NPR

Posted: **Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:47 pm**

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:35 pm So from the world cup squad
T. Curry (broken)
Earl (broken)
Lawes (retired)
Ludlam
Underhill
B. Vunipola
J. Willis (unavailable)

Possibles:
Barbeary (will he stay fit)
Chick (meh)
Coles (played 6 for Saints, more of a lock?)
Cunningham-South (might be a bit early)
B. Curry (not looked to hot for England so far...)
Dombrandt (see above)
Hill (broken?)
Pearson
Reid (can he step up?)
T. Willis

Really we'd want 5 at least for the 6N, not including hybrids? Ludlam, Underhill, Pearson, T. Willis.... I guess it's got to be Billy. Dombrandt maybe to push Pearson out the way? I think Billy gets in on experience, even if he's not very useful for England. I'm also assuming Barbeary will be broken.

Posted: **Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:51 pm**

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:25 pm
inactionman wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 6:29 pm
JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 6:07 pm With Jack Willis no longer eligible (I think) or fit (probably), and both Curry and Earl out, Pearson for 7 for the tournament?
I can only assume underhill must have knocked over your pint at some point.

Also need to fill a big Courtney sized hole at 6.

All change in the back row.
Ted Hill, your time is now. Or is he broken too? He didn't play for Bath on Friday.

We definitely need to do something about non-EQPs now that we're down to 10 teams.

As far as I can tell, of the 30 players who started in the back row this weekend just gone at least 12 aren't EQP and three more aren't regular back row players (eg. Thacker playing 7 for Bristol). Crucially, 50% of the 6s were non-EQP.

Injured first game of the season, don't think we're due to see him much before 6N if at all.

Posted: **Tue Nov 21, 2023 8:02 pm**

inactionman wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:51 pm
sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:25 pm
inactionman wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 6:29 pm

I can only assume underhill must have knocked over your pint at some point.

Also need to fill a big Courtney sized hole at 6.

All change in the back row.
Ted Hill, your time is now. Or is he broken too? He didn't play for Bath on Friday.

We definitely need to do something about non-EQPs now that we're down to 10 teams.

As far as I can tell, of the 30 players who started in the back row this weekend just gone at least 12 aren't EQP and three more aren't regular back row players (eg. Thacker playing 7 for Bristol). Crucially, 50% of the 6s were non-EQP.
Injured first game of the season, don't think we're due to see him much before 6N if at all.

Ah. Well that's not ideal.

Posted: **Tue Nov 21, 2023 8:04 pm**

Raggs wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:47 pm
sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:35 pm So from the world cup squad
T. Curry (broken)
Earl (broken)
Lawes (retired)
Ludlam
Underhill
B. Vunipola
J. Willis (unavailable)

Possibles:
Barbeary (will he stay fit)
Chick (meh)
Coles (played 6 for Saints, more of a lock?)
Cunningham-South (might be a bit early)
B. Curry (not looked to hot for England so far...)
Dombrandt (see above)
Hill (broken?)
Pearson
Reid (can he step up?)
T. Willis
Really we'd want 5 at least for the 6N, not including hybrids? Ludlam, Underhill, Pearson, T. Willis.... I guess it's got to be Billy. Dombrandt maybe to push Pearson out the way? I think Billy gets in on experience, even if he's not very useful for England. I'm also assuming Barbeary will be broken.

I'd certainly rather take a punt on someone else as I don't really see the point in bunging him a few more caps that would be more useful to a player with an England future, but experience will probably have him there like you say. It feels like the other four have got to be there.

Posted: **Tue Nov 21, 2023 8:13 pm**

Might as well go all in early, having seen him play 30 minutes for Saints on Saturday, Henry Pollock is a future England flanker.

Posted: **Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:04 am**

Oxbow wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 8:13 pm Might as well go all in early, having seen him play 30 minutes for Saints on Saturday, Henry Pollock is a future England flanker.

Very promising. Got some real pace and ball handling skills

Posted: **Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:09 am**

20 years ago today England had just kicked off against Australia in Sydney
I remember it well

Posted: **Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:14 am**

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:09 am 20 years ago today England had just kicked off against Australia in Sydney
I remember it well

The fast food joint that we lived above had left it's fryers on, and they caught fire. Fire alarms went off, stumbled out of the flat after a couple of hours sleep and hungover, in a dressing gown, with my 6 other housemates in various states of pajamas etc, had they not been so sensitive, we wouldn't have been able to see 2 ft in front of us, it filled with smoke really quick. The neighbouring students were laughing and joking out their windows at us, until we pointed out the smoke pouring out of ours. Got given blankets by the fire brigade, got take up to the nearby hotel where not long before a famous footballer had been robbed by two hookers. Sat in the lobby for a while, got told we couldn't go back in the flat for a while. Went to the pub that wasn't open yet, but one of the housemates worked out, got given a breakfast that they don't serve, and watched the final on their TV in the pub, all dressed in our smokey smelling dressing gowns. Boring Tony the agent from the letting company got the whole placed cleaned by the end of Sunday, and paid for all our stuff to be thoroughly dry cleaned, despite the fact that he didn't yet know if the place below even had insurance. Boring Tony was boring as hell, but turns out, a bloody good letting agent.

Posted: **Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:44 am**

Raggs wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:14 am
SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:09 am 20 years ago today England had just kicked off against Australia in Sydney
I remember it well
The fast food joint that we lived above had left it's fryers on, and they caught fire. Fire alarms went off, stumbled out of the flat after a couple of hours sleep and hungover, in a dressing gown, with my 6 other housemates in various states of pajamas etc, had they not been so sensitive, we wouldn't have been able to see 2 ft in front of us, it filled with smoke really quick. The neighbouring students were laughing and joking out their windows at us, until we pointed out the smoke pouring out of ours. Got given blankets by the fire brigade, got take up to the nearby hotel where not long before a famous footballer had been robbed by two hookers. Sat in the lobby for a while, got told we couldn't go back in the flat for a while. Went to the pub that wasn't open yet, but one of the housemates worked out, got given a breakfast that they don't serve, and watched the final on their TV in the pub, all dressed in our smokey smelling dressing gowns. Boring Tony the agent from the letting company got the whole placed cleaned by the end of Sunday, and paid for all our stuff to be thoroughly dry cleaned, despite the fact that he didn't yet know if the place below even had insurance. Boring Tony was boring as hell, but turns out, a bloody good letting agent.

Fantastic!!! I'm sure you remember that day very well

Posted: **Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:53 am**

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:44 am
Raggs wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:14 am
SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:09 am 20 years ago today England had just kicked off against Australia in Sydney
I remember it well
The fast food joint that we lived above had left it's fryers on, and they caught fire. Fire alarms went off, stumbled out of the flat after a couple of hours sleep and hungover, in a dressing gown, with my 6 other housemates in various states of pajamas etc, had they not been so sensitive, we wouldn't have been able to see 2 ft in front of us, it filled with smoke really quick. The neighbouring students were laughing and joking out their windows at us, until we pointed out the smoke pouring out of ours. Got given blankets by the fire brigade, got take up to the nearby hotel where not long before a famous footballer had been robbed by two hookers. Sat in the lobby for a while, got told we couldn't go back in the flat for a while. Went to the pub that wasn't open yet, but one of the housemates worked out, got given a breakfast that they don't serve, and watched the final on their TV in the pub, all dressed in our smokey smelling dressing gowns. Boring Tony the agent from the letting company got the whole placed cleaned by the end of Sunday, and paid for all our stuff to be thoroughly dry cleaned, despite the fact that he didn't yet know if the place below even had insurance. Boring Tony was boring as hell, but turns out, a bloody good letting agent.
Fantastic!!! I'm sure you remember that day very well

It'll take a while to forget

obvious had a fair bit to drink that day. Crashed on the floor of a mates house, and had a Jiu Jitsu grading on the Sunday. Can't even remember how I got my gi, I think we were allowed back in the house by that point and I just grabbed it. It was in a bag in a cupboard, so not too stinky If memory serves. Hungover and exhausted is the best way to deal with hours of having people trying to kick/punch/hit you with coshes and being slammed into the floor.

Posted: **Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:56 am**

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:09 am 20 years ago today England had just kicked off against Australia in Sydney
I remember it well

I had just flown back from an extended backpacking trip in Africa that morning and straight to the rugby club (when I lived in England). Bloody great day.

Posted: **Wed Nov 22, 2023 10:26 am**

As a counter to all the doom and gloom about the England back row, according to Sarries Earl is expected to return in January so should be ready for the 6N.

"Earl and Saracens received a positive update on his knee problem on Tuesday.

A scan revealed medial meniscus damage, which has now been repaired, and he is likely to return in January.

"We anticipate he'll be out for between six to eight weeks," Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said.

Earl was a standout performer for England on their run to the bronze medal in France, playing 80 minutes in six out of their seven matches.

"Ben had a minor knee procedure this morning," McCall added. "He's had a busy time with a lot of minutes in August, September and October, so to have a six-week period not playing rugby might actually be good for him in the long run.""

Posted: **Thu Nov 23, 2023 5:45 pm**

Yes the world has gone to pot.

But here is some good news guys !!!

Posted: **Thu Nov 23, 2023 9:12 pm**

Ymx wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2023 5:45 pm Yes the world has gone to pot.

But here is some good news guys !!!

Thanks for ruining my next 4 years, that is almost banhammer worthy

Posted: **Fri Nov 24, 2023 1:30 pm**

Ooof

Posted: **Fri Nov 24, 2023 2:28 pm**

BnM wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 1:30 pm Ooof

Disgraceful.

eta: and, apparently, sold out, so it seems they know what they can get away with.

Posted: **Fri Nov 24, 2023 2:44 pm**

Reading the comments - they employ dynamic pricing?

Posted: **Fri Nov 24, 2023 7:17 pm**

BnM wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 1:30 pm Ooof

Bloody hell - you could take a whole family to a T20 Blast game for less than that Adult price - and get 4 hours of entertainment.

Posted: **Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:16 pm**

Enjoying the saints quins game.

Surprised Bath can charge so much while being a bit rubbish. Plenty of alternatives near by.

Posted: **Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:33 pm**

petej wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:16 pm Enjoying the saints quins game.

Surprised Bath can charge so much while being a bit rubbish. Plenty of alternatives near by.

Much as I concede Bath were shocking in seasons past, this season they're second in the league and currently winning against the top team away (which will of course have jinxed it). Too soon to say a corner's turned, but a world away from shipping record scores at home the season before last.

The price hike does seem to have coincided with the arrival of Finn Russell, I will say that.

Posted: **Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:34 pm**

inactionman wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:33 pm
petej wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:16 pm Enjoying the saints quins game.

Surprised Bath can charge so much while being a bit rubbish. Plenty of alternatives near by.

Much as I concede Bath were shocking in seasons past, this season they're second in the league and currently winning against the top team away (which will of course have jinxed it). Too soon to say a corner's turned, but a world away from shipping record scores at home the season before last.

The price hike does seem to have coincided with the arrival of Finn Russell, I will say that.

Bah.

Posted: **Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:35 pm**

Good comeback for Saints after last weekend.

petej wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:16 pm Enjoying the saints quins game.

Surprised Bath can charge so much while being a bit rubbish. Plenty of alternatives near by.

Not sure we can make that jibe while they're second in the league.

Posted: **Sat Nov 25, 2023 9:14 am**

petej wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:16 pm Enjoying the saints quins game.

Surprised Bath can charge so much while being a bit rubbish. Plenty of alternatives near by.

Saints v Quins was a cracker!

Posted: **Sat Nov 25, 2023 7:36 pm**

Never seen Farrell miss so many kicks in one match

Posted: **Sat Nov 25, 2023 8:06 pm**

SaintK wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2023 7:36 pm Never seen Farrell miss so many kicks in one match

How many?

He's had an increasing number of off days in recent years.

Posted: **Sat Nov 25, 2023 8:20 pm**

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2023 8:06 pm
SaintK wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2023 7:36 pm Never seen Farrell miss so many kicks in one match
How many?

He's had an increasing number of off days in recent years.

5!!!!

Posted: **Sat Nov 25, 2023 9:02 pm**

I never understand allowing the kicker to keep having a go once they get up to 4.

Posted: **Sat Nov 25, 2023 11:34 pm**

SaintK wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2023 7:36 pm Never seen Farrell miss so many kicks in one match

I’m convinced his ankle injuries have caught up with him

Posted: **Sun Nov 26, 2023 7:20 am**

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2023 11:34 pm
SaintK wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2023 7:36 pm Never seen Farrell miss so many kicks in one match
I’m convinced his ankle injuries have caught up with him

I think, for the good of his club career, the only option would be for him to retire from International Rugby.

Immediately.

Posted: **Mon Nov 27, 2023 8:42 pm**

ASMO wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2023 9:12 pm
Ymx wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2023 5:45 pm Yes the world has gone to pot.

But here is some good news guys !!!

Thanks for ruining my next 4 years, that is almost banhammer worthy

According to our most learned press, and planet rugby, it gets even better.

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/maro-i ... t-decision

tldr - according to Stuart Hogg, if Sarries make Farrell their marquee when they're only allowed one from 2024, Itoje will feck off to France.

Posted: **Mon Nov 27, 2023 9:17 pm**

Maro's on an insane wedge for a lock already, that he's allegedly seeking to increase that to £1m per season is absolutely crackers.

His current 800k is an amount he'd probably be fairly lucky to replicate even if looking across the Channel. There's obviously more money in French rugby, but they still have a salary cap to work around. From next season it's being reduced to 10m euros. According to a quick internet conversion that's about £8.7m, so even without the increase he'd be asking any prospective club to spend abotu 11% of their total salary cap on one second row (who looks to be past his peak based on the last couple of years...).

I suggest he brush up on his Japanese if he wants that kind of money.

Posted: **Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:38 pm**

It’s a no brainer Sarries making Faz the marquee player.

Posted: **Tue Nov 28, 2023 8:25 am**

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Nov 27, 2023 9:17 pm Maro's on an insane wedge for a lock already, that he's allegedly seeking to increase that to £1m per season is absolutely crackers.

His current 800k is an amount he'd probably be fairly lucky to replicate even if looking across the Channel. There's obviously more money in French rugby, but they still have a salary cap to work around. From next season it's being reduced to 10m euros. According to a quick internet conversion that's about £8.7m, so even without the increase he'd be asking any prospective club to spend abotu 11% of their total salary cap on one second row (who looks to be past his peak based on the last couple of years...).

I suggest he brush up on his Japanese if he wants that kind of money.

The Rugby Paper reported a couple of weeks back that his agents salary demands were far too rich for even the wealthiest of T14 sides.
In other news Lewis Ludlum has completed his signing for Toulon who he will join at the start of next season. Saints couldn't compete with nthe salary offer and length of contract agreed and with the RFU dithering about the "hybrid contracts" there was no guarantee he would be offered one.

Posted: **Tue Nov 28, 2023 3:25 pm**

England backrow options are narrowing themselves without any input from our esteemed national coaching team.

Posted: **Wed Nov 29, 2023 3:16 pm**

Well this was unexpected

Posted: **Wed Nov 29, 2023 3:16 pm**

Faz has ruled himself out of the 6Ns for family reasons

Posted: **Wed Nov 29, 2023 3:17 pm**

Absolutely did not see that coming.

No doubt his family have taken a pasting from keyboard warriors

Posted: **Wed Nov 29, 2023 3:36 pm**

Possibly, but between England and Lions responsibilities he's been away a lot and has young kids. Wife just might want more support in general or might have a specific issue that means she can't work around his likely absence at the moment. All we know is what's in the statement.

On keyboard warriors, Tom Foley is the latest ref to reveal he's had death threats.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-67546611

Posted: **Wed Nov 29, 2023 3:39 pm**

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2023 3:17 pm Absolutely did not see that coming.

No doubt his family have taken a pasting from keyboard warriors

Quite! He doen't deserve all the shit and personal abuse that comes with his selection.
Sarries will delighted mind you.

Posted: **Wed Nov 29, 2023 3:41 pm**

I wonder what the odds are for George Ford getting a season ending injury in his next game out.

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