The Official English Rugby Thread

[inactionman]

I honestly don't get how England haven't been champing at the bit to give Hill a shot at 6. Great lineout forward. Fast. Big. Hits hard. Carries hard. What does he lack - work over the ball at the ruck? That can be coached.

I get that having 6 be the dumping ground for whichever 7 isn't good enough to start at 7 or locks needing to be on the field is the current way, but looking at successful teams in the modern game suggests having someone who plays 6 by default goes a long way towards having an excellent pack and a successful team.

I think he suffers from being in a generation of very good backrows, so there's no real complaints when Underhill, Curry, Earl etc get the nod.

I'm less content when Hill isn't even in broader squads and prospects such as Ethan Roots and Chandler Cunningham-South get a go. They're both good players, but Hill has been a standout at 6 for the last couple of seasons.

[SaintK]

I honestly don't get how England haven't been champing at the bit to give Hill a shot at 6. Great lineout forward. Fast. Big. Hits hard. Carries hard. What does he lack - work over the ball at the ruck? That can be coached.

I get that having 6 be the dumping ground for whichever 7 isn't good enough to start at 7 or locks needing to be on the field is the current way, but looking at successful teams in the modern game suggests having someone who plays 6 by default goes a long way towards having an excellent pack and a successful team.

I think he suffers from being in a generation of very good backrows, so there's no real complaints when Underhill, Curry, Earl etc get the nod.

I'm less content when Hill isn't even in broader squads and prospects such as Ethan Roots and Chandler Cunningham-South get a go. They're both good players, but Hill has been a standout at 6 for the last couple of seasons.

Agree entirely about Hill. I also think that Tom Willis has been very unlucky on current form. Particularly as there is only one specialist No8 in the squad and he hasn't really found his feet at test level.

[inactionman]

I honestly don't get how England haven't been champing at the bit to give Hill a shot at 6. Great lineout forward. Fast. Big. Hits hard. Carries hard. What does he lack - work over the ball at the ruck? That can be coached.

I get that having 6 be the dumping ground for whichever 7 isn't good enough to start at 7 or locks needing to be on the field is the current way, but looking at successful teams in the modern game suggests having someone who plays 6 by default goes a long way towards having an excellent pack and a successful team.

I think he suffers from being in a generation of very good backrows, so there's no real complaints when Underhill, Curry, Earl etc get the nod.

I'm less content when Hill isn't even in broader squads and prospects such as Ethan Roots and Chandler Cunningham-South get a go. They're both good players, but Hill has been a standout at 6 for the last couple of seasons.

Agree entirely about Hill. I also think that Tom Willis has been very unlucky on current form. Particularly as there is only one specialist No8 in the squad and he hasn't really found his feet at test level.

I've only caught a few highlights of Sarries but Willis has featured in said highlights a fair bit. Think his time in France might delay his England opportunity? Not that it counts against him, more that players in France may be a bit invisible to England selectors whilst they're away, and so he's only had half a dozen games in the shop window.

Has Earl gone to 7 when Willis is at 8, or do they swap in and out? I've not seen any live Sarries games so not sure how they arrange it, but makes an interesting call if Willis is prefered at 8 to his colleague who plays a lot for England at 8.

[SaintK]

I think he suffers from being in a generation of very good backrows, so there's no real complaints when Underhill, Curry, Earl etc get the nod.

I'm less content when Hill isn't even in broader squads and prospects such as Ethan Roots and Chandler Cunningham-South get a go. They're both good players, but Hill has been a standout at 6 for the last couple of seasons.

Agree entirely about Hill. I also think that Tom Willis has been very unlucky on current form. Particularly as there is only one specialist No8 in the squad and he hasn't really found his feet at test level.

I've only caught a few highlights of Sarries but Willis has featured in said highlights a fair bit. Think his time in France might delay his England opportunity? Not that it counts against him, more that players in France may be a bit invisible to England selectors whilst they're away, and so he's only had half a dozen games in the shop window.

Has Earl gone to 7 when Willis is at 8, or do they swap in and out? I've not seen any live Sarries games so not sure how they arrange it, but makes an interesting call if Willis is prefered at 8 to his colleague who plays a lot for England at 8.

Earls is usually at 7 when Willis has been playing 8

[Sinkers]

I’m assuming Chessum was penciled in to play 6 and Hill is the next nearest thing?

Not a dig at Hill, I would have had him in from the start, but maybe explains why he’s in now?

[ASMO]

a Hill, Earl, Willis backrow would be a bloody good backrow i would be happy for England to start with ~(its never gonna happen) then put 1 of the curry brothers and CCS on the bench you have some great options to bring on and keep the energy levels up.

[inactionman]

a Hill, Earl, Willis backrow would be a bloody good backrow i would be happy for England to start with ~(its never gonna happen) then put 1 of the curry brothers and CCS on the bench you have some great options to bring on and keep the energy levels up.

I think I'd have Underhill in there - appreciate I'm wearing my Bath scarf but I still think he's stand-out - although with Willis the need for a crunching tackler is diminished somewhat.

These are previously underheard-of riches - wer could create 3 different backrows that would do a very good job, and there's still lads like Pearson who would be worth a look.

[SaintK]

I’m assuming Chessum was penciled in to play 6 and Hill is the next nearest thing?

Not a dig at Hill, I would have had him in from the start, but maybe explains why he’s in now?

Coles is more a regular 5/6 than Hill. Only seen Hill play in the 2nd row once, Cole plays there quite regularly for Saints.

[JM2K6]

I’m assuming Chessum was penciled in to play 6 and Hill is the next nearest thing?

Not a dig at Hill, I would have had him in from the start, but maybe explains why he’s in now?

Coles is more a regular 5/6 than Hill. Only seen Hill play in the 2nd row once, Cole plays there quite regularly for Saints.

Hill has had a handful of starts in the second row across his career, but has been moving there occasionally for Bath. He can do it if needed.

He's a fine 6 and that's what the focus should be, though

[sockwithaticket]

Centre partnership was obviously what they were going to pick and still a stupid idea.

6 - 2 split always gives me the willies, doubly so when one of the outside backs is so recently returned from injury. The jump up to test match intensity seems like a great re-injury risk. Smith moving to fullback during the match is clearly part of the plan rather an emergency contingency and I hate that.

Is T. Curry in current form really part of our best back row configuration? Do we need both Currys in the side when we also have the likes of Underhill and Hill in the squad?

Outside of those quibbles, it's probably the best you can do with the squad selected.

[inactionman]

No wonderhill. I'm outraged

[inactionman]

Centre partnership was obviously what they were going to pick and still a stupid idea.

6 - 2 split always gives me the willies, doubly so when one of the outside backs is so recently returned from injury. The jump up to test match intensity seems like a great re-injury risk. Smith moving to fullback during the match is clearly part of the plan rather an emergency contingency and I hate that.

Is T. Curry in current form really part of our best back row configuration? Do we need both Currys in the side when we also have the likes of Underhill and Hill in the squad?

Outside of those quibbles, it's probably the best you can do with the squad selected.

6-2 seems even riskier if your second is a pure fly half and your starting 10 can maybe cover 15. A 10-12 of ford and Smith is a bit of a worry, unless we start shifting furbank.

[JM2K6]

CCS is not good enough to be starting Test matches

[SaintK]

CCS is not good enough to be starting Test matches

Nor is Will Stuart

[sockwithaticket]

Centre partnership was obviously what they were going to pick and still a stupid idea.

6 - 2 split always gives me the willies, doubly so when one of the outside backs is so recently returned from injury. The jump up to test match intensity seems like a great re-injury risk. Smith moving to fullback during the match is clearly part of the plan rather an emergency contingency and I hate that.

Is T. Curry in current form really part of our best back row configuration? Do we need both Currys in the side when we also have the likes of Underhill and Hill in the squad?

Outside of those quibbles, it's probably the best you can do with the squad selected.

6-2 seems even riskier if your second is a pure fly half and your starting 10 can maybe cover 15. A 10-12 of ford and Smith is a bit of a worry, unless we start shifting furbank.

I will be astonished if we don't finish the game with 10. Ford 12. Lawrence 13. Freeman 14. Furbank and 15. Smith.

There's clearly no doubt that the coaches view Smith as a genuine 15 option and it's maddening tbh.

[sockwithaticket]

CCS is not good enough to be starting Test matches

Nor is Will Stuart

The difference being we have fuck all tightheads and a bunch of quality back row players.

[inactionman]

Bath's new 'Euro kit'.

It's a bit, er, Racing, isn't it? Eh, Finn?

https://www.bathrugby.com/content/craft ... t-launched

The tropical blue and white colourway nods to the shining ambition of Bath

[Punter15]

Bath's new 'Euro kit'.

It's a bit, er, Racing, isn't it? Eh, Finn?

https://www.bathrugby.com/content/craft ... t-launched

The tropical blue and white colourway nods to the shining ambition of Bath

With Argentine overtones.

Better when their alternates were yellow or white.

[SaintK]

Danny Care not holding back.
Eddie Jones was a cunt!!!!
https://archive.is/V5gwf

[Hal Jordan]

What a piece of shit. No wonder his effect wears off after a short while.

[JM2K6]

CCS is not good enough to be starting Test matches

Well, he had an extremely good first half, best I've seen from him. Didn't show up after half time which is his problem at club level. Hope he can kick on.

[fishfoodie]

Danny Care not holding back.
Eddie Jones was a cunt!!!!
https://archive.is/V5gwf

But, But, it's not like there's any way the RFU could have possibly known they were giving millions to a complete loon !

... it's not as if they could have bought an autobiography from one of his former charges & learned that ............ Oooooh

[Sandstorm]

Surprised some of Eddie’s back room staff didn’t sue.

[tc27]

Surprised some of Eddie’s back room staff didn’t sue.

You would make yourself unemployable.

It's permissible and probaly necessary to be a hard arse it that job but EJ behaviour is straight out bullying. The behaviour towards Kieran Brookes was completely unacceptable.

[Paddington Bear]

Surprised some of Eddie’s back room staff didn’t sue.

You would make yourself unemployable.

It's permissible and probaly necessary to be a hard arse it that job but EJ behaviour is straight out bullying. The behaviour towards Kieran Brookes was completely unacceptable.

There’s a mix in that article. Care was awful in the game he got hooked after 30 mins, and as he admits the subs worked. Most of the rest though is pure bullying, unnecessary nastiness and explains a lot about the environment and the slide in performances

[tc27]

I agree with that..getting hooked at 30 mins is probaly an awful experience but falls firmly on the 'hard arse' side of the line.

[JM2K6]

The point he was making with that one was that someone was going to get hooked after 30 minutes regardless, pour encourager les autres.

[SaintK]

Marler gone........................for good this time. Went past his peak some time ago but a bloody good prop in his prime.

England prop Joe Marler has retired from international rugby having won 95 caps.
Marler made his England debut during the 2012 summer tour of South Africa and was part of three Six Nations-winning sides in 2016, 2017 and 2020.
He also represented England at three World Cups, including in 2019 when they were beaten by South Africa in the final.
"It's time for me to move on," said Marler, 34.
"I've been really, really lucky to experience both the mega highs and the mega lows in an England shirt. I will cherish all of them because they all count."

[Hal Jordan]

The Walrus continues his hate wank against Marcus Smith, demanding he be replaced with Ford or Fin Smith.

Farrell's retired, mate, he's not coming back.

[SaintK]

The Walrus continues his hate wank against Marcus Smith, demanding he be replaced with Ford or Fin Smith.

Farrell's retired, mate, he's not coming back.

Don't you believe it
Rumour has it that Bristol are after him as well as another "unamed" Prem side!!
MacGinty is out of contract end of season and will be 36 by then
Fortunately the Smiths should be well established as the main men for Englandby then
Happy not see Farrell or Ford for England ever again

[Paddington Bear]

I’ve been very critical of Smith in an England shirt - his first 20 odd caps had very few decent performances in them. Not the case anymore, he was excellent yesterday and had he stayed on we would have won.

[SaintK]

Opoku-Fordjour replaces Marler in the wider squad

England have called-up Sale Sharks prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour to the 36-player squad preparing to face Australia in the Autumn Nations Series.
The 20-year-old was a member of England's Under-20s side which won their age grade World Cup this year.
Opoku-Fordjour replaces Joe Marler, who has announced his retirement from international rugby, while Bath lock Charlie Ewels replaces club team-mate Ted Hill.

[JM2K6]

England really don't see him as a tighthead huh

[SaintK]

England really don't see him as a tighthead huh

Loosehead for U20's and England squad and tighthead for Sale
Must be somewhat confusing for the lad

[sockwithaticket]

Good to get him in the environment regardless, but, yeah, club and country having different ideas on a players' position isn't good for the player imo. There aren't many credible both sides props these days and you'd hate to see talent squandered by trying to make him one rather than letting him master a particular side of the scrum.

[Hal Jordan]

On the pther hand, a few decent performances on either side of the scrum and he can steal a living for a decade off the back of it (see Doran-Jones, Paul).

[sockwithaticket]

Ah but that was mostly in the era of only having one prop on the bench. Much more difficult to get away with being a useless sack who can nominally play both sides now.

[Raggs]

Ah but that was mostly in the era of only having one prop on the bench. Much more difficult to get away with being a useless sack who can nominally play both sides now.

Still a useful skill for Lions tours, especially for someone they perhaps may see as more mid week than main tour.

[Hal Jordan]

Ah but that was mostly in the era of only having one prop on the bench. Much more difficult to get away with being a useless sack who can nominally play both sides now.

The way front rowers pick up I juries these days, I'd say there's still a place for him as a perennial squad hopper and injury wild card.

[Niegs]

Wait a second... how old are WE now?!!?



... not sure I recognize the two on the ends, unless Luger and Cohen? And the wee fella with Johnson?

Link to the larger image if you can't embiggen: https://rfu.widen.net/content/c674dab6- ... k=BWFfKlNS