Is it just me or is Earl all or nothing he’s either got almost limitless energy or is semi anonymous, it’s seems to be periods of time rather than individual games, I rate him highly and his worse games generally aren’t terrible but his USP is the energy, determination and pace he brings but sometimes it isn’t there, but yeah I agree he has been in better form of late.
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England 2024/25
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Pollock and Earl fill a very similar role imo and I think only one of them will be around the team at a time. High energy, speedy and agile with Earl beating Pollock on strength, but both feel a bit "highlighty" and it doesn't feel like either will consistently get involved in the "unseen" dirty work that is at the core of any good team performance.
I think I'd leave Pollock out to develop for another year. Like ragey says there's not enough "unseen" work getting done and our breakdown has been one of our best strengths with the Currys, Underhill and T Willis brutalising anything that gets near them. We need to retain that.
The thing about Earl is he gave us some real go forward at a time i think we were lacking a little of that in the pack. I dont think we fall in to that so much now, as Genge carries, Stuart has improved there, Tom Willlis etc etc which means can look at the flankers for other roles, not just carrying and high energy. Though i do think Earl is more than just high energy.
He does cheer oppo knock ons very loudly
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I think that’s a bit harsh on Earl TBH. Maybe justified a few years back, but his stats are usually decent. Plus his USP is ball in hand so tactically when we have possession coaches may not want him to be buried in each and every ruck at the risk of negating that strength.
I like Earl a lot, but I just don’t think he’s our best 6, 7 or 8 (or 12
). As you’d expect, Pollock still has a lot of learning to do. Needs to up his tackle completion rate etc. But one thing I have noticed is that even if he doesn’t always execute brilliantly, he is so often ‘there’ in the right place to be involved. Experience will come and technique can be learned but that instinct which gives you a crucial split second advantage is inherent.
lol about Pollock, he was doing all the hard unseen work at saints as well as the flashy stuff. Saying he doesn’t is a lazy stereotype for a player with pace and charisma.
I thought his lions performances weren’t brilliant though. But let’s get our players back into some properly coached teams and then watch them excel again.
I thought his lions performances weren’t brilliant though. But let’s get our players back into some properly coached teams and then watch them excel again.
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One big lesson from the Lions was the difference that Skelton, Valetini and Tupou made. For all the talk about athleticism and skills, genuinely big guys throwing their weight around still matters. A lot. As the Boks have long sussed.
We have encouraging signs though.
Stuart is a big guy now going well. Genge, now 20 stone, is also playing very well although he falls more into my ‘pumped up cruiserweight’ category but unlike many he seems to have been able to carry the extra weight well (in his own words he’s more than 2 stone heavier than on debut). Heyes not far behind.
George and LCD are both big enough.
Itoje’s your athlete. A firing Martin makes a lot of difference - going well he really does throw his weight around and make an impact.
T Willis and CCS are both naturally big, powerful guys.
If you’ve got all that power elsewhere your flankers can be more athletic. Someone mentioned the other day that they thought Earl had slimmed down a bit and I’ve often thought that T Curry is better carrying slightly less muscle. Underhill’s probably the most natural power option there but there are plenty of options.
Still think SB wants Chessum at 6 which I’m fine with although would want him to shed a little of the weight he’s obviously put on to play lock - Tigers may disagree!
If everyone can be fit that’s starting to shape up nicely.
We have encouraging signs though.
Stuart is a big guy now going well. Genge, now 20 stone, is also playing very well although he falls more into my ‘pumped up cruiserweight’ category but unlike many he seems to have been able to carry the extra weight well (in his own words he’s more than 2 stone heavier than on debut). Heyes not far behind.
George and LCD are both big enough.
Itoje’s your athlete. A firing Martin makes a lot of difference - going well he really does throw his weight around and make an impact.
T Willis and CCS are both naturally big, powerful guys.
If you’ve got all that power elsewhere your flankers can be more athletic. Someone mentioned the other day that they thought Earl had slimmed down a bit and I’ve often thought that T Curry is better carrying slightly less muscle. Underhill’s probably the most natural power option there but there are plenty of options.
Still think SB wants Chessum at 6 which I’m fine with although would want him to shed a little of the weight he’s obviously put on to play lock - Tigers may disagree!
If everyone can be fit that’s starting to shape up nicely.
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I agree with all of that barring playing locks at 6
We have so many options in the back row without playing a lock. If they want a bigger 6 play Hill, CCS or even Pepper who is plenty tall enough to act as third jumper.
i thought CCS "grew up" a little on this tour. He wasnt just looking for the explosive interactions. He did so much nitty gritty work, that really helped his side. If he can continue that and continue working on his lineout, then suddenly SB has the 6 hes dreamt of.
I think the first few months of this prem season is going to be fascinating, for all sorts of reasons.
I think the first few months of this prem season is going to be fascinating, for all sorts of reasons.
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Yeah it’s an interesting one. I actually think Chessum is our premier lock.
But Itoje’s going nowhere soon. And the row ideally does need some real heft which is much more Martin than Chessum. TBH I do see Chessum as a genuine hybrid option and I guess the hope is that he can mirror Lawes who ended up as a brilliant 6 and top class line out option…..that’s a high benchmark but I think Chessum could do it. There are loads of options but I think that’s SB’s dream.
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That’s good but he can’t sacrifice that power and explosiveness - that’s his USP.
Absolutely, however if he develops the intelligence to know when to do the power plays and when to be more "discreet" he'll be a whole different animal in that back row.
Learn a bit from Evans and hes laughing.
Yeah I thought it was great to see CCS pull more of the flanker plays out of his locker, that maul rip into a massive carry will be on his highlights reel forever. Long may it continue
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I think a flanker being called a "nuisance" is near enough the highest compliment for that position. CCS used to be identified as a powerful player but, as you say, his most recent games he really made an absolute nuisance of himself disrupting everything. If he can keep that up without losing his power and occasional massive hits, he will be a real asset.
If we could just sort out a few more props and hooker, England could really go well. 4-8 is pretty tidy.
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And a suitable strategy to actually fully utilise the skills and attributes of the players we have...
I dont think we're in a bad position..
LH
Genge - 1
Baxter - 2
Rodd - 3
Haffar, Iyogun - 4: Work in progress. Haffar could really shine in a Tigers pack this season
TH
Stuart -1
Heyes - 2
Fordjour - 3
Others Developing
Fasogabon - I think this is a big season for him, i excpect him to show that hes more than just size
Sela - Still U20 but should get some gametime for Bath i would have thought.
Hooker might be a bit more difficult
George - LCD - 1
Dan - Langdon - 2/3
Tuipolotu ?
Blake ?
Our pack is starting to look really fearsome. I'd like a touch more depth at (as you say) hooker and the row, but Genge, George, Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Curry, Curry, Willis should put the shits up anyone
TH is still an issue for me, I want Heyes to add 10-15kg really and not sure he can with his frame. Can’t wait to see Fasogbon in the squad and getting a shot as soon as possible really. Been a while since we had some real size players.
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