EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Digby]

It's a pretty harsh sport in the top environments, I'd just like us to try and be one of the top environments. We might fail, but that's better than not even trying. And there is a stark difference in what we've seen these last few weeks.

[Puja]

That’s a pretty harsh review.

Not a fashionable shout, but I’m normally pretty impressed by Andy Uren when he plays. His box kicking probably isn’t good enough to float Eddie’s boat, but in terms of injecting pace and getting the ball away quickly, I’d say he’s among the better EQ 9s.

I keep alternating between him and Harry Randall for who I think is the best Bristol scrum-half and thinking one or the other should be looked at for England. In truth, I think both are just off the quality needed for international, but it's not by much.

Puja

[Beasties]

Another thing that keeps baffling me is the thought of Willis's jackalling at 6 being perfect to compliment Underhill's defensive approach at 7. I don't want Curry at 8, but leaving him out seems illogical too. With someone like Earl or Curry linking things up alongside those two you've covered a lot of bases though.

Willis has played a lot more 8 than Curry has, although I suppose Curry does have experience at international level now. I am fully onboard the Cunderhillis boat with you.

Puja

Liking how slipped Ted Hill in there.

[Puja]

Another thing that keeps baffling me is the thought of Willis's jackalling at 6 being perfect to compliment Underhill's defensive approach at 7. I don't want Curry at 8, but leaving him out seems illogical too. With someone like Earl or Curry linking things up alongside those two you've covered a lot of bases though.

Willis has played a lot more 8 than Curry has, although I suppose Curry does have experience at international level now. I am fully onboard the Cunderhillis boat with you.

Puja

Liking how slipped Ted Hill in there.

He's #20.

ETA. Actually, I'd probably have Ben Earl as my #20 right now. So Cunderhearllis.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

That’s a pretty harsh review.

Not a fashionable shout, but I’m normally pretty impressed by Andy Uren when he plays. His box kicking probably isn’t good enough to float Eddie’s boat, but in terms of injecting pace and getting the ball away quickly, I’d say he’s among the better EQ 9s.

I keep alternating between him and Harry Randall for who I think is the best Bristol scrum-half and thinking one or the other should be looked at for England. In truth, I think both are just off the quality needed for international, but it's not by much.

Puja

Yep - I agree. If Uren had a more reliable box kicking game, I’d be happy to see him in the squad. Good pass, gets the ball away quickly, snipes well ... a lot to like. His kicking from hand is actually pretty good from what I’ve seen, it’s just the box kicking that seems a bit hit and miss.

[Which Tyler]

Do we know how many are going to be in the squad? We're only really going to get mini-breaks this side of April now, so might get a larger squad. This also means that I don't expect Sarries players to be left out.

LHP: Marler, Mako, Genge. If Marler quits again, then there's no real indication of whose next. My guess would be Obano, but that's probably my club bias coming through.

HK: George, LCD and probably Dunn. I'd expect to see Barbeary get an apprentice slot here.

THP: Sinckler, Stuart and ... Erm... No real standouts, but I expect us to have a 3rd from somewhere.

LK: Itoje, Launchbury, Lawes & 1 of Isiekwe, Hill, Ewels or Moon

Back Row: gods alone knows, any 5-6 from Curry, Curry, Willis, Underhill, Earl, Ludlam, Hill, Wilson, Simmonds, Vunipola, Mercer, Dombrandt



Scrum Half: Young's and Spencer. If Eddie overcomes his dislike of SHs, then Robson, Mitchell and Vellacot fight out for 3rd. Maunder not living up to hype yet.

Fly Half: Ford, Farrell and probably Smith, though Umaga may force his way in, or he may get an apprentice spot (as may Vunipola). I'd like Simmonds, but I don't think Eddie does.

Centre: Tuilagi, Slade, Joseph and probably Devoto. Marchant may get in as well, expect to see Redpath as an apprentice.

Wings: May, Watson, Daly, Nowell & Thorley. McConnochie deserves a spot, but probably misses out. Lots of youngsters to choose, I'd expect one in the full squad and one apprentice. If this squad is to go through the 6N21, the Cokanasiga may make it despite not playing in over a year.

Full Back: We don't have any FBs (other than Brown and Pennel), but then, even if we did Eddie wouldn't select one. A bit like reserve SHs, he just prefers to do without.

[Scrumhead]

He already did select another fullback - Furbank.

He’s been poor since the restart though so may have played his way out of contention.

Malins could be a wildcard now he’s seeing a bit more game time.

[fivepointer]

FB is a bit of a headache. Furbank looks woefully out of sorts and didnt look crash hot when he did play for England. I suspect one of Daly or Watson will play there.
If Jones is looking to have a look at a young player, he could do a lot worse than invite Freddie Steward in to the squad. Its obviously too early for the lad but the signs are that he has the attributes you need to take the step up.

[Mikey Brown]

That's a good run-down I'd say.

My feeling is Daly will always play 15 ahead of Watson unless injured. I have no idea how much Jones requires him to play there for Saracens, perhaps with Goode (presumably) shifting to 10 over the next few weeks he may get some time there? Still seems like he wants to be a 13 though.

May is undroppable for me and Nowell/Thorley/McConnochie look in good form at the moment, so I can't imagine EJ looking at Daly as a wing again, even if he did shift over for Furbank. Is Watson playing well?

[Puja]

Do we know how many are going to be in the squad? We're only really going to get mini-breaks this side of April now, so might get a larger squad. This also means that I don't expect Sarries players to be left out.

LHP: Marler, Mako, Genge. If Marler quits again, then there's no real indication of whose next. My guess would be Obano, but that's probably my club bias coming through.

HK: George, LCD and probably Dunn. I'd expect to see Barbeary get an apprentice slot here.

THP: Sinckler, Stuart and ... Erm... No real standouts, but I expect us to have a 3rd from somewhere.

LK: Itoje, Launchbury, Lawes & 1 of Isiekwe, Hill, Ewels or Moon

Back Row: gods alone knows, any 5-6 from Curry, Curry, Willis, Underhill, Earl, Ludlam, Hill, Wilson, Simmonds, Vunipola, Mercer, Dombrandt



Scrum Half: Young's and Spencer. If Eddie overcomes his dislike of SHs, then Robson, Mitchell and Vellacot fight out for 3rd. Maunder not living up to hype yet.

Fly Half: Ford, Farrell and probably Smith, though Umaga may force his way in, or he may get an apprentice spot (as may Vunipola). I'd like Simmonds, but I don't think Eddie does.

Centre: Tuilagi, Slade, Joseph and probably Devoto. Marchant may get in as well, expect to see Redpath as an apprentice.

Wings: May, Watson, Daly, Nowell & Thorley. McConnochie deserves a spot, but probably misses out. Lots of youngsters to choose, I'd expect one in the full squad and one apprentice. If this squad is to go through the 6N21, the Cokanasiga may make it despite not playing in over a year.

Full Back: We don't have any FBs (other than Brown and Pennel), but then, even if we did Eddie wouldn't select one. A bit like reserve SHs, he just prefers to do without.

I'd agree with you on Obano being the 4th loosehead - I think he's been in top form. 3rd 3 would be one (or both) of Painter and Heyes to get them into camp to train up, assuming Cole's time is done. Maybe Harry Williams if we want to make ourselves sad.

I would say Mitchell stands a better chance than Spencer. Eddie has already shown he's not thrilled about Spencer with his limited opportunities and Spencer has been very variable since the restart, mixing good games with dross as is his wont. Mitchell, on the other hand, impressed in the Barbarians game last year, and has been in excellent form for Saints. I think he's got a real opportunity to leapfrog both Spencer and Robson.

I'd agree McConnochie deserves a shot and would probably pick him over Daly for a squad happening tomorrow.

Puja

[Oakboy]

In the back row, I still rate Willis as the best of the lot potentially BUT first he has to convince Jones to select him in the squad. Then he has to fit into Jones's training programme. Would anybody be that surprised if he did not get over the first hurdle?

[Stom]

Like Which, I'd go for a larger squad and generally agree with his selections.

Mako, Marler, Genge, Obano
George, LCD, Dunn
Sinckler, Stuart, someone
Itoje, Launch, Lawes, JHill, Ewels
TCurry, BCurry, Willis, Underhill, THill, Billy, Earl
Youngs, Spencer, Mitchell
Ford, Farrell, Smith
Tuilagi, Slade, JJ, Devoto
Watson, Daly, May, Coka, Thorley, McConnochie

That's 38.

[TheNomad]

Like Which, I'd go for a larger squad and generally agree with his selections.

Mako, Marler, Genge, Obano
George, LCD, Dunn
Sinckler, Stuart, someone
Itoje, Launch, Lawes, JHill, Ewels
TCurry, BCurry, Willis, Underhill, THill, Billy, Earl
Youngs, Spencer, Mitchell
Ford, Farrell, Smith
Tuilagi, Slade, JJ, Devoto
Watson, Daly, May, Coka, Thorley, McConnochie

That's 38.

Looks about right

[Puja]

Like Which, I'd go for a larger squad and generally agree with his selections.

Mako, Marler, Genge, Obano
George, LCD, Dunn
Sinckler, Stuart, someone
Itoje, Launch, Lawes, JHill, Ewels
TCurry, BCurry, Willis, Underhill, THill, Billy, Earl
Youngs, Spencer, Mitchell
Ford, Farrell, Smith
Tuilagi, Slade, JJ, Devoto
Watson, Daly, May, Coka, Thorley, McConnochie

That's 38.

I'd say that looks about right to me - maybe a quibble or two but nothing major. I'd be thrilled if that was the squad. Maybe have Street, Barbeary, Martin, Redpath, and Steward in as apprentices as well?

Puja

[Raggs]

Umaga could well be in as an apprentice again. He had a ropey game against Sale, but he's been looking very good still.

[jimKRFC]

With the history of Bristol players being picked for England: Sinckler will be dropped, and even though Earl*, Malins*, Thacker and Randell should be given a shot they wont be

* will be picked as soon as they are registered at Sarries again.

[fivepointer]

"someone" as the 3rd THP must be Harry Williams, surely? If not him, then who?

[Stom]

"someone" as the 3rd THP must be Harry Williams, surely? If not him, then who?

Someone actually with potential? Williams is basically Collier with hair nowadays

[Banquo]

Watching Bath play gives you plenty of time to stop, pause, and consider that Spencer isn't moving the ball at any pace. I suspect he's following orders in doing that looking at the Bath pack, but coming on the back of Super Rugby Aotearoa it is to be polite about it fucking embarrassing to watch our ponderous play in Premier League, and certainly Spencer isn't putting his hand up for international rugby being stuck with team orders such as they are

Indeed on the premier league, but that’s been the case for ages vs super rugby.

[Banquo]

That’s a pretty harsh review.

Not a fashionable shout, but I’m normally pretty impressed by Andy Uren when he plays. His box kicking probably isn’t good enough to float Eddie’s boat, but in terms of injecting pace and getting the ball away quickly, I’d say he’s among the better EQ 9s.

It’s not an incorrect one though. Prem Rugby is way way off international level in every aspect bar whining at the ref.

[twitchy]

How is hayes doing at tigers for THP? I saw loads of articles bigging him up early in the season?

[chris1850]

I would hope Eddie is keeping a close eye on Luke James as his apprentice full back. He has always acquitted himself very well when he has played 15 for Sale and hopefully that is the position Dimes sees for him long term. First choice ahead of Hammersley now imo

[Raggs]

I would hope Eddie is keeping a close eye on Luke James as his apprentice full back. He has always acquitted himself very well when he has played 15 for Sale and hopefully that is the position Dimes sees for him long term. First choice ahead of Hammersley now imo

Yep, Luke has definitely looked good, I'd be up for him getting a shot.

[twitchy]

Can he tackle?

[Which Tyler]

Quite honestly, I would be perfectly happy with both James brothers taking apprentice positions in the squad