The Official English Rugby Thread

[Raggs]

That's a big turnover from Odogwu following a try saver from Robson.

Huge from Odogwu, pressures Tomkins to pass, somehow turns and catches the next player, gets up off the ground from the tackle to get the turnover on the next breakdown.

[Raggs]

That was hilarious from Tomkins! :D

[Raggs]

You can't go back that many phases to chalk off a try.

[sockwithaticket]

That was a lovely little pop from Robson.

Not sure why we're checking touch from multiple phases ago for this try. Thought there was a limit on how far back they can go and that surely exceeds it?

[petej]

Think Borthwick made a big mistake taking off Burns. Hegarty is not a 10. Think Van Poortvliet would have been better there.

[sockwithaticket]

Stooke really has been an exellent signing.

[Raggs]

That was a lovely little pop from Robson.

Not sure why we're checking touch from multiple phases ago for this try. Thought there was a limit on how far back they can go and that surely exceeds it?

I'm 95% sure it's only 2 phases back, and I'm sure there were a lot more than 2. If it had been foul play, that'd be different.

[Kawazaki]

Saracens not good enough today. Not enough intensity and too many unforced errors. Saracens do miss Farrell.

[sockwithaticket]

Tough game that, really under the cosh at times. Delighted to get the win and to extend the home streak a bit. Our patch was a place opposition teams rarely won and that's wobbled a bit in recent times.

[Brazil]

Superb second half from Sale. If we could play like that for eighty minutes we'd be top four.

[Crash669]

Superb second half from Sale. If we could play like that for eighty minutes we'd be top four.

Laugh, we nearly shat.

[Un Pilier]

Think Borthwick made a big mistake taking off Burns. Hegarty is not a 10. Think Van Poortvliet would have been better there.

Absolutely. It seemed clear at the time it was a big risk. I think Borthers wanted to see if Hegarty could hack it ; he’s played 10 before of course. Well, he has his answer. I guess he didn’t factor in Al’s magic words in the Sale dressing room at halftime- whatever he and his colleagues did it certainly woke the Sharks up.

[Brazil]

Post match borthwick said it was because burns was injured. Admittedly not in a very convincing way

[Oxbow]

Burns didn't look injured when he was subbed. He did looked pissed off though.

[Kawazaki]

Some squad news...

Joe Marchant will be unavailable for the start of the week after testing positive for COVID. He returned a positive lateral flow test on the morning on Friday 28 January. He immediately went into isolation and did not train with the team.

A PCR test confirmed the result late on Friday. Both he and Joe Marler will rejoin with the squad, who have met today at the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre, Pennyhill Park, when their respective isolation periods end.

Tommy Freeman is also unavailable for selection after injuring his hamstring in training on Friday.

Louis Lynagh and Adam Radwan have been called up, and Nick Isiekwe remains with the squad for the week.

[Oxbow]

Tommy Freeman is also unavailable for selection after injuring his hamstring in training on Friday.

Cheers Eddie

[Hal Jordan]

Some squad news...

Joe Marchant will be unavailable for the start of the week after testing positive for COVID. He returned a positive lateral flow test on the morning on Friday 28 January. He immediately went into isolation and did not train with the team.

A PCR test confirmed the result late on Friday. Both he and Joe Marler will rejoin with the squad, who have met today at the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre, Pennyhill Park, when their respective isolation periods end.

Tommy Freeman is also unavailable for selection after injuring his hamstring in training on Friday.

Louis Lynagh and Adam Radwan have been called up, and Nick Isiekwe remains with the squad for the week.

That's two with Covid now (bloody Quins plague carriers), no way there won't be more.

[ASMO]

I would have Lynah and Radwan as the starting wings, imagine a backline of Randall, Smith, Nowell and Slade in the centers with Radwan, Lynah on the wings and Stewert at 15....will never happen under Eddie mind you.

[assfly]

Interesting, but unsurprising, that the teams ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd all lost their games. The lack of England players could really shake the Prem table up in the next few weeks.

Great game last night, good to see Sale get a win against the table toppers.

[sockwithaticket]

I would have Lynah and Radwan as the starting wings, imagine a backline of Randall, Smith, Nowell and Slade in the centers with Radwan, Lynah on the wings and Stewert at 15....will never happen under Eddie mind you.

Malins or Hassell-Collins would justifiably be ahead of Lynagh at the moment. He's less rounded than them from what I've seen.

[Kawazaki]

Does anyone else think that Eddie Jones has largely wasted much of the access, sessions and tests he's had since RWC19 to get to the squad he has now? What is the plan?

[JM2K6]

I would have Lynah and Radwan as the starting wings, imagine a backline of Randall, Smith, Nowell and Slade in the centers with Radwan, Lynah on the wings and Stewert at 15....will never happen under Eddie mind you.

Really not seeing where this sudden demand for Jack Nowell (as a wing OR a centre) has come from. Fans and pundits alike seem determined to shoehorn him in anywhere. Did I miss a series of outstanding performances somewhere? He's scored two tries for Chiefs this season and doesn't seem to have done much of anything.

[JM2K6]

I would have Lynah and Radwan as the starting wings, imagine a backline of Randall, Smith, Nowell and Slade in the centers with Radwan, Lynah on the wings and Stewert at 15....will never happen under Eddie mind you.

Malins or Hassell-Collins would justifiably be ahead of Lynagh at the moment. He's less rounded than them from what I've seen.

Yep, and his form has dropped off, too. He can have really quiet games and he's very naive in defence. He's not yet international class.

[Madness]

A few days out from Mad Eddie picking some random people in random positions but using the current squad and taking into account latest withdrawals what would your 23 be for Saturday?

Marler
George
Sinks
Itoje
Hill
Lawes
Curry
Dombrandt
Youngs
Smith
Daly
Atkinson
Slade
Malins
Steward

Genge, LCD, Stuart, Barbeary, Simmonds, Quirke, Ford, Nowell

[Kawazaki]

A few days out from Mad Eddie picking some random people in random positions but using the current squad and taking into account latest withdrawals what would your 23 be for Saturday?

Marler
George
Sinks
Itoje
Hill
Lawes
Curry
Dombrandt
Youngs
Smith
Daly
Atkinson
Slade
Malins
Steward

Genge, LCD, Stuart, Barbeary, Simmonds, Quirke, Ford, Nowell

I think Marler is out with covid again.

[SaintK]

A few days out from Mad Eddie picking some random people in random positions but using the current squad and taking into account latest withdrawals what would your 23 be for Saturday?

Marler
George
Sinks
Itoje
Hill
Lawes
Curry
Dombrandt
Youngs
Smith
Daly
Atkinson
Slade
Malins
Steward

Genge, LCD, Stuart, Barbeary, Simmonds, Quirke, Ford, Nowell

I think Marler is out with covid again.

..................he is, though due out of quarantine on Thursday. Hill is unavailable due to a foot/a nkle injury and Lawes is still going through HIA return to play protocols

[sockwithaticket]

A few days out from Mad Eddie picking some random people in random positions but using the current squad and taking into account latest withdrawals what would your 23 be for Saturday?

Genge
Cowan-Dickie
Sinckler
Itoje
Lawes
Simmonds
Curry
Dombrandt
Quirke
Smith
Hassell-Collins
Atkinson
Northmore
Malins
Steward

Rodd, George, Stuart, Chessum, Barbeary, Randall, Ford, Slade

Changes made assuming that none of Hill, Marler orMarchant will be in contention. I say fuck it, let's go with a bit of revolution. Some of the veterans who've come back like Daly and Nowell really aren't anywhere near as exciting as the younger players. I refuse to give Ewels or Youngs more caps.

[ASMO]

Gopperth off to Leicester at the end of the season.

[SaintK]

Gopperth off to Leicester at the end of the season.

Of all the player moves out of Wasps that have been confirmed or rumoured recently I find that one the oddest

[inactionman]

Gopperth off to Leicester at the end of the season.

Of all the player moves out of Wasps that have been confirmed or rumoured recently I find that one the oddest

Odd for player of for teams?

Any idea of contract length? Banahan upped and left Bath for Glaws as Bath would only extend a year whereas Gloucester offered two.

[sockwithaticket]

I'd assumed he'd stick with us to move into a coaching role, perhaps Leicester have given him a better option on that front. He's also a club veteran in a key position, his wage is probably a significant portion of our cap.

As he turns 39 this year, I'll be amazed if he keeps playing beyond next season.

[SaintK]

Gopperth off to Leicester at the end of the season.

Of all the player moves out of Wasps that have been confirmed or rumoured recently I find that one the oddest

Odd for player of for teams?

Any idea of contract length? Banahan upped and left Bath for Glaws as Bath would only extend a year whereas Gloucester offered two.

Both!! I thought he'd do "a Gareth Steenson" and join the coaching team at Wasps
No idea of contract details

[ASMO]

Of all the player moves out of Wasps that have been confirmed or rumoured recently I find that one the oddest

Odd for player of for teams?

Any idea of contract length? Banahan upped and left Bath for Glaws as Bath would only extend a year whereas Gloucester offered two.

Both!! I thought he'd do "a Gareth Steenson" and join the coaching team at Wasps
No idea of contract details

2 years apparently

[SaintK]

Odd for player of for teams?

Any idea of contract length? Banahan upped and left Bath for Glaws as Bath would only extend a year whereas Gloucester offered two.

Both!! I thought he'd do "a Gareth Steenson" and join the coaching team at Wasps
No idea of contract details

2 years apparently

Guess he must have been only offered a 1 year contract at Wasps then?

[sockwithaticket]

If he sees that out, will he be the Premiership's oldest ever player? He'd be a month shy of 41 by the time the second season concludes.

[JM2K6]

If he sees that out, will he be the Premiership's oldest ever player? He'd be a month shy of 41 by the time the second season concludes.

Yup. Think Brad Thorn was the oldest at 40 and change.

[sockwithaticket]

If he sees that out, will he be the Premiership's oldest ever player? He'd be a month shy of 41 by the time the second season concludes.

Yup. Think Brad Thorn was the oldest at 40 and change.

Jesus. Some innings as a pro rugby player.

[Hal Jordan]

Especially for a lock forward in the modern era. This isn't a veteran prop puffing from set piece to set piece in a 3rds game.

[Crash669]

What age was Simon Shaw when he finished in the prem? I remember he finished in France but did he play on past 40?

[sockwithaticket]

What age was Simon Shaw when he finished in the prem? I remember he finished in France but did he play on past 40?

He was 37 when he left Wasps and 39 when he finished up with Toulon. September birthday so still a little way off 40 when his final season drew to a close.