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2014 QBE Internationals [EOYT] England

He's been playing 6, with Waldrom at 8.

He's much better there, like a cross between Kaino and Alberts.
 
Yeah, he's way above average in the carry for a flanker (easily the best England has imo), but also has the work rate around the field of a flanker. Combining him with Morgan and Tuilagi back would give England a few gainline breakers. The hard thing for me is whether we should solve our lack of carriers first (Ewers) or lack of a fetcher (Kvesic). I'd slightly prefer Kvesic at the minute, but if Launchbury and Cole come into the XV, that makes it a much harder decision.
 
Morgan winning player of the series for England.

Agree/disagree?

Don't think it could have been anyone else really.
 
no sure anyone has picked this up but Robshaw is out for a while, specialist this week and if shoulder is operated will miss the 6nations.

Assuming Wood gets promoted to Captain, could be a chance to run a fetcher, but can't see it happening, imagine Wood moves ot 7, Haskell to 6.
 
If only there were opensides around who we could have used to prepare for such a situation!
 
really depends on if those opensides are up to international rugby and worth developing?

and before everyone starts i'm not saying they aren't but clearly the team hasn't seen them worth developing in that role, so i think we'll see another hybrid come in.
 
goodNumber10 said:
no sure anyone has picked this up but Robshaw is out for a while, specialist this week and if shoulder is operated will miss the 6nations.

Assuming Wood gets promoted to Captain, could be a chance to run a fetcher, but can't see it happening, imagine Wood moves ot 7, Haskell to 6.
Click to expand...

Wood as captain? Please no... I don't rate his ability as a rugby player much but I rate his composure even less. Everybody can wind Wood up easily and it's not good if your captain is getting in fights. Credit to Robshaw, I've never seen him getting wound up and he always tries to break up fights. Wood would be a ****e captain. Would much prefer to see a new combination at 6 and 7 with Wood on the bench at best.
 
yeah but he was lancasters first choice, and captained them in Argentina, unlikely they'll go for anyone else.

maybe owen farrell ;)
 
God, the thought of a Wood/Haskell partnership is depressing.

Ewers and Kvesic or riot.
 
Lund.

Does everything Wood does (inc. lineout) but better. Also an actual openside, but plays a lot at 6, which would hopefully lead Lancs to think he's a "6.5".
Believe he's the top tackler in Europe atm (or top in the prem? can't remember which - they said it during the Sarries game last week, and that he's only missed 2 tackles this season), loadsa turnovers/penalties won, tries, bags of experience both domestically and some international (more 7s than XVs, but still got a few caps). He's getting on a bit, but at this stage of a build up to a would cup all you should care about is a players ability to come in and perform at short notice, not whether they're still going to be playing for England in 2023.
 
TRF_Olyy said:
Lund.

Does everything Wood does (inc. lineout) but better. Also an actual openside, but plays a lot at 6, which would hopefully lead Lancs to think he's a "6.5".
Believe he's the top tackler in Europe atm (or top in the prem? can't remember which - they said it during the Sarries game last week, and that he's only missed 2 tackles this season), loadsa turnovers/penalties won, tries, bags of experience both domestically and some international (more 7s than XVs, but still got a few caps). He's getting on a bit, but at this stage of a build up to a would cup all you should care about is a players ability to come in and perform at short notice, not whether they're still going to be playing for England in 2023.
Click to expand...

I go along with all that and specifically the last bit! The thing that is wrong with internationals is that it, in importance, they are only treated as "warm ups" for a once every 4 year competition!
 
TRF_Olyy said:
Lund.

Does everything Wood does (inc. lineout) but better. Also an actual openside, but plays a lot at 6, which would hopefully lead Lancs to think he's a "6.5".
Believe he's the top tackler in Europe atm (or top in the prem? can't remember which - they said it during the Sarries game last week, and that he's only missed 2 tackles this season), loadsa turnovers/penalties won, tries, bags of experience both domestically and some international (more 7s than XVs, but still got a few caps). He's getting on a bit, but at this stage of a build up to a would cup all you should care about is a players ability to come in and perform at short notice, not whether they're still going to be playing for England in 2023.
Click to expand...

Easy to be a top tackler in a team constantly in defence mode!

:D
 
The worst thing about this is if Robshaw's out for the 6N we DEFINITELY won't lose Wood. I guess Hask is the obvious next off the rank? In theory Robshaw's a big loss, but the possibility of improving the back row by not playing Wood and Robshaw together might make it a blessing in disguise, even if the wrong one goes.

The other issue, of course, is that this will raise the tiresome Armitage / "exceptional circumstances" issue again, even though nothing has actually changed.
 
You've all forgotten the clear heir: Clark.

I'd like that to be a joke, but the 28-man squad prior to the Samoa game had Clark ahead of Kvesic.

Personally, if Robshaw is injured:

6. Haskell
7. Kvesic
8. Morgan

20. Ewers

Yeah, yeah, when pigs fly...
 

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