Mikey Brown wrote:Are we assuming Youngs wants to stay with his family? I'm worried Jones is just going to go full first team and not rest any of the Lions guys, not that Youngs even toured.
A bit of a dilemma, really. With an incohesive side based on the 6N performances, would a rest be beneficial or should more practise be the way to go? Unless you think that Farrell returning will solve everything???
It is a dilemma. The pressure is already high. Perform badly and the pressure will ratchet up again.
This is basically the last decent opportunity to start bedding any new players in to the squad, so here needs to be some balance between the tried and tested players and those on the fringes.
Another reason why Quirke and Kelly’s injuries are a real disappointment.
Yeah it must be strange for Bath languishing at the bottom of the table while their academy side push for a playoff spot. Is Phil Cokanasiga not rumoured to be off elsewhere? I can’t quite remember
Mikey Brown wrote:Yeah it must be strange for Bath languishing at the bottom of the table while their academy side push for a playoff spot. Is Phil Cokanasiga not rumoured to be off elsewhere? I can’t quite remember
Guardian reckons Farrell back, but not necessarily captain, and Arundell and JVP in, with Quirke ruled out of the whole tour because of injury. Apparently there will be no players rested for Australia - we're going full bore (with the possible exception of Youngs for personal reasons).
Guardian reckons Farrell back, but not necessarily captain, and Arundell and JVP in, with Quirke ruled out of the whole tour because of injury. Apparently there will be no players rested for Australia - we're going full bore (with the possible exception of Youngs for personal reasons).
I'll just be glad if Arundell is in there and Eddie hasn't arbitrarily decided that he has things to learn/he wants him to prove his commitment to England by knowing he won't get a cap till 2024 and still turning down other offers. Those felt like very real Eddie-type things to do.
Was thinking what a shame it is neither Kenningham or Evans are fit to get a chance in the England games this summer (though Pearson is clearly a talent) and I was looking for any updates on Kenningham's injury.
Last official announcement appears to be from January, stating he's had his operation and has 6 months on the sidelines. No idea what's happened since then, but if all is well he should be nearing fitness towards the end of this season and ideally able to get a full pre-season to be ready for 22/23.
Scrumhead wrote:Great to hear. I hope he can get back to where he was pre-injury.
I hope we can afford to keep him.... Tuisue was signed I believe in case Jake didn't recover. That signing is going ahead still as far as I am aware. We are losing a few others it seems which might free up enough cash but i'd hate the thought of Jake playing elsewhere after all that has happened.
Not quite clear on the possibility of him playing for France via his Congolese parents? The article references it, but it’s not clear how he’d qualify? Do you get access to a French passport if you’re Congolese?
Not quite clear on the possibility of him playing for France via his Congolese parents? The article references it, but it’s not clear how he’d qualify? Do you get access to a French passport if you’re Congolese?
I don't believe so - wasn't Congo occupied by the Belgians anyway? Maybe it means that one of his grandparents who lived in Congo was French?
Not quite clear on the possibility of him playing for France via his Congolese parents? The article references it, but it’s not clear how he’d qualify? Do you get access to a French passport if you’re Congolese?
I don't believe so - wasn't Congo occupied by the Belgians anyway? Maybe it means that one of his grandparents who lived in Congo was French?
Puja
Colonised by Belgium. The DRC speak French and have close ties with France (particularly trade) so it's possible his Congolese grandparents moved to and acquired passports in France as part of some sort of employment.
I am glad to see him doing well. I think france are in a golden generation and probably wouldn't need him anyway. Always time for him to come back to england.
Thoughts on MacFarland as an England contender? He's Samoan obviously but why would that be an issue. We have a ton of exciting flankers but his Croftiness might be a point of difference?
Not sure if I only noticed it because of mentions on here about Mitchell's fitness, but watching him left in the dust as MacFarland zoomed past him at the weekend did catch my eye.
