EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Which Tyler]

Yeah, I'd thought it was an unhappy triad, but no, he had to go and add more ligament damage to it!

[Freddo]

Wonder who it was that got over excited when tackling him?

[padprop]

Wonder who it was that got over excited when tackling him?

Rumours were Cole

[Tigersman]

Wonder who it was that got over excited when tackling him?

Rumours were Cole

The same Dan Cole that was with Leicester for Training?

[Puja]

Wonder who it was that got over excited when tackling him?

Rumours were Cole

The same Dan Cole that was with Leicester for Training?

I think they're referring to Obano's injury.

Puja

[Tigersman]

The same Dan Cole that was with Leicester for Training?

I think they're referring to Obano's injury.

Puja

Some reason thought it was Genges injury.

Well if it was Cole he prob caused the injury by flopping on him such is his style.

[Digby]

How much are the performances this season down to our improvement and how much down to the refs not just not penalising us but hardly penalising anyone?

[Banquo]

How much are the performances this season down to our improvement and how much down to the refs not just not penalising us but hardly penalising anyone?

I give up, what's the answer?

[Mellsblue]

How much are the performances this season down to our improvement and how much down to the refs not just not penalising us but hardly penalising anyone?

I give up, what's the answer?

42

[Digby]

How much are the performances this season down to our improvement and how much down to the refs not just not penalising us but hardly penalising anyone?

I give up, what's the answer?

42

Then the question is flawed

Some notable changes from last season in how the game is being officiated, which has one wondering if we're getting a little ahead of ourselves praising our newly balanced backrow, at least in part

[Banquo]

I give up, what's the answer?

42

Then the question is flawed

Some notable changes from last season in how the game is being officiated, which has one wondering if we're getting a little ahead of ourselves praising our newly balanced backrow, at least in part

Please elaborate.

[Digby]

42

Then the question is flawed

Some notable changes from last season in how the game is being officiated, which has one wondering if we're getting a little ahead of ourselves praising our newly balanced backrow, at least in part

Please elaborate.

It's looking bloody hard work to get pinged as the attacking team at the breakdown, you really need to commit to it, which perhaps explains the recall for Cole.

Now part of that without doubt is our winning contact, and better clearouts and better presentation leading to faster ball which opponents can't contest which leads to.., which leads to and so on.

But we're not the only team getting pinged less on our own ball. And as I don't think everyone has improved with more dominant carries, and one thinks of Nowell not getting that turnover pen Vs Ireland, I'm going for the refs have made a big change on the quiet in a world cup year.

So far I think we're seeing our changes and the reffing changes both work in our favour, if the reffing switches back later this year I'm taking a cautious view of our progression this 6N

[Banquo]

Then the question is flawed

Some notable changes from last season in how the game is being officiated, which has one wondering if we're getting a little ahead of ourselves praising our newly balanced backrow, at least in part

Please elaborate.

It's looking bloody hard work to get pinged as the attacking team at the breakdown, you really need to commit to it, which perhaps explains the recall for Cole.

Now part of that without doubt is our winning contact, and better clearouts and better presentation leading to faster ball which opponents can't contest which leads to.., which leads to and so on.

But we're not the only team getting pinged less on our own ball. And as I don't think everyone has improved with more dominant carries, and one thinks of Nowell not getting that turnover pen Vs Ireland, I'm going for the refs have made a big change on the quiet in a world cup year.

So far I think we're seeing our changes and the reffing changes both work in our favour, if the reffing switches back later this year I'm taking a cautious view of our progression this 6N

Think it varies from ref to ref, though I have had the impression in a lot of NH games that players are allowed to hang on to the ball a bit longer.

[Digby]

Please elaborate.

It's looking bloody hard work to get pinged as the attacking team at the breakdown, you really need to commit to it, which perhaps explains the recall for Cole.

Now part of that without doubt is our winning contact, and better clearouts and better presentation leading to faster ball which opponents can't contest which leads to.., which leads to and so on.

But we're not the only team getting pinged less on our own ball. And as I don't think everyone has improved with more dominant carries, and one thinks of Nowell not getting that turnover pen Vs Ireland, I'm going for the refs have made a big change on the quiet in a world cup year.

So far I think we're seeing our changes and the reffing changes both work in our favour, if the reffing switches back later this year I'm taking a cautious view of our progression this 6N

Think it varies from ref to ref, though I have had the impression in a lot of NH games that players are allowed to hang on to the ball a bit longer.

Where's Juggler when you need someone to put the stats up? I'm sure they're reffing games differently as a collective, but perhaps we've just had six games that happen to have played out as they did, or there's the slim chance I'm talking crap

[Banquo]

It's looking bloody hard work to get pinged as the attacking team at the breakdown, you really need to commit to it, which perhaps explains the recall for Cole.

Now part of that without doubt is our winning contact, and better clearouts and better presentation leading to faster ball which opponents can't contest which leads to.., which leads to and so on.

But we're not the only team getting pinged less on our own ball. And as I don't think everyone has improved with more dominant carries, and one thinks of Nowell not getting that turnover pen Vs Ireland, I'm going for the refs have made a big change on the quiet in a world cup year.

So far I think we're seeing our changes and the reffing changes both work in our favour, if the reffing switches back later this year I'm taking a cautious view of our progression this 6N

Think it varies from ref to ref, though I have had the impression in a lot of NH games that players are allowed to hang on to the ball a bit longer.

Where's Juggler when you need someone to put the stats up? I'm sure they're reffing games differently as a collective, but perhaps we've just had six games that happen to have played out as they did, or there's the slim chance I'm talking crap

It wasn't just 6N games I was thinking about tbh.

[Digby]

It wasn't just 6N games I was thinking about tbh.

I'm progressively watching less and less rugby, so will simply defer on the wider observation. It'll be like jumping into an ice bath if we suddenly get a fresh take in say the quarters (arrogantly assuming we'll progress out of our group for a change)

[Banquo]

It wasn't just 6N games I was thinking about tbh.

I'm progressively watching less and less rugby, so will simply defer on the wider observation. It'll be like jumping into an ice bath if we suddenly get a fresh take in say the quarters (arrogantly assuming we'll progress out of our group for a change)

Me too- just happened to watch more this weekend as ill. Must confess I don't really enjoy watching it as much as I used to, no idea why.....maybe simply that there is so much televised or streamed.

[Digby]

It wasn't just 6N games I was thinking about tbh.

I'm progressively watching less and less rugby, so will simply defer on the wider observation. It'll be like jumping into an ice bath if we suddenly get a fresh take in say the quarters (arrogantly assuming we'll progress out of our group for a change)

Me too- just happened to watch more this weekend as ill. Must confess I don't really enjoy watching it as much as I used to, no idea why.....maybe simply that there is so much televised or streamed.

I simply enjoy it less with the increased league influence and shift toward being a collision over a contact sport. Whether it's reversible I've no idea, and certainly the authorities couldn't care less about straight feed at the scrum, binding at the ruck, defence having an incentive to contest rucks rather than fan out. Also family doesn't allow for spending quite as many hours drinking beer and watching rugby

[Puja]

Then the question is flawed

Some notable changes from last season in how the game is being officiated, which has one wondering if we're getting a little ahead of ourselves praising our newly balanced backrow, at least in part

Please elaborate.

It's looking bloody hard work to get pinged as the attacking team at the breakdown, you really need to commit to it, which perhaps explains the recall for Cole.

Now part of that without doubt is our winning contact, and better clearouts and better presentation leading to faster ball which opponents can't contest which leads to.., which leads to and so on.

But we're not the only team getting pinged less on our own ball. And as I don't think everyone has improved with more dominant carries, and one thinks of Nowell not getting that turnover pen Vs Ireland, I'm going for the refs have made a big change on the quiet in a world cup year.

So far I think we're seeing our changes and the reffing changes both work in our favour, if the reffing switches back later this year I'm taking a cautious view of our progression this 6N

From my rewatches, I'd say you're right generally about the shift in the refereeing, but not about it benefitting England. It's been noticeable how quickly and effectively Curry and Wilson have been securing our ball and I can't remember an occasion where someone's latched on and I've thought we were lucky to escape a penalty. Whereas I can think of 3 for Curry alone.

It may just be the refs and the small sample size though - Owens always favours the attacking side so that's half the instances biased straight away.

Puja

[Stom]

I'm progressively watching less and less rugby, so will simply defer on the wider observation. It'll be like jumping into an ice bath if we suddenly get a fresh take in say the quarters (arrogantly assuming we'll progress out of our group for a change)

Me too- just happened to watch more this weekend as ill. Must confess I don't really enjoy watching it as much as I used to, no idea why.....maybe simply that there is so much televised or streamed.

I simply enjoy it less with the increased league influence and shift toward being a collision over a contact sport. Whether it's reversible I've no idea, and certainly the authorities couldn't care less about straight feed at the scrum, binding at the ruck, defence having an incentive to contest rucks rather than fan out. Also family doesn't allow for spending quite as many hours drinking beer and watching rugby

Now that I can agree with

[Digby]

Please elaborate.

It's looking bloody hard work to get pinged as the attacking team at the breakdown, you really need to commit to it, which perhaps explains the recall for Cole.

Now part of that without doubt is our winning contact, and better clearouts and better presentation leading to faster ball which opponents can't contest which leads to.., which leads to and so on.

But we're not the only team getting pinged less on our own ball. And as I don't think everyone has improved with more dominant carries, and one thinks of Nowell not getting that turnover pen Vs Ireland, I'm going for the refs have made a big change on the quiet in a world cup year.

So far I think we're seeing our changes and the reffing changes both work in our favour, if the reffing switches back later this year I'm taking a cautious view of our progression this 6N

From my rewatches, I'd say you're right generally about the shift in the refereeing, but not about it benefitting England. It's been noticeable how quickly and effectively Curry and Wilson have been securing our ball and I can't remember an occasion where someone's latched on and I've thought we were lucky to escape a penalty. Whereas I can think of 3 for Curry alone.

It may just be the refs and the small sample size though - Owens always favours the attacking side so that's half the instances biased straight away.

Puja

It's not just the breakdown, although even Robshaw would be fast to some of them given our go forward in contact, but less pens means less lineouts and that reduces the exposure on us being shorn a genuine backrow lineout presence. Maybe it's not only suiting us, but for now myriad elements are coming together

[Oakboy]

Me too- just happened to watch more this weekend as ill. Must confess I don't really enjoy watching it as much as I used to, no idea why.....maybe simply that there is so much televised or streamed.

I simply enjoy it less with the increased league influence and shift toward being a collision over a contact sport. Whether it's reversible I've no idea, and certainly the authorities couldn't care less about straight feed at the scrum, binding at the ruck, defence having an incentive to contest rucks rather than fan out. Also family doesn't allow for spending quite as many hours drinking beer and watching rugby

Now that I can agree with

Is the increased league influence offset or enhanced by the increased kicking? My watching enjoyment is falling off in direct proportion to the massively increased box-kicking. It is too often the SH default action. It's small wonder that passing skills are declining (whereas you'd expect them to improve with league influence?).

[Banquo]

I'm progressively watching less and less rugby, so will simply defer on the wider observation. It'll be like jumping into an ice bath if we suddenly get a fresh take in say the quarters (arrogantly assuming we'll progress out of our group for a change)

Me too- just happened to watch more this weekend as ill. Must confess I don't really enjoy watching it as much as I used to, no idea why.....maybe simply that there is so much televised or streamed.

I simply enjoy it less with the increased league influence and shift toward being a collision over a contact sport. Whether it's reversible I've no idea, and certainly the authorities couldn't care less about straight feed at the scrum, binding at the ruck, defence having an incentive to contest rucks rather than fan out. Also family doesn't allow for spending quite as many hours drinking beer and watching rugby

Yep, guess I'm the same- a lot of rugby has become dull. Definitely with you on applying the laws properly.

[Banquo]

I simply enjoy it less with the increased league influence and shift toward being a collision over a contact sport. Whether it's reversible I've no idea, and certainly the authorities couldn't care less about straight feed at the scrum, binding at the ruck, defence having an incentive to contest rucks rather than fan out. Also family doesn't allow for spending quite as many hours drinking beer and watching rugby

Now that I can agree with

Is the increased league influence offset or enhanced by the increased kicking? My watching enjoyment is falling off in direct proportion to the massively increased box-kicking. It is too often the SH default action. It's small wonder that passing skills are declining (whereas you'd expect them to improve with league influence?).

yep, definitely on the kicking. Its so retro- its how Wales used to win their games in the early 60's .

Dwyer said any fool can coach a side to win through kicking....

[TheDasher]

Me too- just happened to watch more this weekend as ill. Must confess I don't really enjoy watching it as much as I used to, no idea why.....maybe simply that there is so much televised or streamed.

I simply enjoy it less with the increased league influence and shift toward being a collision over a contact sport. Whether it's reversible I've no idea, and certainly the authorities couldn't care less about straight feed at the scrum, binding at the ruck, defence having an incentive to contest rucks rather than fan out. Also family doesn't allow for spending quite as many hours drinking beer and watching rugby

Yep, guess I'm the same- a lot of rugby has become dull. Definitely with you on applying the laws properly.

I'm watching less rugby too, primarily due to lack of time but I think I'd be watching less anyway.

I'm not sure all the foreign imports have helped. Tough one this because is it better that the likes of Le Roux and Louw are in the prem, I suppose it is. However, I'd love us to be talking about double the number of the Willis brothers, Ted Hill, Thorley etc.

I think too many random overseas players doesn't help... I want to be interested in the players if that makes sense...

I also wonder if in an ideal world, we wouldn't tear up the premiership and integrate with the rest of Europe in some way. English teams regularly heading to Thormond Park and Paris may spice life up a bit. As with the 6nations, throw in the country vs country element and it generally creates more drama.

Rambling now.