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International Test Matches
[2014 Mid-Year Tests] England
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<blockquote data-quote="Crapspray" data-source="post: 665294" data-attributes="member: 58918"><p>Bar the third test this summer, I think our defence has been very good. The Ireland game this year comes to mind; about 15 minutes of possession and they gained, net, very little ground and no points. As for the rest of the SANZAR, Australia were comfortable scoring tries against everyone else, but managed one (soft) try against England last Autumn. South Africa remains an unknown.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>England have a good team with no game-changers. Tuilagi remains the closest thing to a Savea, North, or Smith England currently have in the backs. Dropping players of his calibre might improve England in the short-run, but if they are to break into the top 3 and challenge for the World Cup they need players like him. He still hasn't played with Twelvetrees (in the centres at least), that's the combination I want to see this autumn (and have wanted to see for a year).</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I think the Launchbury-Lawes second row is too good elsewhere to drop based on weak carrying. At the moment the main carriers coming to mind in the starting pack are Hartley, Wilson, and Binny. Marler is pretty good going forward too. A bench with Mako, Attwood, and Morgan/Haskell has plenty of impact as well.</p><p></p><p>If we play Haskell, or any other big 6, then I think Kvesic or another "genuine" openside has to come in to make up for the loss of breakdown work. Is that disruption worth it this close to the World Cup? I'm not sure it is. Long run (post-2015), I think greater specialisation of flankers will and must happen in order to continue improving the pack.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Crapspray, post: 665294, member: 58918"] Bar the third test this summer, I think our defence has been very good. The Ireland game this year comes to mind; about 15 minutes of possession and they gained, net, very little ground and no points. As for the rest of the SANZAR, Australia were comfortable scoring tries against everyone else, but managed one (soft) try against England last Autumn. South Africa remains an unknown. England have a good team with no game-changers. Tuilagi remains the closest thing to a Savea, North, or Smith England currently have in the backs. Dropping players of his calibre might improve England in the short-run, but if they are to break into the top 3 and challenge for the World Cup they need players like him. He still hasn't played with Twelvetrees (in the centres at least), that's the combination I want to see this autumn (and have wanted to see for a year). I think the Launchbury-Lawes second row is too good elsewhere to drop based on weak carrying. At the moment the main carriers coming to mind in the starting pack are Hartley, Wilson, and Binny. Marler is pretty good going forward too. A bench with Mako, Attwood, and Morgan/Haskell has plenty of impact as well. If we play Haskell, or any other big 6, then I think Kvesic or another "genuine" openside has to come in to make up for the loss of breakdown work. Is that disruption worth it this close to the World Cup? I'm not sure it is. Long run (post-2015), I think greater specialisation of flankers will and must happen in order to continue improving the pack. [/QUOTE]
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[2014 Mid-Year Tests] England
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