The Official English Rugby Thread

[sockwithaticket]

Things not running to smoothly for Sarries

Saracens forfeit Trailfinders Challenge Cup match against Doncaster with 34 players unavailable. Saracens lost 27-26 to Ealing in their first match of the Trailfinders Challenge Cup last weekend; Doncaster Knights awarded four points and Saracens two as Mark McCall's men forfeit Saturday's game at Castle Park
Following their weekly PCR Covid-19 testing programme, Saracens reported that two Academy players had returned positive results, with a further 16 members of the squad forced to isolate due to contact tracing.
Saracens said they are therefore without 34 players for the match at Castle Park on Saturday through a combination of isolation, injury and suspension, and subsequently cannot field a side.

*insert gif of Clarkson sarcastically saying "Oh no. Anyway..."*

[sockwithaticket]

I'd still have Spencer over Randall, but I'm ecstatic any time Jones seems to want to expand our 9 pool with someone other than an aging Kiwi.

[Raggs]

I'd still have Spencer over Randall, but I'm ecstatic any time Jones seems to want to expand our 9 pool with someone other than an aging Kiwi.

For me he needs to pick one of Robson/Spencer, and then look younger, they're both close to being too old for longer term options to take them both. Especially with someone as exciting as Randall around.

[sockwithaticket]

I'd still have Spencer over Randall, but I'm ecstatic any time Jones seems to want to expand our 9 pool with someone other than an aging Kiwi.

For me he needs to pick one of Robson/Spencer, and then look younger, they're both close to being too old for longer term options to take them both. Especially with someone as exciting as Randall around.

Both are easily young enough to take to the next World Cup, I only see a point in going younger prior to that milestone if another player is demonstrably better.

[Raggs]

I'd still have Spencer over Randall, but I'm ecstatic any time Jones seems to want to expand our 9 pool with someone other than an aging Kiwi.

For me he needs to pick one of Robson/Spencer, and then look younger, they're both close to being too old for longer term options to take them both. Especially with someone as exciting as Randall around.

Both are easily young enough to take to the next World Cup, I only see a point in going younger prior to that milestone if another player is demonstrably better.

I see the point if they can get to at least the same level, if not higher, with more experience. Randall is rapidly becoming the equal of those two, and seeing has he's got more time to get more experience, makes the better choice for me.

[Margin__Walker]

Agree with that Raggs. Would rather have Spencer or Robson over Young's, but Randall is one I'd put my money on at the moment.

Not just on potential, he's right up there now for me.

Edit - At the very least we need to cap him before Wales do...

[sockwithaticket]

Agree with that Raggs. Would rather have Spencer or Robson over Young's, but Randall is one I'd put my money on at the moment.

Not just on potential, he's right up there now for me.

Edit - At the very least we need to cap him before Wales do...

That I can definitely get behind.

[JM2K6]

Randall seems like a good bench option. Hopefully he can have a career at least as good as Danny Care's

[Raggs]

[Raggs]

Also, a shadow squad who'll undergo the same testing procedures (presumably on top of prem stuff).

Shadow squad
Charlie Atkinson (Wasps, uncapped)
Ali Crossdale (Saracens, uncapped)
Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 17 caps)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 54 caps)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 4 caps)
George Martin (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Jacob Umaga (Wasps, uncapped)
Jack Willis (Wasps, 2 caps)

[ASMO]

Great to see Randall, shit to see Youngs, i would have preferred to see Thorley over Odogwu. Willis being left out is a big mistake, Wilson is workmanlike but offers nothing over Willis except age

[Raggs]

Great to see Randall, shit to see Youngs, i would have preferred to see Thorley over Odogwo. Willis being left out is a big mistske.

Guess it was a shoot out between Earl and Willis for the full squad.

[JM2K6]

Great to see Randall, shit to see Youngs, i would have preferred to see Thorley over Odogwu. Willis being left out is a big mistake, Wilson is workmanlike but offers nothing over Willis except age

Wilson is a fantastic player, workmanlike is very unfair to him. Willis is brilliant and I'd also pick him, but Wilson brings real leadership.

I'd have dropped Billy and played Willis at 8 tbh.

[SaintK]

Great to see Randall, shit to see Youngs, i would have preferred to see Thorley over Odogwu. Willis being left out is a big mistake, Wilson is workmanlike but offers nothing over Willis except age

Wilson is a fantastic player, workmanlike is very unfair to him. Willis is brilliant and I'd also pick him, but Wilson brings real leadership.

I'd have dropped Billy and played Willis at 8 tbh.

Tad harsh on Willis, but Wilson has been outstanding for Falcons so far this season.
Surprised to see Lawes back in to be honest. Assuming him or Itoje will end up at 6 at some stage?

[sockwithaticket]

Great to see Randall, shit to see Youngs, i would have preferred to see Thorley over Odogwu. Willis being left out is a big mistake, Wilson is workmanlike but offers nothing over Willis except age

Wilson is a fantastic player, workmanlike is very unfair to him. Willis is brilliant and I'd also pick him, but Wilson brings real leadership.

I'd have dropped Billy and played Willis at 8 tbh.

Tad harsh on Willis, but Wilson has been outstanding for Falcons so far this season.
Surprised to see Lawes back in to be honest. Assuming him or Itoje will end up at 6 at some stage?

Feels inevitable.

[sockwithaticket]

Great to see Randall, shit to see Youngs, i would have preferred to see Thorley over Odogwu. Willis being left out is a big mistake, Wilson is workmanlike but offers nothing over Willis except age

Is Thorley even fit? He hasn't been in a Gloucester line up since Boxing Day and has been pretty injury prone. I think Odogwu may be a little raw for international rugby, particularly if deployed on the wing where his aerial and kicking game need further work, but Eddie really wants some bosh in the backline and Odogwu has been delivering that very effectively.

[JM2K6]

Great to see Randall, shit to see Youngs, i would have preferred to see Thorley over Odogwu. Willis being left out is a big mistake, Wilson is workmanlike but offers nothing over Willis except age

Is Thorley even fit? He hasn't been in a Gloucester line up since Boxing Day and has been pretty injury prone. I think Odogwu may be a little raw for international rugby, particularly if deployed on the wing where his aerial and kicking game need further work, but Eddie really wants some bosh in the backline and Odogwu has been delivering that very effectively.

He would also literally rather die than pass the ball, but yeah. I was thinking the same about Thorley. Presumably neither would be in the frame if Nowell was fully fit.

[Kawazaki]

He would also literally rather die than pass the ball, but yeah. I was thinking the same about Thorley. Presumably neither would be in the frame if Nowell was fully fit.

Odogwu literally passes the ball a few times in these highlights, the best example is at the 2 minute mark.

He looks like a chunkier version of Jason Robinson the way he runs.

[Yr Alban]

It’s quite possible - I’ve just read two articles that said contradictory things.

I think he somehow did both at U18.

Cameroon Boon, Saracen's 20 year old 6'10" lock who came through my club's mini/junior section played for both Ireland and England U18's so it ios obviously possible

I assume his name is Cameron, though Cameroon Boon would be possibly the coolest name ever

[Madness]

Eddie's picks by Whatsapp from isolation

Marler
George
Stuart
Lawes
Hill
Itoje
Curry
Vunipola
Youngs
Ford
May
Farrell
Lawrence
Watson
Daly

LCD, Genge, WIlliams, Underhill, Earl, Wilson, Robson, Slade

My team from that lot

Genge
George
Stuart
Itoje
Launchbury
Curry
Underhill
Wilson
Robson
May
Farrell
Slade
Lawrence
Daly
Watson

LCD, Obano, Williams, Lawes, Billy, Randall, Ford, Malins

[Hal Jordan]

Sounds like an NPC driver in a 1980s racing game.

[JM2K6]

He would also literally rather die than pass the ball, but yeah. I was thinking the same about Thorley. Presumably neither would be in the frame if Nowell was fully fit.

Odogwu literally passes the ball a few times in these highlights, the best example is at the 2 minute mark.

He looks like a chunkier version of Jason Robinson the way he runs.

It was literally hyperbole. Still, you only need to have watched a few of his more recent matches to know he's an absolute crowbar. Pointed it out against Bath, when he otherwise had a very good game. He's a very raw player.

[Un Pilier]

He would also literally rather die than pass the ball, but yeah. I was thinking the same about Thorley. Presumably neither would be in the frame if Nowell was fully fit.

Odogwu literally passes the ball a few times in these highlights, the best example is at the 2 minute mark.

He looks like a chunkier version of Jason Robinson the way he runs.

It was literally hyperbole. Still, you only need to have watched a few of his more recent matches to know he's an absolute crowbar. Pointed it out against Bath, when he otherwise had a very good game. He's a very raw player.

Yes, he’s raw and has a long way to go. X Factor though, and I’m pleased Eddie has him in the squad. Be interesting to see how quickly he develops.

[JM2K6]

Yep, nice to see a form player in and it's not like he's had regular games for years. Real potential to improve.

[sockwithaticket]

And tbf, it's not like passing has been a strength of one M. Tuilagi and it's not like we generate many opportunities for our outside backs to put it through the hands. If you're going to drop an effective crowbar into an England backline, now's as good a time as any.

[Kawazaki]

And tbf, it's not like passing has been a strength of one M. Tuilagi and it's not like we generate many opportunities for our outside backs to put it through the hands. If you're going to drop an effective crowbar into an England backline, now's as good a time as any.

Tindall played in the England team for over a decade without any discernible ability to pass, sidestep, swerve, offload or kick.

[Hal Jordan]

I expect Wilson is in for his versatility as much as anything else. He's not going to set the world on fire but he's never played badly for England. Good squad option.

[SaintK]

I think he somehow did both at U18.

Cameroon Boon, Saracen's 20 year old 6'10" lock who came through my club's mini/junior section played for both Ireland and England U18's so it ios obviously possible

I assume his name is Cameron, though Cameroon Boon would be possibly the coolest name ever

quite!

[Random1]

And tbf, it's not like passing has been a strength of one M. Tuilagi and it's not like we generate many opportunities for our outside backs to put it through the hands. If you're going to drop an effective crowbar into an England backline, now's as good a time as any.

Tindall played in the England team for over a decade without any discernible ability to pass, sidestep, swerve, offload or kick.

It’s always a bad sign when a highlights video starts with 3 replays of a virtual flop over the line try.



Nice bit of nostalgia!

[Hells Bells]

Launchbury and Marler out of the squad, Tom West and Ewels are in.

Expect Obano will be on the bench and then probably Hill to partner Itoje. He could put Lawes there but weakens the scrum a bit if he does that.

[sockwithaticket]

Launch - injured
Marler - personal reasons

Little surprised to see West called up. Wasps scrum has been going well and I know he's highly rated, but he's not got that many games under his belt yet.

[Slick]

He would also literally rather die than pass the ball, but yeah. I was thinking the same about Thorley. Presumably neither would be in the frame if Nowell was fully fit.

Odogwu literally passes the ball a few times in these highlights, the best example is at the 2 minute mark.

He looks like a chunkier version of Jason Robinson the way he runs.

It was literally hyperbole. Still, you only need to have watched a few of his more recent matches to know he's an absolute crowbar. Pointed it out against Bath, when he otherwise had a very good game. He's a very raw player.

Christ, I'd spend an entire game trying to avoid having to tackle him. Horrible.

[Raggs]

He's stocky and powerful, but the fact he does have some decent footwork that he uses makes it a real terror by the looks of things.

[Niegs]

He's stocky and powerful, but the fact he does have some decent footwork that he uses makes it a real terror by the looks of things.

His acceleration also impresses me.

[JM2K6]

He scuttles very fast indeed.

Do we think he's the power wing option or part of the effort to replace Manu? I see the Guardian reckons Ollie Lawrence is the next Manu and will get more caps than him...

[sockwithaticket]

He scuttles very fast indeed.

Do we think he's the power wing option or part of the effort to replace Manu? I see the Guardian reckons Ollie Lawrence is the next Manu and will get more caps than him...

Blackett thinks he's a 13 more than a winger. Even if performing the power wing role his aerial and kicking game will need to improve, certainly with Eddie's game plan.

I'd see him as the potential new Manu option with extra pace. I haven't seen an awful lot of Lawrence as I don't tend to watch Worcester games, but Odogwu has looked more effective in attack at the Prem level from my limited sampling.

[Niegs]

Whatever happened to Fijian Joe?

[JM2K6]

Whatever happened to Fijian Joe?

Knee injury during the world cup kept him out for about a year. I expect he's struggling a bit to get back into things. He's also a very raw player!

[Raggs]

Lawrence could be an interesting choice at 12, he's shown a bit of a kicking game too. Lawrence and Odogwu is a lot of pace and footwork (and obviously power) in the midfield.

[SaintK]

Launch - injured
Marler - personal reasons

Little surprised to see West called up. Wasps scrum has been going well and I know he's highly rated, but he's not got that many games under his belt yet.

Will miss them both, particularly Launchbury, Hope that Marler isn't in a bad place again and this is precautionary
Not a great fan of Ewels but have liked what I've seen of West this season so far