The Official English Rugby Thread
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...
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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.JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 10:41 am 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's looking more like his old self with each game, by the time the Autumn roles around he should be ok.
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?JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 10:41 am 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...
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JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 10:41 am 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.
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!Raggs wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 11:09 amHe 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?JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 10:41 am 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...
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If Eddie can ever see beyond the lock at 6 fetish, T. Willis has played there a fair bit too.inactionman wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 11:11 amJM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 10:41 am 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.
inactionman wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 11:11 am
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.
Last edited by Kawazaki on Mon Sep 26, 2022 11:24 am, edited 2 times in total.
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.inactionman wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 11:11 amJM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 10:41 am 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.
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.
I'm with you on that. It did feel like kicking a man when he's down.sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sat Sep 24, 2022 4:09 pmIt 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.
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Just got done watching the highlights program, the interplay between Arundell and Joseph for Jackson's try was delightful.
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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.sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Sep 27, 2022 6:02 pm
Just got done watching the highlights program, the interplay between Arundell and Joseph for Jackson's try was delightful.
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.
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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)
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.
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.
Malins being linked to a move to Bristol when his contract runs out.
Evidently fed up with being selected on the wing?
Evidently fed up with being selected on the wing?
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/engla ... eport/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.
SaintK wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:53 pm 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/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.
Would be a shame as he's a Stortford lad but if it means Adam Radwan joins Saracens then I could swallow it!
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Does that mean Piutau might be moving on?SaintK wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:53 pm 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/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.
Would guess so. He was linked with a move to either France or Japan during the summer.inactionman wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:57 pmDoes that mean Piutau might be moving on?SaintK wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:53 pm 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/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.
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He'll be quite a big loss, but Malins no mean replacementSaintK wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 2:04 pmWould guess so. He was linked with a move to either France or Japan during the summer.inactionman wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:57 pmDoes that mean Piutau might be moving on?SaintK wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:53 pm 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/
Would be a good replacement, though Arundell would have less far to move!Kawazaki wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:55 pmSaintK wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:53 pm 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/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.
Would be a shame as he's a Stortford lad but if it means Adam Radwan joins Saracens then I could swallow it!
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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.inactionman wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:57 pmDoes that mean Piutau might be moving on?SaintK wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:53 pm 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/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.
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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.
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Shit's about to get real in the Joseph household this weekend.
Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Fri Sep 30, 2022 11:35 am 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.
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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
Edit - And the Fords surely will have
Last edited by Margin__Walker on Fri Sep 30, 2022 11:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Karl & Lee Dickson. That was funny to watch.Kawazaki wrote: ↑Fri Sep 30, 2022 11:45 amMargin__Walker wrote: ↑Fri Sep 30, 2022 11:35 am 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.
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Good shout!
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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.Kawazaki wrote: ↑Fri Sep 30, 2022 11:45 amMargin__Walker wrote: ↑Fri Sep 30, 2022 11:35 am 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.
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Sinckler's having a bit of a stinker in the Bris- Falcons game. Lost the ball almost every time it's come his way.
sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Fri Sep 30, 2022 7:15 pm 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.
Awful game from him, dropped everything and very petulant.sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Fri Sep 30, 2022 7:15 pm Sinckler's having a bit of a stinker in the Bris- Falcons game. Lost the ball almost every time it's come his way.
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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.