The Official English Rugby Thread

[Ovals]

Regardless of your personal feelings on the guy, England's most-capped fullback is well loved by a huge number of England fans.

Yeah - I'd have him right up there. Best we've had since Josh Lewsey.

[sockwithaticket]

Regardless of your personal feelings on the guy, England's most-capped fullback is well loved by a huge number of England fans.

Yeah - I'd have him right up there. Best we've had since Josh Lewsey.

+1

[Kawazaki]

Quins getting Rassie Erasmus apparently. That could be brilliant for them.

[SaintK]

George Kruis enjoying himself in Japan
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56628037

[sockwithaticket]

Apparently we're interested in capping a couple of Sale's young front rowers, both of whom seem to be Scottish qualified.

Bevan Rodd - not much info out there, but the Sale site says he's been through England age groups since U16s.

Ewan Ashman - been through Scottish age groups since U16s, Scottish dad. Also Canada qualified since he was born there.

Former seems more likely than the latter.

[Raggs]

Apparently we're interested in capping a couple of Sale's young front rowers, both of whom seem to be Scottish qualified.

Bevan Rodd - not much info out there, but the Sale site says he's been through England age groups since U16s.

Ewan Ashman - been through Scottish age groups since U16s, Scottish dad. Also Canada qualified since he was born there.

Former seems more likely than the latter.

Not seen much of Rodd myself, but people have been talking about him for a few weeks now, from what I have seen, he's been pretty handy, worth a summer cap to lock him in if needed.

Not so sure about Ashman, seems more of a two fingered salute to the Scots if we get him.

[JM2K6]

Both are very good. Rodd especially is incredibly impressive at his age. Curtis Langdon is another great option from Sale, though probably not quite as important to cap immediately...

[Raggs]

Both are very good. Rodd especially is incredibly impressive at his age. Curtis Langdon is another great option from Sale, though probably not quite as important to cap immediately...

The Bristol hooker (not Thacker) has looked really good too, and if England are looking to play a high pace game, picking from Bristol isn't a bad place to start.

Of course, there's then also Barbeary, get him in a full summer camp and just go nuts on his scrums/lineouts and decide if you think he can make the cut there, or push for him to be backrow (or 12).

[sockwithaticket]

Yeah I don't seem to end up watching many Sale games, so I haven't seen a great deal of either, but had picked up a bit of buzz about them even before the recent headlines.

We've probably a bit more depth at looshead than hooker, so Ashman would probably be the bigger target, but I'd love it if Rodd turned out to be a better LH understudy than Genge who honestly remains a bit underwhelming.

[JM2K6]

Yeah I'm not sure our loosehead depth is all that. Marler's availability is going to be patchy, Mako's having real issues, Genge is so far flattering to deceive, Obano appears to not be favoured... definitely room for some players to make a mark.

[Paddington Bear]

Increasingly think Genge's big problem is he talks too much, winds up his opposite number and then isn't quite good enough to turn it to our advantage. Don't think he'd have the same issues if he kept his head down

[Raggs]

Still reckon West is in a good place to be a Marler type loosehead. Solid set piece player, with a few key skills (bloody good at pick and goes).

[Brazil]

Both Rodd and Ashman deserve a chance on the development tour IMHO, though not all the Sale fans are of the same view. They were both very impressive when we weren't firing on all cylinders, but under Sanderson have really grasped the opportunity. Rafi Quirke is also on the radar apparently, which given his limited appearances to date seems a bit premature, but given Eddie's disregard for virtually every other eligible English 9 to date and Quirke's very evident ability, it looks like a risk that would pay off to me, a la Tom Curry on the Argentina tour.

[JM2K6]

Increasingly think Genge's big problem is he talks too much, winds up his opposite number and then isn't quite good enough to turn it to our advantage. Don't think he'd have the same issues if he kept his head down

I think it's simpler than that. He's been getting smashed in the scrums and his desire to ~physically dominate~ in the loose makes him run at people who smash him backwards. He can fix the latter with better target selection, better footwork, and looking to offload - all things I think he can do. The former may come with time. It may not.

[SaintK]

Both are very good. Rodd especially is incredibly impressive at his age. Curtis Langdon is another great option from Sale, though probably not quite as important to cap immediately...

The Bristol hooker (not Thacker) has looked really good too, and if England are looking to play a high pace game, picking from Bristol isn't a bad place to start.

Of course, there's then also Barbeary, get him in a full summer camp and just go nuts on his scrums/lineouts and decide if you think he can make the cut there, or push for him to be backrow (or 12).

Will Capon........very impressed with him!

[sockwithaticket]

Both are very good. Rodd especially is incredibly impressive at his age. Curtis Langdon is another great option from Sale, though probably not quite as important to cap immediately...

The Bristol hooker (not Thacker) has looked really good too, and if England are looking to play a high pace game, picking from Bristol isn't a bad place to start.

Of course, there's then also Barbeary, get him in a full summer camp and just go nuts on his scrums/lineouts and decide if you think he can make the cut there, or push for him to be backrow (or 12).

Will Capon........very impressed with him!

Byrne? He's been the starter and scored a fair few tries.

[sockwithaticket]

Still reckon West is in a good place to be a Marler type loosehead. Solid set piece player, with a few key skills (bloody good at pick and goes).

He's certainly putting himself in the mix for first choice at Wasps and is on Eddie's radar. Couple more seasons on his current trajectory and I reckon he'll be a worthy international.

[JM2K6]

The Bristol hooker (not Thacker) has looked really good too, and if England are looking to play a high pace game, picking from Bristol isn't a bad place to start.

Of course, there's then also Barbeary, get him in a full summer camp and just go nuts on his scrums/lineouts and decide if you think he can make the cut there, or push for him to be backrow (or 12).

Will Capon........very impressed with him!

Byrne? He's been the starter and scored a fair few tries.

Byrne's an Irish 27 year old journeyman tbh

[sockwithaticket]

Will Capon........very impressed with him!

Byrne? He's been the starter and scored a fair few tries.

Byrne's an Irish 27 year old journeyman tbh

Oh yeah, not advocating for him, just figuring out who we're talking about. Not conscious of Capon having had that much time or opportunity.

[Margin__Walker]

Teams for Bath v LI Challenge Cup QF tomorrow night (8pm). Rona given a rest (I assume) for this one with Brophy Clews moving to 13. He's been going really well lately at 12, so will be interesting to see how he gets on as a playmaking 13. Strong Bath team again with Underhill and Dunn the notable absentees. Assume they will look to keep it a bit tighter this time as they got some joy when they did that the other week.



BATH RUGBY SIDE TO FACE LONDON IRISH
15. Anthony Watson, 14. Joe Cokanasiga, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Cameron Redpath, 11. Ruaridh McConnochie, 10. Orlando Bailey, 9. Ben Spencer; 1. Beno Obano, 2. Jack Walker, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Josh McNally, 5. Charlie Ewels ©, 6. Taulupe Faletau, 7. Josh Bayliss, 8. Zach Mercer

REPLACEMENTS
16. Jacques du Toit, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. Henry Thomas, 19. Mike Williams, 20. Miles Reid, 21. Will Chudley, 22. Max Clark, 23. Alex Gray

[Kawazaki]

Yeah I don't seem to end up watching many Sale games, so I haven't seen a great deal of either, but had picked up a bit of buzz about them even before the recent headlines.

We've probably a bit more depth at looshead than hooker, so Ashman would probably be the bigger target, but I'd love it if Rodd turned out to be a better LH understudy than Genge who honestly remains a bit underwhelming.

Underwhelming is an understatement. Let's call it as it is, he's a gobshite.

[SaintK]

Byrne? He's been the starter and scored a fair few tries.

Byrne's an Irish 27 year old journeyman tbh

Oh yeah, not advocating for him, just figuring out who we're talking about. Not conscious of Capon having had that much time or opportunity.

Either started or come off the bench in the last 5 or 6 Bears match I've watched. Certainly started whilst both Thacker and Byrne were injured and played in 15+ matche s in the 2019/20 season

[SaintK]

Sounds like a big lump, will be interesting to see him in action

Duane Ratu Willemsen, a 20-year-old cousin of Leicester Tigers winger Nemani Nadolo, has joined Gallagher Premiership rivals Northampton on a senior academy contract deal after arriving in England last week following a recent stint in Australian rugby league.
The 6ft 6in, 128kg forward – a cousin of Fiji international Nemani Nadolo – grew up down under and holds an Australian passport. He represented New South Wales at age-group level in both rugby union and basketball, and most recently enjoyed a stint in rugby league with the NRL’s St George Illawarra Dragons. Willemsen landed in Northampton last week and has now begun training with the first-team squad after observing a quarantine period upon his arrival in the UK.”

[Oxbow]

Sounds like a big lump, will be interesting to see him in action

Duane Ratu Willemsen, a 20-year-old cousin of Leicester Tigers winger Nemani Nadolo, has joined Gallagher Premiership rivals Northampton on a senior academy contract deal after arriving in England last week following a recent stint in Australian rugby league.
The 6ft 6in, 128kg forward – a cousin of Fiji international Nemani Nadolo – grew up down under and holds an Australian passport. He represented New South Wales at age-group level in both rugby union and basketball, and most recently enjoyed a stint in rugby league with the NRL’s St George Illawarra Dragons. Willemsen landed in Northampton last week and has now begun training with the first-team squad after observing a quarantine period upon his arrival in the UK.”

It says on the Saints website he's English-qualified, anybody know how that works?

[Raggs]

Just like to say that tonight, I caught premiership, and international referee Adam Leal, after he made a clean break.

We'll ignore that it was me he stepped, and that it was more a flailing foot clipped his heel as he was off, but I'll take it! Scored two scorching 80m tries against his team as well (across a half pitch too, all the more impressive....).

[Kawazaki]

Sounds like a big lump, will be interesting to see him in action

Duane Ratu Willemsen, a 20-year-old cousin of Leicester Tigers winger Nemani Nadolo, has joined Gallagher Premiership rivals Northampton on a senior academy contract deal after arriving in England last week following a recent stint in Australian rugby league.
The 6ft 6in, 128kg forward – a cousin of Fiji international Nemani Nadolo – grew up down under and holds an Australian passport. He represented New South Wales at age-group level in both rugby union and basketball, and most recently enjoyed a stint in rugby league with the NRL’s St George Illawarra Dragons. Willemsen landed in Northampton last week and has now begun training with the first-team squad after observing a quarantine period upon his arrival in the UK.”

It says on the Saints website he's English-qualified, anybody know how that works?

English parent/grandparent?

[sockwithaticket]

Duane and Willemsen in concert sound South African.

[sockwithaticket]

Not exactly unexpected news, Sopoaga is confirmed to be leaving Wasps at the end of the season. Slightly surprised to see that Lyon have picked him up, thought he might have to head off to Japan or settle for a slightly poorer French team after hsi displays for us.

[SaintK]

Not exactly unexpected news, Sopoaga is confirmed to be leaving Wasps at the end of the season. Slightly surprised to see that Lyon have picked him up, thought he might have to head off to Japan or settle for a slightly poorer French team after hsi displays for us.

Ian Costello the defence coach heading back to Munster
https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/ian-costel ... -season/

[sockwithaticket]

That's a shame. While still not as resilient as we'd want it to be, it's been much improved under him.

[Margin__Walker]

Teams for Saints v LI tonight.

[ASMO]

Backs fairly even, i think the LI pack will get bullied though

[Margin__Walker]

Backs fairly even, i think the LI pack will get bullied though

Yep, quite possibly.

The likes of Coleman, Mafi and Creevy would have been great to have available in a game like this. Centre also a bit of an issue with Hepetema and Stokes not really having played together and Stokes not being a 13 to start with. Backline never clicks quite as well without Rona.

That said, if it's a loose game, we'll have a shot.

[JM2K6]

How long is Freeman out for?

[Oxbow]

How long is Freeman out for?

"A couple of weeks". Supposedly the injury isn't as bad as first feared. Hopefully that's correct.

[JM2K6]

How long is Freeman out for?

"A couple of weeks". Supposedly the injury isn't as bad as first feared. Hopefully that's correct.

Ah, good news.

[sockwithaticket]

Teams for tomorrow's early kick off






Wasps:

[Margin__Walker]

You can see how Exeter are comfortable playing with a smaller, dynamic 8.

Their flankers are absolute mutants.

[JM2K6]

You can see how Exeter are comfortable playing with a smaller, dynamic 8.

Their flankers are absolute mutants.

To the extent that I thought Vermeulen was normal sized as I only ever saw him in comparison to the locks, Ewers, and Kirsten... he's fucking 6'5 1/2" and 117kg! It's mad.

Tis interesting how badly they can suffer at the breakdown because of it, but I think it's fair to say that despite the size disparity, Simmonds holds up well in comparison when it comes to power in contact.

[JM2K6]

Anyway, Quins vs Worcs:

Harlequins Starting XV
1. Joe Marler (217)
2. Scott Baldwin (34)
3. Wilco Louw (20)
4. Matt Symons (55)
5. Dino Lamb (39)
6. Tom Lawday (31)
7. Will Evans (35)
8. Alex Dombrandt (68) – Captain
9. Danny Care (298)
10. Marcus Smith (102)
11. Cadan Murley (43)
12. Andre Esterhuizen (16)
13. Joe Marchant (104)
14. Tyrone Green (13)
15. Mike Brown (348)

Impact Players
16. Joe Gray (165)
17. Jordan Els (15)
18. Will Collier (180)
19. Hugh Tizard (11)
20. Jack Kenningham (5)
21. Martin Landajo (29)
22. Brett Herron (21)
23. Luke Northmore (20)

Unavailable due to injury:
Aaron Morris, Craig Trenier, James Chisholm, Louis Lynagh, Scott Steele, Stephan Lewies

Warriors
15 Jamie Shillcock
14 Perry Humphreys
13 Ollie Lawrence
12 Francois Venter
11 Alex Hearle
10 Billy Searle
9 Francois Hougaard

1 Ethan Waller
2 Niall Annett
3 Nick Schonert
4 Joe Batley
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Ted Hill (C)
7 Matt Kvesic
8 GJ van Velze

Replacements | 16 Isaac Miller, 17 Marc Thomas, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Anton Bresler, 20 Tom Dodd, 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Ashley Beck, 23 Harri Doel.

Unavailable | Conor Carey, Beck Cutting, Matt Cox, Nick David, Noah Heward, Tom Howe, Sam Lewis, Marco Mama, George Merrick, Melani Nanai, Duncan Weir.

Strong Quins team with just a couple of absentees. Collier ahead of Kerrod on the bench is an odd call. Marchant a bit lucky to get ahead of Northmore.