The Official English Rugby Thread

[Kawazaki]

Yeah that's certainly not ideal, he's a long way from the player that held his own leading a scratch England team against the ABs in New Zealand circa 2014.

Unfortunately, I can see Leicester going in for Lozowski.

Does he still harbour ambitions of being a front line 10? Completely groundless, but I got the impression he was now primarily a centre who can cover 10 or wing very well because he's that talented.

Exactly, he's that talented. For me, he's the best 10 at Saracens and the best 12.

It's criminal how poorly Jones has treated him.

[Niegs]

They could just get stuck with Burns as first choice

Despite the fact that I haven't seen much of him in recent years, I'm hoping this gives him a new lease on life and he has a good end of his career. He showed so much promise and I feel like he needed a good mentor to help sort out the yips and harness is abilities.

[SaintK]

They could just get stuck with Burns as first choice

Despite the fact that I haven't seen much of him in recent years, I'm hoping this gives him a new lease on life and he has a good end of his career. He showed so much promise and I feel like he needed a good mentor to help sort out the yips and harness is abilities.

Burns has been a shadow of his former self for a number of years and not a guaranteed starter at his most recent clubs. Has become a bit of a "sicknote" as well and at his age is not really the future for Tigers

[JM2K6]

He wasn't being a nice guy, by all accounts it was a fucking beasting

Ahem



Fucking stoneage shit (on behalf of the sponsors, no less)

[JM2K6]

England side - same again, except Blamire at hooker, Manu at 12 and Marchant on the wing. Same back row, etc.

1. Bevan Rodd

2. Jamie Blamire

3. Kyle Sinckler

4. Maro Itoje

5. Jonny Hill

6. Courtney Lawes

7. Sam Underhill

8. Tom Curry

9. Ben Youngs

10. Marcus Smith

11. Jonny May

12. Manu Tuilagi

13. Henry Slade

14. Joe Marchant

15. Freddie Steward

FINISHERS

16. Nic Dolly

17. Joe Marler

18. Will Stuart

19. Charlie Ewels

20. Sam Simmonds

21. Alex Dombrandt

22. Raffi Quirke

23. Max Malins

[SaintK]

England side - same again, except Blamire at hooker, Manu at 12 and Marchant on the wing. Same back row, etc.

Spoiler

Show

1. Bevan Rodd

2. Jamie Blamire

3. Kyle Sinckler

4. Maro Itoje

5. Jonny Hill

6. Courtney Lawes

7. Sam Underhill

8. Tom Curry

9. Ben Youngs

10. Marcus Smith

11. Jonny May

12. Manu Tuilagi

13. Henry Slade

14. Joe Marchant

15. Freddie Steward

FINISHERS

16. Nic Dolly

17. Joe Marler

18. Will Stuart

19. Charlie Ewels

20. Sam Simmonds

21. Alex Dombrandt

22. Raffi Quirke

23. Max Malins

That's all a bit depressing.
S Africa by 20+

[geordie_6]

What did Radwan do to get binned off, not bow low enough to Eddie?

[JM2K6]

Might be injured. Might not be good enough in the air or in defence or whatever. We'll never know, probably.

[Ovals]

What did Radwan do to get binned off, not bow low enough to Eddie?

It's another odd one. As is Merchant jumping ahead of Malins into the starting line up.

We'll be doing well to keep the defecit under 20.

[Hal Jordan]

Now I will bang the drum all day long for Marchant, who unlike Tuilagi has a slug of experience on the wing, but why pick him cold when you have Malins on the bench who is the obvious choice? Marchant makes sense coming in on the bench as he covers two positions and has been around the squad, but I suppose Jones gotta Jones.

Another 6-2 split and I don't fancy Blamire's darts. Also, no way is Marler not fit.

[Hal Jordan]

Also, I can see how the narrative will go if we lose, "England struggle without Farrell to hold Smith's hand"...

[Oxbow]

I still know absolutely nothing about Nic Dolly, is he any good, or just in the right place (an improving Leicester side) at the right time (several other hookers knacked).

[ASMO]

Also, I can see how the narrative will go if we lose, "England struggle without Farrell to hold Smith's hand"...

I can see Smith taking some big hits, not because SA are particularly fast off the line, more because Youngs service will be so fucking slow they wont need to be fast off the line. Whats the bet it will be the same scenario as with Australia, England not resourcing the rucks so SA will counter ruck while the forwards hang off ready to hit it up.

[Paddington Bear]

Boks will cheap shot the fuck out of Smith. Could be a very frustrating afternoon.

[JM2K6]

Now I will bang the drum all day long for Marchant, who unlike Tuilagi has a slug of experience on the wing, but why pick him cold when you have Malins on the bench who is the obvious choice? Marchant makes sense coming in on the bench as he covers two positions and has been around the squad, but I suppose Jones gotta Jones.

Another 6-2 split and I don't fancy Blamire's darts. Also, no way is Marler not fit.

He's up against Mapimpi, which is a tough ask for anyone. If you've got two inexperienced wingers, maybe going with the one who's the better defender (while being no slouch in attack) might be the best bet, but you can make the argument either way.

[sockwithaticket]

Also, I can see how the narrative will go if we lose, "England struggle without Farrell to hold Smith's hand"...

The headlines have already been written.

It'll also be spun as the team missing his leadership as if him shouting at everyone would do anything to stop the forwards being gubbed by superior opponents.

[ASMO]

Listening to Eddiot's press conference, "South Africa think England pack is weak, they are not weak and we are going to show them on Saturday", to paraphrase the Duke of Wellington ""We came on in the same old way and we lost to them in the same old way."

[Kawazaki]

Also, I can see how the narrative will go if we lose, "England struggle without Farrell to hold Smith's hand"...

The headlines have already been written.

It'll also be spun as the team missing his leadership as if him shouting at everyone would do anything to stop the forwards being gubbed by superior opponents.

This is peak whining.

Farrell-haters blaming Farrell for England losing a match that he isn't selected for that hasn't even been played yet.

Fucking hell.

[ASMO]

Also, I can see how the narrative will go if we lose, "England struggle without Farrell to hold Smith's hand"...

The headlines have already been written.

It'll also be spun as the team missing his leadership as if him shouting at everyone would do anything to stop the forwards being gubbed by superior opponents.

This is peak whining.

Farrell-haters blaming Farrell for England losing a match that he isn't selected for that hasn't even been played yet.

Fucking hell.

I think you are getting slightly hysterical there old chap, what people are actually saying is that Jones will absolutely use the fact that Farrell isnt playing as a contributory factor, if not the main contributory factor if England lose..that is not blaming Farrell (although i do think he is shit), that is Eddie being Eddie doing everything he can to project his golden boy as the saviour of England.

[sockwithaticket]

Also, I can see how the narrative will go if we lose, "England struggle without Farrell to hold Smith's hand"...

The headlines have already been written.

It'll also be spun as the team missing his leadership as if him shouting at everyone would do anything to stop the forwards being gubbed by superior opponents.

This is peak whining.

Farrell-haters blaming Farrell for England losing a match that he isn't selected for that hasn't even been played yet.

Fucking hell.

Not quite, we're predicting that the press will at least in part attribute England's loss to Farrell's absence when it'll entirely be about our pack being outclassed.

[Kawazaki]

Maybe just ignore Farrell, he's not playing. Concentrate on Smith at 10 with Tuilagi at 12 and Slade at 13. This is what you've wanted. If it doesn't work, don't blame Farrell, blame Smith, Tuilagi and Slade.

FFS.

[SaintK]

I still know absolutely nothing about Nic Dolly, is he any good, or just in the right place (an improving Leicester side) at the right time (several other hookers knacked).

Looks the part at Tigers considering he's been round the block and was playing Championship not so long ago. Completely unproven at the next step up let alone palying the RWC champs.

[SaintK]

The headlines have already been written.

It'll also be spun as the team missing his leadership as if him shouting at everyone would do anything to stop the forwards being gubbed by superior opponents.

This is peak whining.

Farrell-haters blaming Farrell for England losing a match that he isn't selected for that hasn't even been played yet.

Fucking hell.

Not quite, we're predicting that the press will at least in part attribute England's loss to Farrell's absence when it'll entirely be about our pack being outclassed.

We're not going to win enough ball to blame the backs!! What ball we do win Youngs will kill stone dead.

[Kawazaki]

I still know absolutely nothing about Nic Dolly, is he any good, or just in the right place (an improving Leicester side) at the right time (several other hookers knacked).

Looks the part at Tigers considering he's been round the block and was playing Championship not so long ago. Completely unproven at the next step up let alone palying the RWC champs.

Both England hookers are going to be driven into the pitch like a tent peg.

[ASMO]

This is peak whining.

Farrell-haters blaming Farrell for England losing a match that he isn't selected for that hasn't even been played yet.

Fucking hell.

Not quite, we're predicting that the press will at least in part attribute England's loss to Farrell's absence when it'll entirely be about our pack being outclassed.

We're not going to win enough ball to blame the backs!! What ball we do win Youngs will kill stone dead.

+1

[Choc]

I still know absolutely nothing about Nic Dolly, is he any good, or just in the right place (an improving Leicester side) at the right time (several other hookers knacked).

Looks the part at Tigers considering he's been round the block and was playing Championship not so long ago. Completely unproven at the next step up let alone palying the RWC champs.

He fits the not English tag which tends to be the first thing that Eddie looks for when deciding on a replacement wildcard. It’s tallest dwarf outside of lCD and George though. Could be any one of Dunn, singleton, Blamire, Oghre (is he injured) and the difference to the first choice 2 is massive.

[Choc]

Farrell having ankle surgery. Out for 12 weeks so likely to miss start of 6 nations as well.

[Kawazaki]

I wonder what odds on Blamire scoring a try for the fifth match in a row?

[Oxbow]

Steve Diamond is off to Worcester as their lead rugby consultant, whatever that is.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59334660

[SaintK]

Steve Diamond is off to Worcester as their lead rugby consultant, whatever that is.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59334660

Who the bloody hell are Bath going to end up with then?

[JM2K6]

Steve Diamond is off to Worcester as their lead rugby consultant, whatever that is.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59334660

Who the bloody hell are Bath going to end up with then?

Any number of jobbing Kiwi/Saffer/Aussie coaches available for the right money

[fishfoodie]

Steve Diamond is off to Worcester as their lead rugby consultant, whatever that is.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59334660

Who the bloody hell are Bath going to end up with then?

Any number of jobbing Kiwi/Saffer/Aussie coaches available for the right money

You could always try & tempt Gatland back up ?

[petej]

Steve Diamond is off to Worcester as their lead rugby consultant, whatever that is.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59334660

Who the bloody hell are Bath going to end up with then?

Geordan Murphy?

[inactionman]

Steve Diamond is off to Worcester as their lead rugby consultant, whatever that is.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59334660

Who the bloody hell are Bath going to end up with then?

Hooper. Forever.

[Kawazaki]

Are we all missing something with Hooper and Bath? Could it be that he is actually putting down some fundamental long-lasting roots that will take time to come through but when they do it will provide Bath with a reliable, durable, efficient and entertaining strategy that win rugby matches?

Or is he shite?

[inactionman]

Are we all missing something with Hooper and Bath? Could it be that he is actually putting down some fundamental long-lasting roots that will take time to come through but when they do it will provide Bath with a reliable, durable, efficient and entertaining strategy that win rugby matches?

Or is he shite?

Now you're just taking the mickey.

[ASMO]

Harry Malinder leaving Tampon and heading to Japan

[Oxbow]

Harry Malinder leaving Tampon and heading to Japan

That was announced at the end of last season.

[SaintK]

Harry Malinder leaving Tampon and heading to Japan

That was announced at the end of last season.

Good luck to him
Hopefully he’s overcome his injuries and will find some sort of form again

[JM2K6]

I watch Jordie Barrett and wonder what might have been for Mallinder. Such a strange career.