England Rugby 2018/19 Thread

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

It wouldn't be a world cup without a rugby League centre that everyone agrees shouldn't be there

I honestly wish that Te'o would perform as well as Burgess did in the Wales game; at least his defence was good.

 

[Greeno]

EJ loves a 2nd distributor in his centres,
If he's got Manu and Teo as his bosh, then Devoto makes good sense as back up to Slade.
But where does that leave Joseph?


In 2015 we had
3 x Scrumhalves
2 x Flyhalves
4 x Centres
5 x Back three

Eddie will likely take 2 scrumhalves, so does the extra spot go to an extra utility back or (more likely) and extra forward?

I think it will be a extra forward and that forward being a prop. I reckon we will take 6 props. Mako, genge, moon, sinckler, Cole and Williams. Thought that for a while and even more now with mako injury.

 

[Mumbles119]

EJ loves a 2nd distributor in his centres,
If he's got Manu and Teo as his bosh, then Devoto makes good sense as back up to Slade.
But where does that leave Joseph?


In 2015 we had
3 x Scrumhalves
2 x Flyhalves
4 x Centres
5 x Back three

Eddie will likely take 2 scrumhalves, so does the extra spot go to an extra utility back or (more likely) and extra forward?

According to the Guardian article earlier this week, the third space will go to another fly half - if Cips covers scrum half!

 

[higgik]

Tuilagi-Slade starters.
Tuilagi goes down then Te'o-Slade.
Slade goes down then Faz-Tuilagi.
EJ's got his playmaker-bosher axis safely covered, so I guess JJ goes as an option to mix things up? Unfortunately, I think that means Te'o's above JJ in the pecking order.

After yesterday, wouldn't Devoto be a better choice than Te'o.
I think his distribution and kicking is better than Manu, while down on power, but not significantly down

 

[TRF_Olyy]

After yesterday, wouldn't Devoto be a better choice than Te'o.
I think his distribution and kicking is better than Manu, while down on power, but not significantly down

Don't think anyone is really advocating for Teo, it's just an inevitability. He's one of EJs faves.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

After yesterday, wouldn't Devoto be a better choice than Te'o.
I think his distribution and kicking is better than Manu, while down on power, but not significantly down

I agree completely, I'm just saying that's what EJ will go for.

 

[Nudger]

Are caps being awarded for the warm up games ??

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Are caps being awarded for the warm up games ??

Yes

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I think it will be a extra forward and that forward being a prop. I reckon we will take 6 props. Mako, genge, moon, sinckler, Cole and Williams. Thought that for a while and even more now with mako injury.

Why haven't we got even one prop who can adequately cover both sides? Wilson could, think Brookes too. Having 3 specialists on each side is taking up an unnecessary space.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Why haven't we got even one prop who can adequately cover both sides? Wilson could, think Brookes too. Having 3 specialists on each side is taking up an unnecessary space.

Cole can cover loosehead in an emergency, he played there for the Lions in 2013.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

16 minutes v the Queensland reds.......

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

16 minutes v the Queensland reds.......

Yes

 

[BPM]

Why haven't we got even one prop who can adequately cover both sides? Wilson could, think Brookes too. Having 3 specialists on each side is taking up an unnecessary space.

Very few players in world rugby can play to test standard on both sides of the scrum. It just doesn't happen any more.

 

[Which Tyler]

Very few players in world rugby can play to test standard on both sides of the scrum. It just doesn't happen any more.

barely* any of them train for it anymore - that 8th man on the bench put at end to it being remotely useful to not specialise


*If any at all

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

The only one that springs to mind is Ofa Tu'ungfasi in NZ. A prop who can cover both sides of the scrum is a very useful asset in a RWC Squad but realistically, what player is going to want to train specifically to be the 5th prop on the plane?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Mulipola is another one who can do a job at test level on both sides.

 

[BPM]

barely* any of them train for it anymore - that 8th man on the bench put at end to it being remotely useful to not specialise


*If any at all

Exactly. I'd sooner take two specialists who are better than someone who can 'do a job' on both sides of the scrum.

I've heard quite a few people extolling the virtues of Greg Bateman on the basis that he can cover across the front row. An uncapped player who isn't a first choice at his club isn't likely to make the RWC purely because he's versatile.

 

[Scotty]

Exactly. I'd sooner take two specialists who are better than someone who can 'do a job' on both sides of the scrum.

I've heard quite a few people extolling the virtues of Greg Bateman on the basis that he can cover across the front row. An uncapped player who isn't a first choice at his club isn't likely to make the RWC purely because he's versatile.

Props now are breaking into this england team on open pay rather than just set piece. So if say sinks played a season at LHP would it hinder his england chsnces or stunt his progression. Yet would make him more useful even if he rarely plays there for england. Just a thought.

Suppose he has no interest in doing this as hes already clear first choice and thats not changing any time soon

 

[BPM]

I wouldn't say so. The most recent prop to break in to the England set-up is Moon. As a Chiefs fan, surely you don't think he's there for his work in the loose?

 

[Scotty]

I wouldn't say so. The most recent prop to break in to the England set-up is Moon. As a Chiefs fan, surely you don't think he's there for his work in the loose?

No but our first choices are mako and sinks and both are players that excess in open play and bring alot more than just scrummaging. Genge will overtake moon if he progresses how he should.

Props arnt just scrummagers anymore.


On moon who are the alternatives?