EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[twitchy]

Yep that's a huge shame but definitely a sign of the times.

[Mellsblue]

I reckon J. Simmonds could do with a change of scene as well.

[Timbo]

Don’t think England will miss a beat with him out the picture, as good a player as he obviously is. It’s a blow for Exeter, although I think they’ll move on reasonably quickly too. Capstick looks excellent and they have plenty of quality in the back 5 of their scrum.

My concerns would be more that it’s another blow for the league. A fairly high profile player leaving looks bad (although Mercer coming in the other direction softens that blow somewhat). Also, is this a sign of things to come. Next season was always going to be the toughest one for English clubs looking to retain their star players- can see a mini exodus potentially.

[Timbo]

Alfie Barbeary out for 10-16 weeks with another hamstring injury.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Always check your sources, especially if you’re going to make such a condescending post.

Here’s a link to pornhub. If you find porn upon clicking this link that’s pornhub’s fault.

I’m with you Mells. If your evidence is shit don’t blame the evidence.

[twitchy]

[Puja]

Great player at his best and possibly should've made more of himself earlier in his career and got more England caps. Nice to see he's kicking on in the sunshine though.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Seems odd that going to France has helped him slim down, but good for him.

[Peej]

Does anyone know if he's playing much? I only saw a bit of Toulon in Europe last season and don't remember seeing him on the team sheet.

[Which Tyler]

https://www.bathrugby.com/club-news/com ... lie-ewels/

[Mellsblue]

Interesting interview with Steward in the times today. This bit was great to read:

‘One of his main goals now, in the season leading up to the World Cup, is to bring his attacking game up to a similar level.

“It’s been a massive focus for me, I’ve really wanted to improve on my attack,” Steward says. “At full back, you get the ball on the edge in situations where you can do some damage. I do lots of extras, we’ve got guys [at Leicester] who have tons of experience, so it’s just about asking them questions, picking coaches’ brains and working hard.

“You’ve got to give yourself a real focus and I’ve tried to do that with my attack recently.”

The Tigers brains trust he is tapping into includes Richard Wigglesworth, who doubles up as scrum half and attack coach, and experienced team-mates such as Jimmy Gopperth, the much-travelled playmaker from New Zealand who was signed from Wasps in the summer. In particular, Gopperth, 39, is helping Steward with his alignment in attack, so that he is well placed to exploit the gaps in wider channels that can materialise when advancing defences become too narrow, offering attackers space around the edge of the defensive wall.

“Jimmy has been brilliant at helping me,” Steward said. “A big focus for me is trying to stay square on those edges.

“I can tend to drift a bit and go a bit too lateral sometimes. He’s been helping me with that, keeping right on top of me in training.”’

[Banquo]

Interesting interview with Steward in the times today. This bit was great to read:

‘One of his main goals now, in the season leading up to the World Cup, is to bring his attacking game up to a similar level.

“It’s been a massive focus for me, I’ve really wanted to improve on my attack,” Steward says. “At full back, you get the ball on the edge in situations where you can do some damage. I do lots of extras, we’ve got guys [at Leicester] who have tons of experience, so it’s just about asking them questions, picking coaches’ brains and working hard.

“You’ve got to give yourself a real focus and I’ve tried to do that with my attack recently.”

The Tigers brains trust he is tapping into includes Richard Wigglesworth, who doubles up as scrum half and attack coach, and experienced team-mates such as Jimmy Gopperth, the much-travelled playmaker from New Zealand who was signed from Wasps in the summer. In particular, Gopperth, 39, is helping Steward with his alignment in attack, so that he is well placed to exploit the gaps in wider channels that can materialise when advancing defences become too narrow, offering attackers space around the edge of the defensive wall.

“Jimmy has been brilliant at helping me,” Steward said. “A big focus for me is trying to stay square on those edges.

“I can tend to drift a bit and go a bit too lateral sometimes. He’s been helping me with that, keeping right on top of me in training.”’

Seems a smart lad- didn't realise he was still studying at Loughborough.

[Puja]

Randall out for 4 months: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63227778. Poor sod - that'll surely take him out of any late charge into the 6N squad and thus end his hopes of being in the RWC squad.

In disciplinary roulette, MakoV gets 3 weeks (with the option to reduce down to 2 by doing the course) for a flying shoulder to the head, but Umaga gets 3 weeks (which is noted as being delayed until after he is fit to play again, which seems a bit unfair) for keeping his eye on a cross-field kick and fundamentally cocking up his positioning. Also, if Umaga's ban comes after he's fit to play again, what happens if Wasps aren't playing?! Bizarre.

Puja

[jimKRFC]

Randall out for 4 months: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63227778. Poor sod - that'll surely take him out of any late charge into the 6N squad and thus end his hopes of being in the RWC squad.

He was never going to get into the England squad, his form was pretty bad, and the other 9s were playing a lot better. So it just mucks up Bris..

[Peej]

Randall out for 4 months: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63227778. Poor sod - that'll surely take him out of any late charge into the 6N squad and thus end his hopes of being in the RWC squad.

In disciplinary roulette, MakoV gets 3 weeks (with the option to reduce down to 2 by doing the course) for a flying shoulder to the head, but Umaga gets 3 weeks (which is noted as being delayed until after he is fit to play again, which seems a bit unfair) for keeping his eye on a cross-field kick and fundamentally cocking up his positioning. Also, if Umaga's ban comes after he's fit to play again, what happens if Wasps aren't playing?! Bizarre.

Puja

You're a bit generous on Umaga. It was an idiotic thing to do based on him being well out of position.

[Timbo]

Isn’t that Umaga’s……3rd?…red in the last 12 months or so?

[Puja]

Isn’t that Umaga’s……3rd?…red in the last 12 months or so?

Fair point, although I think the other two were for clotheslines rather than taking someone out in the air. All speaks to a tendency to react before brain is engaged. Shame, cause he does throw some absolutely sumptuous passes, possibly better than anyone else in the league, but doesn't have the whole package to realistically be in England contention.

Puja

[Timbo]

Think he requalifies for Samoa in 2024. Could be a great player for them.

[Mikey Brown]

He got an England cap?

[Puja]

He got an England cap?

Played in the games against USA and Canada, didn't he?

Not sure about him being an asset to Samoa. They've got plenty of people who can occasionally do something that's utterly beautiful - they need someone who's got the boring bits and pieces nailed down.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

I’d have thought he’d be straight in to the Samoa side at 15 or challenging Sopoaga at 10.

Typically Fly Half is where the PI teams have struggled and I think Umaga is better than the players that Samoa have had at 10 in quite a while.

I could see Manu Vunipola declaring for Tonga too as I think he has no chance with England. I’m a little surprised he hasn’t already done so with the RWC round the corner.

[Timbo]

Sinckler had his best game in ages. That’s a big plus.

On the negative, might have lost 2 of our tight heads for the World Cup in Stuart and Schickerling….

[Puja]

Sinckler had his best game in ages. That’s a big plus.

On the negative, might have lost 2 of our tight heads for the World Cup in Stuart and Schickerling….

I'm still pretty sure that Schickerling's not actually eligible, so it might not be the worst thing in the world.

Puja

[Timbo]

Sinckler had his best game in ages. That’s a big plus.

On the negative, might have lost 2 of our tight heads for the World Cup in Stuart and Schickerling….

I'm still pretty sure that Schickerling's not actually eligible, so it might not be the worst thing in the world.

Puja

Oh yeah, that’s what I meant. Lost him cos it sounds like he’s not eligible. Have to wait and see on that.

On Stuart, assuming he has done his cruciate, it’s probably just about within a time frame where he could make it back. Everything would have to go smoothly in his rehab. He’d have very little game time though & would have to be out through his paces in England’s pre tournament camp.

[Banquo]

Sinckler had his best game in ages. That’s a big plus.

On the negative, might have lost 2 of our tight heads for the World Cup in Stuart and Schickerling….

I'm still pretty sure that Schickerling's not actually eligible, so it might not be the worst thing in the world.

Puja

Oh yeah, that’s what I meant. Lost him cos it sounds like he’s not eligible. Have to wait and see on that.

On Stuart, assuming he has done his cruciate, it’s probably just about within a time frame where he could make it back. Everything would have to go smoothly in his rehab. He’d have very little game time though & would have to be out through his paces in England’s pre tournament camp.

Dan Cole time, by the sound of it . Only half joking, he has been in excellent form.