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

[goodNumber10]

hhhhmmmm! not sure how i feel about that.

also i'd (now) be surprised if Burgess wasn't in the final squad.

 

[chippieolamus]

It was all but confirmed as Watson in subsequent posts and I just can't believe it would be Burgess based on everything emerging to date, and I don't exactly credit the current England management as being that truthful. But then, I don't rate Watson that highly either, so maybe I'm reading what I want to read. I am again bewildered that people think of him as good 15 cover.

ESPN, Eurosport and BT Sport have all picked up on the squad cut story, don't know if they did it before the Belfast Telegraph.

He's been one of Bath's star players this season whilst playing mostly 15. One average game vs Italy doesn't change that he's still a good full back. He's great at coming into the line with speed, has a good step and generally tends to beat the first man, the only real problem I can see is perhaps his defensive full back positioning isn't at international standard, although I'm sure if the England set up were considering him as a serious 15 option they'd work on that aspect of his game with him.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I wouldn't drop Watson.
Wouldn't be my first choice winger, and not sure how I'd feel about him at 15 internationally (I'd feel better about Nowell, even though he's only really played there at age grade), but he should be in the squad IMO, especially over Ashton (Watson's had as good a season as him, and hasn't played as badly for England as him, IMO - especially especially as Watson can at least cover 15, whereas Ashton is wing or bust).

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Watson also has one hell of a motor, in the game against Tigers he sprinted down the pitch and caught the Tiger winger I believe who had a 10m head start on him. The question is, if Watson is dropped, does that mean Roko will be on the right wing? Will be pretty happy about that but with Brown out for so long, if we drop Watson that means Goode is our FB, unless they suddenly do something strange and put Cips there.

Also WRT Burgess, his name is getting him in the squad and nothing more. Even as a Bath fan, that saddens me. He has improved a lot but he is not international level at 6, hell I don't even think he is the best Bath 6.

 

[yaboyjj]

smh if Itoje gets dropped- means Hask or Wood will be virtually unopposed at blindside

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Feel for Slater but I guess with his injuries was always pushing it at least we get him back for now.

So without Itojie, Slater, Easter, Myler and Daly means the likes of our Locks, Haskell, Wood are safe

Daly and Itojie not making it are a mistake as well.

 

[Peat]

Watson also has one hell of a motor, in the game against Tigers he sprinted down the pitch and caught the Tiger winger I believe who had a 10m head start on him. The question is, if Watson is dropped, does that mean Roko will be on the right wing? Will be pretty happy about that but with Brown out for so long, if we drop Watson that means Goode is our FB, unless they suddenly do something strange and put Cips there.

Also WRT Burgess, his name is getting him in the squad and nothing more. Even as a Bath fan, that saddens me. He has improved a lot but he is not international level at 6, hell I don't even think he is the best Bath 6.

Or, you know, give Brown time in the warm-up games to get him match sharp and play him in the World Cup?

And for the love of god can we stop this idiotic crap about Burgess being in the squad for any other reason than the England coaching staff really, really rate him. They don't rate him because of the media, they don't rate him because of his name, or because he's handsome or any other crap, they rate him because based on what they've seen of him they reckon he has what it takes - maybe not today, but at some point and soon.

Now, maybe you disagree with their assessment, but can we at least actually acknowledge what's happening?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Burgess is in because of his "name" in the same way Itoje and LCD are in because of their "names".

 

[Patchey]

Dropping a hooker at this point would seem a bit daft wouldn't it? Although I reckon George is probably ahead of Webber on form so I guess if they're happy with Youngs to start it does make some sense not to waste time with the man who couldn't displace Ross Batty...

If Burgess is dropped I'll eat my scrum hat.

EDIT:

PR now saying Burgess, Itoje, LCD and Slade are all still in contention.

Myler to miss out. Maybe Easter.

 

[goodNumber10]

Burgess is in because of his "name" in the same way Itoje and LCD are in because of their "names".

not sure I follow that mate..

 

[goodNumber10]

Alex Lowe is reporting it's:

Itoje, Slater, Myler & Daly

Easter out with a back injury...

=5

 

[Patchey]

Alex Lowe is reporting it's:

Itoje, Slater, Myler & Daly

Easter out with a back injury...

=5

*face palm*

Ironic that Minty finally breaks, after being injury free for about two years.

Can't agree with Itoje or Daly. Slater probably just unlucky because of the sheer depth we have at lock.

Myler. Well...

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

crowson was saying slater last night hence why I said it here.

He has the inside line with Leicester players so prob true.

Suggests that the rumours it is Slater, Easter, Myler, Itojie and Daly are true.

Why can't he just take Itojie and Daly both could do with it in case of having to be called up later.

So as def for the 31 ATM IMO.

1) Marler
2) Youngs
3) Cole, Wilson
4/5) Launh, Lawes, Parling, Attwood
6) Haskell, Wood
7) Robshaw
8) Morgan, Vunipola
9) Youngs
10) Ford, Farrell
12)
13) Joesph
11/14) Nowell,
15) Brown,

Can't see Clark and Goode being let go either.

 

[chippieolamus]

crowson was saying slater last night hence why I said it here.

He has the inside line with Leicester players so prob true.

Suggests that the rumours it is Slater, Easter, Myler, Itojie and Daly are true.

Why can't he just take Itojie and Daly both could do with it in case of having to be called up later.

So as def for the 31 ATM IMO.

1) Marler
2) Youngs
3) Cole, Wilson
4/5) Launh, Lawes, Parling, Attwood
6) Haskell, Wood
7) Robshaw
8) Morgan, Vunipola
9) Youngs
10) Ford, Farrell
12)
13) Joesph
11/14) Nowell,
15) Brown,

Can't see Clark and Goode being let go either.

I'm certain Barritt and Mako will be in the squad. Not sure that Wilson is certain.

 

[Wendigo7]

The world cup side is looking like:

1. Marler
2. George
3. Cole
4. Launchbury
5. Lawes
6. Burgess
7. Robshaw
8. Vunipola
9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. Nowell
12. Farrell
13. Joseph
14. Ashton
15. Brown

Subs:
16. Vunipola
17. Youngs
18. Brookes
19. Wood
20. Morgan
21. Wigglesworth
22. Slade
23. Watson

At least from the outset that's the impression I get. It depends on whether Farrell starts at 12 or not, or Barritt. If the latter, Farrell will be on the bench with Slade and Watson dropped altogether.

 

[mikerevill]

[TABLE="width: 135"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Jamie George[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Rob Webber[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tom Youngs[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Kieran Brookes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dan Cole[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Joe Marler[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mako Vunipola[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]David Wilson[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dave Attwood[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Joe Launchbury[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Courtney Lawes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Geoff Parling[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]James Haskell[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Chris Robshaw[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tom Wood[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Ben Morgan[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Billy Vunipola[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Danny Care[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Richard Wigglesworth[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Ben Youngs[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Owen Farrell[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]George Ford[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Brad Barritt[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Luther Burrell[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jonathan Joseph[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Henry Slade[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jonny May[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jack Nowell[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Anthony Watson[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mike Brown[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Alex Goode[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody><colgroup><col></colgroup>[/TABLE]


I think 5 props is a good idea they are prone to injury and Brookes is included as he covers both sides of the scrum. I wouldn't include Cowan-Dickie, his throwing is poor and he's not even first choice at Exeter.

I've also put Slade in as a backup 10/12. All the wings cover fullback so an additional fullback is not needed, plus Nowell/May at 13. Likewise all the locks (bar Attwood) cover 6. Haskell and Wood both play 7 for their clubs.

 

[Patchey]

Can't see Clark and Goode being let go either.

Filed under 'things I shall never understand'.

I'm excited for the World Cup, but part of me wants it to be over already. We have a competent squad but there is a much better one under the surface that isn't going to come out until we have a cull of the dead weight.

 

[goodNumber10]

We have a competent squad but there is a much better one under the surface that isn't going to come out until we have a cull of the dead weight.

agree with you on that

 

[TheSaffycen]

Right the squad I would pick
Forwards (18)
1-Marler/Vunipola
2-Youngs, LCD, George/Webber as Webber does play well for England
3-Cole/Brookes/Wilson
4/5-Parling/Launchbury/Lawes/Attwood
6-Itoje/Wood
7-Robshaw/Kvesic
8-Morgan/Vunipola
Backs (13)
9-Wigglesworth/Youngs/Care
10-Ford/Farrell
11-Nowell
12-Slade/Barritt
13-Joseph
14-Rokoduguni/May
15-Brown/Watson

 

[Patchey]

Itoje, Slater, Myler, Daly have returned to clubs and are on 'standby'.

Easter to remain in England for treatment with Quins.

On RFU site now.