[2013 EOYT] England

[Patchey]

Yes, I hope they start. Both of them have been on fire this season and I'd be quite happy to have them on the wings and Brown at 15. I think it's more likely only one will start and Foden will be retained on one wing, just because Lancaster is bloody conservative.

Talking if Tait, he's finally back!

 

[Aedaphon]

Lots if chatter today about George Ford coming to take Toby Flood's place in the EPS.

Having a little think and I reckon the forwards will stay roughly the same, maybe Wallace in. And the backs will look something like this,

Youngs, Dickson, Wigglesworth (Care out)

Farrell, Burns, Ford (Flood out)

Twelvetrees, Barritt, Eastmond, Burrell, Tuilagi

Brown, Foden, Yarde(?), Nowell, Watson, Daly


I think I read somewhere that guys who are scheduled to return from injury during the Six Nations period will be included, hence Tuilagi and Yarde. I can see Care being dropped but don't think JJ will make it back. Possibly he'll be on stand by. With injured wingers I don't see how Nowell and Watson can be ignored.

That feels very optimistic to me. I'd love it to be the case, but I've got a sinking feeling it won't.

Anyway, we'll still include those who are (potentially) back for the 6N, but they still need injury cover. In my mind that means Goode's probably in there for Foden (****), and Ashton for Yarde (****, ****, ****).

For Tuilagi I'd put my money on Joseph (disregarding the players you've already included), which honestly isn't all that bad.

 

[HenryChinaski]

I would be delighted with those outside backs Patchey. Especially if Wade then comes in for, say, Foden when he's recovered. That would be one hell of a transformation.

However, unfortunately it would take a brave man to bet against Strettle winning back a spot, seeing as he plays for Sarries and is reasonably 'safe'.
I've neverbeen a fan of Wigglesworth but at least compared to our other 9's he offers some stability and consistency. I'd prefer not to lose Care - would rather Youngs went.
And Joseph - I really want him to be included. He may not be setting bath alight(yet) but I still believe he is our best back up to Tuilagi, and that we may as well give him time while Tuilagi's out. You know its just sods lawthat JJ will return to stunning form the moment Tuilagi returns from injury! Also, as has been well doccumented JJ is hardly playing in the fair weather conditions which would suit his game.

 

[ratsapprentice]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Won't name names yet, but fair to say <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23England&amp;src=hash">#England</a> are being adventurous with <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SixNations&amp;src=hash">#SixNations</a> squad selection. News tonight on <a href="https://twitter.com/MailSport">@MailSport</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23rugby&amp;src=hash">#rugby</a></p>&mdash; Chris Foy (@FoyChris) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoyChris/statuses/420931003595911168">January 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Aedaphon]

Come on Cipriani...

 

[ratsapprentice]

It's already been reported that Ford replacing Flood.
You can take that as fact at this point.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Cipriani for Burns?
With the amount of injuries in the squad we can bring in a ton of new players, while still having the two or three actual swaps.

I think that tweet means that Watson is in the squad.

 

[ratsapprentice]

They have already said that Cipriani has not made the cut!

In the 2-3 days before an EPS announcement you can take pretty much everything the DM says as fact... I cannot remember when something they have said has turned out to be false.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, technically it was the press that said that, not Lancaster, but this close to it it's probably true.
I'm still holding out hope until 12(?) tomorrow!

 

[HenryChinaski]

I cannot remember when anything the Dailly Mail said has turned out to be false.

This statement needs contextualizing and heavy caveating!!
We are talking about England EPS Squad selection - and nothing else
Just in case some casual onlookers see this and think you're mad!

 

[ratsapprentice]

Just seen this on Twitter...

Will be depressed if the rumour that Eastmond is being dropped for Burrell is true.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Not sure I remember Ford throwing into the lineout three times...

 

[HenryChinaski]

Alarmingly low kicking percentage for Ford, though big metres.

Also, can Saints really have scored that many tries for Myler to have kicked so many conversions?

 

[ratsapprentice]

The "lineouts" are throw-ins.

Ford's been working with Alred since he moved to Bath.
Alred is known for making his kicker's worse before they get better... and he's certainly got better throughout the season.
I wouldn't worry about it tbh

 

[Peat]

Not sure I remember Ford throwing into the lineout three times...

Lineout won is not throwing into the lineout, it is receiving the lineout. We're probably talking overthrows that completely missed the actual line-out which Ford cleared up for his team - regardless of origin - although I have once seen a hooker deliberately aim for a fly-half sprinting up to take it a good eight or so yards beyond the line-out. We scored off that too actually.

 

[HenryChinaski]

Love that theyve included the fat controller

 

[ratsapprentice]

Lineout won is not throwing into the lineout, it is receiving the lineout. We're probably talking overthrows that completely missed the actual line-out which Ford cleared up for his team - regardless of origin - although I have once seen a hooker deliberately aim for a fly-half sprinting up to take it a good eight or so yards beyond the line-out. We scored off that too actually.

It can be that... but it's more often quick throw-ins.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It can be that... but it's more often quick throw-ins.

Ah yeah, that only just occurred to me :lol:

My favourite stat is Cips making more, and missing less, tackles than owen "rock" farrell.

 

[Peat]

I think what JG forgets is that when Goode first moved to Sarries he WAS a 10 and they moved him to 15 because he wasn't good enough.

That's not really representing the truth of the matter. He did come through playing 15, but that was a youngster, which is not an uncommon practice - Burns did too - but the plan was always to move him to 10. They did when Hougaard got injured and Goode did ok there, but promptly got injured himself, leading to the rise of Farrell. After that, Sarries kept Goode at 15 as they had a 10 (well, in their eyes) and still had the gap at 15. If Goode is up to the defensive duties at 10, I still think it would be his best position.

p.s. All this winger talk - I'd consider playing Daly there for the time being.

 

[ratsapprentice]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/neilwildy">@neilwildy</a> Steady... Of course that's my job &amp; full story will be on <a href="https://twitter.com/MailSport">@MailSport</a> from about 10pm; 17 hours b4 official announcement. Ok?!</p>&mdash; Chris Foy (@FoyChris) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoyChris/statuses/420976525069271040">January 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
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