England Training Squad - Now Featuring Both New and Old Messiahs

[Puja]

Scotland squad just named and obviously Toonie's not been able to Redpath any of them - none of them feature, despite the squad omitting some big names like Russell, Harris and Hogg.

Huh, that's surprising, especially with a Scotland A game and Scotland's history of trying to capture as many exiles as possible to expand their selection pool. Can only imagine that all three either strongly feel English or at least have ambitions and confidence that they can earn more than a token A cap if they keep progressing.

Makes it weirder that Smith isn't in the England training squad though.

Puja

Unless Smith has told both Unions he's going to play for England under 20s this summer and keep his options open until after the world cup.

Mind, as half the Welsh squad can attest, playing in the England vs Barbarians game does still keep your options very open.

Puja

[Timbo]

I've lost track. What's the total absentee list now? Sinckler, Tuilagi, Slade . . .

You can add Quirke to that list. Not officially confirmed, but I doubt Marler or Launchbury will be touring either.

Marler has said that he’s fully available.

[NorthWestRugby]

I've lost track. What's the total absentee list now? Sinckler, Tuilagi, Slade . . .

You can add Quirke to that list. Not officially confirmed, but I doubt Marler or Launchbury will be touring either.

Marler has said that he’s fully available.

I'd much rather we gave a bit more game time to Rodd and gave Marler a summer off

[SDHoneymonster]

I suspect that with the awful news regarding Tiffany that Ben Youngs is also unlikely to tour.

[FKAS]

Agreed, I think the Youngs family will spend the summer together on the farm in Norfolk supporting Tom. Ben has twice put family before Lions Tours so I'm sure he'll sack off the tour to Australia and be with the family.

[Scrumhead]

Same. For all his faults, Eddie is usually very supportive of players who withdraw for personal reasons.

Circumstances aside, it could be an opportunity for someone like Mitchell to see if he can transfer his club form to test rugby. Even if it would leave us exposed, I think I’d bypass Robson for JvP.

[Puja]

Same. For all his faults, Eddie is usually very supportive of players who withdraw for personal reasons.

Circumstances aside, it could be an opportunity for someone like Mitchell to see if he can transfer his club form to test rugby. Even if it would leave us exposed, I think I’d bypass Robson for JvP.

Oh, absolutely. Robson is a dead end (mind, I have a similar opinion on Randall, but what the hell). A 3rd scrum-half is likely to be there for the experience more than the match day squads anyway, so it's a great opportunity to develop JVP.

Or we could take Wigglesworth, just to upset Banquo.

Puja

[Gloskarlos]

Based on the latter part of this season I wouldn't be surprised if Charlie Chapman is on the wider radar for 9. I'd send JvP and CC along with Randall.

[Puja]

Based on the latter part of this season I wouldn't be surprised if Charlie Chapman is on the wider radar for 9. I'd send JvP and CC along with Randall.

Not a Mitchell fan? I wouldn't be averse to Chapman, as I really do like him as a player, but Mitchell's had a storming season.

Wouldn't Chapman be in the squad already if he was on the radar as Glaws players aren't barred?

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Yeah, I’d make a similar assumption.

I’d actually prefer Mitchell to be the starter as I think Randall is better off the bench.

Such a shame Quirke is injured.

[Gloskarlos]

Based on the latter part of this season I wouldn't be surprised if Charlie Chapman is on the wider radar for 9. I'd send JvP and CC along with Randall.

Not a Mitchell fan? I wouldn't be averse to Chapman, as I really do like him as a player, but Mitchell's had a storming season.

Wouldn't Chapman be in the squad already if he was on the radar as Glaws players aren't barred?

Puja

Aye Mitchell is fine enough. Eddie needs to invest on one or two of the three mentioned and stick with them (barring radical loss of form). Even with the newly apparent lack of a Glos conspiracy, there are still enough head scratching selections to wonder who is on or off the radar legitimately or otherwise.... Just adding CC to it.

[Banquo]

Same. For all his faults, Eddie is usually very supportive of players who withdraw for personal reasons.

Circumstances aside, it could be an opportunity for someone like Mitchell to see if he can transfer his club form to test rugby. Even if it would leave us exposed, I think I’d bypass Robson for JvP.

Oh, absolutely. Robson is a dead end (mind, I have a similar opinion on Randall, but what the hell). A 3rd scrum-half is likely to be there for the experience more than the match day squads anyway, so it's a great opportunity to develop JVP.

Or we could take Wigglesworth, just to upset Banquo.

Puja

Lol and agree on Randall.

[Banquo]

Mitchell is good with quick ball and a strong 10.

[Scrumhead]

Following yesterdays results this is the side I’d like to see vs. The Barbarians.

1. Rodd
2. McGuigan
3. Collier
4. J. Hill
5. Tizard
6. T. Hill
7. Underhill (c)
8. Dombrandt
9. Mitchell
10. Smith
11. Murley
12. Dingwall
13. Marchant
14. Radwan
15. Freeman

16. Blamire 17. Goodrick-Clarke 18. Alo 19. Ewels 20. Pearson 21. Robson 22. O. Bailey 23. Arundell

I can see an argument for leaving the more established players out. However, it’s going to be a strong Barbarians side so I think we need to take it seriously.

IMO, Mitchell is more deserving of the starting 9 shirt and I’d like us to invest time in developing a 8, 9, 10 axis with him, Dombrandt and Smith.

I know there’s a lot of hype around Arundell, but Freeman deserves a good run out and I think a low pressure cameo from the bench is best for Arundell at this point in time.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Randall is a dead end at 24? Wow!

[Scrumhead]

I never said that … I rate Randall but I think he’s better suited to an impact role off the bench.

I actually meant to swap him and Robson on the bench.

[Puja]

I never said that … I rate Randall but I think he’s better suited to an impact role off the bench.

I actually meant to swap him and Robson on the bench.

I and Banquo said it though. I reserve the right to be proven wrong, but he's far too inconsistent, his kicking game's weak, and I'm concern3d that he's another that looks great against lesser opposition, but just doesn't have it at the top level. The new Robson.

Like EP said, he is only 24, so he could absolutely kick on and make a fool of me, but right now, I don't think he's our answer at 9.

Puja

[Banquo]

I was probably a tad casual with agreeing he’s at a dead end, but I don’t rate him very highly.

[Adam_P]

Agree on Randall, it bemused me why he was the favoured one out of the crop of good young English 9s - I'd have Mitchell, Quirke and JvP all ahead of him (noting that Qurike has been out).

[Banyans]

Robson should have been capped years before he was, he's been a fantastic player. Still remember his stint at 10 for England...Still created more than Farrell

[Puja]

Agree on Randall, it bemused me why he was the favoured one out of the crop of good young English 9s - I'd have Mitchell, Quirke and JvP all ahead of him (noting that Qurike has been out).

I wouldn't say JVP yet - I'm a fan, but he still has a lot of things that need to improve and it's too early yet to say if he will or won't be good enough.

Puja

[Tom Moore]

Wasn't expecting Care back.

[Mr Mwenda]

Wasn't expecting Care back.

Yup, interesting to see if this means something or is just Jones doing his Jones thing.

[Scrumhead]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61777596

From what I can see, it looks like Alo, Barbeary, Clarke and Pearson out with Collier, Dombrandt, Lawes, Ludlam and Walker added to the forwards. Charlie Atkinson, Ojomoh, Odogwu and Robson out with Care, Smith, Dingwall and Freeman in for the backs.

All fair changes IMO.

Murley and Tizard are unlucky to miss out.

[Mikey Brown]

I’d love to know what Murley is missing. Been the best English wing for about 18 months now.