The Official English Rugby Thread

[sockwithaticket]

Just seen Ryan Mills on the Sale team sheet for tonight's Prem Cup game. I know he's not a Launchbury or a Willis, but would've thought a senior Prem player like that might have caught a bit more attention from the rugby press when signing anew.

[SaintK]

Oh well, he wont be taking over from Jones anytime soon then

Shaun Edwards says he held talks with England but has now signed a contract extension as a coach with France.
The 56-year-old, who joined France in 2019 after 12 years with Wales, will remain as Fabien Galthie's defence coach until the 2027 World Cup.
He said he was in no position to turn down an offer from France.
"People have asked if I wanted to join England but there was no offer on the table," Edwards wrote in his Daily Mail column.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63687497

[sockwithaticket]

Latest on Wasps player watch, Robson is joining Pau for the remainder of the season.

[Hal Jordan]

Quins sign Joe Launchbury for next season.

[Jock42]

Latest on Wasps player watch, Robson is joining Pau for the remainder of the season.

Cruse has signed a short term deal at Embra.

[sockwithaticket]

Oghre's signed short term with Tigers.

Latest on Wasps player watch, Robson is joining Pau for the remainder of the season.

Cruse has signed a short term deal at Embra.

That's great to hear, he's a good player and deserves to get something on his merits, but he's also got young kids.

Heart obviously goes out to every player affected by this situation, but it's the ones with families who are probably experiencing the most stress over where money's coming from.

[Jock42]

Oghre's signed short term with Tigers.

Latest on Wasps player watch, Robson is joining Pau for the remainder of the season.

Cruse has signed a short term deal at Embra.

That's great to hear, he's a good player and deserves to get something on his merits, but he's also got young kids.

Heart obviously goes out to every player affected by this situation, but it's the ones with families who are probably experiencing the most stress over where money's coming from.

It doesn't say how long for but he's covering a couple of injuries. I also read a rumour, possibly in the Scottish thread, that McInally is off at the end of the season. Potential for a longer term deal maybe.

[Kawazaki]

Any news on ins and outs of Eddiot's squad?

It falls outside the window so will there be any release problems for EQPs?

[sockwithaticket]

Any news on ins and outs of Eddiot's squad?

It falls outside the window so will there be any release problems for EQPs?

The full squad reconvened yesterday, all the same names as the last one. It usually gets trimmed down on Wednesday.

Afaik everyone there is an EPS member or official injury replacement for one, so player access shouldn't be an issue.

[Lobby]

Any news on ins and outs of Eddiot's squad?

It falls outside the window so will there be any release problems for EQPs?

IIRC England pays the clubs to make players available for matches outside the international window, so Eddie should have a full squad available to him. It only really affects players from other countries who won't be released by the English clubs.

[SaintK]

Any news on ins and outs of Eddiot's squad?

It falls outside the window so will there be any release problems for EQPs?

Same 36 as previous England training squad prior to AB's match
Couple missing from the Boks squad as had to go back to English/French clubs for league matches this weekend

[Margin__Walker]

Tizard retained in place of Willis the highlight. Assume we're back to three locks. Radwan (and Robinson) back up to the Toon again. Hopefully Freeman gets a shot in place of Nowell on the day.

[SaintK]

Tizard retained in place of Willis the highlight. Assume we're back to three locks. Radwan (and Robinson) back up to the Toon again. Hopefully Freeman gets a shot in place of Nowell on the day.

[Margin__Walker]

I know we've been doing these things a while now and it's probably the only way to do it.

But, Jesus, these lads that are in every Monday and Tuesday and then told to fuck off again every single week. How fun must that be. Especially remembering to rock up again super duper positive next Monday.

[sockwithaticket]

I'm sure Jack was fairly happy just to have somewhere to be and something to provide some money (I understand it's more of a squad fee now than a match fee) after the Wasps debacle, but he's been shockingly under-utilised during these internationals. He's had, what, 20 minutes of game time? A waste of someone who demonstrated really, really good form in the Prem matches he did play.

Vunipola's lucky to still be there. He did make metres last time out (Simmonds was second highest of the starting pack, but it was a fair gap), but offered fuck all else and was a chief culprit for penalties (3).

[sockwithaticket]

I know we've been doing these things a while now and it's probably the only way to do it.

But, Jesus, these lads that are in every Monday and Tuesday and then told to fuck off again every single week. How fun must that be. Especially remembering to rock up again super duper positive next Monday.

Especially since after the second week it must be a bit obvious that you're not in the frame this window barring injury to someone else.

[Margin__Walker]

I know we've been doing these things a while now and it's probably the only way to do it.

But, Jesus, these lads that are in every Monday and Tuesday and then told to fuck off again every single week. How fun must that be. Especially remembering to rock up again super duper positive next Monday.

Especially since after the second week it must be a bit obvious that you're not in the frame this window barring injury to someone else.

Yep for sure. If you didn't get a go against Japan, you know it's not happening.

[Kawazaki]

Any news on ins and outs of Eddiot's squad?

It falls outside the window so will there be any release problems for EQPs?

Same 36 as previous England training squad prior to AB's match
Couple missing from the Boks squad as had to go back to English/French clubs for league matches this weekend

I assumed Farrell is out. His leg/ankle looked fooked.

[Kawazaki]

I'm sure Jack was fairly happy just to have somewhere to be and something to provide some money (I understand it's more of a squad fee now than a match fee) after the Wasps debacle, but he's been shockingly under-utilised during these internationals. He's had, what, 20 minutes of game time? A waste of someone who demonstrated really, really good form in the Prem matches he did play.

Vunipola's lucky to still be there. He did make metres last time out (Simmonds was second highest of the starting pack, but it was a fair gap), but offered fuck all else and was a chief culprit for penalties (3).

You're being overly harsh there, give credit where it's due, Mako had a huge influence to the result.

[SaintK]

Any news on ins and outs of Eddiot's squad?

It falls outside the window so will there be any release problems for EQPs?

Same 36 as previous England training squad prior to AB's match
Couple missing from the Boks squad as had to go back to English/French clubs for league matches this weekend

I assumed Farrell is out. His leg/ankle looked fooked.

He's named in the squad

[sockwithaticket]

I'm sure Jack was fairly happy just to have somewhere to be and something to provide some money (I understand it's more of a squad fee now than a match fee) after the Wasps debacle, but he's been shockingly under-utilised during these internationals. He's had, what, 20 minutes of game time? A waste of someone who demonstrated really, really good form in the Prem matches he did play.

Vunipola's lucky to still be there. He did make metres last time out (Simmonds was second highest of the starting pack, but it was a fair gap), but offered fuck all else and was a chief culprit for penalties (3).

You're being overly harsh there, give credit where it's due, Mako had a huge influence to the result.

I was talking about Billy. Mako actually did do a fair bit. When he doesn't have to get through much scrummaging, we can focus on the other parts of his game that are far more impressive.

[Oxbow]

It's going to be Itoje at 6 isn't it.

[Paddington Bear]

Gah would love to see Radwan get a go, particularly against what ought to be some quite tired Springbok legs

[Hal Jordan]

It's going to be Itoje at 6 isn't it.

5 locks, two 8s, one 7 and not one 6 and Jones shitting himself about the Bok lineout and trying to beat up their notoriously powder puff pack?

Nailed on.

[Oxbow]

It's going to be Itoje at 6 isn't it.

5 locks, two 8s, one 7 and not one 6 and Jones shitting himself about the Bok lineout and trying to beat up their notoriously powder puff pack?

Nailed on.

Coles has been playing at 6 for Saints quite a bit this season, which is exactly why Eddie won't pick him there and would rather play an out of form lock at blindside.

[geordie_6]

England: Steward; Freeman, Tuilagi, Farrell (capt), May; Smith, Van Poortvliet; M Vunipola, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Coles, Curry, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Stuart, Ribbans, Simmonds, Youngs, Slade, Nowell.

Per BBC

[ASMO]

Mako going to get eaten alive at scrum time, i forsee an early yc for him and a flurry of penalties.

[sockwithaticket]

Mako going to get eaten alive at scrum time, i forsee an early yc for him and a flurry of penalties.

Presumably the idea is it's better to start the game that way and sort it out by bringing Genge on than finish the game with a deluge of scrum pens (of course we could try picking another loosehead who can scrummage...).

[Paddington Bear]

Good - JvP being given another chance, Freeman, Itoje in the second row, Nowell & Cowan-Dickie subbed
Bad - Billy stealing a game really, Coles at 6? Where would he rank in terms of best English flankers?
Hmmm - Mako - was excellent Saturday but his scrummaging issues are well known and he was dogshit against Argentina. Maybe he'll bring the best out of Billy. Big risk.

[SaintK]

Good - JvP being given another chance, Freeman, Itoje in the second row, Nowell & Cowan-Dickie subbed
Bad - Billy stealing a game really, Coles at 6? Where would he rank in terms of best English flankers?
Hmmm - Mako - was excellent Saturday but his scrummaging issues are well known and he was dogshit against Argentina. Maybe he'll bring the best out of Billy. Big risk.

Coles has been playing very well at 6 for Saints so far this season and certainly has more pace than Itoje offers and is also an excellent lineout option

[Oxbow]

It's going to be Itoje at 6 isn't it.

5 locks, two 8s, one 7 and not one 6 and Jones shitting himself about the Bok lineout and trying to beat up their notoriously powder puff pack?

Nailed on.

Coles has been playing at 6 for Saints quite a bit this season, which is exactly why Eddie won't pick him there and would rather play an out of form lock at blindside.

This aged well.

[Hal Jordan]

5 locks, two 8s, one 7 and not one 6 and Jones shitting himself about the Bok lineout and trying to beat up their notoriously powder puff pack?

Nailed on.

Coles has been playing at 6 for Saints quite a bit this season, which is exactly why Eddie won't pick him there and would rather play an out of form lock at blindside.

This aged well.

On outcome, like a fine wine rather than a piece of fruit.

I have little extra to add to what's been said about the team, barring the utter thrill of knowing Jack Nowell will be injecting pace late in proceedings. Thrill!

[Kawazaki]

Would like to see the recording of this!

Premiership Rugby chief Simon Massie-Taylor was lambasted by the committee, led by the chair Julian Knight MP, while Rugby Football Union chief Bill Sweeney, too, was held to the fire over the state of English rugby at the moment.

The committee convened over the situation surrounding the fallout following the administration processes which is ongoing at Premiership duo Worcester Warriors and Wasps.

In the committee, which took place in Portcullis House on Thursday, chairman Knight asked whether the former owners were guilty of asset stripping and fraud – Worcester Warriors Foundation CEO Carol Hart and Local Worcestershire MP Robin Walker did not deny this was the case and there were calls of potential police investigations surrounding the actions of the former owners.

While Independent MP Dr Rupa Huq raised the idea of a rugby version of the recent Crouch review of football, and Damian Green MP asked whether the professional game in the UK was running before it was walking, the scathing review of the state of domestic rugby in the United Kingdom came from chair Knight, who at one point asked whether Sweeney should consider his position.

“I’ve dealt with football, but I’ve barely ever come across something as shambolic – a lack of care, a lack of thought of people in your own game – as this is my entire time as a select committee member since 2016,” he said to Massie-Taylor and Sweeney.

He further said to Massie-Taylor: “If this happened in the Premier League that would be four clubs [going under]… the head of the league would resign on the sport.

“I don’t know who you can come to this committee today and say what you’ve said with a straight face, frankly.”

It was a day English rugby was laid bare in front of lawmakers. Parliamentary privilege gave those present the ability to freely speak their mind.

But amid the debate surrounding the situation in England – where Labour MP Kevin Brennan asked whether international rugby was “a healthy hand on a diseased arm” – there was a consistent slamming of the governance of English rugby.

The summation statement (or how to call two people complete useless wankers without using those words)...

[inactionman]

Would like to see the recording of this!

Premiership Rugby chief Simon Massie-Taylor was lambasted by the committee, led by the chair Julian Knight MP, while Rugby Football Union chief Bill Sweeney, too, was held to the fire over the state of English rugby at the moment.

The committee convened over the situation surrounding the fallout following the administration processes which is ongoing at Premiership duo Worcester Warriors and Wasps.

In the committee, which took place in Portcullis House on Thursday, chairman Knight asked whether the former owners were guilty of asset stripping and fraud – Worcester Warriors Foundation CEO Carol Hart and Local Worcestershire MP Robin Walker did not deny this was the case and there were calls of potential police investigations surrounding the actions of the former owners.

While Independent MP Dr Rupa Huq raised the idea of a rugby version of the recent Crouch review of football, and Damian Green MP asked whether the professional game in the UK was running before it was walking, the scathing review of the state of domestic rugby in the United Kingdom came from chair Knight, who at one point asked whether Sweeney should consider his position.

“I’ve dealt with football, but I’ve barely ever come across something as shambolic – a lack of care, a lack of thought of people in your own game – as this is my entire time as a select committee member since 2016,” he said to Massie-Taylor and Sweeney.

He further said to Massie-Taylor: “If this happened in the Premier League that would be four clubs [going under]… the head of the league would resign on the sport.

“I don’t know who you can come to this committee today and say what you’ve said with a straight face, frankly.”

It was a day English rugby was laid bare in front of lawmakers. Parliamentary privilege gave those present the ability to freely speak their mind.

But amid the debate surrounding the situation in England – where Labour MP Kevin Brennan asked whether international rugby was “a healthy hand on a diseased arm” – there was a consistent slamming of the governance of English rugby.

I don't generally pay great heed to these sorts of hearings, as they're typically staffed by pompous grandees who love sitting in judgment and lambasting all and sundry with the benefit of hindsight, but this might just be one I'll pay attention to.

'A healthy hand on a diseased arm' - just about sums it up.

[fishfoodie]

Would like to see the recording of this!

Premiership Rugby chief Simon Massie-Taylor was lambasted by the committee, led by the chair Julian Knight MP, while Rugby Football Union chief Bill Sweeney, too, was held to the fire over the state of English rugby at the moment.

The committee convened over the situation surrounding the fallout following the administration processes which is ongoing at Premiership duo Worcester Warriors and Wasps.

In the committee, which took place in Portcullis House on Thursday, chairman Knight asked whether the former owners were guilty of asset stripping and fraud – Worcester Warriors Foundation CEO Carol Hart and Local Worcestershire MP Robin Walker did not deny this was the case and there were calls of potential police investigations surrounding the actions of the former owners.

While Independent MP Dr Rupa Huq raised the idea of a rugby version of the recent Crouch review of football, and Damian Green MP asked whether the professional game in the UK was running before it was walking, the scathing review of the state of domestic rugby in the United Kingdom came from chair Knight, who at one point asked whether Sweeney should consider his position.

“I’ve dealt with football, but I’ve barely ever come across something as shambolic – a lack of care, a lack of thought of people in your own game – as this is my entire time as a select committee member since 2016,” he said to Massie-Taylor and Sweeney.

He further said to Massie-Taylor: “If this happened in the Premier League that would be four clubs [going under]… the head of the league would resign on the sport.

“I don’t know who you can come to this committee today and say what you’ve said with a straight face, frankly.”

It was a day English rugby was laid bare in front of lawmakers. Parliamentary privilege gave those present the ability to freely speak their mind.

But amid the debate surrounding the situation in England – where Labour MP Kevin Brennan asked whether international rugby was “a healthy hand on a diseased arm” – there was a consistent slamming of the governance of English rugby.

I don't generally pay great heed to these sorts of hearings, as they're typically staffed by pompous grandees who love sitting in judgment and lambasting all and sundry with the benefit of hindsight, but this might just be one I'll pay attention to.

'A healthy hand on a diseased arm' - just about sums it up.

This committee also did a very good job of exposing the Sky/British Cycling doping conspiracy, so it seems to be one that is actually doing its job of making sure that public money is used properly, & holding administrators to account.

[SaintK]

Would like to see the recording of this!

Premiership Rugby chief Simon Massie-Taylor was lambasted by the committee, led by the chair Julian Knight MP, while Rugby Football Union chief Bill Sweeney, too, was held to the fire over the state of English rugby at the moment.

The committee convened over the situation surrounding the fallout following the administration processes which is ongoing at Premiership duo Worcester Warriors and Wasps.

In the committee, which took place in Portcullis House on Thursday, chairman Knight asked whether the former owners were guilty of asset stripping and fraud – Worcester Warriors Foundation CEO Carol Hart and Local Worcestershire MP Robin Walker did not deny this was the case and there were calls of potential police investigations surrounding the actions of the former owners.

While Independent MP Dr Rupa Huq raised the idea of a rugby version of the recent Crouch review of football, and Damian Green MP asked whether the professional game in the UK was running before it was walking, the scathing review of the state of domestic rugby in the United Kingdom came from chair Knight, who at one point asked whether Sweeney should consider his position.

“I’ve dealt with football, but I’ve barely ever come across something as shambolic – a lack of care, a lack of thought of people in your own game – as this is my entire time as a select committee member since 2016,” he said to Massie-Taylor and Sweeney.

He further said to Massie-Taylor: “If this happened in the Premier League that would be four clubs [going under]… the head of the league would resign on the sport.

“I don’t know who you can come to this committee today and say what you’ve said with a straight face, frankly.”

It was a day English rugby was laid bare in front of lawmakers. Parliamentary privilege gave those present the ability to freely speak their mind.

But amid the debate surrounding the situation in England – where Labour MP Kevin Brennan asked whether international rugby was “a healthy hand on a diseased arm” – there was a consistent slamming of the governance of English rugby.

The summation statement (or how to call two people complete useless wankers without using those words)...

And quite how the fuck did they get into their repective leadership positions

[sockwithaticket]

Ugo on this weekends BBC preview pod saying that May is the only one in the England back three and that neither Nowell or Freeman are 5th or 6th gear players.

I don't know how you have as much exposure to Prem rugby as Ugo does and come out thinking not only that Freeman isn't quick, but that his lack of speed can be described in the same way as Nowell's.

[tc27]

Ugo seems like a nice guy, but I do not rate him as a pundit...Flatman having to set him up for the softest of analysis ("Ugo..do you agree that xxxxxx") so often on the Prem highlight show its actually pretty funny.

[sockwithaticket]

He's getting worse and bringing in extra sanctimony to boot.

[sockwithaticket]

Just noticed that BT aren't televising either of tonight's games.

Instead we get college American Football and low level boxing.

Don't really get it as they're proper Prem rounds and we do get televised games tomorrow and Sunday.