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England 2024/25

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I really do think Marcus might be better suited to FB long term. I get others might have different opinions and I’m ok with that but I look at how he plays, his strengths, his weaknesses and just think we’d flourish there. He’s need to be playing week in week out at FB though and I can’t see Quins doing that just yet.
 
I really do think Marcus might be better suited to FB long term. I get others might have different opinions and I'm ok with that but I look at how he plays, his strengths, his weaknesses and just think we'd flourish there. He's need to be playing week in week out at FB though and I can't see Quins doing that just yet.
Reminds me more of a DMac type player who is better as an impact player.
 
I really do think Marcus might be better suited to FB long term. I get others might have different opinions and I'm ok with that but I look at how he plays, his strengths, his weaknesses and just think we'd flourish there. He's need to be playing week in week out at FB though and I can't see Quins doing that just yet.

He’s in a difficult position and I genuinely don’t know where his mind will be at, but I don’t really see him as a FB. He’s brave, but just too much of a defensive target. And as you say, definitely not until Quins start playing him there regularly - which they won’t.

Small, quick, eye for a gap, bolshy. Sounds more like a scrum half to me. Quite a few French players of not too distant vintage could play both to a very good level.
 
He's in a difficult position and I genuinely don't know where his mind will be at, but I don't really see him as a FB. He's brave, but just too much of a defensive target. And as you say, definitely not until Quins start playing him there regularly - which they won't.

Small, quick, eye for a gap, bolshy. Sounds more like a scrum half to me. Quite a few French players of not too distant vintage could play both to a very good level.
We've a few players who would have brilliant SHs, or French style SH/FH hybrids - Marcus, Ford, Ryan, Eastmond, Lamb...
But of all positions on the pitch, SH is one you need to have been playing since youth level - you only ever see adults moving away from SH, not towards (professionally, this is). Of all positions it's the most instinctive, the most relying on having played there for a decade. FH would be the 2nd most instinctive, to excel at least.

IMO once we've ruled out SH, FB is Marcus' position of best fit; but he'd need at least 1 full season there at club (and country) rather than messing about there - which will never happen. If England try to force it, and play him at FB whilst Quins play him at FH; you end up with a player who's not reaching his potential in either position.
That latter is the case for any player who doesn't regularly play multiple positions, trying to do so - whether that's a CCS at lock, Owen Farell at IC, Freeman at OC or whatever - though also obviously, some positions are easier to switch between than others; they still need time on the pitch playing that position.
 
It's mad Daly is only 32
Seriously. There's YT compilations of his highlights from 2017. First played for England in 2016, which is weird because I could have sworn he played under Lancaster. Something something, Mandela effect.

Says a lot he toured with the Lions a year later and played in all three tests. He played against them for the BaaBaas in 2013.
 
I could have sworn Daly was in the 2015 RWC squad, but apparently not! Maybe he was in the wider training squad?
 
I could have sworn Daly was in the 2015 RWC squad, but apparently not! Maybe he was in the wider training squad?

Exactly that.

Very good player albeit occasionally prone to howlers and the arguments about his best position will rage. Spoiler: it’s not 15.
 
barf GIF


How much does a Japan rugby shirt set you back these days?
 
What's the point of having four back rowers on the bench if there's only three spots for them maximum?

Have we already forgotten the value of actual second rows, or was losing 30-3 to Wales with Tom Croft at lock too long ago for Borthwick to remember?
 
It makes zero sense logically unless he intends to have a backrow player cover the backs and play in the centre.

Let's say it's as written. The bench would be:
2 props (1 covering hooker?)
5 back row players? (Could stick a lick here, but surely a hooker would be chosen over a lock)
1 back.

It makes no sense as there are only 3 back row positions. Is it so most if them only play 25 minutes each to keep them fresh?

I'd also say wouldn't having a proper cover hooker contravene WRU rules about the front row? Don't you have to have trained replacements for each position?
 
Props covering hooker? I'm calling bullshit on the whole thing
George Kloska got MOTM on his prem debut as a hooker for Bristol. He's now converted to prop and I know he has been in and around the England training squad. Leinster had been sniffing around this season due to him qualifying for Ireland as well. He could definitely do it but would need to practice his darts for international level. Could make do in a pinch?
 
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