EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Mellsblue]

Farrell ain’t no maverick.

I think he’s playing as requested for England and it’s not getting the best out of him, or Joseph for that matter. I doubt Cips or anyone else would look any better. Unless, that is, they refused to play to plan, but they’d only be dropped if they did.

[Mikey Brown]

It wasn’t particularly meant to be a compliment. He is very erratic.

[Mellsblue]

Erratic, yep. To me, a maverick is a bit of a loose cannon capable of moments of brilliance. Farrell is a loose cannon capable of moments of stupidity, or ‘test match animal’ as it is now termed.

[Mikey Brown]

I think Farrell is capable of fantastic moments, but people confuse those with his base level.

[twitchy]

Hopefully not as bad as the headline suggests. They reckon he will possibly be back for the semi final in just over 2 weeks.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... ng-injury/

[Puja]

Squad for South Africa is apparently being named 10th May.

Puja

[Digby]

Squad for South Africa is apparently being named 10th May.

Puja

Well I fancy our chances of not picking up too many injuries in Europe after the announcement

[Spiffy]

Ford is a great little fly half when in top form. But he has not progressed much in the last couple of seasons. I would agree with those who claim his natural skills are being throttled by the England game plan and by having Farrell at 12. He has become conservative, dull and safe compared with his former self. Meanwhile, a couple of talented kids who look as though they really enjoy playing, Joe Simmonds and Marcus Smith, are lighting up the PL. (Smith would look even better in a half-decent team.)

[twitchy]

He played brilliantly in the last game against sale.

[Mellsblue]

Jones says there will be a attack coach on tour; though, not necessarily a permanent one. There are also a ‘couple of other options’ for the captaincy other than Farrell.

[twitchy]

I have no problems with giving cips a run. We thought we were sorted at 8 and look at us now. If it keeps him in the country and makes ford up his game and play like he did against sale.

[Mellsblue]

p/d get that credit card out:

https://www.lovell-rugby.co.uk/Rugby-Ja ... gKfvPD_BwE

[morepork]

Please tell me there are matching pants.

[Mikey Brown]

[Mellsblue]

More like YES GEOFF. Feinted to go with his right foot to draw the man and instead put the grubber through with his left, whilst fully committing his man, at the perfect weight for his teammate to collect.

[Digby]

A god awful kick, but perhaps the ref could have let that play out a little

[twitchy]

Willis is out for 9-12 months. May not even make the world cup. Fuck me that is depressing. Can't see that injury happening on grass.

[Which Tyler]

Willis is out for 9-12 months. May not even make the world cup. Fuck me that is depressing. Can't see that injury happening on grass.

It seems there's more and more injuries that wouldn't happen on grass (or Desai) pitches, and most teams seem tonnage a player or two who just don't play on (full) plastic.
Surely it's time for a review to assess their suitability? We simply have more information than we did when they were given the green light.

[Digby]

I would like to say again we shouldn't allow tackles that target the knee. In this instance there was a lineout a few minutes before where Willis came down mostly on his right leg, and I did wonder if he'd jarred something then, but we still shouldn't allow the knees to be a target

[Mikey Brown]

Willis is out for 9-12 months. May not even make the world cup. Fuck me that is depressing. Can't see that injury happening on grass.

That's fucking shitty for him. Gutted. It's incredibly early in his career but I can't help but think how long-term injuries derailed Cipriani, Slade and a few others right at the cusp of England selection.

Also have you seen this? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44208535 John Barclay simply turned to make a pass, not a player within 5 metres of him, and gubbed his achilles in the process. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44183147

I don't know much about these pitches but it definitely seems like something to look at.

[Mellsblue]

Terrible news. Should’ve seen it coming really. He’s not the messiah, he’s a very injured boy.

[Scrumhead]

Awful. Absolutely gutted for the lad.

[Puja]

Crying shame. Poor sod. Hope he makes a swift recovery.

Puja

[Beasties]

+1 to all of that. He was on the verge of making an important breakthrough on the international stage IMO. You've just got to hope he comes back fully recovered, although you do wonder.

[Spiffy]

I would like to say again we shouldn't allow tackles that target the knee. In this instance there was a lineout a few minutes before where Willis came down mostly on his right leg, and I did wonder if he'd jarred something then, but we still shouldn't allow the knees to be a target

If you tackle in the traditional way - around the legs - it's practically impossible to avoid the knees. A law forbidding it would be difficult to enforce. Cruel luck for young Willis, who looked as though he could play himself on to the test team.