EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Banquo]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... e-england/

"Remember Ted hill" article pushing him for a summer place.

You'd think Eddie would be all over him tbh.

[Digby]

Hard to see why he's not been looked at more closely. There must be something because he looks to be ticking a lot of boxes generally, and specifically to Eddie

[FKAS]

Hard to see why he's not been looked at more closely. There must be something because he looks to be ticking a lot of boxes generally, and specifically to Eddie

He's been in squads previously. His form pre 6N wasn't great so he missed out on a chance then, last season he was on fire. Looks like he's getting some form back so could get a go this summer and may benefit from missing out on the 6N.

If we could have Martin at lock and Hill at 6 that would be an awful lot of mobility and physicality in our pack. Add Ribbans in at 4 and starts to look at tasty and meaty pack. Not sure who would call the lineout mind. Add in Dombrandt at 8 though and now we're getting somewhere, Underhill at 7 for experience.

[Digby]

Hard to see why he's not been looked at more closely. There must be something because he looks to be ticking a lot of boxes generally, and specifically to Eddie

He's been in squads previously. His form pre 6N wasn't great so he missed out on a chance then, last season he was on fire. Looks like he's getting some form back so could get a go this summer and may benefit from missing out on the 6N.

If we could have Martin at lock and Hill at 6 that would be an awful lot of mobility and physicality in our pack. Add Ribbans in at 4 and starts to look at tasty and meaty pack. Not sure who would call the lineout mind. Add in Dombrandt at 8 though and now we're getting somewhere, Underhill at 7 for experience.

His form can't have been worse than Martin's given Martin had around 3 minutes of experience. And anyway form isn't that big a thing, albeit a bigger thing for those new to the squad. There will much more likely be something about him we're just not picking up on technically which is (or has been) causing Eddie pause for thought

[Stom]

Hard to see why he's not been looked at more closely. There must be something because he looks to be ticking a lot of boxes generally, and specifically to Eddie

He's been in squads previously. His form pre 6N wasn't great so he missed out on a chance then, last season he was on fire. Looks like he's getting some form back so could get a go this summer and may benefit from missing out on the 6N.

If we could have Martin at lock and Hill at 6 that would be an awful lot of mobility and physicality in our pack. Add Ribbans in at 4 and starts to look at tasty and meaty pack. Not sure who would call the lineout mind. Add in Dombrandt at 8 though and now we're getting somewhere, Underhill at 7 for experience.

His form can't have been worse than Martin's given Martin had around 3 minutes of experience. And anyway form isn't that big a thing, albeit a bigger thing for those new to the squad. There will much more likely be something about him we're just not picking up on technically which is (or has been) causing Eddie pause for thought

Eddie likes the final spots in the squad to go to development players, so he might have felt Hill would have been better off with his club as he already knew what was needed.

[FKAS]

Hard to see why he's not been looked at more closely. There must be something because he looks to be ticking a lot of boxes generally, and specifically to Eddie

He's been in squads previously. His form pre 6N wasn't great so he missed out on a chance then, last season he was on fire. Looks like he's getting some form back so could get a go this summer and may benefit from missing out on the 6N.

If we could have Martin at lock and Hill at 6 that would be an awful lot of mobility and physicality in our pack. Add Ribbans in at 4 and starts to look at tasty and meaty pack. Not sure who would call the lineout mind. Add in Dombrandt at 8 though and now we're getting somewhere, Underhill at 7 for experience.

His form can't have been worse than Martin's given Martin had around 3 minutes of experience. And anyway form isn't that big a thing, albeit a bigger thing for those new to the squad. There will much more likely be something about him we're just not picking up on technically which is (or has been) causing Eddie pause for thought

Eddie likes his stats and Martin throws out ridiculous tackle numbers plus had missed the previous junior 6N through injury so Eddie including him in the shadow squad and then calling him up makes sense as he no doubt wanted a look at him. There's been some noise about Martin coming through for a number of years so again I can understand Eddie wanting to take a look.

We know Eddie gives players goals he wants them to go away and work towards. It was a good chance to guide Martin's development, plus I'm sure Eddie also got Borthwick's input. Hill's drop in form might also have meant he wasn't doing or showing what Eddie had asked of him from his previous squad inclusion. Some good games between now and the end of the season could get Hill back in.

[Mikey Brown]

Nick Auterac is in the Scotland A squad. Lol.

I guess Rodd is sticking with England then.

[Digby]

He's been in squads previously. His form pre 6N wasn't great so he missed out on a chance then, last season he was on fire. Looks like he's getting some form back so could get a go this summer and may benefit from missing out on the 6N.

If we could have Martin at lock and Hill at 6 that would be an awful lot of mobility and physicality in our pack. Add Ribbans in at 4 and starts to look at tasty and meaty pack. Not sure who would call the lineout mind. Add in Dombrandt at 8 though and now we're getting somewhere, Underhill at 7 for experience.

His form can't have been worse than Martin's given Martin had around 3 minutes of experience. And anyway form isn't that big a thing, albeit a bigger thing for those new to the squad. There will much more likely be something about him we're just not picking up on technically which is (or has been) causing Eddie pause for thought

Eddie likes his stats and Martin throws out ridiculous tackle numbers plus had missed the previous junior 6N through injury so Eddie including him in the shadow squad and then calling him up makes sense as he no doubt wanted a look at him. There's been some noise about Martin coming through for a number of years so again I can understand Eddie wanting to take a look.

We know Eddie gives players goals he wants them to go away and work towards. It was a good chance to guide Martin's development, plus I'm sure Eddie also got Borthwick's input. Hill's drop in form might also have meant he wasn't doing or showing what Eddie had asked of him from his previous squad inclusion. Some good games between now and the end of the season could get Hill back in.

Given the gap between club and country, not this summer but as a normal norm, I just don't see Eddie wanting or needing to go that much off form.

Martin might make a high number of tackles, whoop and indeed de doo, that could just be he lacks the imagination and ability to do anything else

[Puja]

Nick Auterac is in the Scotland A squad. Lol.

Two things I wasn't aware of there - 1) Auterac has some kind of Scottish connection and 2) Auterac isn't injured at this precise moment in time for once. Has he played much this season for Saints?

ETA. Apparently 2 starts and 6 appearances from the bench for a grand total of 245 minutes. He's undoubtedly a talented rugby player, but those aren't exactly international call-up numbers (not to mention the likelihood of him getting injured before he even gets onto the pitch).

Puja

[Timbo]

Nick Auterac is in the Scotland A squad. Lol.

Two things I wasn't aware of there - 1) Auterac has some kind of Scottish connection and 2) Auterac isn't injured at this precise moment in time for once. Has he played much this season for Saints?

ETA. Apparently 2 starts and 6 appearances from the bench for a grand total of 245 minutes. He's undoubtedly a talented rugby player, but those aren't exactly international call-up numbers (not to mention the likelihood of him getting injured before he even gets onto the pitch).

Puja

Yeah, but he’ll look massive in some of that tight fitting Scottish stash.

[Which Tyler]

Nick Ochterac

[Puja]

When is the England squad named anyway?

Puja

[Croft_No.5]

What will be the Premiership Teams' policy on Player Release? A game is outside of the window. Will payments be required?

[Puja]

What will be the Premiership Teams' policy on Player Release? A game is outside of the window. Will payments be required?

The Premiership and the RFU already have arrangements about player release built into their deal. That's one reason why they're always so difficult when any other union asks for release outside of windows - they don't want the RFU to get ideas that they're being overcharged and take a harder line next negotiation. The A game will fill the same slot as the traditional Barbarians game, so we'll be able to select anyone who isn't in the Premiership final the day before.

Puja

[Croft_No.5]

Potentially therefore a significant number of English based Scots may not be released without reimbursement. Hopefully this has been accounted for in our Squad selection.

[Raggs]

Odogwu with an ACL tear, because apparently young Wasps players aren't allowed to breakthrough for England.

[fivepointer]

That is wretched luck for club and player. Couldnt have been timed worse.

England squad to be named next week (midday Thursday).

[twitchy]

Ridiculously bad luck.

[TheNomad]

Poor guy - such a shame on every level

[FKAS]

Potentially therefore a significant number of English based Scots may not be released without reimbursement. Hopefully this has been accounted for in our Squad selection.

I believe the issue with the Lions release is that the Lions arranged a friendly on the same day as the Prem final which is a proper dick move on the part of the Lions. The Lions then tried to blame the Prem despite the Prem final date being in calendar before the friendly, as such it's not surprising that the Prem clubs were pissy and wanted the Lions to jump through some hoops before release was agreed. Gatland's comments won't have helped either.

[Mellsblue]

US Squad:

David Ainu’u Prop Toulouse (FRA) 9
Michael Baska Scrumhalf Utah Warriors Uncapped
Marcel Brache Wing/Center Western Force (AUS) 23
Nate Brakeley Lock Rugby United New York 23
Bryce Campbell Center Austin Gilgronis 32
Luke Carty Flyhalf/Center LA Giltinis Uncapped
Nick Civetta Lock Rugby United New York 26
Ryan Rees Scrumhalf Rugby ATL Uncapped
Mike Dabulas Fullback Old Glory DC Uncapped
Ruben De Haas Scrumhalf Austin Gilgronis 17
Cam Dolan No. 8 NOLA Gold 51
Jameson Faanana Schultz Flanker / No. 8 Old Glory DC 2
Mikey Sosene Feagai Hooker Old Glory DC 5
Hanco Germishuys Flanker Rugby United New York 21
Andrew Guerra Flanker NOLA Gold Uncapped
Riekert Hattingh No. 8 Seattle Seawolves Uncapped
Will Hooley Flyhalf/Fullback Saracens (ENG) 15
Ryan James Wing LA Giltinis Uncapped
Mika Kruse Center/Wing Utah Warriors Uncapped
Titi Lamositele Prop Montpellier (FRA) 32
AJ MacGinty (C) Flyhalf Sale Sharks (ENG) 28
Siaosi Mahoni Lock San Diego Legion 2
Conner Mooneyham Wing Austin Gilgronis Uncapped
Paul Mullen Prop Utah Warriors 18
Greg Peterson Lock Newcastle Falcons (ENG) 30
Kapeli Pifeleti Hooker Saracens (ENG) 3
Joe Taufete’e Hooker Lyon (FRA) 27
Mike Te’o Wing Utah Warriors 28
Chance Wenglewski Prop Rugby ATL 6
Psalm Wooching Flanker San Diego Legion 4

[Puja]

Very inexperienced squad for the US, but picked on form and with an eye to the future. I don't think they'll give us a challenge - quite apart from anything else, they're being plucked from their clubs mid-season and will have under 2 weeks to try and cobble some kind of defensive structure together - but there's a few players in there who'll be good internationals in time.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

From an England POV, Ben Curry had a very good game in front of Eddie tonight.

[Scrumhead]

Tom Willis had a fine game at 8 for Wasps today. Might have clinched his spot in the England squad.

[FKAS]

Tom Willis had a fine game at 8 for Wasps today. Might have clinched his spot in the England squad.

Scoring a hatrick from 8 is more than a little nudge to Eddie that if he wants an alternative to Dombrandt then Willis is there and ready to go.