Is there a quote for this 'not backed' thing or are The Times just twisting words? The writer could just be speculating based on him being subbed (after emptying the tank for an hour).
Yeah that's the issue I have. Agreeing a central contract when probably having a good idea he wasn't going to be around.I don't have a problem with someone choosing to abandon a potential England career in favour of more money, that's their choice. I do have a problem with agreeing to a central contract and then making up some BS excuse about not being supported enough. There are plenty of players with WAY more right to feel they were treated poorly by England than him.
Dunn is the top of the list but it has plenty of names
And there's loads of wingers lining up for those games with more experience aswell ..Callouri's not even had the chance to get 2nd match syndrome!
No need to rush him in, next year is plenty soon enough if he's still doing well.
We also have an A side we're putting out again now.
Guess they could go for Barbeary but they've never shown much interest and I'm not sure how well his game would translate into being an international starting 8
I'd like to see Ilione starting there in the A games (tbh I'd have him on the bench over Pollock, but never gonna happen)
Is he ready? I can't say i know too much about him to judge either way.Ilione as an impact player off the bench is crazy good and constantly so, last season I feel we won a few games in the second half due to purely him coming on.
From and England pov he can cover all 3 positions I can see Borthwick really liking that
Turns out this rolling of the ankle was actually a pretty severe injury to the ligaments and he had surgery todayNot sure - commentary mentioned he rolled his ankle in training but not heard anything beyond that,
Hopefully the club do an injury update on media day like they used to, but I'm not holding my breath
www.thetimes.com
Was the 1 year contract offered knowing about the move to France. If that's the case he's been a very fortunate young man to get one at all.It suggests Tom Willis felt unwanted because he only got a 1 year contract while others got multi years ones.![]()
‘Terrific’ Emeka Ilione already turning heads as battle for No8 reignites
Leicester man could be biggest beneficiary in England’s back row after Tom Willis’s decision to leave for France meant he was cut from Steve Borthwick’s Test squadwww.thetimes.com
Playing for England is earned and he just had a good autumn and was told he would be first choice in the autumn. I 1 year deal with a strong chance to prove you deserve a bigger contract.It suggests Tom Willis felt unwanted because he only got a 1 year contract while others got multi years ones.![]()
‘Terrific’ Emeka Ilione already turning heads as battle for No8 reignites
Leicester man could be biggest beneficiary in England’s back row after Tom Willis’s decision to leave for France meant he was cut from Steve Borthwick’s Test squadwww.thetimes.com
Yeah that's the issue I have. Agreeing a central contract when probably having a good idea he wasn't going to be around.
Some rumours the french club wanted to buy out his contract now but Sarries couldn't get a replacement in. If that's the case did he inform England...I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have given him a central contract.
The Simmonds boys are struggling over there as well.Coincidence or not that two 8s are shunned by England and are/ will be smashing it up in France (Mercer and now Willis).
Maybe they are just both mentally not tough enough to really try at the very top level?
Oasis 90,000 tickets minimum price £150 over 7 dates. Fans drinking 250,000 pints a night according to some reports. About £8 a pint at Wembley now. Coldplay just did a longer Wembley run.Random question unrelated to the England squad. How much money is the RFU losing by not being aloud to use twickenham for non rugby events? With Wembley running 30 non football events a year.
Money from events, increased contract for calling it Allianz(or whatever it is). And more advertising for the actual rugby to thousands of stadium goers for events.
Don't know if the stadium stuff has its own thread so feel free to move it as I can't remember.
Coincidence or not that two 8s are shunned by England and are/ will be smashing it up in France (Mercer and now Willis).
Maybe they are just both mentally not tough enough to really try at the very top level?
Isn't the England central contract supposed to mirror the length of the club contract?It suggests Tom Willis felt unwanted because he only got a 1 year contract while others got multi years ones.![]()
‘Terrific’ Emeka Ilione already turning heads as battle for No8 reignites
Leicester man could be biggest beneficiary in England’s back row after Tom Willis’s decision to leave for France meant he was cut from Steve Borthwick’s Test squadwww.thetimes.com
Yeah that's a very good pointIsn't the England central contract supposed to mirror the length of the club contract?