NPR

SaintK wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 10:50 am

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 10:04 am So the game is, who from that squad stand a chance of making the World Cup squad proper.

I'd say these lot are certs:
Genge
Dombrandt
Sinckler
Stuart
Lawrence
Smith

These are likely:
Marler
Arundell
Walker
Care
Blamire*
Walker*

*Depends on LCD's availability.

I'd have Mercer over Dombrandt and reckon Theo Dan will get the nod over Jack Walker as third hooker as you say subject tp LCD's fitness.
Evidently Sam Simmonds declined his invitation to join the training group so will definitel;y not be in the final RWC squad

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 10:04 am So the game is, who from that squad stand a chance of making the World Cup squad proper.

I'd say these lot are certs:
Genge
Dombrandt
Sinckler
Stuart
Lawrence
Smith

These are likely:
Marler
Arundell
Walker
Care
Blamire*
Walker*

*Depends on LCD's availability.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 5:41 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 10:04 am So the game is, who from that squad stand a chance of making the World Cup squad proper.

I'd say these lot are certs:
Genge
Dombrandt
Sinckler
Stuart
Lawrence
Smith

These are likely:
Marler
Arundell
Walker
Care
Blamire*
Walker*

*Depends on LCD's availability.

He'll only take 2x flyhalfs and I reckon Smith is the third wheel now.
Dombrandt has just not played well for England. Mercer could nudge him out. Surprised Tom Willis isn't in this prelim squad as well.

Edit: just seen Ewels in there. FFS.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 5:41 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 10:04 am So the game is, who from that squad stand a chance of making the World Cup squad proper.

I'd say these lot are certs:
Genge
Dombrandt
Sinckler
Stuart
Lawrence
Smith

These are likely:
Marler
Arundell
Walker
Care
Blamire*
Walker*

*Depends on LCD's availability.

He'll only take 2x flyhalfs and I reckon Smith is the third wheel now.
Dombrandt has just not played well for England. Mercer could nudge him out. Surprised Tom Willis isn't in this prelim squad as well.

Edit: just seen Ewels in there. FFS.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 5:41 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 10:04 am So the game is, who from that squad stand a chance of making the World Cup squad proper.

I'd say these lot are certs:
Genge
Dombrandt
Sinckler
Stuart
Lawrence
Smith

These are likely:
Marler
Arundell
Walker
Care
Blamire*
Walker*

*Depends on LCD's availability.

He'll only take 2x flyhalfs and I reckon Smith is the third wheel now.
Dombrandt has just not played well for England. Mercer could nudge him out. Surprised Tom Willis isn't in this prelim squad as well.

Edit: just seen Ewels in there. FFS.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 8:10 pm Dombrandt's had a couple of good games, a couple of mixed ones, a poor one, and a bunch of cameos. Not really unexpected for a guy who's making his way in international rugby but he was also forcing it too much and that kept happening for a few matches on his return from England. Just needs to chill a bit rather than trying to take every pass at the hardest possible point (and put some more bite into his tackling).

Mercer's French exploits were superb and I'm sure he'll do a great job if selected.

No-one else really put their hands up this season and with a diminished Simmonds turning it down there's a chance they'll both go, with J Willis, Curry, Ludlum all considered decent 8s in a pinch.

With the paucity of tighthead options I was surprised that Collier wasn't picked up but I guess old man Cole is a cert under Borthwick. Hopefully Ewels is out on his arse as soon as the top 4 squads return. You'll probably see both Chessum and Martin before Ewels get in. Where did we end up with Ribbans? He was dropped in the 6N wasn't he?

Raggs wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 8:53 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 8:10 pm Dombrandt's had a couple of good games, a couple of mixed ones, a poor one, and a bunch of cameos. Not really unexpected for a guy who's making his way in international rugby but he was also forcing it too much and that kept happening for a few matches on his return from England. Just needs to chill a bit rather than trying to take every pass at the hardest possible point (and put some more bite into his tackling).

Mercer's French exploits were superb and I'm sure he'll do a great job if selected.

No-one else really put their hands up this season and with a diminished Simmonds turning it down there's a chance they'll both go, with J Willis, Curry, Ludlum all considered decent 8s in a pinch.

With the paucity of tighthead options I was surprised that Collier wasn't picked up but I guess old man Cole is a cert under Borthwick. Hopefully Ewels is out on his arse as soon as the top 4 squads return. You'll probably see both Chessum and Martin before Ewels get in. Where did we end up with Ribbans? He was dropped in the 6N wasn't he?

Tom Willis has been beating more defenders per 80 minutes that Mercer. Wouldn't be surprised to see him in the squad, especially now with the Sarries link.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Tue Jun 13, 2023 11:57 am


How many of these England players can you name?

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Tue Jun 13, 2023 12:50 pm I can get most of them but recognise some faces but I can't remember the name.

Starting FR: Pierce/Brain/Chilcott
SR: Dooley/Bainbridge
BR: ? Recognise his face?/Winterbottom/Richards
HB: ?Youngs?/Andrew
Centres: ? No idea?/Clough
Wings: Harrison/Underwood
FB: ?O'Neil?

Subs (L to R): Hill/Barnes/??/??/??/Rendall

The Rugby Paper can reveal exclusively that the report, compiled by RFU chief financial officer, Sue Day, has forecast a massive loss of over £40m in the 2023-24 financial year. It also currently predicts a loss of almost £7m for 2022-23, although it will probably be in excess of £10m because the RFU will have to pay around £5m to the Compass Group for its 45 per cent corporate hospitality shareholding at Twickenham.

Day had flagged in the last RFU two annual reports in 2021 and 2022 that the RFU faces difficult financial challenges.

These have increased following a Sweeney-led negotiation with CVC. Although this netted the RFU a £90.8m one-off payment in 2021 from the private equity company in return for 14.3 per cent of its Six Nations commercial revenue annually, the RFU is now feeling the monetary squeeze of that deal.

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed Jun 14, 2023 4:29 pm Have to respect CVC, easiest millions they ever made was waving a cheque and some powerpoint slides and some blokes in suits who think they’re corporate big wigs

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Wed Jun 14, 2023 7:07 pm https://archive.ph/4apYJ

Dallaglio

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 8:14 am 'scuse the Scottish slant on this, do you think Ben White will pick up a gig somewhere?

I fear for Kyle Rowe, he was more than worth his place on the Scotland tour last summer but he hasn't played since due to injury

Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 8:24 am

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 8:14 am 'scuse the Scottish slant on this, do you think Ben White will pick up a gig somewhere?

I fear for Kyle Rowe, he was more than worth his place on the Scotland tour last summer but he hasn't played since due to injury

No need to excuse any slant.

White definitely will. Assume the SRU would want to bring him North and have heard things to that effect. We'll see though. A big part of his reasoning to move down to LI in the first place was to live with his partner (Jodie Burrage) who's a tennis pro based in London. Think he'd probably take a contract at Sarries or Quins if one were available. That's a long shot though so expect he'll end up in Scotland.

Rowe really needs someone to take a chance on him. He's got such an good upside and the injury and LI's collapse has been really badly timed for him. He's definitely fit again as he was involved in training (and an unpublised friendly against Leinster A) before the season end and have seen him taking part in the off-season camp being run at Hazelwood for a bunch of the guys last week.

Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 7:36 am Saints are first out of the blocks on the LI players, signing Munga, Haffar and Pearson. The latter will get the headlines, but Haffar is one I'd watch out for. Only 21, but was keeping guys like Goodrick-Clark and Gigena out of the match day 23 in the second half of the season. Freakishly athletic for a prop and hasn't been embarrassed at set piece so far.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 8:37 am

Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 7:36 am Saints are first out of the blocks on the LI players, signing Munga, Haffar and Pearson. The latter will get the headlines, but Haffar is one I'd watch out for. Only 21, but was keeping guys like Goodrick-Clark and Gigena out of the match day 23 in the second half of the season. Freakishly athletic for a prop and hasn't been embarrassed at set piece so far.

Who was the Saints player who was leaving to join London Irish? He must be a tad pissed off.

Also, expect Quins fans to accuse Northampton of cheating.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 8:37 am

Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 7:36 am Saints are first out of the blocks on the LI players, signing Munga, Haffar and Pearson. The latter will get the headlines, but Haffar is one I'd watch out for. Only 21, but was keeping guys like Goodrick-Clark and Gigena out of the match day 23 in the second half of the season. Freakishly athletic for a prop and hasn't been embarrassed at set piece so far.

Who was the Saints player who was leaving to join London Irish? He must be a tad pissed off.

Also, expect Quins fans to accuse Northampton of cheating.

Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 8:39 am

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 8:37 am

Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 7:36 am Saints are first out of the blocks on the LI players, signing Munga, Haffar and Pearson. The latter will get the headlines, but Haffar is one I'd watch out for. Only 21, but was keeping guys like Goodrick-Clark and Gigena out of the match day 23 in the second half of the season. Freakishly athletic for a prop and hasn't been embarrassed at set piece so far.

Who was the Saints player who was leaving to join London Irish? He must be a tad pissed off.

Also, expect Quins fans to accuse Northampton of cheating.

Tom Collins. Exceptionally bad timing.

Oxbow wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 8:41 am

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 8:37 am

Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 7:36 am Saints are first out of the blocks on the LI players, signing Munga, Haffar and Pearson. The latter will get the headlines, but Haffar is one I'd watch out for. Only 21, but was keeping guys like Goodrick-Clark and Gigena out of the match day 23 in the second half of the season. Freakishly athletic for a prop and hasn't been embarrassed at set piece so far.

Who was the Saints player who was leaving to join London Irish? He must be a tad pissed off.

Also, expect Quins fans to accuse Northampton of cheating.

Tom Collins. Word is he might end up at Bedford and still have a connection to Saints.

Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Fri Jun 16, 2023 10:20 am French press reporting Arundell to Racing as a done deal.

Will be interesting to see what they exemption situation (if any) is for next season

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Fri Jun 16, 2023 10:48 am

Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Fri Jun 16, 2023 10:20 am French press reporting Arundell to Racing as a done deal.

Will be interesting to see what they exemption situation (if any) is for next season

Wasps and Worcester players got the rest of 22/23 as an exemption, presume Irish players would get the same for 23/24.