EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Scrumhead]

I think this 6 Nations is throwing up some interesting scenarios Eddie needs to look at while he still has time to experiment.

I think the SA tour is realistically the last chance to do so. Otherwise new caps are going to be too green.

Youngs is out for 4 months so will only just be getting back to fitness in time for the tour. Even if Wigglesworth is who we're saddled with for the 6 Nations, I think Eddie needs to learn from shooting himself in the foot with the two 9s and give someone a proper run as third choice. We'll obviously want to tour with the intention of 3 wins, so Care will start (if fit), but IMO we should take Robson and Vellacott and let them battle it out for the 21 shirt.

In the back row I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Brad Shields go straight in to the squad as we've seen Eddie do in the past with Te'o and Francis.

On current form, it would be great to see Jack Willis get a chance. He looks like the player (wonder tackle aside) we were hoping Underhill would be.

I'm not sure how long Michael Rhodes is out for, but I'd imagine he's another 'poach' who Eddie will want to look at when he qualifies. If Eddie likes Lawes at 6, Rhodes arguably does the same job, but better (Lawes is a better lock, Rhodes is a better 6).

Room for 3 or 4 uncapped players anyway, I think.

[fivepointer]

I wonder if we might fit in a midweek game in SA to give a run out to players who might not make the test team? Would mean a bigger squad of around 45 but it would be handy to assess a number of fringe players.

[Timbo]

Michael Rhodes doesn’t qualify until after the summer tour, so definitely can’t be involved.

[Scrumhead]

Fair enough. I thought he qualified in time.

Personally, I’d see Rhodes as an unnecessary poach. If it’s a choice between him or Shields, I’d choose the later - partially age, partially that he’s less of a poach and partially the ability to cover 6 and 8 which is more useful for us IMO.

[Puja]

The only thing that gives me pause about Willis is that he doesn't seem to get involved in rucks when Wasps are attacking. He's not a Haskell or a Robshaw that is in there clearing bodies out of the way and making sure the ball comes back swiftly; in fact, I saw quite a few examples of him ruck-inspecting on Wasps ball. He's a good carrier, so it makes sense that he'd be staying out and looking for a carry, but it's something which will count against him in this England side unless he wants to play 8.

He's an utter weapon on opposition ball, but it is something he needs to work on before he's ready for international rugby.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Good observation. Nothing would make me want to re-watch yesterday’s game, but I’ll defintely look out for that next time he plays.

[Which Tyler]

Hang on - I thought Simmonds was this year's Messiah? has he been displaced already? it's only been a week!?!

[Mellsblue]

We’ve moved on to Messiah of the Month.

[Which Tyler]

We’ve moved on to Messiah of the Month.

My apologies, I must have missed the memo

[Mikey Brown]

Wasn’t really sure where to put this.

There’s a bit more detail if you click it. Maybe it’s old news though, I don’t know.

[Mellsblue]

Awful news. I hope the RFU and Wasps look after him.

[Mellsblue]

Diggers will be delighted with the confirmation that Eng will definitely have both a scrum and a lineout session against the Georgians this week.

[Banquo]

Lol Willis written off in pre-messiah phase

[Raggs]

Lol Willis written off in pre-messiah phase

Many don't even make it that far!

[Oakboy]

Please, Eddie, manage Simmonds and Willis carefully.

[Raggs]

Latest 32 man squad apparently had ibitoye and moore as apprentice players. Looks like the press had already ruined Willis' international chances.

[Puja]

Lol Willis written off in pre-messiah phase

It's the way of such things. A mild, "He needs to work on this," is equivalent to a complete writing off when you're discussing the new great white hope. Or in jngf's case when talking about back row, the new white whale.

Puja

[Puja]

Latest 32 man squad apparently had ibitoye and moore as apprentice players. Looks like the press had already ruined Willis' international chances.

Pleased about Moore. I like what I see of him and I'd very much prefer we get our hands on him rather than Wales.

Sale really do have a ridiculous squad coming through - a back row of Curry, Curry and Moore will last them a long time.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Lol Willis written off in pre-messiah phase

What did Eddie say?

[twitchy]

How far away from being a prem starter is moore?

[Timbo]

So Simmonds out then. Hughes has to be likely to go straight back into the team then.

[Banquo]

Lol Willis written off in pre-messiah phase

What did Eddie say?

It was the ever influential Puja what done it

[Mellsblue]

Lol Willis written off in pre-messiah phase

What did Eddie say?

It was the ever influential Puja what done it

The Rugby Rebels think tank shows it’s influence once again.

[Puja]

What did Eddie say?

It was the ever influential Puja what done it

The Rugby Rebels think tank shows it’s influence once again.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

What did Eddie say?

It was the ever influential Puja what done it

The Rugby Rebels think tank shows it’s influence once again.