EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Scrumhead]

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.

True, although Riccioni’s recovery from a similar injury was pretty speedy. I was surprised to see him come back as quickly as he has for Saracens. Hopefully it’s the same for Stuart.

[Puja]

EPS players who will not play another minute before the AIs:

Genge
Heyes
Sinckler
JWillis
Youngs
JVP
Porter
Steward

I guess it's good in terms of injuries and respite for players, but that's nearly 3 weeks between games (more, in the case of Porter who's been injured). Do we think that's good or bad for our prospects?

Puja

[fivepointer]

Ideally everyone would have got a run out this weekend. Not the best prep to go 3 weeks or more without playing.

[Mellsblue]

Sinckler needs game time, imo.

[Danno]

Sinckler needs game time, imo.

Game where he can be arsed time?

[Epaminondas Pules]

He was pretty decent this last weekend

[Banquo]

He was pretty decent this last weekend

he was indeed.

[Scrumhead]

EPS players who will not play another minute before the AIs:

Genge
Heyes
Sinckler
JWillis
Youngs
JVP
Porter
Steward

I guess it's good in terms of injuries and respite for players, but that's nearly 3 weeks between games (more, in the case of Porter who's been injured). Do we think that's good or bad for our prospects?

Puja

Yeah, it’s a problem. If they were all with England, that might be different, but as they won’t be, they’ll just be losing their sharpness.

[Mellsblue]

He was pretty decent this last weekend

he was indeed.

Thirded.

[Puja]

He was pretty decent this last weekend

Would've been better if he could've had an immediate chance to back that up though. As it is, we're going into the AIs with just two tightheads, who will've had 2 and a bit weeks without playing, one who has had several crap games and just one good game, and the other who hasn't been first choice for his club. Not ideal.

Yeah, it’s a problem. If they were all with England, that might be different, but as they won’t be, they’ll just be losing their sharpness.

It's not quite as bad as I've made it sound - they'll only be missing one game weekend in which they might've played for their clubs and will be training with England from next Monday.

Puja

[Timbo]

Sinckler did apparently play well in the first two games of the season.

[Banquo]

Sinckler did apparently play well in the first two games of the season.

Reports of his demise may have been exaggerated...

[Puja]

Sinckler did apparently play well in the first two games of the season.

Reports of his demise may have been exaggerated...

Histrionics?! Us?! How dare you.

Puja

[Timbo]

Will Stuart injury not as bad as first feared apparently. Back early in the new year if all goes well.

[Puja]

EPS players who will not play another minute before the AIs:

Genge
Heyes
Sinckler
JWillis
Youngs
JVP
Porter
Steward

Add Courtney Lawes to the list as he's still struggling with concussion: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63348422

You'd have to say he's unlikely to play the AIs as things stand, but Eddie has recently gone on record saying, "[Farrell] is the most energetic and one of the most committed rugby players I’ve ever seen. We need that. But we also need someone who is composed and speaks to the referee well. We need both."

So maybe Curry? Genge would feel like a very Eddie sort of choice though.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah Curry is surely next in line but Genge would be interesting.

6. Willis 7. Curry 8. Vunipola sounds fun though, assuming he’s not going to just shove Coles in at 6.

[Timbo]

I think Lawes is one of the few players who could come into a test with very little rugby and be trusted to perform. I’d have no real doubts about him tbh. Has to be 100% fit though, obviously.

[Which Tyler]

With it looking like Farrell will be out, but just for one match, would this be a good opportunity to bring Finn Smith into camp?
Show an interest, and cock-block the Scots, with minimal risk as, even if on the bench, he wouldn't expect more than 5 minutes in a single AI match.

[twitchy]

[Banquo]

With it looking like Farrell will be out, but just for one match, would this be a good opportunity to bring Finn Smith into camp?
Show an interest, and cock-block the Scots, with minimal risk as, even if on the bench, he wouldn't expect more than 5 minutes in a single AI match.

Can't think of any other contenders, so why not.

Though he will definitely be trying Furbank there again

[Mikey Brown]

Is Smith further ahead than Atkinson?

[fivepointer]

Good idea to get Smith involved. I mentioned Atkinson as a potential apprentice in another thread. Makes sense to have a look at one or both of them.

[FKAS]

Is Finn Smith fit yet? He was injured for all of Wuss's games and hasn't appeared for Saints yet.

[Puja]

Interesting piece about Quirke's return from injury and the work he's been doing to get better: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-mega ... ames-sale/

Puja

[16th man]

The AI games do line up reasonably well in terms of bringing players up to speed, ahead of the NZ test on the third weekend.

Can't take the pumas lightly but you'd hope we'd have enough and Japan will be more of a challenging aerobic workout than big impact confrontation.