The Official English Rugby Thread

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SaintK
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Margin__Walker wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:34 am
duke wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:26 am I assume George Martin is injured?
Yeah. Minor knee issue apparently. Hopefully wont keep him out of the whole thing.
I guess that Marler and Genge who are both also injured are further along the recovery path than Martin?
Edit:
Just seen this.
the rehabilitation list which features George Martin, Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet and Raffi Quirke.
inactionman
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SaintK wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 12:22 pm
Margin__Walker wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:34 am
duke wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:26 am I assume George Martin is injured?
Yeah. Minor knee issue apparently. Hopefully wont keep him out of the whole thing.
I guess that Marler and Genge who are both also injured are further along the recovery path than Martin?
Edit:
Just seen this.
the rehabilitation list which features George Martin, Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet and Raffi Quirke.
I'd almost forgotten about van Poortvliet.

Where does he fit in now? I was a little underwhelmed by some of his performances(although that tended to be in a misfiring team) - is Mitchell and the likes of Spencer keeping his seat warm or have they overtaken him?
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SaintK
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SaintK wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2024 5:43 pm Barbeary cited for both cards. The low end entry point ban for both offences is two weeks
Greg Fisilau of Exeterr who was name checked by Borthwick has also been cited for his yellow card
Both being heard on WEdnesday
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/alfie-b ... ed-card/
Fisilau cleared tpo play this morning
Barbeary up in front of the panel this afternoon
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Hal Jordan
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inactionman wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 12:49 pm
SaintK wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 12:22 pm
Margin__Walker wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:34 am

Yeah. Minor knee issue apparently. Hopefully wont keep him out of the whole thing.
I guess that Marler and Genge who are both also injured are further along the recovery path than Martin?
Edit:
Just seen this.
the rehabilitation list which features George Martin, Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet and Raffi Quirke.
I'd almost forgotten about van Poortvliet.

Where does he fit in now? I was a little underwhelmed by some of his performances(although that tended to be in a misfiring team) - is Mitchell and the likes of Spencer keeping his seat warm or have they overtaken him?
He box kicks rhe leather off it and has a slow pass so he's a shoo in once he's fit, he would have been first choice in the RWC if not for the injury.
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Raggs
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JVP did fine in an England shirt before. Mitchell is in control in my mind. Spencer I'm hoping is there to mostly be an older reliable option should Mitchell get injured, I suspect Care on the bench more likely due to the relationship with Smith and Dombrandt.
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Raggs
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Just reading that Oscar Beard views himself/is viewed as a 13. Which is good, because we're struggling for 13s at the moment...
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ASMO
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You are all missing the point though...it won't matter a jot who is selected...with Boredthick at the helm it will be kick and chase as both first and second options. He does not have an attacking bone in his body, neither does his coaching team.
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Raggs wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 7:42 am Just reading that Oscar Beard views himself/is viewed as a 13. Which is good, because we're struggling for 13s at the moment...
I've spent the last 18-24 months thinking we might as well pick Freeman there because he offered something and looked a little slow on the wing. But between the two we might have the makings of a centre pairing, which led me to wondering just how often England have picked (have even been able to pick) two centres with decent physicality and speed? Now just the minor quibble of can they play rugby and make decisions at test level, luckily as I recall from conversions around Burgess that latter part is easy
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SaintK
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SaintK wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:00 pm
SaintK wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2024 5:43 pm Barbeary cited for both cards. The low end entry point ban for both offences is two weeks
Greg Fisilau of Exeterr who was name checked by Borthwick has also been cited for his yellow card
Both being heard on WEdnesday
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/alfie-b ... ed-card/
Fisilau cleared tpo play this morning
Barbeary up in front of the panel this afternoon
Barbeary banned for 6 weeks forthe first red card citing, reduced to 3 because of his good previous record. Second card citing dismissed.
Could be free to play in the A team match in February
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Raggs
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SaintK wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 1:26 pm
SaintK wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:00 pm
SaintK wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2024 5:43 pm Barbeary cited for both cards. The low end entry point ban for both offences is two weeks
Greg Fisilau of Exeterr who was name checked by Borthwick has also been cited for his yellow card
Both being heard on WEdnesday
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/alfie-b ... ed-card/
Fisilau cleared tpo play this morning
Barbeary up in front of the panel this afternoon
Barbeary banned for 6 weeks forthe first red card citing, reduced to 3 because of his good previous record. Second card citing dismissed.
Could be free to play in the A team match in February
So that'll be 2 weeks with the tackle school I guess?

As much as I like the idea of the A team getting a run out. It's Portugal, and whilst they aren't complete no names, it's not far off. Is there another A team game scheduled? Against maybe a wolfhounds team etc?
Give a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
Ovals
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Raggs wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 1:27 pm
SaintK wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 1:26 pm
SaintK wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:00 pm
Fisilau cleared tpo play this morning
Barbeary up in front of the panel this afternoon
Barbeary banned for 6 weeks forthe first red card citing, reduced to 3 because of his good previous record. Second card citing dismissed.
Could be free to play in the A team match in February
So that'll be 2 weeks with the tackle school I guess?

As much as I like the idea of the A team getting a run out. It's Portugal, and whilst they aren't complete no names, it's not far off. Is there another A team game scheduled? Against maybe a wolfhounds team etc?
Yeah - putting a cricket score on Portugal isn't going to tell us much about the fringe and upcoming players. If they can't find sides like the Wolfhounds to play, they'd be better off organising a Premiership Baa Baas side to play against - might even draw in a decent crowd.
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Rhubarb & Custard wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 10:13 am
Raggs wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 7:42 am Just reading that Oscar Beard views himself/is viewed as a 13. Which is good, because we're struggling for 13s at the moment...
I've spent the last 18-24 months thinking we might as well pick Freeman there because he offered something and looked a little slow on the wing. But between the two we might have the makings of a centre pairing, which led me to wondering just how often England have picked (have even been able to pick) two centres with decent physicality and speed? Now just the minor quibble of can they play rugby and make decisions at test level, luckily as I recall from conversions around Burgess that latter part is easy
Freeman... slow? When did that happen?

And I don't see how Beard/Freeman makes a centre pairing, unless I'm misunderstanding you. Neither of them are 12s.

Beard is a schoolboy 13 who was playing wing early on for Quins but 13 is definitely his preferred position. I'd prefer it if he didn't go walkabout in defence so often but I'm pleased he's kicked on in recent weeks. He's not a live international option, though, he's far too callow. Definitely has what it takes to compete physically at the top level, which is great, but he started the season as 3rd choice at Quins behind Northmore and Joseph, and both of those players are currently far better attackers and more assured defenders.

1 try in 870 minutes of rugby this season is not prime attacking form... Joseph has 5 tries in 10 matches and we all know what Northmore can do.
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JM2K6 wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 5:30 pm
Rhubarb & Custard wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 10:13 am
Raggs wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 7:42 am Just reading that Oscar Beard views himself/is viewed as a 13. Which is good, because we're struggling for 13s at the moment...
I've spent the last 18-24 months thinking we might as well pick Freeman there because he offered something and looked a little slow on the wing. But between the two we might have the makings of a centre pairing, which led me to wondering just how often England have picked (have even been able to pick) two centres with decent physicality and speed? Now just the minor quibble of can they play rugby and make decisions at test level, luckily as I recall from conversions around Burgess that latter part is easy
Freeman... slow? When did that happen?



And I don't see how Beard/Freeman makes a centre pairing, unless I'm misunderstanding you. Neither of them are 12s.

Beard is a schoolboy 13 who was playing wing early on for Quins but 13 is definitely his preferred position. I'd prefer it if he didn't go walkabout in defence so often but I'm pleased he's kicked on in recent weeks. He's not a live international option, though, he's far too callow. Definitely has what it takes to compete physically at the top level, which is great, but he started the season as 3rd choice at Quins behind Northmore and Joseph, and both of those players are currently far better attackers and more assured defenders.

1 try in 870 minutes of rugby this season is not prime attacking form... Joseph has 5 tries in 10 matches and we all know what Northmore can do.
Yeah - he's great for Quins but he's still a rookie - he won't make the cut but definitely one for the future.
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Raggs wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 1:27 pm
SaintK wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 1:26 pm
SaintK wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:00 pm
Fisilau cleared tpo play this morning
Barbeary up in front of the panel this afternoon
Barbeary banned for 6 weeks forthe first red card citing, reduced to 3 because of his good previous record. Second card citing dismissed.
Could be free to play in the A team match in February
So that'll be 2 weeks with the tackle school I guess?

As much as I like the idea of the A team getting a run out. It's Portugal, and whilst they aren't complete no names, it's not far off. Is there another A team game scheduled? Against maybe a wolfhounds team etc?
The RFU only have the Portugal game listed, which seems a shame.

Emerging Ireland is probably the only other side that might have been brought together, can't see the Scots, Welsh or Italians having either the depth or money to re-form A teams, while the French would probably baulk at more players being made unavailable around 6N time.
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Pretty happy with the squad. Shame that marchant and arundell aren't available.
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Raggs
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petej wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:32 pm Pretty happy with the squad. Shame that marchant and arundell aren't available.
We could definitely do with a 13 in the squad...

Marchant would be a nice option though.
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Codling gone from Falcons.
Steve Diamond in. I guess if anyone can turn their fortunes round it's him. Falcon's players in for a hard ride!!!!
Newcastle Falcons have appointed Steve Diamond as consultant director of rugby with current boss Alex Codling to step down from his role.
Forwards coach Micky Ward will take charge of the club on an interim basis for their games against Perpignan and Northampton before Diamond arrives.
Diamond, 54, will also continue his consultancy role at the RFU in addition to taking over at Kingston Park.
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ASMO
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SaintK wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 10:49 am Codling gone from Falcons.
Steve Diamond in. I guess if anyone can turn their fortunes round it's him. Falcon's players in for a hard ride!!!!
Newcastle Falcons have appointed Steve Diamond as consultant director of rugby with current boss Alex Codling to step down from his role.
Forwards coach Micky Ward will take charge of the club on an interim basis for their games against Perpignan and Northampton before Diamond arrives.
Diamond, 54, will also continue his consultancy role at the RFU in addition to taking over at Kingston Park.
Like using a bucket to bail out the Titanic.
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SaintK
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Should have stayed in France mate?
Gloucester number eight Zach Mercer says he is "done" with England for now after missing out on selection for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship.
Mercer, who won two caps in 2018, returned to the Premiership this season after two years in France, with the aim of playing for his country again.
He was also overlooked for a place in the World Cup squad last autumn.
The 26-year-old said he does not feel head coach Steve Borthwick "values what he can offer" as a player.
"I'm older, more mature, I put the international selection aside now, I'm done for the time being with that and I'm just going to focus on Gloucester," Mercer told BBC Sport.
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SaintK wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:02 pm Should have stayed in France mate?
Gloucester number eight Zach Mercer says he is "done" with England for now after missing out on selection for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship.
Mercer, who won two caps in 2018, returned to the Premiership this season after two years in France, with the aim of playing for his country again.
He was also overlooked for a place in the World Cup squad last autumn.
The 26-year-old said he does not feel head coach Steve Borthwick "values what he can offer" as a player.
"I'm older, more mature, I put the international selection aside now, I'm done for the time being with that and I'm just going to focus on Gloucester," Mercer told BBC Sport.
Yeah; unless he had been approached with some kind of credible indications that he'd be in the squad, it's hard to understand. It's not like the Premiership is swimming in money at the mo
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And perhaps signed with a better club and shown more form.
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fishfoodie
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sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:03 pm And perhaps signed with a better club and shown more form.
Since when was that a prerequisite for being selected by scabnose ?? :wink:
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fishfoodie wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:45 pm
SaintK wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:02 pm Should have stayed in France mate?
Gloucester number eight Zach Mercer says he is "done" with England for now after missing out on selection for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship.
Mercer, who won two caps in 2018, returned to the Premiership this season after two years in France, with the aim of playing for his country again.
He was also overlooked for a place in the World Cup squad last autumn.
The 26-year-old said he does not feel head coach Steve Borthwick "values what he can offer" as a player.
"I'm older, more mature, I put the international selection aside now, I'm done for the time being with that and I'm just going to focus on Gloucester," Mercer told BBC Sport.
Yeah; unless he had been approached with some kind of credible indications that he'd be in the squad, it's hard to understand. It's not like the Premiership is swimming in money at the mo
He clearly wanted to have a crack at the world cup, but he gave himself one season at a middling club (who ended up having a particularly poor year) to break into the national team whose back row was a rare area of real depth.

He really should've timed it for a season earlier if he wanted to make a serious go of things.
sockwithaticket
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fishfoodie wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:11 pm
sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:03 pm And perhaps signed with a better club and shown more form.
Since when was that a prerequisite for being selected by scabnose ?? :wink:
Well, if he wanted to get picked regardless of form he should've had the nous to sign for Sarries or Tigers...
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Raggs
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Bath have Lawrence at 12 and Ojomoh at 13. May hunt towards borthers thinking?
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SaintK wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:02 pm Should have stayed in France mate?
Gloucester number eight Zach Mercer says he is "done" with England for now after missing out on selection for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship.
Mercer, who won two caps in 2018, returned to the Premiership this season after two years in France, with the aim of playing for his country again.
He was also overlooked for a place in the World Cup squad last autumn.
The 26-year-old said he does not feel head coach Steve Borthwick "values what he can offer" as a player.
"I'm older, more mature, I put the international selection aside now, I'm done for the time being with that and I'm just going to focus on Gloucester," Mercer told BBC Sport.
When was his last England cap? Aski’n 4 a friend..
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sockwithaticket
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Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:30 pm
SaintK wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:02 pm Should have stayed in France mate?
Gloucester number eight Zach Mercer says he is "done" with England for now after missing out on selection for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship.
Mercer, who won two caps in 2018, returned to the Premiership this season after two years in France, with the aim of playing for his country again.
He was also overlooked for a place in the World Cup squad last autumn.
The 26-year-old said he does not feel head coach Steve Borthwick "values what he can offer" as a player.
"I'm older, more mature, I put the international selection aside now, I'm done for the time being with that and I'm just going to focus on Gloucester," Mercer told BBC Sport.
When was his last England cap? Aski’n 4 a friend..
2018. So he'd be free to represent any other nation he's eligible for, but that wouldn't include Scotland. Nation switching requires the player to be born there or a heritage link, Mercer only ever qualified for Scotland on residency.
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sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:37 pm
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:30 pm
SaintK wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:02 pm Should have stayed in France mate?
When was his last England cap? Aski’n 4 a friend..
2018. So he'd be free to represent any other nation he's eligible for, but that wouldn't include Scotland. Nation switching requires the player to be born there or a heritage link, Mercer only ever qualified for Scotland on residency.
I certainly wasn’t thinking of that. Disgusting..
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geordie_6
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Raggs wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:25 pm Bath have Lawrence at 12 and Ojomoh at 13. May hunt towards borthers thinking?
Both playing out of position, definitely fits wth how England does it.
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JM2K6
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It really seems like Mercer thought all he had to do was move back to England and the shirt was his. Gotta outplay your rivals first, fella

Codling moving on from Falcons isn't a shock. He's a serial quitter and a very weird character who seemed to be angling to get sacked earlier in the season. I suspect underneath it all is a very good bloke who cares very deeply and is manifestly unsuited to the job of coaching rugby at a decent level.
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https://www.ruck.co.uk/absolutely-hilar ... TvszsqoIlg

Just Joe Marler doing Marler things. :lol:
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Margin__Walker
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Faz announced by Racing.
inactionman
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Margin__Walker wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 6:33 pm Faz announced by Racing.


Hats off, he's had a great career at sarries.
Ovals
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inactionman wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:06 pm
Margin__Walker wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 6:33 pm Faz announced by Racing.


Hats off, he's had a great career at sarries.
Fresh start all round. Time for the younger FHS to show their mettle - build a side around the two Smiths.
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Hal Jordan
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Ford it is, sir!
sockwithaticket
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Ovals wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:10 pm
inactionman wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:06 pm
Margin__Walker wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 6:33 pm Faz announced by Racing.


Hats off, he's had a great career at sarries.
Fresh start all round. Time for the younger FHS to show their mettle - build a side around the two Smiths.
And time for us to actually address the 12 issue rather than stick Farrell there as a compromise solution that doesn't get the best out of him or the 10 selected.
geordie_6
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And time for Woodentop, the Walrus and other shitehawks to spend the next few years lamenting his absence from the England side...
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Raggs
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Max Ojomoh is in the England squad! Because Ollie Lawrence is broken.

Along with beard and LCD. Muir and blamire have been called up.
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SaintK
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Raggs wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:07 pm Max Ojomoh is in the England squad! Because Ollie Lawrence is broken.

Along with beard and LCD. Muir and blamire have been called up.
Great!!!!
Hopefully none are too serious
sockwithaticket
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Pleased for Muir, he should've been capped ahead of both McConnochie and Cokanasiga when it comes to Bath wingers. Big opportunity for him.

Even bigger for Ojomoh given the lack of clearcut 12 options.

A little surprised Blamire was still in the frame.
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