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Summer tours - England

I like that a lot. Possibly Ewels on the bench as more experienced cover if Hill struggles. I agree he was anonymous, but Munga is completely unknown. Not sure about Robson, he found some form at the end of the season, but I just feel he's never going to be England's starting 9. I feel Randall has more chance of replacing Youngs in the short term. Probably those 2 changes and that would be my team.
Think this is harsh on Robson. Carried us towards end of season but also has been one of the form 9's in England for a while and it's hard to show off talents when you get 5-10 mins plus playing fly half against Italy and Wing against USA.
I think Randall is an exceptional player but do think everyone got a little carried away yesterday with his performance. It was against a USA team who were fairly questionable at times and personally i am not sure if Randall offers a huge amount of control at times.

Happy to be corrected obviously if i am wrong but he won't get away with some of those kicks/quick taps against the top teams.
 
Also can Eddie please stop with this 6-2 split. It really didn't provide any benefit at all, especially when he uses Hill as a lock. It also means that with two specialist backs on the bench (I know Umaga can play 15/12 but so rarely does for Wasps it knackers us).

Not sure we have learnt much from this game apart from Randall is fantastic and keeping the defence honest, Steward is in line for that 15 shirt, Ludlham showed why he's in regular England squad contention, Langdon is very efficient and the line out and Big Joe is finding some form).

On Langdon, haven't seen much of him but thought he went about his business very well and nailed the parts of his game he needed to.

Canada is going to be an interesting one in terms of score predictions but not much else, at least the USA put up some defence, Canada were pushed over by Wales.
 
Think this is harsh on Robson. Carried us towards end of season but also has been one of the form 9's in England for a while and it's hard to show off talents when you get 5-10 mins plus playing fly half against Italy and Wing against USA.
I think Randall is an exceptional player but do think everyone got a little carried away yesterday with his performance. It was against a USA team who were fairly questionable at times and personally i am not sure if Randall offers a huge amount of control at times.

Happy to be corrected obviously if i am wrong but he won't get away with some of those kicks/quick taps against the top teams.
I kind of agree. I just feel that Robson is never going to be no1 under EJ. Therefore if Randall has a chance to get rid of Youngs then it makes sense to invest in him more. I could be wrong though.
 
I kind of agree. I just feel that Robson is never going to be no1 under EJ. Therefore if Randall has a chance to get rid of Youngs then it makes sense to invest in him more. I could be wrong though.
Yes suppose your right, Robson is 29 now too so not a young gun anymore. Suppose it depends on who you play. Maybe Robson will be seen in the Heinz role for England now and offer a little more control.

Funny thing is that when i think about Robson coming to Wasps all that time ago, i would have said he was Randall esque in his style but has much more become that controlled 9. He's also been working with Youngs to coach/chat with Jack Van Poortvliet whilst in camp etc which is good to hear as nice to see players learning from those above them.
 
Funny thing is that when i think about Robson coming to Wasps all that time ago, i would have said he was Randall esque in his style but has much more become that controlled 9.
Yeah, Robson was always known for being lightning before - obv still has wheels but he's much more now
 
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If Eddie doesn't phase out the Vunipola's that means, with Randall being brought into the fold, 20% of your starting line up will have Welsh accents.
 
I like that a lot. Possibly Ewels on the bench as more experienced cover if Hill struggles. I agree he was anonymous, but Munga is completely unknown. Not sure about Robson, he found some form at the end of the season, but I just feel he's never going to be England's starting 9. I feel Randall has more chance of replacing Youngs in the short term. Probably those 2 changes and that would be my team.
He's an apprentice, so presumably won't get any time regardless.

With Isiekwe out, irrespective of birth certificate I'd have had Attwood in the squad. None of the youngsters or oldies (McNally is 30) are near the required standard while he tore up trees all season and ought to be the next cab off the rank. Would have him over Ewels every day of the week.
 
He's an apprentice, so presumably won't get any time regardless.

With Isiekwe out, irrespective of birth certificate I'd have had Attwood in the squad. None of the youngsters or oldies (McNally is 30) are near the required standard while he tore up trees all season and ought to be the next cab off the rank. Would have him over Ewels every day of the week.
Actually Attwood's experience in a position that is quite strong would have been perfect for these games.
 
So, after 2 games who put their hand up to be considered in the Autumn.

LH: Genge looked good, though scrum needed tightening up. I'd have him starting in the Autumn though unless Mako finds some amazing form. Obano didn't have a huge impact when he came on and did give away a couple of penalties at least. Moment I'd go Genge, Mako, Obano.
Hooker: Langdon threw well and was solid. Blamire's darts improved against Canada and scored 3 tries. However, still see both behind LCD and George. Third choice would probably depend on form at the start of the league.
TH: Heyes was ok, though nothing special. Again part of a scrum that was inconsistent. Davison didn't really have any impact and neither did Hill massively from what I saw. Sinckler still first, but after it's a bit worrying, especially as Stuart wasn't picked for the tour.

Locks: Let's forget this part ever happened. Ewels especially should not play until he shows a massive improvement.
6 & 7: Not sure what B. Curry did to **** off Jones. Ludlum looked very good against USA, Underhill was his usual self. Hill was wasted. Ludlow should join Ewels.
8: Dombrandt looked good for his match. Chick was okay, but nothing special. Both should be ahead of Billy though unless he finds some massive form as well.

9: Randall had some good moments and some snipes. Kicking seemed to improve against Canada. Robson looked his usual solid self. I said before if Jones isn't going to start Robson for whatever reason then we should invest in Randall as he seems most likely to replace Youngs.
10: I thought Smith looked good and given time can become the FH we need. I'd definitely have him in the squad this Autumn if not starting. Umaga wasn't used properly, but still looks weak in defence.

12&13: Lawrence looked good when he was on and was unlucky with the head knock. Kelly look pretty decent at times, though probably still too soon for him. Slade was good against USA, but didn't have a huge impact against Canada. Definitely think the Autumn should be Lawrence and Slade in midfield.

11&14: Radwan looks like the real deal and if he continues his form should be starting in the Autumn personally. May still has flashes, but certainly hasn't been at the same level recently. Malins looks like the perfect utility sub. Cokanasigna had a better game today, but for me hasn't shown anywhere near the form that made him so successful before. Watson is nailed on imo, but after that there are a few players in and out of form that could start in the Autumn.

15: Steward looked very secure, though he will have harder games. Furbank played at 10 and Malins at 11, so not much competition. Certainly better than Daly. Not sure if it is too soon for him, but lacking better options I'd start him in the Autumn.

To sum up, new players who I think should definitely still be around in the Autumn: Dombrandt, Randall, Smith, Radwan, Steward. Few others who could force their way in, but not definitely.
 
I'm loving the Radwan hype as a Falcons fan, but I'm not sure he's as likely to slot straight in as people think. Having not watched the Canada game, how was his defence, don't imagine it was super tested?
 
Personally I feel that not many if any really put their hands up for the AI.
It's tough I wished that once it got moved to home, we would've tried to organised a game v Japan or Argentina.

Would've learned a lot more about these players.
I think for me future seems bright but most of those players looked a while off playing in the starting team and I wonder how much time you can invest in these younger players with the RWC now 2 years away.
 
Sadly agree,
I've been championing Radwan for a good long while but I think Malins is more likely to take a wing spot (or 15 with Daly on the wing)
No Daly not on wing...never on wing please, with Malins and Steward coming through he needs to be seen as a 13 who can cover the back 3. Not that EJ will admit he is wrong and use him their.

I believe May will be there and Radwan aswell to learn going forward, may is what he needs to aspire to be IMO in terms of how hard he has worked to become the player he is.
 
Personally I feel that not many if any really put their hands up for the AI.
It's tough I wished that once it got moved to home, we would've tried to organised a game v Japan or Argentina.

Would've learned a lot more about these players.
I think for me future seems bright but most of those players looked a while off playing in the starting team and I wonder how much time you can invest in these younger players with the RWC now 2 years away.
I disagree, you may not have been able to judge much from the game but the already established players like Slade seemed to make more errors and performed worse than the newcomers.
 
No Daly not on wing...never on wing please, with Malins and Steward coming through he needs to be seen as a 13 who can cover the back 3. Not that EJ will admit he is wrong and use him their.

I believe May will be there and Radwan aswell to learn going forward, may is what he needs to aspire to be IMO in terms of how hard he has worked to become the player he is.
Why not on the wing? where he looked world class? - especially when you say he shouldn't play there because of 2 full backs coming through
 

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