, how much of this can also be put down to the amount of rugby played in the last year or so, with rearranged games limiting recovery time thru the season?

[SaintK]

Eddiot strikes again.

Would be interesting to see a tally from his time since he started in December 2015. He broke Sam Jones in September 2016 but I'm sure there must be a few he injured before then as well.

He's a dinosaur and a real and present danger to the current and future well-being of English rugby.

Hadn't realised that McNally and Hill were broken earlier this week!!
Christ knows what he does with them in camp!!!

[JM2K6]

Whilst Eddie does have a history, how much of this can also be put down to the amount of rugby played in the last year or so, with rearranged games limiting recovery time thru the season?

Perhaps the training should reflect that? Quins adjusted theirs to great effect.

[Hells Bells]

Well I think a few players have put their hand up and should be looking at coming in for the AI’s, the team needs a freshen up (looking back at the six nations its striking how there just hasn’t seemed to be any evolution of the side in a few years). Think depth wise we’re probably looking at the following although this is what I think Eddie is looking at rather than how I would see it:

Loosehead: Vunipola, Marler, Genge, Obano, Rodd
Hooker: George, LCD, Dunn, Blamire, Langdon
Tighthead: Sinckler, Stuart, Williams, Heyes, Davison
Lock: Itoje, Launchbury, Lawes, Hill, Ewels, Ribbans (Kruis)
Blindside Flanker: T Curry, Wilson, Willis, Ludlow, T Hill
Openside: Underhill, Earl, Ludlam, B Curry, Kenningham
No. 8: Vunipola, Dombrandt, Simmonds, Chick
Scrum half: Youngs, Randall, Robson, Mitchell
Fly half: Ford, Farrell, Smith, Umaga, Simmonds
Centre: Slade, Tuilagi, Lawrence, Marchant, Kelly
Winger: Watson, May, Nowell, Cokanasiga, Radwan
Fullback: Daly, Malins, Steward, Furbank, Freeman

[sockwithaticket]

Well I think a few players have put their hand up and should be looking at coming in for the AI’s, the team needs a freshen up (looking back at the six nations its striking how there just hasn’t seemed to be any evolution of the side in a few years). Think depth wise we’re probably looking at the following although this is what I think Eddie is looking at rather than how I would see it:

Loosehead: Vunipola, Marler, Genge, Obano, Rodd
Hooker: George, LCD, Dunn, Blamire, Langdon
Tighthead: Sinckler, Stuart, Williams, Heyes, Davison
Lock: Itoje, Launchbury, Lawes, Hill, Ewels, Ribbans (Kruis)
Blindside Flanker: T Curry, Wilson, Willis, Ludlow, T Hill
Openside: Underhill, Earl, Ludlam, B Curry, Kenningham
No. 8: Vunipola, Dombrandt, Simmonds, Chick
Scrum half: Youngs, Randall, Robson, Mitchell
Fly half: Ford, Farrell, Smith, Umaga, Simmonds
Centre: Slade, Tuilagi, Lawrence, Marchant, Kelly
Winger: Watson, May, Nowell, Cokanasiga, Radwan
Fullback: Daly, Malins, Steward, Furbank, Freeman

Think Tom West is ahead of Rodd (who didn't play), he was in the 6 Nations squad and was due to be in this one until injury got him.

Not sure Dunn's part of the hooker conversation, Eddie seemed to try really hard not use him when he was available. Blamire certainly impressed.

Lock/back row might feature George Martin? He was seemingly abandoned for this summer, but Eddie fast tracked him for selection during the 6 Nations.

Wilson's probably goooone now given the amount of back row talent at our disposal and he looks like he might have aged out. Will still put in a shift, but he's been injured a lot the last couple of years and looks a lot less effective than when he (belatedly) got his England shot.

[sockwithaticket]

U20s kick off at 13:45 to pursue their grand slam. Slightly annoying kick off time as I've meetings all afternoon. The evening ones they've had for the last couple of rounds were far more convenient.

[notfatcat]

Ah piss flaps, I'll have to miss the second half.

[Saint]

Whilst Eddie does have a history, how much of this can also be put down to the amount of rugby played in the last year or so, with rearranged games limiting recovery time thru the season?

Well, Sleighthome got knocked out. not sure how much that has to do with lack of recovery time during the season

[ASMO]

Premiership fixtures out, Bristol v Sarries week 1, should be a tasty game.

https://www.premiershiprugby.com/gallag ... s-results/

[sockwithaticket]

Boo, Wasps given a bye in the first round.

[Raggs]

Italy just with small errors, nothing major, but enough to kill their momentum, and grant England strong positions. It's looking like a mauling at the moment, and England are comfortably in control, but it's only 2-3% off from the Italians giving us a lot more trouble, could easily yet swing, but I don't know if it will.

[ASMO]

Englad would have scored a few more if they could pass accurately

[SaintK]

Englad would have scored a few more if they could pass accurately

England brain dead in their own 22
Game on!!!

[SaintK]

FFS England lose 3 lineouts in a row. Two of them in the Italian 22

[SaintK]

England pushed hard by the Italians in the 2nd half but win their Grand Slam
Far too many unforced errors and shite lineout throwing
Some seriously good Italian youngsters to come through.......hopefully

[ASMO]

England struggled over the line there, were second best in the second half, just everything fell to pieces. Italy can take a lot from that game

[Kawazaki]

England pushed hard by the Italians in the 2nd half but win their Grand Slam
Far too many unforced errors and shite lineout throwing
Some seriously good Italian youngsters to come through.......hopefully

The Italian hooker overthrowing cost the Italians dearly right on the England line at least three times.

[SaintK]

England pushed hard by the Italians in the 2nd half but win their Grand Slam
Far too many unforced errors and shite lineout throwing
Some seriously good Italian youngsters to come through.......hopefully

The Italian hooker overthrowing cost the Italians dearly right on the England line at least three times.

Yes, could have turned the match

[sockwithaticket]

Will watch this back later, it's worth noting that this batch of baby Azurri are no mugs though.

They butchered Scotland, went down narrowly to France and Ireland and seem to have given us a fair old game. The anomaly seems to be a one-sided defeat to a fairly average Wales.

[geordie_6]

Tigers have picked up Dan Lancaster.

https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/sq ... aster-2107

[sockwithaticket]

Ed Robinson heads from England to Wasps as skills coach.

Tigers have picked up Dan Lancaster.

https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/sq ... aster-2107

Interesting move for him given they've got Dan Kelly as young gun and a couple more senior options for inside centre and won't be short at fly half with Ford and Burns.

[Margin__Walker]

Cockers has left Edinburgh to pursue other opportunities, so expect him to rock up somewhere fairly shortly

[duke]

Cockers has left Edinburgh to pursue other opportunities, so expect him to rock up somewhere fairly shortly

Which clubs have space for a spectacularly grumpy head/forwards coach?

[SaintK]

Cockers has left Edinburgh to pursue other opportunities, so expect him to rock up somewhere fairly shortly

Evidently the end of term feedback from the players review was very much less than positive!!!!
No obvious vacanciess in the Prem

[Kawazaki]

Cockers has left Edinburgh to pursue other opportunities, so expect him to rock up somewhere fairly shortly

Evidently the end of term feedback from the players review was very much less than positive!!!!
No obvious vacanciess in the Prem

Worcester or Gloucester...

...or Doncaster if the rumours about their push to usurp Ealing to the golden 14th spot in the Premiership are to be believed.

[Margin__Walker]

Would love it if Donny did, but can't see where the money is coming from. Even if they did have the cash, there's too little time to put the squad and back room setup together to properly challenge.

[SaintK]

Cockers has left Edinburgh to pursue other opportunities, so expect him to rock up somewhere fairly shortly

Evidently the end of term feedback from the players review was very much less than positive!!!!
No obvious vacanciess in the Prem

Worcester or Gloucester...

...or Doncaster if the rumours about their push to usurp Ealing to the golden 14th spot in the Premiership are to be believed.

Worcester and Gloucester have already confirmed their coaching set up for the coming season would be very surprised if he ended up at either of them.
In fact I'd be very surprised if he ended up at any Prem club at this stage