I'm in none of the above categories and think he should still be given another shot at the 15 shirt.
Yes he hasn't lit up the world so far in an England shirt but his game has improved a lot since 2013.
He might not be able to beat players like a Folau or Smith but he brings other players...
I would personally have had:
B Vunipola
A Watson
G Kruis
M Itoje
D Hartley
I thought our real strength was the team collective.
The lineout was a real strength. Kruis & Itoje can take real credit for this but, and please correct me if I'm wrong, I don't think Hartley missed an arrow after...
I blame the system not the player. A system that allows the likes of Hughes to represent two countries is a flawed one.
While I definitely don't agree with it & don't want to see Hughes playing for England he is simply trying to make the most of the opportunity that the inept IRB have opened up...
You joke but if Jack Rowell was still in charge he would have never been given a run out.
Even Andy Robinson would have only picked him because of his namesake.
You could argue that Wade could have a similar impact but he's not been given a chance to shine...?
Yeah I see your argument and in an ideal world we would have a Christian Cullen mould available.
However sadly we don't.
Jason Robinson was a lethal runner but he wasn't great under the high ball and positionally was very average.
Mike Brown was an effective runner but hasn't been that for...
To be fair that's more than I thought. Enough for a judgement but I'm not sure how much of a run of games he's had?
It's frustratingly hard to find more info on the breakdown of his caps but I would say he has improved a large amount since 2012 as a player and has been played at 15...
I think proven failure is a bit strong. I don't have the exact stats but he's only started a handful of his 20 caps. Because of of the low numbers it can hardly be proven either way surely?
Yes he hasn't lit up the turf on those occasions but I think he deserves at least a look at again as he...
I have to agree with you on Ford. Quite a few commentators have said he had a bad 6N but I think I was watching another tournament as I thought he played pretty well on the whole. His game management was on the whole very good.
He hasn't been great for Bath this season but then I'd like to see...
I can't disagree with those squads too much. My inlt bug change would be Robson on the main tour & give Youngs (particularly) a rest this summer.
In fact I would use this tour as a bit of an excuse to rest a few players in key positions.
Included in my list would be:
Cole (desperate to see...
Wow! Great highlights package.
I realise this was only a highlight and not a lowlights package but I do rate him very highly and feel, more than anything, having watched him closely this season he seems to be making good decisions and his game management is excellent.
Granted he is playing...
Can't see this happening. Jones has basically gone round every premiership club and told given every Englishman he can find 'Play well & you might get a shot'.
I see the winger pecking order as of now:
Watson
Nowell
Yarde
Rocko
Ashton
Lewington
Wade
May isn't listed as injured but interesting...
Jones made a point in an interview yesterday about having three players for each position vying for places.
Here's my list:
Loosehead Prop
Joe Marler
Mako Vunipola
Matt Mullan / Nick Auterac
Hooker
Dylan Hartley
Jamie George
Luke Cowan-Dickie
Tighthead Prop
Dan Cole
Kieron Brookes
Paul...
Impressed this thread is still going almost a week after the game!
Good luck to Wales v Italy. I hope it is a good open game. See you all in a B&I Lions thread some time soon.