Worcester vs Exeter

[Puja]

They're limited to 5k capacity, have volunteer stewards and bar staff, and have no more internet because they've been cut off for non-payment of bills, but Worcester do have a game this weekend, by the skin of their teeth.



I love how much effort has gone into making that look so impressively early 2000s shitty. They've worked hard on that joke and I respect it.



Puja

[fivepointer]

They've done well to get the game on but how much longer can this go on?

[FKAS]

Just on the off chance this game gets close Chiefs have absolutely stacked the bench. Warriors can turn to their own impact options but I can see this being brutal one way traffic.

Rory Sutherland gone from Lions test player to benching from a club falling apart.

Worcester really are holding on by the finger tips hoping for the sale can go through so they can be shot of the cowboys.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Valiant from warriors, but Exeter were too good. Lawrence was superb (one error at a quick lineout aside). Cam Neild too.

[twitchy]

Yep great stuff given the circumstances. I really hope they sort everything out.

[fivepointer]

Game effort from Wuss. Cant fault the endeavour and commitment from the players.

[FKAS]

Plenty of heart shown from the Worcester players and the fans were in good voice. At the end of the day Chiefs always had too much for them but Worcester did make them work hard for the win towards the end.

Lawrence was outstanding for Wuss, plenty of turnovers and some powerful carries. Bound to have impressed the watching Eddie Jones.

The two Irish recruits both looked good for Chiefs. Eddie will have liked the Schickerling carrying impact off the bench as well, definitely one to consider for the AIs.

[twitchy]

[Timbo]

Lawrence has to be in the next England squad, fitness permitting.

[FKAS]

Lawrence has to be in the next England squad, fitness permitting.

Only if he keeps playing like that every week.

[Puja]

Lawrence has to be in the next England squad, fitness permitting.

Only if he keeps playing like that every week.

Indeed. That was the first time I've watched him and got what all the hype was about (and still came with him overrunning two crashballs on the 22, in the last 10 minutes causing turnovers of ball and likely costing the TBP). Super impressive today, but needs that more often.

Full respect to the Wuss players and staff - incredible performances all around. Everyone in rugby's feelings summed up by this quote from Fissler of all people:


Puja

[Oakboy]

Lawrence has to be in the next England squad, fitness permitting.

I've seen too little of him to be definite but tend to agree on most of his performance yesterday. However, there were remarks on commentary questioning his decision-making and that penalty he conceded at the breakdown was so blatantly stupid that it had me wondering if he has a brain. Was he a late starter in the game, perhaps?

[twitchy]

Having a brain is definitely not a requirement of playing for england.

[FKAS]

Lawrence has to be in the next England squad, fitness permitting.

I've seen too little of him to be definite but tend to agree on most of his performance yesterday. However, there were remarks on commentary questioning his decision-making and that penalty he conceded at the breakdown was so blatantly stupid that it had me wondering if he has a brain. Was he a late starter in the game, perhaps?

Worcester haven't played a pre season game so some rusty play isn't surprising. As Puja mentions some overrun lines after the change in flyhalf not necessarily a shock. Some of the work at the breakdown had an air of desperation around it but he really was a thorn in the side there so I'd be inclined to forgive one stupid decision for the what three turnover penalties he won to stop Chiefs momentum.

My problem with Lawrence is that he's clearly got bags of potential but still looks like the unpolished diamond at 23 having been playing for a few seasons and having been around the England squad. Consistency in this level of performance would be key and a refinement on decision making would very much help. Maybe he needs a change of environment to push him on.

[FKAS]

Having a brain is definitely not a requirement of playing for england.

That is very true, how many caps did Dylan Hartley win as captain...

[Scrumhead]

Lawrence has to be in the next England squad, fitness permitting.

I've seen too little of him to be definite but tend to agree on most of his performance yesterday. However, there were remarks on commentary questioning his decision-making and that penalty he conceded at the breakdown was so blatantly stupid that it had me wondering if he has a brain. Was he a late starter in the game, perhaps?

Worcester haven't played a pre season game so some rusty play isn't surprising. As Puja mentions some overrun lines after the change in flyhalf not necessarily a shock. Some of the work at the breakdown had an air of desperation around it but he really was a thorn in the side there so I'd be inclined to forgive one stupid decision for the what three turnover penalties he won to stop Chiefs momentum.

My problem with Lawrence is that he's clearly got bags of potential but still looks like the unpolished diamond at 23 having been playing for a few seasons and having been around the England squad. Consistency in this level of performance would be key and a refinement on decision making would very much help. Maybe he needs a change of environment to push him on.

Yep. The last paragraph is very much my view too. I don’t agree with Eddie singling him out for criticism in his book, but I do wonder whether the overall sentiment was correct? In the past, I think it’s very possible that Lawrence may have been told how good he is too often and maybe needs a different type of management to fully achieve his potential.