England 2024/25

[Ddanno]

Yep, although both Martin and Chessum have had more than their share of injuries.

In contrast Itoje's robustness is quite incredible - clearly can't be getting stuck in enough

He's a lazy swine innit

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Met Munga on Wednesday and he's added some great size since I last saw him. Definitely one for the future in the traditional 4 role but he needs to nail that starting spot at saints before we talk of real England potential.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Met Munga on Wednesday and he's added some great size since I last saw him. Definitely one for the future in the traditional 4 role but he needs to nail that starting spot at saints before we talk of real England potential.

Munga only pawn, in game of rugby

 

[Crash Hamster]

Inch or two difference in the lineout isn't the end of the world if you've got a good lifting pod or good reactions/reading ability

My hobby horse

It's extremely rare for the timing and the throw to be so perfect that a tall lock takes the ball at full lift and full stretch. Almost all ball is taken with bent arms above the head. Instagram videos of pinpoint accuracy notwithstanding, you can get to be an international 2 without being able to get it within a yard of where you're aiming.

Yes, I'm looking at Theo Dan.

I'd be certain that the standing jump of international locks varies by 2", and fairly confident that the lift height would vary by as much depending on the lifters. Height would certainly be a factor, but it's not critical.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

If you're taller with a bigger wingspan you stand more chance of winning ball when things aren't executed perfectly or attacking opposition ball. Lawes, regardless of his shirt number, was brilliant at adapting in mid air and taking ball at full stretch he had no right to.

If you're aiming at Itoje and he's up against Etzebeth, it only increases the pressure on the thrower and lifters to be spot on. Of course it's doable but the margin for error massively reduces.

Height and weight's only part of the story. A good little un will beat an average big un. But if the big un's good it becomes a whole lot more difficult.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

CCS at lock again for Quins

 

[BPM]

Yeah, got to assume it's England's request.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

CCS at lock again for Quins

FFS

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

It's a very good point. It's funny that English teams start scoring loads of try's and narrative is immediately we've got poor defences rather than brilliant attack.

Even Stuart Barnes can be right occasionally. Writing on this very subject in today's Times saying that too many people are conflating entertainment with excellence in the Prem. Praising the quality of attack but lambasting the standard of defence and saying the best teams have both. Hard to disagree.

Giving a shout out to Sale for being on the right lines to develop both.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

It's a weird thing I have loved watching super rugby and Japan top league this season
BUT really don't like seeing prem teams play in the same style.

I think I kinda miss the mixture of the team styles

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Thought Bamber had a good game today, would like to see him tour over the summer - can see the growth in his game over the last year, doing a lot more of the unseen stuff and is making some good defensive lineout reads

 

[LIONSxv]

Not watched any games today as was dragged into doing some Easter farm thing with kid.
Intrigued how Baxter Vs Aof went at scrum time ?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Not watched any games today as was dragged into doing some Easter farm thing with kid.
Intrigued how Baxter Vs Aof went at scrum time ?

Didn't pay that a huge amount of attention but there was only one winner in the carrying stakes.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

From memory the scrums started out relatively steady but slowly went in our favour - think it was Rodd winning pens rather than AOF though

 

[BPM]

Didn't see the game but that stacks up as our tighthead side is crap. We miss Collier so badly and the arrival of Harry Williams next season hasn't exactly got me excited.

I remember the game at Kingsholm where Gloucester made a mess of our scrum. Fasogbon got all the praise and Baxter got all the criticism when actually it was Lamositele (or whichever one of our rubbish tightheads was playing) who was clearly the weakest link.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Didn't pay that a huge amount of attention but there was only one winner in the carrying stakes.

Just watched the highlights. Blimey. AOF was phenomenal in the loose.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

England Rugby confirms Castore as Official Technical Kit Partner | Rugby Football Union

England Rugby and Castore have announced a new long-term partnership, that will see Castore become the official Technical Kit Partner to England Rugby.

www.englandrugby.com

"We've heard all of your complaints about umbro and decided to go with someone even worse"

 

[BrokenWing]

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

God I hate marketing

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Redbull's lawyer: