Search results for query: *

Earl’s an interesting one. A year ago he was still a bit part player and now seen as indispensable. But his club form’s fallen off a bit - was he just going through a purple patch or is he the long term answer at 8? Will his effectiveness drop as the opposition now start to figure him out...

Yep. But also quite clear he’s not going to get a look in under SB for whatever reason. It is what it is, but it feels a waste of a talent and it wouldn’t surprise me if he does look at other club, if not international, options.

Seems a bit of a pointless list of names. It’s not even a squad. Best prep they can have is a few days on the beach before the full squad is announced. Mercer busy checking out his NZ eligibility and French club opportunities.

Groan!

Power and set pieces matter. Regardless, you know it’s not going to be your night when Koch’s nailing delicate 50:22s.

Is Marler likely to be available? He doesn’t like being away and has said he’s retiring next year anyway. That said, he’s on something like 92 caps now so maybe tempted to sign off after a ton? Big summer ahead for Baxter.

I was being totally, well mostly, facetious in my questions. Must remember to add smilies….. :) It's great though to see Baxter, Langdon, F Smith, Sleightholme and IFW in there. All should have big parts to play with England in future. Slade’s a player reborn and Spencer should have had more...

And only two of them were in England’s RWC squad. Half of whom have now retired. Knackered players? Lousy selections? Wealth of emerging talent? Premiership form is no guide to international succcess? Gone to France? Don’t agree with choice anyway? Discuss.

Times team of the season agrees with 1 - 4, 9, 11, 12 & 13. Pack completed by Batley, Gonzalez, Pepper and Dombrandt. Russell at 10, IFW at 14 and Furbank at 15. (And not that I’d ever say it to his face, but has anyone ever seen Wiese and Oliver Hardy in the same room? Obvs ignoring the...

Bit of civil war breaking out. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/new-zealand-professional-rugby-players-threaten-split-from-national-union-over-governance-structure/VTYTDRB7KRCVRG4EDNQT7NPNAI/

We’ve got flankers by the bucketload, but how good is Dugdale? His surname’s not Curry, but he seems to get rave reviews every time he plays.

Totally this. Plus the point about it being a narrow age group. Plus probably, most of all, the over emphasis on being able to play like a fly half. SB seems to be prioritising scrummaging more, which is welcome. But ability to scrummage and handle etc aren’t mutually exclusive - it’s about...

Ridiculous from Pog on the Queen stage. Generational talent.

First RWC warm up, after weeks in camp, was 5th August. Players must be knackered and sick of the sight of a rugby ball. Welfare only really seems to extend to head knocks.

Nah. Falcons to go out with a bang!

Yep. I guess the issue with smaller vets is less appetite for newer treatments due to time / budgets / narrower experience. The Phovia as it goes is (comparatively) cheap and doesn’t involve expensive kit. We were a bit disappointed in their attitude on that. How our future relationship with...

100%. And Baxter said a few weeks ago that he expected him to stay. Fair play to Slade for staying. Although being at a club with a seemingly bright future and being first choice for England will have made the decision easier. (Will appear a total plank if he’s going!)

So, he’s now fully recovered and bounding around like nothing ever happened. Can’t say it was an easy couple of months, but on the whole he dealt with it much better than we expected. We use a small very local vet who have always been fine. One of the kids works for a larger vet a few miles...

No deal to televise the Japan game yet. Sky will show the ABs games, but “remotely” which I guess means the commentary will be done from a studio. Eurosport style.

Official confirmation that all 3 Vunipolae leaving Sarries. Destinations unspecified. Say what you like about Binny and Mako at international level, but they’ve obviously been hugely valued by Sarries on and off the pitch and will be big boots to fill.