Australia Tour Squad

[Beasties]

I worry that Kelly is becoming a new board Peter Short

Puja

…. Did we? Surely that was only beefy!!!

That’s like saying we all thought Peter Wright would see the Lions home

There were a few people where he made their "if I was picking England" XV, simply because everyone was desperate for Not!Borthwick at lock. Sad times; we'd've been thrilled to have a Charlie Ewels back then.

Puja

His selection for Eng was obv part of a cunning long-term project by the Tigers board. Paid off in the end.

[Puja]

In other news, Courtney Lawes sat out England training today, although no info on whether it's injury or just managing his workload after he's been ground into the ground by this season. England apparently called up several Randwick players so that we had numbers enough to train properly.

Puja

[FKAS]

Dan Kelly is old news. Olly Hartley is the new 12 saviour.

It just might take 5 seasons to get there...

Hartley is a year younger than Kelly, if he wants the new saviour tag he needs to be Wasps first choice by Christmas.

That could be doable given Gopperth is gone and Mills is never fit.

[Mikey Brown]

In other news, Courtney Lawes sat out England training today, although no info on whether it's injury or just managing his workload after he's been ground into the ground by this season. England apparently called up several Randwick players so that we had numbers enough to train properly.

Puja

Curious whether Isiekwe or Willis would get the nod at 6 if he was out. Isiekwe you'd think is a closer fit to Lawes.

[SDHoneymonster]

In other news, Courtney Lawes sat out England training today, although no info on whether it's injury or just managing his workload after he's been ground into the ground by this season. England apparently called up several Randwick players so that we had numbers enough to train properly.

Puja

Curious whether Isiekwe or Willis would get the nod at 6 if he was out. Isiekwe you'd think is a closer fit to Lawes.

Ludlam and Willis would be on the flanks (with Ludlam in the 6 shirt) in that scenario I'd guess, with Chessum starting in the row and Jeffries on the bench.

[Oakboy]

In other news, Courtney Lawes sat out England training today, although no info on whether it's injury or just managing his workload after he's been ground into the ground by this season. England apparently called up several Randwick players so that we had numbers enough to train properly.

Puja

Curious whether Isiekwe or Willis would get the nod at 6 if he was out. Isiekwe you'd think is a closer fit to Lawes.

Ludlam and Willis would be on the flanks (with Ludlam in the 6 shirt) in that scenario I'd guess, with Chessum starting in the row and Jeffries on the bench.

Chessum starting at lock ahead of Isiekwe? Might the Saracens club pairing with Itoje reverse that?

[Mikey Brown]

Not much use when Itoje is the one who is out. Could argue he's got the link with George though, but Chessum in the team ahead of him last week.

[Oakboy]

Not much use when Itoje is the one who is out. Could argue he's got the link with George though, but Chessum in the team ahead of him last week.

True. Thanks for pointing out my senility so gently!! I posted before the tour matches started that I thought we were at the stretch-point for resources and this seems to confirm it. Instead of being a major discipline problem, Hill has rapidly become a vital presence. After the tour, I hope Launchbury can get fully fit and prove he has a year or two left in him.

[Scrumhead]

Well the Aussies have also lost Swain to suspension and Neville to injury so it’s not as though they’re unscathed in the 2nd row. They’re likely to play Phillip and Frost (who came off the bench for his debut last week).

Ewels will be out for a fair while so it gives Chessum and Isiekwe a good chance to keep him out by cementing their own places.

[Mikey Brown]

Not much use when Itoje is the one who is out. Could argue he's got the link with George though, but Chessum in the team ahead of him last week.

True. Thanks for pointing out my senility so gently!! I posted before the tour matches started that I thought we were at the stretch-point for resources and this seems to confirm it. Instead of being a major discipline problem, Hill has rapidly become a vital presence. After the tour, I hope Launchbury can get fully fit and prove he has a year or two left in him.

Ha. Apologies for that.

I'd love to believe Launch has more in him at the top level but I just don't. He should have 100 caps by now but his injury record is not good.

I generally agree Hill seems to be a bit of a liability, but at the same time he seemed to be under orders with his recent embarrassing behaviour. At least he's not just conceding penalties for collapsing on top of rucks as much. If he can be the anchor that allows an Itoje/Chessum/Isiekwe to shine then I guess I'll accept it.

[p/d]

So JVP dropped to bench

[Mellsblue]

Peak Eddie gets a little more peaky every week. I’m sure he has some devastatingly clever reason behind it.
Marchant is still persona non grata.