England Rugby 2018/19 Thread

[Which Tyler]

More to the point, of that lot, who, quite simply, shouldn't have been there.
Shields, Harrison and Collier. None of whom are obvious bad calls - Shields was just too early, Collier came whilst them lions had taken all our props.
The only other remotely contraversial debutants are Heinz - who justified his place once picked; and McConnochie, who was simply an odd selection, and he should have just between Ruaridh and Jack, and been done with it - deserved to be 5th choice winger, but we shouldn't have been taking 5 wingers in the first place, especially if you're not even going to to have a back3 player on the bench.

 

[Scotty]

I wonder what will happen 6N time will we stick to Ford Faz? Or will we go to Faz Manu Slade which EJ obv liked but didnt trust that

Will he drop the likes of lawes marler cole wilson who will be too old for the next world cup and bring in the likes of dombrant, iseikwe, obano, stuart or need game to to be ready?

When he took charge what did he do? All i know is right now we have a strong team that is pretty experienced and the core of it is young. So could stand losing some older heads to make way for the future players of the next WC, the previous 4 years he gave alot of players time in camp to look at them but they didnt have a chance so maybe this was his plan to post world cup make a few changes straight away for players hes had chance to work with.

 

[Which Tyler]

The older, first choice players will probably hang around.
The older "finishers" should be let go, to get game time into their replacements.

Lawes & Kruis being retired from international rugby, can be afforded, as that still leaves us with Itoje and Launch starting, with you haters on the bench and involved with training.
Marler and Cold being retired, leaves us with Mako and Sinkler starting, and youth backing them up.

Of course, if those older players do go longnonto their 30s with good form, they can always be brought back into the fold later - it's not like any of them need the experience, or as if any of them couldn't use a rest this spring and summer.

Personally, I'd go experimental for the 6N and summer tour (notnsurenid take any of the current starters on tour) get some new players into the squads and into the environment. Reassess in September 2020
Same for Wilson, and it decides the issue on Hartley.

Youngs will probably have to stay, with alternatives found for the bench, and hell, have 4 SHs in the squad for a year, as he hates having an odd number.
Manu should be able to go another 4 years, but will his history of injuries reduce his time at the top, or mean that he's missed enough playing time to make him more likely to go long?
May will be 33 in 2023, which is old for a wing, though he's added so much more to his game than pace... We've probably got enough depth at wing to afford to retire him though - still gives us Watson, Daly, Nowell with Coka on the bench.

 

[MarkyH]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50332937

Hartley gone.

 

[Scotty]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50332937

Hartley gone.

97 caps. Good effort but i bet he is gutted he hasnt got 100.

Real shame for him he was a great captain and definitly was a great leader in the pack.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Here's how I see the positions after the RWC. Pretty good, but some definite opportunities for new blood.


LH - Definite need to strengthen

Marler - likely to retire again.

Mako - injury prone, scrummaging was badly shown up in the final.

Genge,- brilliant carrier but scrummaging regressed.

Who's next in line?


Hooker - 3rd choice up for grabs

George - fine, LCD - improved. Both could be around for France.

Singleton? Wouldn't recognise him in the street


TH - Weak behind Sincs

Sincs clear first choice, but would still like to see more powerful scrummaging.

Thanks for the memories Dan, but time to retire.

Next cab off the rank? Williams or look younger? No hugely dominant scrummagers.


Lock - Strong, but not as strong as we'd like to think

Lawes - now 30. Still very good, but comparatively lightweight. Not one for an arm wrestle.

Kruis - Would still be my first choice. 30 next year.

Launch - clear 4th choice. Can always do a decent job, but can he be a dominant force against the best? Not sure

Itoje - Vexing. When he's on it like the semi he's 10 / 10 and world superstar. But he's not that every time and bigger opponents can get his number.

I really want our front 5 powered up. Time for Isiekwe to start getting some bench time.


Flanker - Strong

Undercurry - both fantastic and will only get better. But 2 7s isn't necessarily the answer all the time.

Ludlam - much improved. A pleasant surprise and good back up.

Wilson - Underrated. But probably won't be around for the next RWC. May have role to play from bench or 8.

With the likes of B Curry and Willis in the background all looking good.


No8 - Up for grabs, little depth.

Binny no longer impacts the way he did. Also injury prone.

Dombrandt is my hope here. Wilson can do a job. Bar Hughes, who else? Well Morgan obvs, but he must be scratching his head wondering if there's anything he can do Mercer / Simmonds probably bench at best.


SH - A mess. An opportunity for someone, but who?

Thanks Ben, good career but really time to move on.

Heinz did well, but was a stop gap.

Would like to see Spencer given a shot although he'll be 31 by the next RWC so there really is a chance for a couple of youngsters to press their case. Who? I have no idea.


FH - Strong

Happy with Ford or Faz. Both can make France. Others will emerge. Smith may live up to the early hype


IC - The eternal problem

Faz and Manu can both do a job and may be around for a while yet.

But we really need a Devoto type player there. A skilful unit. There's a chance for someone - maybe even Mallinder if gets himself together and forgets about FB.


OC - Strong

Any of JJ, Manu, Slade and Daly would do well there. All bring different things, most will be around for France.

Marchant should also be given a chance to see what he can do.


Wings - Strong

Watson - World class (see FB)

May - World class, may not be around for France.

McConnochie - Sure he's a nice chap but mistake to pick him. Not the future.

Coka - He must be found a starting berth. Too good for bench impact. Learn from May - one trick pony became world class after being invested in. Do that and we'll have a world star on our hands by France.

Nowell - Solid squad player / bench option. Like Launch, never upset to see him involved. Good all round, but others have more tricks.

Thorley has rough edges but capable of the special. He should get a chance in the next couple of years.


Full Back - Specialists required

Watson must surely become Plan A.

Daly's an accident waiting to happen. He may get better after playing there for Saracens in the championship.

Certainly an opportunity for someone to get in the squad if not team.

 

[Reiser99]

1374 Jack Clifford (flanker) 2016-02-06 v Scotland at Murrayfield (7 Caps, considered then dropped)
1375 Paul Hill (prop) 2016-02-14 v Italy at Rome (5 Caps, considered then dropped)
1376 Maro Itoje (lock) 2016-02-14 v Italy at Rome (33 Caps, Possibly Eddie's best cap)
1377 Elliot Daly (full back) 2016-02-27 v Ireland at Twickenham (33 Caps, Eddie's kept faith with him)
1378 Teimana Harrison flanker 2016-05-29 v Wales at Twickenham (5 Caps, like Clifford, considered then dropped)
1379 Ollie Devoto (centre) 2016-05-29 v Wales at Twickenham (1 Cap, came on as sub, not really given a chance)
1380 Ellis Genge (prop) 2016-05-29 v Wales at Twickenham (12 Caps, still there, but mix of injury and being 3rd choice)
1381 Tommy Taylor (hooker) 2016-05-29 v Wales at Twickenham (1 Cap as sub. Injury wrecked his England chances really)
1382 Kyle Sinckler (prop) 2016-11-12 v South Africa at Twickenham (25 Caps, another good selection by Jones)
1383 Nathan Hughes (No. 8) 2016-11-12 v South Africa at Twickenham (20 Caps, One of Jones' worst selections and stopped others being looked at)
1384 Ben Te'o (centre) 2016-11-12 v South Africa at Twickenham (16 Caps, never really performed and spent most of last 2 years injured. Jones should have moved on sooner)
1385 Charlie Ewels (lock) 2016-11-19 v Fiji at Twickenham (10 Caps, unfortunately competing against many good players. Cover for injuries and lions really)
1386 Harry Williams prop 2017-06-10 v Argentina at San Jaun (17 Caps, however I think most as subs. Never really seemed to long term for Jones)
1387 Mark Wilson flanker 2017-06-10 v Argentina at San Juan (17 Caps, bit unlucky not to play more at world cup. Forced his way in tbh)
1388 Tom Curry flanker 2017-06-10 v Argentina at San Juan (17 Caps, possibly Eddie's best cap as well)
1389 Alex Lozowski centre 2017-06-10 v Argentina at San Juan (5 Caps, part of Eddie's rotating centres, whilst hoping others would stop being injured)
1390 Denny Solomona (winger) 2017-06-10 v Argentina at San Juan (5 Caps, bit of a reputation pick and was never stuck with)
1391 Piers Francis (centre) 2017-06-10 v Argentina at San Juan (8 Caps, again part of the centres who covered for others)
1392 Don Armand (flanker) 2017-06-10 v Argentina at San Juan (2 Caps, Argentina tour, looked at briefly, then dropped)
1393 Jack Maunder (scrum-half) 2017-06-10 v Argentina at San Juan (1 Cap, sub against Argentina, during Lions. Been injured though and should play in future)
1394 Will Collier (prop) 2017-06-10 v Argentina at San Juan (2 Caps, Argentina tour, then dropped)
1395 Nick Isiekwe (lock) 2017-06-10 v Argentina at San Juan (3 Caps, Argentina tour, should be around in future.)
1396 Sam Underhill flanker 2017-06-17 v Argentina at Santa Fè (14 Caps, injury limited him somewhat, but integral now)
1397 Sam Simmonds (flanker) 2017-11-11 v Argentina at Twickenham (7 Caps, Argentina tour and injury cover really)
1398 Alec Hepburn (prop) 2018-04-02 v Italy at Rome (4 Caps, mainly injury cover too)
1399 Brad Shields (flanker) 2018-06-09 v South Africa at Johannesburg (9 Caps, came over with such fanfare and was overall a disappointment)
1400 Ben Spencer (scrum half) 2018-06-09 v South Africa at Johannesburg (3 Caps, bit unlucky in that Jones only ever wanted Youngs...)
1401 Ben Moon (prop) 2018-11-03 v South Africa at Twickenham (5 Caps, took his chance, but was never really in contention)
1402 Zach Mercer (no. 8) 2018-11-03 v South Africa at Twickenham (2 Caps, bit of a reputation pick from u20's)
1403 Joe Cokanasiga wing 2018-11-17 v Japan at Twickenham (9 Caps, regular in squad, but not first team)
1404 Ted Hill (flanker) 2018-11-17 v Japan at Twickenham (1 Cap, sub against Japan. Possible WC bolter, but always unlikely. Future though)
1405 Dan Robson (scrumhalf) 2019-02-10 v France at Twickenham (2 Caps, seriously what does Jones see in Youngs?)
1406 Willi Heinz scrumhalf 2019-08-11 v Wales at Twickenham (4 Caps, played well, but sums up SH under Jones)
1407 Lewis Ludlam flanker 2019-08-11 v Wales at Twickenham (3 Caps, WC bolter, played well)
1408 Jack Singleton (hooker) 2019-08-11 v Wales at Twickenham (3 Caps, one of which was in the back row as a sub.)
1409 Joe Marchant (centre) 2019-08-11 v Wales at Twickenham (3 Caps, deserves more imo, but never really had a chance this cycle)
1410 Ruaridh McConnochie wing 2019-09-06 v Italy at Newcastle-upon-Tyne (2 Caps, bit of a waste in the end. Says more about Jones though)

By position: (In bold is number at WC)
Prop: 7 (2) (For me Jones always had his front row in mind, but was limited by injury to Mako and Marler retiring. Sinckler great selection though. Genge for the future. Williams could have been at WC, but seems Cole found some form just in time. Could any difference have been made in the final here?
Hooker: 2 (1) Stuck with Hartley and I guess was unlucky he got injured when he did. George was always no.2/no.1 and Cowan Dickie was capped by Lancaster, though I guess Jones made him number 2. Singleton was just there for experience I guess. Taylor was unlucky with injury. No real issues with these selections.
Lock: 3 (1) Itoje is one of Eddie's best caps. Ewels was good too and unlucky to be competing in a strong position. Isiekwe was Lions cover. No issue with these selections.
Back Row: 12 (4) Real area of concern and wasn't as strong as it could be with the likes of Wood, Haskall and Robshaw as well as a some players tried and dropped. Weird as first 2 years was playing a lot of 6's together and last year now has 2 no.7's. Think he realised he needed to change after 2018 6N's and luckily it payed off. Hopefully lesson learnt going forward about having a balanced back row. As for No. 8 Jones pinned all his hopes on Billy and then kept Hughes around who was the closest like for like. Also Simmonds and Wilson etc...covering. For me got lucky with the back row for the world cup and was an area that almost blew up in his face.
Scrum half: 4 (1) Oh god, where to start. Stuck with Youngs and Care for so long then changed his mind. Yet even when he dropped Care, still couldn't decide and even had games where Youngs never came off or subs got like 5 minutes. Worst area of selection by a long way and while Youngs didn't lose us the final, you wonder if someone else could have had more influence.
Fly half: 0 (0) Ford and Faz. Few players who could play FH as well as centre, but those 2 dominated the position.
Centre: 5 (1) Another area where Jones wanted players he couldn't have. Mainly Tuilagi and Te'o who were both injured. Not the best selections here tbh and was too reliant on Tuilagi. Also kept switching between Faz at 12 and Faz at 10. Bit inconsistent especially from 2019 6N's to WC.
Back 3: 4 (3) Decided Daly was a 15, but if he was going to drop Brown he needed to do it sooner as Daly has never looked great under the high ball with competition. Cokanasiga was a good pick, but Ruaridh McConnochie was just baffling. Good player, but was clearly surplus to requirements.

Other stats:

37 new caps, only 13 players at WC.
Out of the 37 only 10 players got more than 10 caps.
Only 8 players could be considered regular squad players.

Overall for me the only positions where he seemed to consistently get it right were Hooker, Lock and Fly Half. Scrum half was a mess and it shows. As I said about the back row, I think he got a bit lucky with Curry and Underhill and the stats show he was floundering a bit there. Centre as well was a mess and it showed towards the end. For me it shows he did look at new players, but in certain positions he didn't know himself what he wanted.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

97 caps. Good effort but i bet he is gutted he hasnt got 100.

Real shame for him he was a great captain and definitly was a great leader in the pack.

Great career. A few black marks, some major, but he matured into a fine leader. Shame he couldn't go out on his own terms.

We need more with his natural dog. I could see him coaching in due course.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

With Hatley now back at Bath do we not have a forwards coach anymore?
Or is he coming back to England for the 6N?

 

[BPM]

Here's how I see the positions after the RWC. Pretty good, but some definite opportunities for new blood.


LH - Definite need to strengthen

Marler - likely to retire again.

Mako - injury prone, scrummaging was badly shown up in the final.

Genge,- brilliant carrier but scrummaging regressed.

Who's next in line?: Obano is the best bet for me. Decent in the set piece and the loose. Hepburn is a good player but too lightweight IMO. I really like Rapava-Ruskin but he's too injury prone to make himself first choice for Gloucester let alone get in the England reckoning.


Hooker - 3rd choice up for grabs

George - fine, LCD - improved. Both could be around for France.

Singleton? Wouldn't recognise him in the street

Singleton is a good player and will keep improving. Dunn and Taylor would be fine if called upon. Barbeary is supposed to be the coming man. I haven't seen that much with my own eyes and what I have seen included the ridiculous red card for he U20s, so whether the hype is justified is harder to say.


TH - Weak behind Sincs

Sincs clear first choice, but would still like to see more powerful scrummaging.

Thanks for the memories Dan, but time to retire.

Next cab off the rank? Williams or look younger? No hugely dominant scrummagers.

Will Stuart and Joe Heyes are looking good. Paul Hill could make a resurgence (he's still only 24) and Marcus Street is one to watch at Exeter.


Lock - Strong, but not as strong as we'd like to think

Lawes - now 30. Still very good, but comparatively lightweight. Not one for an arm wrestle.

Kruis - Would still be my first choice. 30 next year.

Launch - clear 4th choice. Can always do a decent job, but can he be a dominant force against the best? Not sure

Itoje - Vexing. When he's on it like the semi he's 10 / 10 and world superstar. But he's not that every time and bigger opponents can get his number.

I really want our front 5 powered up. Time for Isiekwe to start getting some bench time.

I'm not wholly convinced on Isiekwe. He's not really standing out as I expected him to. Hopefully he'll kick back in to gear as it would be great to see him reach his potential. I'd have Ewels ahead of him and probably Jonny Hill too.


Flanker - Strong

Undercurry - both fantastic and will only get better. But 2 7s isn't necessarily the answer all the time.

Ludlam - much improved. A pleasant surprise and good back up.

Wilson - Underrated. But probably won't be around for the next RWC. May have role to play from bench or 8.

With the likes of B Curry and Willis in the background all looking good.

Not much to add here. Ted Hill is definitely worth a mention though. As a bigger, taller option, he could develop in to a great foil for Curry or Underhill as an O'Mahony style 6.


No8 - Up for grabs, little depth.

Binny no longer impacts the way he did. Also injury prone.

Dombrandt is my hope here. Wilson can do a job. Bar Hughes, who else? Well Morgan obvs, but he must be scratching his head wondering if there's anything he can do Mercer / Simmonds probably bench at best.

Agree

SH - A mess. An opportunity for someone, but who?

Thanks Ben, good career but really time to move on.

Heinz did well, but was a stop gap.

Would like to see Spencer given a shot although he'll be 31 by the next RWC so there really is a chance for a couple of youngsters to press their case. Who? I have no idea.

I'd like to see Spencer and Robson given the 6 Nations to show they can step up. Alex Mitchell is the one to watch IMO. I really like Harry Randall but I fear he's just too small. If Henry Taylor stays fit and keeps up his form, he could be a surprise wildcard.


FH - Strong

Happy with Ford or Faz. Both can make France. Others will emerge. Smith may live up to the early hype

Grayson has really impressed me this season and Simmonds and Malins are definitely worth a mention.


IC - The eternal problem

Faz and Manu can both do a job and may be around for a while yet.

But we really need a Devoto type player there. A skilful unit. There's a chance for someone - maybe even Mallinder if gets himself together and forgets about FB.

Nick Tompkins is the obvious option IMO. Does everything well and keeps getting better.


OC - Strong

Any of JJ, Manu, Slade and Daly would do well there. All bring different things, most will be around for France.

Marchant should also be given a chance to see what he can do.

100%. Having watched Marchant, I think he could be top, top class.

Ollie Lawrence is also one to look out for. He's looked outrageously talented whenever I've seen him play.


Wings - Strong

Watson - World class (see FB)

May - World class, may not be around for France.

McConnochie - Sure he's a nice chap but mistake to pick him. Not the future.

Coka - He must be found a starting berth. Too good for bench impact. Learn from May - one trick pony became world class after being invested in. Do that and we'll have a world star on our hands by France.

Nowell - Solid squad player / bench option. Like Launch, never upset to see him involved. Good all round, but others have more tricks.

Thorley has rough edges but capable of the special. He should get a chance in the next couple of years.

Interesting. I think Cokanasiga has all the physical gifts but I'm not sure he has the feel for the game needed to be a truly top player. I think Thorley will become May's successor.

Ibitoye is looking a lot better this season and is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Full Back - Specialists required

Watson must surely become Plan A.

Daly's an accident waiting to happen. He may get better after playing there for Saracens in the championship.

Certainly an opportunity for someone to get in the squad if not team.

Totally agree. Not many coming through unless Malins switches to 15 (which I think suits him better). Furbank could be a wildcard if he keeps playing as well as he is now.

I've added my comments to your post.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

What are people's thoughts on Jamie Shillcock? He's looked really good every time I've seen him - tore Chiefs up in the preseason - but I haven't seen a huge amount of him. He seems rapid and has also spent a lot of time at 10 so could act as a second distributor (personally prefer the second playmaker at 15 than 12). Any Worcester supporters care to offer an insight?

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

What are people's thoughts on Jamie Shillcock? He's looked really good every time I've seen him - tore Chiefs up in the preseason - but I haven't seen a huge amount of him. He seems rapid and has also spent a lot of time at 10 so could act as a second distributor (personally prefer the second playmaker at 15 than 12). Any Worcester supporters care to offer an insight?

Was that quins game not his first start in the prem for 18 months as well?
Hopefully more tomckme but you never know

 

[Which Tyler]

He always looked good before Worcester's... sabatical.
If he's out from behind Pennel's shadow, he could become very handy indeed.

 

[WarriorKelv]

What are people's thoughts on Jamie Shillcock? He's looked really good every time I've seen him - tore Chiefs up in the preseason - but I haven't seen a huge amount of him. He seems rapid and has also spent a lot of time at 10 so could act as a second distributor (personally prefer the second playmaker at 15 than 12). Any Worcester supporters care to offer an insight?

Good distribution and decent kicking game Eddie Jones could like him and we definitely need a new 15 in place and can't see Jones moving Watson inside. Grayson and Gallagher are good options at 15.

 

[Scotty]

Good distribution and decent kicking game Eddie Jones could like him and we definitely need a new 15 in place and can't see Jones moving Watson inside. Grayson and Gallagher are good options at 15.

Shillcock needs to get to first choice 15 with regular gametime, never been a fan of pennel i seen so many times when he played with Adams that he should have made the pass and went himself, Gallagher has the same issue he really needs to look for the pass more as EJ does like a playmaking 15. But i do like Gallagher if he develops his game more.

Isnt furbank more of a 15 option than grayson?

 

[Nudger]

First squad of the playing year, new thread.

England squad

Backs
Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Gloucester Rugby), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Nathan Earle (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers)
Dan Robson (Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Forwards
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Northampton Saints), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Joel Kpoku (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Michael Rhodes (Saracens), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors), Will Spencer (Leicester Tigers), Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)

Not considered for selection due to injury/ fitness/ other: Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
George Kruis (Saracens), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Brad Shields (Wasps), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens).

Not many surprises in the end
Q when does eddy have to name his 2020 squad

 

[BPM]

Shillcock needs to get to first choice 15 with regular gametime, never been a fan of pennel i seen so many times when he played with Adams that he should have made the pass and went himself, Gallagher has the same issue he really needs to look for the pass more as EJ does like a playmaking 15. But i do like Gallagher if he develops his game more.

Isnt furbank more of a 15 option than grayson?

Agreed re. Shillcock. Definitely has a lot of the right ingredients, but needs a sustained run as first choice to be a contender at 15. His challenge cup hat trick was at 10 I think?

I'm not sure Grayson has ever played 15, but Furbank could be an option if he keeps up his good form.

I'm not sure about Gallagher. He looks OK, but I'm not sure he's shown any more than that yet?

The other player I'd add as a longer term option is Tom Parton at London Irish. He had a very good season in the Championship and has looked like he's stepping-up to the Premiership reasonably comfortably.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Can any Quins fans tell me what they think of Gabriel Ibitoye? At U20 level he looked amazing and seemed to be in the same mould of the smaller, more agile winger but with some pretty good power. Not sure how he has kicked on at senior level.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Can any Quins fans tell me what they think of Gabriel Ibitoye? At U20 level he looked amazing and seemed to be in the same mould of the smaller, more agile winger but with some pretty good power. Not sure how he has kicked on at senior level.

He's fantastic with ball in hand and his kicking has looked good this season as well, he is much bigger than he was now which has given another dimension to his game but his defence is dog ****. Like woeful.
If he gets that sorted could be incredible tho

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Wisemantel not renewing his contract that expired after the RWC. Likely destination Australia.

So that's a new scrum coach and attack coach we'll be after.