[England] Post-6N/Pre-RWC Player Watch

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I'd love to see Daly get a look in, I can't think of a better man for the 23 shirt with him covering centre, wing or fullback. I'd also like to see Slade get in ahead of 36, but I can't see Lancaster picking him. And for the wings, don't you think Banahan could get a look in aswell? He's in better form than Ashton ATM and is on par or better than Yarde.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Still stinks a bit though- especially losing him to the vile Welshists (ie Gatland). First they came for Warburton, then they came for JD2....

And I did not speak out,
For I was not a Warbuton,
:')

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I agree with this selection, I'd love to see Armitage in there starting at 7, we need a specialist 7 and why turn down European player of the year who has won the most turnovers so far in the champions cup.
I've got a feeling Armitage will end up back at a club in England before the world cup.
Keep Robshaw and play him at 6.
I'd like to see Ashton back in the squad, he's back on form and would play well off jj.
I think goode will be reserve 15 but would like to see cips in as a utility back instead, he's a player who can make things happen.

Does anybody think vunipola could play 6 with Morgan at 8 with Easter on the bench. Vunipola's fitness is really improved and having to massive ball carriers on the pitch is what we need, haskell can carry but nothing like those 2

You want 3 8's in the 23 player team? No. Vunipola is an 8 and barely has any experience at 6, and nine at international level. Why would you want to do that anyway when we have players like Haskell, Wood and an ever improving Burgess who could fill that spot?

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

You want 3 8's in the 23 player team? No. Vunipola is an 8 and barely has any experience at 6, and nine at international level. Why would you want to do that anyway when we have players like Haskell, Wood and an ever improving Burgess who could fill that spot?

I think he was just speculating rather than advocating it. To be fair to him as well, Billy Vunipola does occasionally play six for Saracens, notably his excellent performance against Munster (I think it was Munster). I can actually see a back row including Vunipola and Morgan working with a quick, jackaling seven, I'd go for Kvesic. That's three good (two excellent) ball carriers, three players happy to hit rucks with at least one an excellent jackaler. Can Kvesic jump at the lineout (or Morgan)?

If this was played I'd want a flanker on the bench though, not Easter.

 

[chippieolamus]

I think he was just speculating rather than advocating it. To be fair to him as well, Billy Vunipola does occasionally play six for Saracens, notably his excellent performance against Munster (I think it was Munster). I can actually see a back row including Vunipola and Morgan working with a quick, jackaling seven, I'd go for Kvesic. That's three good (two excellent) ball carriers, three players happy to hit rucks with at least one an excellent jackaler. Can Kvesic jump at the lineout (or Morgan)?

If this was played I'd want a flanker on the bench though, not Easter.

Billy was indeed excellent vs Munster, but he played 8 not 6. He does play 6 sometimes though.

 

[yaboyjj]

I think he was just speculating rather than advocating it. To be fair to him as well, Billy Vunipola does occasionally play six for Saracens, notably his excellent performance against Munster (I think it was Munster). I can actually see a back row including Vunipola and Morgan working with a quick, jackaling seven, I'd go for Kvesic. That's three good (two excellent) ball carriers, three players happy to hit rucks with at least one an excellent jackaler. Can Kvesic jump at the lineout (or Morgan)?

If this was played I'd want a flanker on the bench though, not Easter.

I expect Billy may well be lined up as a 6 if/when Hughes qualifies, with a back five of: Launch, Itoje, Vunipola, Kvesic, Hughes (if Hughes and Itoje continue to work on lineout skills, that could be a great combo). But right now, we don't really have a no.8 good enough in the air, or quick enough to allow this to happen.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I hope Hughes gets called up by Fiji (or Samoa) for the RWC.

He's captained the Fiji 'A' side before, don't think he should be playing for England (much like the ex-Fiji 7s captain playing on the wing for France).

 

[ratsapprentice]

I agree entirely Olyy, doesn't sit well with me at all, to say the least.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Trouble is I think Lancaster has pretty much got him to wait for England.

I think Pearce has potential and hopefully will break through into the starting XV @ Leicester next season.

 

[Peat]

If he's played for Fiji A, how is he not tied?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Must've been in a non-irb recognised game or something.

I am right in thinking that Fiji Warriors = Fiji 'A', right?

 

[yaboyjj]

Must've been in a non-irb recognised game or something.

I am right in thinking that Fiji Warriors = Fiji 'A', right?

I think its to do with it not being their designated second team ie. play for saxons and you are bound to England, but Wales have no 'A' team, so you are bound once you play u20's since that is their designated second team etc (might be wrong though).
I don't think it's right that he plays for England- but I'm pretty sure it will happen nonetheless.

 

[Peat]

One of those, anyway.

It's not even like we're hard up on 8s. Oh well. No point fretting about it.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Billy was indeed excellent vs Munster, but he played 8 not 6. He does play 6 sometimes though.

Right you are, apologies to those I have deceived.

 

[chippieolamus]

Haha sorry didn't intend to be pedantic (its in my nature).

 

[psychic duck]

Must've been in a non-irb recognised game or something.

I am right in thinking that Fiji Warriors = Fiji 'A', right?

Yes it is. And it's their second designated team (http://www.worldrugby.org/regulations/next-senior-representative-team). Nakaitaci captained their U20's so he wasn't ruled out playing for France. Not sure why Hughes' games for Fiji Warriors haven't tied him.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Haha sorry didn't intend to be pedantic (its in my nature).

Same, I just could have sworn he played six... Ah, shucks.
The "A" team thing is interesting, does anyone know if the rule also applies for playing for the first team in an uncapped match, e.g. Barbarians, midweek tour game?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Yes it is. And it's their second designated team (http://www.worldrugby.org/regulations/next-senior-representative-team). Nakaitaci captained their U20's so he wasn't ruled out playing for France. Not sure why Hughes' games for Fiji Warriors haven't tied him.

Interdasting... anyone know how to find out more about the situation?

First I've heard of it, surely if he's played for their designated team then he is tied!?

 

[TheSaffycen]

I think he was just speculating rather than advocating it. To be fair to him as well, Billy Vunipola does occasionally play six for Saracens, notably his excellent performance against Munster (I think it was Munster). I can actually see a back row including Vunipola and Morgan working with a quick, jackaling seven, I'd go for Kvesic. That's three good (two excellent) ball carriers, three players happy to hit rucks with at least one an excellent jackaler. Can Kvesic jump at the lineout (or Morgan)?

If this was played I'd want a flanker on the bench though, not Easter.

He won MOTM v Ulster at 6 in the 1/4 finals last HCup

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

He won MOTM v Ulster at 6 in the 1/4 finals last HCup

That's the one. I knew it was against an Irish team... I'll research more in future. Anyway, Vunipola, Kvesic, Morgan wouldn't be too ridiculous. It does highlight how we have a few quality number 8s and at the moment, not a single blindside that really puts himself forward in the England set up.