The Official English Rugby Thread

[assfly]

Big statement from Leicester. They're going to be a handful this season.

[SaintK]

Big statement from Leicester. They're going to be a handful this season.

Big statement indeed. I thought they were well worth that win.
Looks like Kevin Sinfield has had an immediate effect on their defence

[ASMO]

Big statement from Leicester. They're going to be a handful this season.

Big statement indeed. I thought they were well worth that win.
Looks like Kevin Sinfield has had an immediate effect on their defence

My only fear from that is that will give even justification to Eddie for selecting Ben Youngs!!!. Leicesters gain is our loss.

[sockwithaticket]

It was a good win and Leicester were definitely the better team, but the scoreline flattered them a bit. There won't be many games where Exeter, or any team for that matter, get so many scores chalked off.

[Hal Jordan]

Turns TV on.

Ooh, Quins are 14-0 up.

Five minutes later, 14-12.

I swear I am the Wiggum of Quins.

[sockwithaticket]

Scrappy game, but still veyr entertaining. Tommy Allen looking surprisingly good.

[Bullet]

Who is the ref? Using everyone's first name like they're all mates - don't like it

[sockwithaticket]

Who is the ref? Using everyone's first name like they're all mates - don't like it

Tom Foley.

[Hal Jordan]

That was coming, Care has been crabbing all match and sooner or later the line catches one.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

That was coming, Care has been crabbing all match and sooner or later the line catches one.

Aaannd.. there's the upside to the downside.

[sockwithaticket]

Marler in the thick of a fracas? Well I never.

Shame that Lynagh's brilliantly executed 50-22 didn't come to more.

[sockwithaticket]

Having mainly seen him in poor Italy teams, I was a bit surprised by how good Tommy Allen was.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Having mainly seen him in poor Italy teams, I was a bit surprised by how good Tommy Allen was.

He's a big step up over all Quins recent 2nd choice flyhalves. I'm quite encouraged.

[Kawazaki]

Is Ugo Monye the worst pundit that has ever worked in rugby? It's as near to pundit-by-numbers as it gets but without a voice that can make it sound interesting. It's just bloody awful.

[sockwithaticket]

He and Dallaglio both manage to say astonishingly little you couldn't get from any arm chair fan.

[SaintK]

Is Ugo Monye the worst pundit that has ever worked in rugby? It's as near to pundit-by-numbers as it gets but without a voice that can make it sound interesting. It's just bloody awful.

Jeremy Guscott?

[Kawazaki]

Is Ugo Monye the worst pundit that has ever worked in rugby? It's as near to pundit-by-numbers as it gets but without a voice that can make it sound interesting. It's just bloody awful.

Jeremy Guscott?

I don't mind Guscott, he's clueless but at least he's blunt.

[Kawazaki]

He and Dallaglio both manage to say astonishingly little you couldn't get from any arm chair fan.

Dallaglio is fine, no problem with him.

[SaintK]

Is Ugo Monye the worst pundit that has ever worked in rugby? It's as near to pundit-by-numbers as it gets but without a voice that can make it sound interesting. It's just bloody awful.

Jeremy Guscott?

I don't mind Guscott, he's clueless but at least he's blunt.

True

[sockwithaticket]

He and Dallaglio both manage to say astonishingly little you couldn't get from any arm chair fan.

Dallaglio is fine, no problem with him.

He's just as bad at throwing out empty comments. I don't think he's ever failed to start a game without saying 'the breakdown will be key'.

[Brazil]

To be fair to both Ugo and Dayglo, the debate on the new laws yesterday was very interesting. Or at least the bits I managed to hear through the kids going mental in the living room were.

[assfly]

I felt Quins were on the lucky side of a few calls yesterday.

But good to get the season off to a winning start without a lot of key players. Is Lewies injured again?

[Kawazaki]

He and Dallaglio both manage to say astonishingly little you couldn't get from any arm chair fan.

Dallaglio is fine, no problem with him.

He's just as bad at throwing out empty comments. I don't think he's ever failed to start a game without saying 'the breakdown will be key'.

He's not wrong though is he!

[assfly]

He's just as bad at throwing out empty comments. I don't think he's ever failed to start a game without saying 'the breakdown will be key'.

Immense physicality.

[sockwithaticket]

Dallaglio is fine, no problem with him.

He's just as bad at throwing out empty comments. I don't think he's ever failed to start a game without saying 'the breakdown will be key'.

He's not wrong though is he!

That's the point! Other than the rare occasion of two teams who basically don't bother competing, it's always important so it's only worth mentioning if that contest is going to be a particularly tasty battle like, say, Willis vs. Curry.

[Raggs]

No Ford in the EPS.... I'm seriously hoping that there's a physical reason for that, rather than merely thinking he's not upto it...

[SaintK]

No Ford in the EPS.... I'm seriously hoping that there's a physical reason for that, rather than merely thinking he's not upto it...

I thought he was excellent against Chiefs on Saturday
No Vunipolas, George or Daley either
Training Squad

Spoiler

Show

FORWARDS
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)

Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps)

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 33 caps)

Trevor Davison (Newcastle Falcons, 1 cap)

Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 1 cap)

Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 23 caps)

Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 30 caps)

Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)

Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 9 caps)

Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, 2 caps)

Maro Itoje (Saracens, 48 caps)

Jack Kenningham (Harlequins, uncapped)

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 87 caps)

Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)

Lewis Ludlow (Gloucester Rugby, 2 caps)

Joe Marler (Harlequins, 72 caps)

George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)

Beno Obano (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)

Gabriel Oghre (Wasps, uncapped)

Sam Riley (Harlequins, uncapped)

Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, uncapped)

Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps)

Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 44 caps)

Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 12 caps)

Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 24 caps)

BACKS
Mark Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)

Owen Farrell (Saracens, 93 caps)

George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)

Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, 7 caps)

Louis Lynagh (Harlequins, uncapped)

Max Malins (Saracens, 8 caps)

Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 6 caps)

Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 66 caps)

Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks, uncapped)

Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons, 1 cap)

Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)

Dan Robson (Wasps, 14 caps)

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 40 caps)

Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, uncapped)

Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 2 caps)

Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)

Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 43 caps)

Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 51 caps)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 109 caps)

[Raggs]

No Ford in the EPS.... I'm seriously hoping that there's a physical reason for that, rather than merely thinking he's not upto it...

I thought he was excellent against Chiefs on Saturday
No Vunipolas, George or Daley either
Training Squad

Spoiler

Show

FORWARDS
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)

Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps)

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 33 caps)

Trevor Davison (Newcastle Falcons, 1 cap)

Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 1 cap)

Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 23 caps)

Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 30 caps)

Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)

Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 9 caps)

Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, 2 caps)

Maro Itoje (Saracens, 48 caps)

Jack Kenningham (Harlequins, uncapped)

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 87 caps)

Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)

Lewis Ludlow (Gloucester Rugby, 2 caps)

Joe Marler (Harlequins, 72 caps)

George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)

Beno Obano (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)

Gabriel Oghre (Wasps, uncapped)

Sam Riley (Harlequins, uncapped)

Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, uncapped)

Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps)

Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 44 caps)

Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 12 caps)

Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 24 caps)

BACKS
Mark Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)

Owen Farrell (Saracens, 93 caps)

George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)

Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, 7 caps)

Louis Lynagh (Harlequins, uncapped)

Max Malins (Saracens, 8 caps)

Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 6 caps)

Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 66 caps)

Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks, uncapped)

Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons, 1 cap)

Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)

Dan Robson (Wasps, 14 caps)

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 40 caps)

Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, uncapped)

Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 2 caps)

Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)

Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 43 caps)

Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 51 caps)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 109 caps)

Daly is out after surgery I believe.

It's just a short training camp, not a squad for matches, but still.

[tc27]

https://www.englandrugby.com/news/artic ... ining-camp

Eight uncapped players have been named in the training camp squad: Mark Atkinson, Jack Kenningham, Louis Lynagh, Gabriel Oghre, Raffi Quirke, Sam Riley, Bevan Rodd and Ollie Sleightholme.

Nine players who made their debuts in England’s summer series of fixtures have also been selected in: Jamie Blamire, Trevor Davison, Alex Dombrandt, Joe Heyes, Lewis Ludlow, Adam Radwan, Harry Randall, Marcus Smith and Freddie Steward.

There are returns to the squad for senior and experienced players, including England’s second most-capped player Ben Youngs (109 caps), alongside Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Jonny May and Anthony Watson – all of whom have more than 50 caps.

Edit - Sorry see this was already posted.

[sockwithaticket]

No Ford in the EPS.... I'm seriously hoping that there's a physical reason for that, rather than merely thinking he's not upto it...

Training squads have always had a few random inclusions and exclusions. He's still part of the EPS and thus will be there for the Autumn afaik. If he's not, I'll spit teeth, but I'm over trying to read anything into or getting exercised by these training squads.

[Kawazaki]

'England Training Squad' is really just a euphemism for 'Eddie's Beasting Sessions Based On Exercise Methods Popular In The 1980s'.

Can we have the overs and unders estimate for how many of the 45 get injured?

[ScarfaceClaw]

Ben Youngs is still there. I imagine Brazil will be delighted at the news.

[SaintK]

'England Training Squad' is really just a euphemism for 'Eddie's Beasting Sessions Based On Exercise Methods Popular In The 1980s'.

Can we have the overs and unders estimate for how many of the 45 get injured?

At least 5!!!
My mate is in with Sarries this morning and has text me not to read too much into those names that have been left out

[Brazil]

Ben Youngs is still there. I imagine Brazil will be delighted at the news.

I'm very pleased that Quirke is in there, though surprised that Van Poortfliet hasn't been given a look.

The dropping of Ford and the inclusion of Smith suggests that there's only room for one flair 10 in Eddie's squads, which must be tempered by other selections on matchday. Can you imagine the ABs treating such talent like this?

[JM2K6]

If Freddie Steward is not the starting 15 for England then i know Jones is just trolling England fans. He is light years ahead of Daley

Max Malins says hi.

Though he's saying it from the wing, which is where Eddie last picked him, where Bristol had the most success with him, and where he'll probably stay for a while for England until he fixes up some of his problems with the high ball and defence. Hell of an option to have on the wing, though.

[Raggs]

Given the 50/22 law changes, I suspect having effectively 2 fullbacks may become a norm.

[Tichtheid]

No Fraser Dingwall, so there is still a chance that he'll do a Redpath and plump for Scotland.

[JM2K6]

Given the 50/22 law changes, I suspect having effectively 2 fullbacks may become a norm.

What are your thoughts on that law? I realise it's meant to free up some space for attackers by forcing the defence to cover back a little more, but Lynagh's 50/22 kick from a turnover in the Quins half was absolutely farcical. He already made a 60-70m territorial gain as a result of a favourable bounce with nothing Newcastle could've done about it, giving Quins possession close to the Newcastle line on top of that is just mad.

[Tichtheid]

Given the 50/22 law changes, I suspect having effectively 2 fullbacks may become a norm.

What are your thoughts on that law? I realise it's meant to free up some space for attackers by forcing the defence to cover back a little more, but Lynagh's 50/22 kick from a turnover in the Quins half was absolutely farcical. He already made a 60-70m territorial gain as a result of a favourable bounce with nothing Newcastle could've done about it, giving Quins possession close to the Newcastle line on top of that is just mad.

It's been used in the Super 6 in Scotland for a few weeks now, I quite like it, it frees up a bit of space due to the need to defend it, it's better than "caterpillar and box kicking" your way up the touchline, it isn't always successful so there is a chance for a counter, overall it's been good, I think

[JM2K6]

Given the 50/22 law changes, I suspect having effectively 2 fullbacks may become a norm.

What are your thoughts on that law? I realise it's meant to free up some space for attackers by forcing the defence to cover back a little more, but Lynagh's 50/22 kick from a turnover in the Quins half was absolutely farcical. He already made a 60-70m territorial gain as a result of a favourable bounce with nothing Newcastle could've done about it, giving Quins possession close to the Newcastle line on top of that is just mad.

It's been used in the Super 6 in Scotland for a few weeks now, I quite like it, it frees up a bit of space due to the need to defend it, it's better than "caterpillar and box kicking" your way up the touchline, it isn't always successful so there is a chance for a counter, overall it's been good, I think

Think teams will still box kick as it's contestable - my complaint is just that when I saw a turnover essentially result in a gigantic advantage because of a little bit of luck that things were swinging too far in one direction. I don't want more randomness deciding matches!