NPR

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 7:05 am

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:51 pmHis distribution skills are a real point of difference so eh

They're not when he's not looking where to fucking pass!

SaintK wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:57 pm

dpedin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:18 pm If it was my choice I would Furlong over Sinkler in my team every day of the week. He is the stronger and more destructive scrummager and gives away the least number of penalties in the scrum. Between Porter and Sinkler is a tighter call but for me Porter is as good a scrummager but adds more around the park and would be my call. Ireland won the battle with England scrum in 6Ns. Fagerson is a beast, a good scrummager and carries the ball aggressively. He, along with the rest of the Scottish front row, gave away the least number of scrum penalties in the 6Ns and he would be on the bench for me to replace Furlong. Sinkler will make a good dirt tracker.

Other way round. The red faced angry one will be the dirt tracker.

Big D wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 8:41 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:57 pm

dpedin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:18 pm If it was my choice I would Furlong over Sinkler in my team every day of the week. He is the stronger and more destructive scrummager and gives away the least number of penalties in the scrum. Between Porter and Sinkler is a tighter call but for me Porter is as good a scrummager but adds more around the park and would be my call. Ireland won the battle with England scrum in 6Ns. Fagerson is a beast, a good scrummager and carries the ball aggressively. He, along with the rest of the Scottish front row, gave away the least number of scrum penalties in the 6Ns and he would be on the bench for me to replace Furlong. Sinkler will make a good dirt tracker.

Other way round. The red faced angry one will be the dirt tracker.

Fagerson may end up a dirt tracker, I think most positions are still up in the air. However, set piece will be massive, it has been in the last two SA tours (especially game 1 last time). The two Scottish props, especially since De Villers came into the Scotland camp rarely go backwards and the scrums more often than not are rock solid. Objectively I don't think there is a lot between Fagerson and Sinckler, I'd have had KS in the initial party. Gatland and MacBryde obviously have Fagerson just in front at this very early stage but I wouldn't be overly shocked if Sinckler started a test match.

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:15 am

Big D wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 8:41 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:57 pm
Other way round. The red faced angry one will be the dirt tracker.

Fagerson may end up a dirt tracker, I think most positions are still up in the air. However, set piece will be massive, it has been in the last two SA tours (especially game 1 last time). The two Scottish props, especially since De Villers came into the Scotland camp rarely go backwards and the scrums more often than not are rock solid. Objectively I don't think there is a lot between Fagerson and Sinckler, I'd have had KS in the initial party. Gatland and MacBryde obviously have Fagerson just in front at this very early stage but I wouldn't be overly shocked if Sinckler started a test match.

Pretty sure they'll both play a part in the test series at some point.

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 6:56 pmToo many Scots

dpedin wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 2:00 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:15 am

Big D wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 8:41 am

Fagerson may end up a dirt tracker, I think most positions are still up in the air. However, set piece will be massive, it has been in the last two SA tours (especially game 1 last time). The two Scottish props, especially since De Villers came into the Scotland camp rarely go backwards and the scrums more often than not are rock solid. Objectively I don't think there is a lot between Fagerson and Sinckler, I'd have had KS in the initial party. Gatland and MacBryde obviously have Fagerson just in front at this very early stage but I wouldn't be overly shocked if Sinckler started a test match.

Pretty sure they'll both play a part in the test series at some point.

I'm the opposite - I don't think many positions are up in the air. I think the team for the first test is almost already picked with only a one or two positions up in the air, the squad was picked specifically with the gameplan, tactics and opposition in mind. Whilst we have our own views on the coaching staff they are nothing if not very detailed and very well prepared and will have worked out exactly what they want to do and the players they need to execute the plans. They also know exactly the strengths and weaknesses of all the players available and if they are capable of doing what is being asked of them and chosen the squad accordingly. They will have been analysing players performances in great depth for months and will have seen exactly what the strengths and weaknesses are in all the TH options available to them. This is why Sinkler was not initially selected in the squad and why he will be the dirt-tracker unless there is an injury to the first two picks.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 6:43 pm Guesses for the first test team then?

1. W. Jones
2. Owens
3. Furlong
4. A-W Jones
5. Itoje
6. Beirne
7. Curry
8. Faletau
9. Murray
10. Biggar
11. Williams
12. Henshaw
13. Daly
14. Watson
15. Hogg

16. George
17. Sutherland
18. Fagerson
19. Lawes
20. Tipuric
21. Davies
22. Farrell
23. Rees-Zammit

Possibly a record low number of English.






Josh Adams (Wales)
Bundee Aki (Ireland)
Dan Biggar (Wales)
Elliot Daly (England)
Gareth Davies (Wales)
Owen Farrell (England)
Chris Harris (Scotland)
Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Conor Murray (Ireland)
Ali Price (Scotland)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
Finn Russell (Scotland)
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
Anthony Watson (England)
Liam Williams (Wales)
Forwards:

Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
Jack Conan (Ireland)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)
Tom Curry (England)
Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Jamie George (England)
Iain Henderson (Ireland)
Jonny Hill (England)
Maro Itoje (England)
Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) – captain
Wyn Jones (Wales)
Courtney Lawes (England)
Ken Owens (Wales)
Sam Simmonds (England)
Kyle Sinckler (England)
Rory Sutherland (Scotland)
Justin Tipuric (Wales)
Mako Vunipola (England)
Hamish Watson (Scotland)

frodder wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 7:36 pm

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 6:43 pm Guesses for the first test team then?

1. W. Jones
2. Owens
3. Furlong
4. A-W Jones
5. Itoje
6. Beirne
7. Curry
8. Faletau
9. Murray
10. Biggar
11. Williams
12. Henshaw
13. Daly
14. Watson
15. Hogg

16. George
17. Sutherland
18. Fagerson
19. Lawes
20. Tipuric
21. Davies
22. Farrell
23. Rees-Zammit

Possibly a record low number of English.






Josh Adams (Wales)
Bundee Aki (Ireland)
Dan Biggar (Wales)
Elliot Daly (England)
Gareth Davies (Wales)
Owen Farrell (England)
Chris Harris (Scotland)
Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Conor Murray (Ireland)
Ali Price (Scotland)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
Finn Russell (Scotland)
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
Anthony Watson (England)
Liam Williams (Wales)
Forwards:

Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
Jack Conan (Ireland)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)
Tom Curry (England)
Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Jamie George (England)
Iain Henderson (Ireland)
Jonny Hill (England)
Maro Itoje (England)
Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) – captain
Wyn Jones (Wales)
Courtney Lawes (England)
Ken Owens (Wales)
Sam Simmonds (England)
Kyle Sinckler (England)
Rory Sutherland (Scotland)
Justin Tipuric (Wales)
Mako Vunipola (England)
Hamish Watson (Scotland)

Daly? Are the options that shite

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 5:55 am I wouldn’t be disappointed with Daly at 13, I think he’s a cracking player who has been badly used and abused by Eddie.

But I think Harris has been picked for a very specific reason and will start

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 5:55 am I wouldn’t be disappointed with Daly at 13, I think he’s a cracking player who has been badly used and abused by Eddie.

But I think Harris has been picked for a very specific reason and will start

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 6:59 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 6:56 pmToo many Scots

One

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 9:44 am

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 5:55 am I wouldn’t be disappointed with Daly at 13, I think he’s a cracking player who has been badly used and abused by Eddie.

But I think Harris has been picked for a very specific reason and will start

Harris has been defying the odds and predictions all year, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start. Would create the same howls of outrage that we had from Scotland fans when he started keeping Jones out of the team.

Hogg is the only Scot I’m confident will start, though I maintain Watson deserves to start at 7 ahead of Curry. Literally couldn’t have done any more to stake his claim.

ASMO wrote: ↑Sun Jun 13, 2021 9:04 am

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 9:44 am

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 5:55 am I wouldn’t be disappointed with Daly at 13, I think he’s a cracking player who has been badly used and abused by Eddie.

But I think Harris has been picked for a very specific reason and will start

Harris has been defying the odds and predictions all year, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start. Would create the same howls of outrage that we had from Scotland fans when he started keeping Jones out of the team.

Hogg is the only Scot I’m confident will start, though I maintain Watson deserves to start at 7 ahead of Curry. Literally couldn’t have done any more to stake his claim.

I can see your point but i honestly think Curry is now the best in the world at 7, he has an all court game that few others do.
Him, Watson and Itoje for me are the only nailed on English starters in the test squad.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:13 am

ASMO wrote: ↑Sun Jun 13, 2021 9:04 am

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 9:44 am

Harris has been defying the odds and predictions all year, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start. Would create the same howls of outrage that we had from Scotland fans when he started keeping Jones out of the team.

Hogg is the only Scot I’m confident will start, though I maintain Watson deserves to start at 7 ahead of Curry. Literally couldn’t have done any more to stake his claim.

I can see your point but i honestly think Curry is now the best in the world at 7, he has an all court game that few others do.
Him, Watson and Itoje for me are the only nailed on English starters in the test squad.

I don't think any of them are nailed on.

Hamish Watson's form was better this 6N but it's fair to say Curry wasn't exactly bad and he has been magnificent for a few seasons in a row. In an ideal world both would get the opportunity to push their claim for the starting spot. It's possible Gatland will move Curry to 6 to accomodate both but it seems likely one of Beirne/Itoje/Lawes will be at 6.

Anthony Watson is excellent but there's stiff competition. He won't be fullback unless Hogg breaks, so he's up against some quality options on the wing.

Itoje could easily lose out given his discipline, but would be the biggest surprise of the 3 to me.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Jun 13, 2021 8:41 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:13 am

ASMO wrote: ↑Sun Jun 13, 2021 9:04 am

I can see your point but i honestly think Curry is now the best in the world at 7, he has an all court game that few others do.
Him, Watson and Itoje for me are the only nailed on English starters in the test squad.

I don't think any of them are nailed on.

Hamish Watson's form was better this 6N but it's fair to say Curry wasn't exactly bad and he has been magnificent for a few seasons in a row. In an ideal world both would get the opportunity to push their claim for the starting spot. It's possible Gatland will move Curry to 6 to accomodate both but it seems likely one of Beirne/Itoje/Lawes will be at 6.

Anthony Watson is excellent but there's stiff competition. He won't be fullback unless Hogg breaks, so he's up against some quality options on the wing.

Itoje could easily lose out given his discipline, but would be the biggest surprise of the 3 to me.

Curry’s wasn’t bad, but Watson outshone him in their head to head match and beat him in every metric measured by the 6N. If Curry starts because he shows better form on tour, that’s entirely fine. If he starts for any other reason, it’s not. (We’ll never know of course).

Jock42 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:35 am Liam Williams; Josh Adams, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Dan Biggar, Conor Murray; Rory Sutherland, Ken Owens, Zander Fagerson, Iain Henderson, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Tadhg Beirne, Hamish Watson, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Jamie George, Wyn Jones, Tadhg Furlong, Courtney Lawes, Taulupe Faletau, Ali Price, Owen Farrell, Anthony Watson.

Team v Japan is out

Jock42 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:35 am Liam Williams; Josh Adams, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Dan Biggar, Conor Murray; Rory Sutherland, Ken Owens, Zander Fagerson, Iain Henderson, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Tadhg Beirne, Hamish Watson, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Jamie George, Wyn Jones, Tadhg Furlong, Courtney Lawes, Taulupe Faletau, Ali Price, Owen Farrell, Anthony Watson.

Team v Japan is out

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:46 am

Jock42 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:35 am Liam Williams; Josh Adams, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Dan Biggar, Conor Murray; Rory Sutherland, Ken Owens, Zander Fagerson, Iain Henderson, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Tadhg Beirne, Hamish Watson, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Jamie George, Wyn Jones, Tadhg Furlong, Courtney Lawes, Taulupe Faletau, Ali Price, Owen Farrell, Anthony Watson.

Team v Japan is out

Decent team that. Must be saving Fin for the dirt trackers

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:46 am

Jock42 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:35 am Liam Williams; Josh Adams, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Dan Biggar, Conor Murray; Rory Sutherland, Ken Owens, Zander Fagerson, Iain Henderson, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Tadhg Beirne, Hamish Watson, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Jamie George, Wyn Jones, Tadhg Furlong, Courtney Lawes, Taulupe Faletau, Ali Price, Owen Farrell, Anthony Watson.

Team v Japan is out

Decent team that. Must be saving Fin for the tests

westport wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 12:02 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:46 am

Jock42 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:35 am Liam Williams; Josh Adams, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Dan Biggar, Conor Murray; Rory Sutherland, Ken Owens, Zander Fagerson, Iain Henderson, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Tadhg Beirne, Hamish Watson, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Jamie George, Wyn Jones, Tadhg Furlong, Courtney Lawes, Taulupe Faletau, Ali Price, Owen Farrell, Anthony Watson.

Team v Japan is out

Decent team that. Must be saving Fin for the tests

He and the Brizzel and Sale guys only joined after the weekend games.

westport wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 12:02 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:46 am

Jock42 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:35 am Liam Williams; Josh Adams, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Dan Biggar, Conor Murray; Rory Sutherland, Ken Owens, Zander Fagerson, Iain Henderson, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Tadhg Beirne, Hamish Watson, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Jamie George, Wyn Jones, Tadhg Furlong, Courtney Lawes, Taulupe Faletau, Ali Price, Owen Farrell, Anthony Watson.

Team v Japan is out

Decent team that. Must be saving Fin for the tests

He and the Brizzel and Sale guys only joined after the weekend games.

.........the cautious approach Gatland is taking with Finn Russell whom he revealed has an injury but has been training since he linked up with the squad in recent days following the completion of his club season with Racing after their elimination from the Top 14 title race at the semi-final stage.

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 2:19 pm

westport wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 12:02 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:46 am

Decent team that. Must be saving Fin for the tests

He and the Brizzel and Sale guys only joined after the weekend games.

Injury worry about Russell

.........the cautious approach Gatland is taking with Finn Russell whom he revealed has an injury but has been training since he linked up with the squad in recent days following the completion of his club season with Racing after their elimination from the Top 14 title race at the semi-final stage.

GogLais wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 3:25 pm

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 2:19 pm

westport wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 12:02 pm

He and the Brizzel and Sale guys only joined after the weekend games.

Injury worry about Russell

.........the cautious approach Gatland is taking with Finn Russell whom he revealed has an injury but has been training since he linked up with the squad in recent days following the completion of his club season with Racing after their elimination from the Top 14 title race at the semi-final stage.

I bet Jarrod Evans is awaiting the call.

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 3:34 pm

GogLais wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 3:25 pm

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 2:19 pm
Injury worry about Russell

I bet Jarrod Evans is awaiting the call.

George Ford already had the call and on standby!

GogLais wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 3:48 pm

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 3:34 pm

GogLais wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 3:25 pm

I bet Jarrod Evans is awaiting the call.

George Ford already had the call and on standby!

Boringly sensible!

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 23, 2021 11:00 pm Imagine missing a joke by that much


He's on tour. He's one of the most experienced players there. He's undeniably good at the non match day stuff, raising standards in training, keeping people focused, etc. It's not a surprise he's a popular choice to be part of the leadership group.

It says little about whether he should be playing.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 5:43 am

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 23, 2021 11:00 pm Imagine missing a joke by that much


He's on tour. He's one of the most experienced players there. He's undeniably good at the non match day stuff, raising standards in training, keeping people focused, etc. It's not a surprise he's a popular choice to be part of the leadership group.

It says little about whether he should be playing.

You think players judge leadership by what happens off the pitch? I mean, keep doubling down by all means and reveal your hubris. It makes me laugh.

“He has been a leader since I have known him at 14,” says England hooker Jamie George, who also plays with Farrell at Saracens. “Back then, it was probably a lot more shouting because of frustration more than anything but now I think he has just developed a huge amount. As a leader, I can’t speak highly enough of him.

“He’s the sort of person you want to follow. He leads from the front but at the same time, the big thing is that he is a person you can trust because you know first of all that he is probably the best at it in terms of his rugby ability but also the amount of tape that he watches.

“You know for a fact that the messages that he is giving you, he has been thinking over and over again. He is very good at delivering a theme and messages that build up nicely throughout the week.”

Farrell leads what England call their ‘captain’s meeting’ every Friday, on the eve of games.

None of the coaches come into the room, players only. Sometimes the meetings are a few minutes long, other times they can run for more than half an hour. Either way, Farrell invariably hits the right note.

“He just asks us how we are feeling and if anyone has anything to say,” explains George. “Often people will get something off their chest if they are thinking about the game and then he says his bit and without fail you could hear a pin drop.

“Everyone is hanging on every word he that he says. It is very inspirational without tearing the roof down because that is probably not what is needed but he has a very good feel of what the team needs and what messages he needs to deliver.”

Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes often speak up in the captain’s meetings too, with Farrell encouraging others to voice their thoughts.

“I think in Owen’s mind it’s quite nice to hear from people who haven’t been speaking, who haven’t got a huge leadership role in the team,” says George. “He often draws on their feelings and experiences and sees how they’re feeling.

“It’s not shouting and screaming – you are able to get your head down to sleep after it. No one is crying in there… oh, I don’t know, I might do this week! He gets that balance quite nice and it sets the tone for the build-up.

“Because Owen talks a lot about how the build-up starts through the week but it also starts from the minute you wake up on the Saturday – the image you give off to the people around you, even in the way you walk to breakfast.

“You are always constantly giving off a message to other people about what your mindset is and how you are feeling.”