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International Test Matches
England Saxons to tour South Africa in June
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<blockquote data-quote="j&#039;nuh" data-source="post: 798881" data-attributes="member: 55446"><p>I have no objections to Ashton's actions here.</p><p></p><p>The Saxons is a great place for a player who has never played for England before to get some exposure to the international game and for the coaches to learn.</p><p></p><p>But the thought of the Saxons as a pathway towards England has become very muddied. Lots of players straight-up skip the Saxons. About 1/3 of the current England squad did. And although 2/3 did go through the Saxons, it is mainly players that developed over the long-term, who played for the Saxons when they weren't quite ready. Players like Farrell were deemed not to need that step. So if players can go straight into the England squad without going through the Saxons, what value does the Saxons bring? If it is an important test that players must go through, why do some players never play for the Saxons?</p><p></p><p>For some players such as Cipriani and Sharples, it has become an international cul-de-sac. Vague promises of England keep them interested, but Saxons isn't really giving them anything.</p><p></p><p>Ashton got it into his head that if he was selected for England, he could kick-off his international career again. It would have been a big career move, and playing for England is always an honour. The Saxons? It holds no guarantees, and being there means next-to-nothing. If he's the best winger come September, he will be in the AIs and his Saxons no-show won't change that. tbh, I would have made exactly the same call as Ashton, as would many people, I would think.</p><p></p><p>I think we should re-purpose the Saxons as an U24s team, a chance for the England coach to learn about the strengths and weaknesses of younger players, particularly of guys like Genge, who Jones may have never seen, and on which England may have very little data.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="j'nuh, post: 798881, member: 55446"] I have no objections to Ashton's actions here. The Saxons is a great place for a player who has never played for England before to get some exposure to the international game and for the coaches to learn. But the thought of the Saxons as a pathway towards England has become very muddied. Lots of players straight-up skip the Saxons. About 1/3 of the current England squad did. And although 2/3 did go through the Saxons, it is mainly players that developed over the long-term, who played for the Saxons when they weren't quite ready. Players like Farrell were deemed not to need that step. So if players can go straight into the England squad without going through the Saxons, what value does the Saxons bring? If it is an important test that players must go through, why do some players never play for the Saxons? For some players such as Cipriani and Sharples, it has become an international cul-de-sac. Vague promises of England keep them interested, but Saxons isn't really giving them anything. Ashton got it into his head that if he was selected for England, he could kick-off his international career again. It would have been a big career move, and playing for England is always an honour. The Saxons? It holds no guarantees, and being there means next-to-nothing. If he's the best winger come September, he will be in the AIs and his Saxons no-show won't change that. tbh, I would have made exactly the same call as Ashton, as would many people, I would think. I think we should re-purpose the Saxons as an U24s team, a chance for the England coach to learn about the strengths and weaknesses of younger players, particularly of guys like Genge, who Jones may have never seen, and on which England may have very little data. [/QUOTE]
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England Saxons to tour South Africa in June
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