[2014 Mid-Year Tests] England

[Patchey]

haha to be fair I do like the look of Ward a lot. Seems to have overtaken Jamie George in the reckoning.

Taking the locks: That's our 5th and 6th choices respectively (assuming you agree that Kitchener is better than Robson and that Kruis shouldn't be seen as a lock for England)
If we were playing against New Zealands 5th and 6th choices I'd definitely say we have a good chance.

Wade will be fine. His defence is at least on a par with Alex Cuthberts who is over 16st. As for the high ball, Wade is now very good - much improved on a few years ago.

I think George has suffered a lot because of Sarries' rotation policy. Ward is getting a nice amount of game time and is in the form of his life, which really helps his case.

If you look through the Super Rugby/ITM Cup squads the 5/6th best locks in NZ are probably still better than Robson at least. In the back you've got guys like Gareth Anscombe, Ihaia West, Jamieson Gibson-Parkes etc who aren't in the All Black set up now but would easily give us a run for our money. Hansen could field seven or eight uncapped players and probably win against our 3rdish string team. Thats just the depressing reality.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I don't disagree except insofar as I don't believe we need another version of that sort of lock. I prefer him to Robson but would rather he played in the back-row. He also realistically just doesn't have much hope of playing for England if he stays at Lock;

Launchbury, Lawes and Attwood are in the form of their lives. Parling is a proven lion on the way back. Stooke is improving exponentially.

 

[TheSaffycen]

I think he will improve greatly when borthwick leaves, he and Hargreaves are our best locks. He does sometimes play 6 against the French teams obviously because he's 6 ft 6 and 115kg. I think he will get into the England squad as a lock but with Lawes and Launchbury, who I think will be 6 for England, he probably will get max 10 caps.

Edit I think for the first time in a long time there is no position apart from tighthead that we are under pressure to find anyone. We have 3 good looseheads as we have shown quite a few good locks, back row is healthy, backs are pretty sound as it is. Looking good for next 5 years.

 

[ratsapprentice]

One of Kruis or itoje will move to 6 for Sarries primarily I think - and only swap as per the rotation policy.

Wade's talents with ball in hand are unparallelled IMO.

If he doesn't go on to get 50+ caps then I genuinely think it will be one of the greatest wastes of talent in the history of the sport.
I'm praying (not literally) that his current injury doesn't prove to be a hindrance.



I'm sorry, but you just don't do that against professional players.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Meh Ashton would have done that in the same position

 

[Patchey]

Meh Ashton would have done that in the same position

:O

Sarcasm!?

 

[TheSaffycen]

you would assume correct

 

[Patchey]

you would assume correct

Thank god.

Wade not getting a lot of caps would defiantly put JSD's lack of appearances in the shade. But the way Lancaster has spoken about Wade suggests that, if fit, he's going to have a big role to play.

While we're on players who should have made it. Had Tom Rees not been broken all the time I think he could have been incredible. Also see Matt Tait.

 

[TheSaffycen]

If Wade was fit he would have probably had 10+ caps he only has 1 but he got called to the lions in Argentina then he got the injuries. Varndell only has 4 caps!!!! when you think he scored 3 tries for England he has been the most consistent try scorer in the prem for years! I get the feeling that we let players go without the opportunity Sharples, Ojo, Abendanon,

 

[Aristodemus]

I worry with Wade that despite his immense talent his size (like Robinson in the WC final) will be exploited against the very best. I also think Nowell did a very good job in his first tournament despite not setting the world alight with ball in hand and should keep the shirt for the summer.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Well I guess the way to look at it is if they are exploiting him with high balls we probably would concede those tries anyway. Ashton, May and Yarde are no specialist in high balls, nowell is because he is a fullback really. I agree that nowell should keep the shirt because he has done nothing wrong as such just hasn't been spectacular. May on the other hand is facing stiff competition from Yarde.

 

[McTallshort]

Stop saying Ashton in regards England

 

[TheSaffycen]

I'm just mentioning players who have played for us recently but I get the message.... I'll just mention Banahan from now on don't you worry

 

[McTallshort]

Good man

 

[goodNumber10]

Stop saying Ashton in regards England

Bet Ashton plays for England on the tour.

 

[Patchey]

Bet Ashton plays for England on the tour.

Don't even suggest that as a joke. It's to soon. The memories of his chest high tackles and botched tries are too raw.

 

[TheSaffycen]

What an attacking back three we would have 11.Banahan 14.Ashton 15.Goode

EDIT What is the most useless/pointless team we could put out ?
1.Sheridan 2.Paice 3.Stevens 4.Botha 5.Palmer 6.Dowson 7.Johnson 8.Crane 9.___10.Lamb 11.Banahan 12.Turner-Hall 13.Tomkins 14.Ashton 15.Goode

 

[British_exile10]

When do you guys think Nowell will get a chance to start at 15?

 

[ratsapprentice]

What are the realistic chances of him being dropped altogether, do we think?

From the EPS let's assume May, Nowell and Yarde are dead certs.

That leaves us with Wade, Watson and Ashton to pick from.
Wade may or may not be fit - given that he is part of the Elite squad you would have to assume he will tour if fit.
By fit I mean he will have played at least one, preferably two games for Wasps.
Ashton is probably going to be with Sarries for the first test.
Watson isn't in the Elite squad, but he might be brought along for the mid-week game and as FB cover for Foden/Goode.

So assuming a Sarries/Saints final we will possibly start the tour with:

May
Nowell
Yarde
Wade
Watson
(Tuilagi)

Will Lancaster really think it necessary to bring Ashton back in?
I know he is loyal and will probably give him a consolation chance on the tour... but there is the potential that he will be seen as surplus to requirements.

When do you guys think Nowell will get a chance to start at 15?

Given that both of our FB's behind Brown will probably be in the final I think he may very well be given time there.
Particularly as he will probably want to have a look at Yarde/Wade/Watson/Tuilagi on the wing.
Possibly in the Crusaders game.

 

[TheSaffycen]

When do you guys think Nowell will get a chance to start at 15?

On this tour during the midweek game. I would say he is possibly ahead of Foden if Brown were to get injured he would get the first nod. Nowell,Yarde,May back three would be great going forward.