EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Digby]

We could pick Mercer, Skinner, Armand, Kvesic, Mogan, Rowan, Wilson, Curry, Thompson, maybe even Jones (?) all of which looks more practical than Waldrom

[Mikey Brown]

How much has clifford been playing recently?

Not at all. Was bang in form as he got a recall for the Autumn squad then dislocated his shoulder.

Made the teamsheet for Quins a couple of weeks back (much sooner than expected) and pulled out before kickoff. I’m not sure if there’s any more recent news than that?

I hope he can recapture how he was playing. Looked absolutely gutted going off the pitch, probably feeling that was one of his few chances to stake a claim for England slipping away from him.

[twitchy]

Well half our team that will hopefully be ok is only going to have a few weeks of match fitness before the six nations so you might as well throw clifford in as well.

[Scrumhead]

I see Isiekwe is at 6 again for Sarries.

Rhodes is on the bench so I suspect it may be shortlived, but if we’re looking for a 6 with lineout presence Isiekwe could develop in to a long-term option.

[Digby]

Isiekwe doesn't look all that fast at club level, or have I got that all wrong?

[Oakboy]

We could pick Mercer, Skinner, Armand, Kvesic, Mogan, Rowan, Wilson, Curry, Thompson, maybe even Jones (?) all of which looks more practical than Waldrom

Does Armand play at 8?

[Timbo]

Isiekwe doesn't look all that fast at club level, or have I got that all wrong?

He’s absolutely rapid.

[Digby]

Isiekwe doesn't look all that fast at club level, or have I got that all wrong?

He’s absolutely rapid.

Fifita quick?

[Timbo]

Isiekwe doesn't look all that fast at club level, or have I got that all wrong?

He’s absolutely rapid.

Fifita quick?

In full flow I think it’s possible. But no way does he move with the same agility or balance as Fifita.

[Spiffy]

We could pick Mercer, Skinner, Armand, Kvesic, Mogan, Rowan, Wilson, Curry, Thompson, maybe even Jones (?) all of which looks more practical than Waldrom

Yes. But the chubby Waldrom is strangely effective. He's now scored 40 tries in 70 games for Exeter. No other backrower comes remotely close to this and he is more likely to score from 5m than anyone else. He showed a surprsing turn of pace, and a step, a couple of weeks ago (forget the opponents at the moment) for a bloke of his size/shape/age. If Eddie simlpy wanted a stopgap, with no future, to keep the slot warm until his favourites get fit, he could do worse. Waldrom has often been a game changer off the bench. Still, the possibility of his selection is about zero. ( I did quite like Nick Easter too )

[Scrumhead]

Work rate is a massive factor in Eddie selections. Waldrom is ‘strangely effective’ from close range but isn’t involved enough beyond that to interest Eddie.

I’m not sure what the situation is with Clifford, so I’d pick Simmonds and Mercer if Billy is not fit.

As possible stop-gap solutions, what about Jono Ross? He’s EQ and has been quietly influential at Sale. A definite upgrade on Beaumont anyway.

Apparently there is a training squad named on Friday so we’ll get a sense of Eddie’s latest thinking.

I’m hoping to see Ben Curry, Armand and Wilson get some recognition.

[fivepointer]

Didnt know Ross was EQ. Certainly doing a fine job at Sale.

Apparently Wilson MotM yesterday. I dont see what else the guy can do to get some recognition. Armand is in the same boat.

[Banquo]

I've now seen two 'teams of the year' with Faz at 12. Is it me?

[Digby]

How inept a level do Hartley's performances need to drop to before he'll not be picked, so many bad parts to his game today

[Spiffy]

How inept a level do Hartley's performances need to drop to before he'll not be picked, so many bad parts to his game today

English hookers better than Hartley :

George
Cowan-Dickey
Ward
Dunn

.......... feel free to extend the list.

[fivepointer]

Even Dallaglio stuck the boot in today commenting that Haywood had done more in 2 minutes than Hartley managed in the preceding 60. Harsh but probably right.
The leadership stuff is starting to really grind my gears. If he is such a great leader, then why isnt he leading by example for his club who are in desperate need of some inspiration? If his leadership really is that special why cant he raise the performance of those around him?
Saints were, and have been for most of the season, plain awful.

[Digby]

How inept a level do Hartley's performances need to drop to before he'll not be picked, so many bad parts to his game today

English hookers better than Hartley :

George
Cowan-Dickey
Ward
Dunn

.......... feel free to extend the list.

Not sure about Ward, Taylor maybe. Still means he's in the top 6 or so in the entire bloody country which is fairly impressive, but it's also not enough

[Scrumhead]

How inept a level do Hartley's performances need to drop to before he'll not be picked, so many bad parts to his game today

English hookers better than Hartley :

George
Cowan-Dickey
Ward
Dunn

.......... feel free to extend the list.

Not sure about Ward, Taylor maybe. Still means he's in the top 6 or so in the entire bloody country which is fairly impressive, but it's also not enough

Agreed. Ward played very well yesterday but I’d actually prefer Elia Elia to start for Quins.

If Taylor can recover his pre-injury form, then he’s a contender for that list. I’d put Dunn on a par with Hartley rather than better.

Jack Singleton has really impressed me this season and while I wouldn’t regard him as ‘better than Hartley’ right now, he’s definitely one to watch for the future.

[Digby]

English hookers better than Hartley :

George
Cowan-Dickey
Ward
Dunn

.......... feel free to extend the list.

Not sure about Ward, Taylor maybe. Still means he's in the top 6 or so in the entire bloody country which is fairly impressive, but it's also not enough

Agreed. Ward played very well yesterday but I’d actually prefer Elia Elia to start for Quins.

If Taylor can recover his pre-injury form, then he’s a contender for that list. I’d put Dunn on a par with Hartley rather than better.

Jack Singleton has really impressed me this season and while I wouldn’t regard him as ‘better than Hartley’ right now, he’s definitely one to watch for the future.

I'd still like to see more from Walker too, albeit I'm not sold at the moment he's going to push for test rugby

[Warrior85]

I'd love to see a young hooker like Singleton as the 3rd hooker.

George to start and Cowan-Dickie on the bench!

As a Worcester fan, watching Will Spencer every week I can't believe he's not making the squads. The guy is class. Breaks the line every time, takes 2 players to bring him down most of the time and he is a wall in defence!

[Banquo]

I'd love to see a young hooker like Singleton as the 3rd hooker.

George to start and Cowan-Dickie on the bench!

As a Worcester fan, watching Will Spencer every week I can't believe he's not making the squads. The guy is class. Breaks the line every time, takes 2 players to bring him down most of the time and he is a wall in defence!

Welcome Warrior85!

[twitchy]

I'd love to see a young hooker like Singleton as the 3rd hooker.

George to start and Cowan-Dickie on the bench!

As a Worcester fan, watching Will Spencer every week I can't believe he's not making the squads. The guy is class. Breaks the line every time, takes 2 players to bring him down most of the time and he is a wall in defence!

Spencer does look good. In another era he would be capped for england for sure we are just over stocked at the moment in that position.

[Scrumhead]

Agreed. He’s obviously on the radar as he was called up to the training squad prior to the Argentina tour. Apparently Borthwick had a 1-2-1 session with him recently too (I think I read that in today’s TRP?).

[Scrumhead]

One thing that was really noticeable from The Big Game was how much of a difference Sinckler made to Quins attacking game.

In a similar way to Mako has been used for England at times, Sinckler was often taking the ball as first-receiver and freeing up Smith to play wider off quick ball. It worked really well and reminded me what a good player he can be when he doesn’t lose his head.

[twitchy]

He is a quality player. Exactly what england have been missing. Also I'm seeing that billy and maro are back for sarries next week.