The Official English Rugby Thread

[JM2K6]

I was a tiny bit disappointed with Jack Willis' impact in Australia, but I think he works best as a starter at 7. He has the ability to be a huge point of difference for us. I realise Billy will be 8 until he dies now, but Willis 7 Dombrandt 8 gives us huge presence at the breakdown...

[sockwithaticket]

I was a tiny bit disappointed with Jack Willis' impact in Australia, but I think he works best as a starter at 7. He has the ability to be a huge point of difference for us. I realise Billy will be 8 until he dies now, but Willis 7 Dombrandt 8 gives us huge presence at the breakdown...

I didn't think he should've toured. He wasn't showing the form to warrant it and probably would've seen more benefit from a full pre-season.

He's looking more like his old self with each game, by the time the Autumn roles around he should be ok.

[Raggs]

I was a tiny bit disappointed with Jack Willis' impact in Australia, but I think he works best as a starter at 7. He has the ability to be a huge point of difference for us. I realise Billy will be 8 until he dies now, but Willis 7 Dombrandt 8 gives us huge presence at the breakdown...

He was out the first test due to injury (cracked rib) and was no doubt playing with that cracked rib for his 13 minutes in australia... He managed a dominant carry, and was held up over the line with his second carry. What impact were you expecting from those 13 minutes?

[inactionman]

I was a tiny bit disappointed with Jack Willis' impact in Australia, but I think he works best as a starter at 7. He has the ability to be a huge point of difference for us. I realise Billy will be 8 until he dies now, but Willis 7 Dombrandt 8 gives us huge presence at the breakdown...

I'd be interested where Willis (T) fits, as he seems a bit closer to a Billy-type 8 that Eddie seems to fetishize. Nice to have different options, if Eddie chooses to us them - I'm constantly impressed at Dombrandt's hands, skills and reading of line, which is also what Zach Mercer can bring. I'd mention Sam Simmonds but seems h's going to be out of contention.

God knows what Eddie will go with in thee backrow roulette (what am I saying it'll clearly be a lock at 6), but there are many decent blends in there that could be tweaked as needed.

[JM2K6]

I was a tiny bit disappointed with Jack Willis' impact in Australia, but I think he works best as a starter at 7. He has the ability to be a huge point of difference for us. I realise Billy will be 8 until he dies now, but Willis 7 Dombrandt 8 gives us huge presence at the breakdown...

He was out the first test due to injury (cracked rib) and was no doubt playing with that cracked rib for his 13 minutes in australia... He managed a dominant carry, and was held up over the line with his second carry. What impact were you expecting from those 13 minutes?

He looked a bit slow around the field and I was hoping he'd be a threat at the breakdown, but wasn't. Totally fine if I'm completely wrong - literally just remembering at the time I was hoping he'd show what he can do there, but if it was genuinely just 15 minutes then of course that's a nonsense point to make. I think at his best he is a huge, huge asset for England, no attempt here to denigrate him!

[sockwithaticket]

I was a tiny bit disappointed with Jack Willis' impact in Australia, but I think he works best as a starter at 7. He has the ability to be a huge point of difference for us. I realise Billy will be 8 until he dies now, but Willis 7 Dombrandt 8 gives us huge presence at the breakdown...

I'd be interested where Willis (T) fits, as he seems a bit closer to a Billy-type 8 that Eddie seems to fetishize. Nice to have different options, if Eddie chooses to us them - I'm constantly impressed at Dombrandt's hands, skills and reading of line, which is also what Zach Mercer can bring. I'd mention Sam Simmonds but seems h's going to be out of contention.

God knows what Eddie will go with in thee backrow roulette (what am I saying it'll clearly be a lock at 6), but there are many decent blends in there that could be tweaked as needed.

If Eddie can ever see beyond the lock at 6 fetish, T. Willis has played there a fair bit too.

[Kawazaki]

God knows what Eddie will go with in thee backrow roulette (what am I saying it'll clearly be a lock at 6), but there are many decent blends in there that could be tweaked as needed.

I know I have a biased opinion but I seriously don't think that Jones has a clue what he wants. There's not been any joined up thinking at all since the last RWC. He seems to move from soundbite to soundbite and from contradiction to contradiction without any scrutiny, consequence or attention from those around and above him. We've all kind of reached the resigned stage now, just waiting in anticipation for who replaces him.

[JM2K6]

I was a tiny bit disappointed with Jack Willis' impact in Australia, but I think he works best as a starter at 7. He has the ability to be a huge point of difference for us. I realise Billy will be 8 until he dies now, but Willis 7 Dombrandt 8 gives us huge presence at the breakdown...

I'd be interested where Willis (T) fits, as he seems a bit closer to a Billy-type 8 that Eddie seems to fetishize. Nice to have different options, if Eddie chooses to us them - I'm constantly impressed at Dombrandt's hands, skills and reading of line, which is also what Zach Mercer can bring. I'd mention Sam Simmonds but seems h's going to be out of contention.

God knows what Eddie will go with in thee backrow roulette (what am I saying it'll clearly be a lock at 6), but there are many decent blends in there that could be tweaked as needed.

Dombrandt in pre-season and the way he started the season looks like he's kicked on a bit as well. He's genuinely a huge bloke, basically a chunky second row running like a centre with great vision, plus an absolute beast over the ball. Billy is the ultimate heavy carrier, no doubt, and he showed a willingness to do more with the ball in the final parts of last season so it's a tough call to make there. My worry with Billy is that we've been here before and his performances close to & during the world cup have always disappointed, but if he plays this season like he did the second half of last season then I'd be very surprised if he was poor at the next world cup. If he continues the all-court game - fantastic. Incredibly hard to stop.

Mercer will need to show consistency but he is a rare talent as well.

Honestly, we have a pile of really good players and really good youngsters. But every squad is a bit depressing now.

[Hugo]

Stains discipline

It did go to shit as they became more desparate, but I thought they were fairly hard done by tbh. The first yellow card was for repeated infringements, but the incident pinged was a borderline penalty at best. Cole absolutely did Iyogun in the scrum, but Heyes was going straight to floor when he came on and Dickson* interpreted that as Iyogun infringing. He also ignored a scrum right on Saints' line that they not only held up but forced Tigers into infringing and Dickson just reset, gifting Tigers another opportunity for Heys to take it straight down and getting Iyogun carded.

*He's such a shit ref. Every time I see him I lament that we could have had JP Doyle instead.

I'm with you on that. It did feel like kicking a man when he's down.

[sockwithaticket]

Just got done watching the highlights program, the interplay between Arundell and Joseph for Jackson's try was delightful.

[Margin__Walker]

Just got done watching the highlights program, the interplay between Arundell and Joseph for Jackson's try was delightful.

Yeah, that was the pick of the bunch from that game. They work pretty well as a unit having played a lot of age grade rugby together in the Academy League.

Joseph, can get a bit lost in the shadow of the Arundell hype, but he's a serious prospect. Think he'll be needed a fair bit on the wing this season with Rowe out long term and Loader looking pretty sluggish on his return from his latest injury.

[JM2K6]

Arudenell gassing Randall was pretty good to watch. Jeez.

[Kawazaki]

Arudenell gassing Randall was pretty good to watch. Jeez.

Twice just in those highlights.

Hell make a decent 70th minute finisher if he puts on another 10kgs [/Eddie]

[Margin__Walker]

Arudenell gassing Randall was pretty good to watch. Jeez.

Twice just in those highlights.

Hell make a decent 70th minute finisher if he puts on another 10kgs [/Eddie]

That was pretty frustrating in the summer. He kept sticking him on with 8 or 9 minutes to go. He's a cracking bench option, but really needs to come on at 55 - 60 minutes just as defences are tiring to get any proper value out of it (which is what Kidney was doing last season)

[JM2K6]

The fuck was that spelling I attempted, jesus christ

I can understand not wanting him to get over-exposed but he does seem physically suited to international rugby which is the biggest problem young players can have.

Honestly, it's such a weird situation to be in. We have loads of young players that are incredibly exciting to watch. And yet England are depressing as fuck, and the club game is imploding.

[Kawazaki]

Don't worry, Jonny May and Ben Youngs are there to get Eddie's cap average where it apparently needs to be to win.

[SaintK]

Malins being linked to a move to Bristol when his contract runs out.
Evidently fed up with being selected on the wing?

It is being reported by The Telegraph that England back three star Max Malins is set to leave Saracens to join Bristol Bears.
Malins spent a season with Bristol in 2020/21 when Saracens were demoted to the RFU Championship and will now return to Ashton Gate as he bids for more game time at fullback – writes rugby writer Charlie Morgan.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/engla ... eport/

[Kawazaki]

Malins being linked to a move to Bristol when his contract runs out.
Evidently fed up with being selected on the wing?

It is being reported by The Telegraph that England back three star Max Malins is set to leave Saracens to join Bristol Bears.
Malins spent a season with Bristol in 2020/21 when Saracens were demoted to the RFU Championship and will now return to Ashton Gate as he bids for more game time at fullback – writes rugby writer Charlie Morgan.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/engla ... eport/

Would be a shame as he's a Stortford lad but if it means Adam Radwan joins Saracens then I could swallow it!

[inactionman]

Malins being linked to a move to Bristol when his contract runs out.
Evidently fed up with being selected on the wing?

It is being reported by The Telegraph that England back three star Max Malins is set to leave Saracens to join Bristol Bears.
Malins spent a season with Bristol in 2020/21 when Saracens were demoted to the RFU Championship and will now return to Ashton Gate as he bids for more game time at fullback – writes rugby writer Charlie Morgan.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/engla ... eport/

Does that mean Piutau might be moving on?

[SaintK]

Malins being linked to a move to Bristol when his contract runs out.
Evidently fed up with being selected on the wing?

It is being reported by The Telegraph that England back three star Max Malins is set to leave Saracens to join Bristol Bears.
Malins spent a season with Bristol in 2020/21 when Saracens were demoted to the RFU Championship and will now return to Ashton Gate as he bids for more game time at fullback – writes rugby writer Charlie Morgan.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/engla ... eport/

Does that mean Piutau might be moving on?

Would guess so. He was linked with a move to either France or Japan during the summer.

[inactionman]

Malins being linked to a move to Bristol when his contract runs out.
Evidently fed up with being selected on the wing?

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/engla ... eport/

Does that mean Piutau might be moving on?

Would guess so. He was linked with a move to either France or Japan during the summer.

He'll be quite a big loss, but Malins no mean replacement

[SaintK]

Malins being linked to a move to Bristol when his contract runs out.
Evidently fed up with being selected on the wing?

It is being reported by The Telegraph that England back three star Max Malins is set to leave Saracens to join Bristol Bears.
Malins spent a season with Bristol in 2020/21 when Saracens were demoted to the RFU Championship and will now return to Ashton Gate as he bids for more game time at fullback – writes rugby writer Charlie Morgan.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/engla ... eport/

Would be a shame as he's a Stortford lad but if it means Adam Radwan joins Saracens then I could swallow it!

Would be a good replacement, though Arundell would have less far to move!

[sockwithaticket]

Malins being linked to a move to Bristol when his contract runs out.
Evidently fed up with being selected on the wing?

It is being reported by The Telegraph that England back three star Max Malins is set to leave Saracens to join Bristol Bears.
Malins spent a season with Bristol in 2020/21 when Saracens were demoted to the RFU Championship and will now return to Ashton Gate as he bids for more game time at fullback – writes rugby writer Charlie Morgan.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/engla ... eport/

Does that mean Piutau might be moving on?

His contract's up at the end of the season. He's probably capable of getting a mondo offer from Japan and if I were Bristol I wouldn't be too sorry to see him go. He's a player you struggle to get value out of. Very good when he's on the pitch, but he has spent a lot of time injured over the last couple of seasons.

[Kawazaki]

Would be a good replacement, though Arundell would have less far to move!

Given Arundell is an Old Harrovian, I'm surprised he wasn't in the Sarries academy. I'd settle for Radwan though, Arundell is doing just fine where he is.

[Margin__Walker]

Would be a good replacement, though Arundell would have less far to move!

Given Arundell is an Old Harrovian, I'm surprised he wasn't in the Sarries academy. I'd settle for Radwan though, Arundell is doing just fine where he is.

If he was a few years older he would be at Sarries. Academy boundaries changed and LI got Middlesex a few years before he entered the LI DPP.

[Margin__Walker]

Shit's about to get real in the Joseph household this weekend.

[Kawazaki]

Shit's about to get real in the Joseph household this weekend.

How often have brothers played against each other in the Premiership?

The Tuilagis? Underwoods? Cown-Dickies? Watson's?

How many have there been? Plenty who played on same team.

[Margin__Walker]

Yeah, it's probably happened plenty. Less so lining up opposite against each other. Watsons likely will have at some point perhaps. Sandersons may have. Deacons also perhaps

Edit - And the Fords surely will have

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Shit's about to get real in the Joseph household this weekend.

How often have brothers played against each other in the Premiership?

The Tuilagis? Underwoods? Cown-Dickies? Watson's?

How many have there been? Plenty who played on same team.

Karl & Lee Dickson. That was funny to watch.

[Margin__Walker]

Karl & Lee Dickson. That was funny to watch.

Good shout!

[Oxbow]

Twins is even better, Jordan & Ryan Olowofela lined up against each other for Tigers and Saints, though to be fair they could have been on different wings, I can't remember.

[JM2K6]

Nick & Mark Easter

[Tichtheid]

Has Duhan van der Merwe play against older brother Akker in the premiership yet?

They did face off when the younger sibling was with Edinburgh

[FalconJock]

Shit's about to get real in the Joseph household this weekend.

How often have brothers played against each other in the Premiership?

The Tuilagis? Underwoods? Cown-Dickies? Watson's?

How many have there been? Plenty who played on same team.

Taits, after Matt left Falcons for Leicester, it would have been more interesting had Scotland gone down the Granny route and capped Alex whilst Spud was playing for England.

[sockwithaticket]

Sinckler's having a bit of a stinker in the Bris- Falcons game. Lost the ball almost every time it's come his way.

[Kawazaki]

Sinckler's having a bit of a stinker in the Bris- Falcons game. Lost the ball almost every time it's come his way.

Sinkler is lazy. His work rate off the ball is not good at all.

[ASMO]

Someone coated the Bristol teams hands with chipfat before the game. Shockingly bad, but credit to Newcastle, they clearly want it more.

[ASMO]

Sinckler's having a bit of a stinker in the Bris- Falcons game. Lost the ball almost every time it's come his way.

Awful game from him, dropped everything and very petulant.

[ASMO]

What a try from Carreras to finish it, that was special.

[sockwithaticket]

Someone coated the Bristol teams hands with chipfat before the game. Shockingly bad, but credit to Newcastle, they clearly want it more.

Wasps made 19 handling errors when facing Bristol a couple of weeks ago. Bris must have exceeded that tonight.

Absolutely scorching effort from Carreras, he was fed by another handling error and well after the point at which Bristol should have kicked it out. Carrying on playing has cost them a losing bonus point and allowed Newcastle to secure a try scoring bonus point.

Newcastle's hunger was palpable.