The Official English Rugby Thread

[JM2K6]

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

From the looks of things Marler just didn't think it was a good idea for him or his family for him to spend that much time away from them during the pandemic. V excited about seeing what Obano can do.

[Oxbow]

Ashton off to Worcester.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55801763

[Raggs]

Fall from grace? Gustard goes from England defence coach, Quins head coach, to Benneton defence coach...

[JM2K6]

I am thrilled and happy to join Benetton Rugby for the 2021/22 season. When my wife Laura and I decided in December that we wanted a new experience and new challenges, we were delighted to have so many opportunities available to us nationally and internationally. We wanted to be part of a group where there was a clear vision, a deep level of trust and a dynamic environment driven towards high goals.

Nice of him to decide he fancied doing some other stuff halfway through a season after pissing off most of the people he interacted with, I guess

[JM2K6]

Kitson with another mess of an article that gets cause and effect all mixed up in an attempt to blame Eddie for, erm, Will Collier not kicking on:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/ ... lish-rugby

There's definitely complaints to be had about how some players are handled - but only the ones who genuinely seem to be international class, like Marcus Smith, or Zach Mercer. But expanding the list to include Collier, Earle, Sam James, Gabriel fucking Ibitoye, Harry Mallinder and co just seems idiotic.

[Raggs]

Kitson with another mess of an article that gets cause and effect all mixed up in an attempt to blame Eddie for, erm, Will Collier not kicking on:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/ ... lish-rugby

There's definitely complaints to be had about how some players are handled - but only the ones who genuinely seem to be international class, like Marcus Smith, or Zach Mercer. But expanding the list to include Collier, Earle, Sam James, Gabriel fucking Ibitoye, Harry Mallinder and co just seems idiotic.

The other thing they inevitably ignore with articles like this is that if you put Ibitoye in (for example), that means you're dropping someone else, who you could then write about being harshly and unfairly treated. Let's put Collier in, and not have Stuart...

There's only so many squad places, and so many caps to go around. I may hate it when he plays Lawes at 6, but other than that, I may have my preferences, but pretty much am happy to defer to Eddie's knowledge of the players he's seeing day in and day out. Sure there's other players I'd like to see more of, but it's not me making the calls.

EDIT - Stupid comments on Wasps too, it's not a fresh coaching group, it's the same group of coaches that have been there for seasons, it's just Dai Young, who was there even longer, who's moved on.

[tc27]

I am thrilled and happy to join Benetton Rugby for the 2021/22 season. When my wife Laura and I decided in December that we wanted a new experience and new challenges, we were delighted to have so many opportunities available to us nationally and internationally. We wanted to be part of a group where there was a clear vision, a deep level of trust and a dynamic environment driven towards high goals.

Nice of him to decide he fancied doing some other stuff halfway through a season after pissing off most of the people he interacted with, I guess

Wow - talk about sticking the finger up as you walk out.

[Raggs]

I am thrilled and happy to join Benetton Rugby for the 2021/22 season. When my wife Laura and I decided in December that we wanted a new experience and new challenges, we were delighted to have so many opportunities available to us nationally and internationally. We wanted to be part of a group where there was a clear vision, a deep level of trust and a dynamic environment driven towards high goals.

Nice of him to decide he fancied doing some other stuff halfway through a season after pissing off most of the people he interacted with, I guess

Wow - talk about sticking the finger up as you walk out.

I suspect he was pushed. The easiest way to tell will be who re-signs. It looks like his plan of moving on the elder statesmen players, may have run into the player power issues that I think surfaced with Kingston (if I recall properly). Becoming a him or us scenario, seemingly ending up with him moving on.

[Slick]

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

From the looks of things Marler just didn't think it was a good idea for him or his family for him to spend that much time away from them during the pandemic. V excited about seeing what Obano can do.

I’m a bit confused as to why he didn’t think of this before the squad announcement

[JM2K6]

Nice of him to decide he fancied doing some other stuff halfway through a season after pissing off most of the people he interacted with, I guess

Wow - talk about sticking the finger up as you walk out.

I suspect he was pushed. The easiest way to tell will be who re-signs. It looks like his plan of moving on the elder statesmen players, may have run into the player power issues that I think surfaced with Kingston (if I recall properly). Becoming a him or us scenario, seemingly ending up with him moving on.

I don't think player power was ever really an issue with JK.

It seems clear that Gustard pissed off coaches and other staff as much as the players, and having driven a few coaches out of the club I can see how he might be on thin ice trying to do the same with more players without any sign that he had the coaching chops to back it up. Certainly I have no issue with Ashton going to Worcs (he was a Gustard signing anyway), and I'd rather Brown left now as I don't think we'll ever see much form from him again at his age.

[JM2K6]

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

From the looks of things Marler just didn't think it was a good idea for him or his family for him to spend that much time away from them during the pandemic. V excited about seeing what Obano can do.

I’m a bit confused as to why he didn’t think of this before the squad announcement

It's reasonable to suggest he wasn't aware of what the plans were for players during the tournament until they were told (which, presumably, would've happened after they were selected), assuming it's even all been decided at this point.

[sockwithaticket]

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

From the looks of things Marler just didn't think it was a good idea for him or his family for him to spend that much time away from them during the pandemic. V excited about seeing what Obano can do.

I’m a bit confused as to why he didn’t think of this before the squad announcement

I get it, he's got a few young kids and I know from colleagues juggling childcare, home-schooling and work that it can cause a fair degree of tunnel vision. It's very possible he and/or his wife lost track of where we are in the year and that the 6 Nations is coming up, only having a discussion about what it'd mean for their family upon the announcement.

Also a possibility that both were fine with it and then something's happened since the announcement to mean one or both would find it difficult for him to be away for 2 months.

Slightly different, but Matteo Minozzi has announced he won't be playing for Italy because he's struggling a bit and doesn't think he'll be at his best for the team if he has to go into a bubble for the tournament's duration.

[JM2K6]

From the looks of things Marler just didn't think it was a good idea for him or his family for him to spend that much time away from them during the pandemic. V excited about seeing what Obano can do.

I’m a bit confused as to why he didn’t think of this before the squad announcement

I get it, he's got a few young kids and I know from colleagues juggling childcare, home-schooling and work that it can cause a fair degree of tunnel vision. It's very possible he and/or his wife lost track of where we are in the year and that the 6 Nations is coming up, only having a discussion about what it'd mean for their family upon the announcement.

Also a possibility that both were fine with it and then something's happened since the announcement to mean one or both would find it difficult for him to be away for 2 months.

Slightly different, but Matteo Minozzi has announced he won't be playing for Italy because he's struggling a bit and doesn't think he'll be at his best for the team if he has to go into a bubble for the tournament's duration.

Marler's missus is pregnant again.

[sockwithaticket]

I’m a bit confused as to why he didn’t think of this before the squad announcement

I get it, he's got a few young kids and I know from colleagues juggling childcare, home-schooling and work that it can cause a fair degree of tunnel vision. It's very possible he and/or his wife lost track of where we are in the year and that the 6 Nations is coming up, only having a discussion about what it'd mean for their family upon the announcement.

Also a possibility that both were fine with it and then something's happened since the announcement to mean one or both would find it difficult for him to be away for 2 months.

Slightly different, but Matteo Minozzi has announced he won't be playing for Italy because he's struggling a bit and doesn't think he'll be at his best for the team if he has to go into a bubble for the tournament's duration.

Marler's missus is pregnant again.

Well that'll do it.

And I just saw your post up the page, makes sense that they wouldn't have full knowledge of requirements and restrictions until selected at which point a discussion with the pregnant missus and whether going to camp would be viable is entirely necessary.

[Margin__Walker]

Underhill out (hip injury)

Willis called into the squad to replace him

[Hells Bells]

Underhill has withdrawn from the squad with Willis called up.

Be interested to see what Eddie does now, personally I’d stick Wilson at 6 with Curry back at 7. It’ll probably be Lawes tho...

[duke]

Isn't Ben Earl Eddie's next cab on the rank for openside?

[Hal Jordan]

As long as we get an actual backrow player filling 6-8 I will take it over Lawes.

[SaintK]

As long as we get an actual backrow player filling 6-8 I will take it over Lawes.

This!

[sockwithaticket]

Ludlam, Hepburn and Ribbans brought into the shadow squad.

[Bullet]

Have they announced what restrictions will be in place for 6N? Just home nations and empty stadiums?

[Raggs]

Wasps have signed Ali Crossdale... didn't know that was happening.

[Margin__Walker]

Testing ramped up this week to twice a week in the prem. Todays results cam back clean and the tests from the start of the week had just on non playing staff member test positive. All games go ahead at the weekend, which is good to see.

[Margin__Walker]

Teams for LI v Newcastle on Sunday

[sockwithaticket]

Bristol showing Bath how to use a visit to the 22.

Teams:

[ASMO]

Do Bath have a defence coach? If so he needs to be fired before the end of the half. Utterly shocking defence, Bristol not even having to try to break the line

[Raggs]

Losing both locks could be nasty if they don't come back. It's already looking too easy for Bristol.

So much power, especially when combined with the soft skills, makes rugby an easy game.

[sockwithaticket]

That's a terrible call. No release from Williams if he's the one credited with the turnover and he sure as shit didn't roll out of the tackle if the other Bath player's being credited.

[ASMO]

Uren is pretty pish, a real marked step down from Randall, he is single handedly keeping Bath in the game

[sockwithaticket]

Uren is pretty pish, a real marked step down from Randall, he is single handedly keeping Bath in the game

Yours I think.

Try aside, he's definitely been putting the handbrake on the attack at times.

[sockwithaticket]

Bonus point try posted on 34 minutes. Bath need a miracle.

[Raggs]

Bath's defence looks awful. Beyond what I'd expect of a disrupted squad, they're just not putting in shots.

[sockwithaticket]

That was not a tackle on Hughes.

[Raggs]

That was not a tackle on Hughes.

Yes it was. Brilliant hit by Fiji Joe.

[sockwithaticket]

That was not a tackle on Hughes.

Yes it was. Brilliant hit by Fiji Joe.

Even after the replay, to me it looks like a shoulder hit where you bring up one arm after the fact to make it look less bad. Definitely seen pens for that.

[ASMO]

Tackle was fine for me, but Mercers late bit on Semi should have been looked at.

[Raggs]

Tackle was fine for me, but Mercers late bit on Semi should have been looked at.

Only caught the end of that, but it looked like most of the momentum was coming from Radradra, and Mercer just took advantage and braced himself.

[Kawazaki]

Prison style sans lube by Bristol.

[JM2K6]

That was not a tackle on Hughes.

Yes it was. Brilliant hit by Fiji Joe.

Even after the replay, to me it looks like a shoulder hit where you bring up one arm after the fact to make it look less bad. Definitely seen pens for that.

I think the arm was coming up tbh, it was almost horizontal when he hit. Hell of a shot.

Faletau being wanked over for the Lions the other week looks absolutely comical at this stage.

Some fun halftime stats:

Rhys Priestland - 2 tackles made, 5 missed
Josh Matavesi - 1 tackle made, 3 missed
Miles Reid - 9 tackles made, 5 missed (at openside!!!)

Henry Purdry - 113m off 6 carries
O'Conor - 75m off 4 carries, 7 defenders beaten
Piutau, Radradra - 5 defenders beaten
Afoa - 25m off 7 carries!
Hughes - 32m off 5 carries, 4 defenders beaten

[Raggs]

I feel a bit sorry for Hughes. He keeps getting himself on the wings to have a breather, but Bath are so crap that Bristol are being allowed to play a lot of width, so he keeps ending up with sprints :D.