Squad named

[FKAS]

Sanderson might not like it but Borthwick doesn't have to explain every decision he makes to him.

I’m struggling to find in that article where Sanderson has suggested Borthwick has to. Yes, he says he would have handled it differently, but more to do with his sentimentally for the players in question.

Sanderson is saying he wouldn't have done what Borthwick did but he doesn't necessarily know the plan Borthwick has for the players over the course of the tournament. There may well be game plans that require tweaks to the starting line up in each round. I wouldn't be surprised if he added additional physicality for the France game for instance.

[Puja]

Yep, doesn't speak well of the new set ups clarity of thought.

In fairness, it was a difficult situation with Willis returning and clearly deserving a starting spot, meaning one of Earl and BCurry would get yeeted from the XXIII after just one game back in the fold. I'd've gone the other route and kept BCurry - on the basis that he was in the higher position in the hierarchy from being the starter, as well as rating him higher, but also because it would be very mentally hard for him to be dropped from the XXIII after making a game-changing mistake - but I can see the argument that it'd've been unfair to boot Earl as well. Good on Sanderson for defending his men though.

On the choice between T and B Curry, that's not really worth getting exercised over - T Curry is indubitably the better player right now and is going to be fixed when fit. The problem there is Eddie inexplicably deciding to just develop one of them and we can't shove 4 years of international experience inside the other.

Puja

I don't think it was 'inexplicable' tbh.

Back when they were both new, I think it was. I don't think there was a gulf of quality between them back then, if anything at all.

Puja

[FKAS]

In fairness, it was a difficult situation with Willis returning and clearly deserving a starting spot, meaning one of Earl and BCurry would get yeeted from the XXIII after just one game back in the fold. I'd've gone the other route and kept BCurry - on the basis that he was in the higher position in the hierarchy from being the starter, as well as rating him higher, but also because it would be very mentally hard for him to be dropped from the XXIII after making a game-changing mistake - but I can see the argument that it'd've been unfair to boot Earl as well. Good on Sanderson for defending his men though.

On the choice between T and B Curry, that's not really worth getting exercised over - T Curry is indubitably the better player right now and is going to be fixed when fit. The problem there is Eddie inexplicably deciding to just develop one of them and we can't shove 4 years of international experience inside the other.

Puja

I don't think it was 'inexplicable' tbh.

Back when they were both new, I think it was. I don't think there was a gulf of quality between them back then, if anything at all.

Puja

Wasn't Ben Curry called up first? Tom given the chance once Ben was injured then ran with it and never looked back.

[Puja]

I don't think it was 'inexplicable' tbh.

Back when they were both new, I think it was. I don't think there was a gulf of quality between them back then, if anything at all.

Puja

Wasn't Ben Curry called up first? Tom given the chance once Ben was injured then ran with it and never looked back.

That's right, but Ben was then available for the next two-three EPS squads and was surplus to requirements.

Puja

[Spiffy]

Back when they were both new, I think it was. I don't think there was a gulf of quality between them back then, if anything at all.

Puja

Wasn't Ben Curry called up first? Tom given the chance once Ben was injured then ran with it and never looked back.

That's right, but Ben was then available for the next two-three EPS squads and was surplus to requirements.

Puja

It hardly matters at this stage. Tom has developed into a top class flanker while Ben plays well at Premier League level but is far from outstanding. That said, Tom has looked a bit sub-par relative to his own high standards in his past few England appearances. At the moment, Pearson looks well ahead of both, but has not had the call from on high (is Borthwick watching the same games as the rest of us?). Quins' Evans is doing a good job too but may be considered just a bit too small by today's standards.

[Banquo]

In fairness, it was a difficult situation with Willis returning and clearly deserving a starting spot, meaning one of Earl and BCurry would get yeeted from the XXIII after just one game back in the fold. I'd've gone the other route and kept BCurry - on the basis that he was in the higher position in the hierarchy from being the starter, as well as rating him higher, but also because it would be very mentally hard for him to be dropped from the XXIII after making a game-changing mistake - but I can see the argument that it'd've been unfair to boot Earl as well. Good on Sanderson for defending his men though.

On the choice between T and B Curry, that's not really worth getting exercised over - T Curry is indubitably the better player right now and is going to be fixed when fit. The problem there is Eddie inexplicably deciding to just develop one of them and we can't shove 4 years of international experience inside the other.

Puja

I don't think it was 'inexplicable' tbh.

Back when they were both new, I think it was. I don't think there was a gulf of quality between them back then, if anything at all.

Puja

As above, Ben got crocked at the wrong time, bad luck. Our opinions differ

[FKAS]

Wasn't Ben Curry called up first? Tom given the chance once Ben was injured then ran with it and never looked back.

That's right, but Ben was then available for the next two-three EPS squads and was surplus to requirements.

Puja

It hardly matters at this stage. Tom has developed into a top class flanker while Ben plays well at Premier League level but is far from outstanding. That said, Tom has looked a bit sub-par relative to his own high standards in his past few England appearances. At the moment, Pearson looks well ahead of both, but has not had the call from on high (is Borthwick watching the same games as the rest of us?). Quins' Evans is doing a good job too but may be considered just a bit too small by today's standards.

He was outstanding in the games I saw in January. Captained Sale and was playing out of his skin. His call up was a very form based selection.

Pearson has also been playing very well, I'd like to see him come back into the squad at some point. We've gone from famine to feast at openside though.

[Stom]

I don't think it was 'inexplicable' tbh.

Back when they were both new, I think it was. I don't think there was a gulf of quality between them back then, if anything at all.

Puja

As above, Ben got crocked at the wrong time, bad luck. Our opinions differ

I agree it's fair that Tom got the starting spot...but surely Ben was worth a space in the squad in the meantime? At least ahead of Shouty Mcluxuryface.

[Banquo]

Back when they were both new, I think it was. I don't think there was a gulf of quality between them back then, if anything at all.

Puja

As above, Ben got crocked at the wrong time, bad luck. Our opinions differ

I agree it's fair that Tom got the starting spot...but surely Ben was worth a space in the squad in the meantime? At least ahead of Shouty Mcluxuryface.

Ben has only really established himself at Sale this year as far as I can tell, whereas Earl in fairness was playing well for Sarries when first called up.

Recollections may vary.

[Stom]

As above, Ben got crocked at the wrong time, bad luck. Our opinions differ

I agree it's fair that Tom got the starting spot...but surely Ben was worth a space in the squad in the meantime? At least ahead of Shouty Mcluxuryface.

Ben has only really established himself at Sale this year as far as I can tell, whereas Earl in fairness was playing well for Sarries when first called up.

Recollections may vary.

Many players play well for Sarries and they play drain for England. It's hard to replicate, as they are very capable at hiding poor defenders, somehow. See Malins and Goode, or Ashton, Farrell...the list, etc...

[Banquo]

I agree it's fair that Tom got the starting spot...but surely Ben was worth a space in the squad in the meantime? At least ahead of Shouty Mcluxuryface.

Ben has only really established himself at Sale this year as far as I can tell, whereas Earl in fairness was playing well for Sarries when first called up.

Recollections may vary.

Many players play well for Sarries and they play drain for England. It's hard to replicate, as they are very capable at hiding poor defenders, somehow. See Malins and Goode, or Ashton, Farrell...the list, etc...

many also play very well, so there is that... . The point being that Earl had a body of top prem work ...I dont think he has looked very good, but its clear he had stated the case when first picked

[Stom]

Ben has only really established himself at Sale this year as far as I can tell, whereas Earl in fairness was playing well for Sarries when first called up.

Recollections may vary.

Many players play well for Sarries and they play drain for England. It's hard to replicate, as they are very capable at hiding poor defenders, somehow. See Malins and Goode, or Ashton, Farrell...the list, etc...

many also play very well, so there is that... . The point being that Earl had a body of top prem work ...I dont think he has looked very good, but its clear he had stated the case when first picked

I don't know. I never saw his performances and said: Now there's a player who should be playing for England. That doesn't happen every week, though. Happened with Jack Willis, that's for sure. But I also thought Ludlam wasn't cut out for it, and he's surprised me.

[Banquo]

Many players play well for Sarries and they play drain for England. It's hard to replicate, as they are very capable at hiding poor defenders, somehow. See Malins and Goode, or Ashton, Farrell...the list, etc...

many also play very well, so there is that... . The point being that Earl had a body of top prem work ...I dont think he has looked very good, but its clear he had stated the case when first picked

I don't know. I never saw his performances and said: Now there's a player who should be playing for England. That doesn't happen every week, though. Happened with Jack Willis, that's for sure. But I also thought Ludlam wasn't cut out for it, and he's surprised me.

Well you may have not but iirc he has won some awards inc Premiership player of the year 21/22. He has been outstanding in attack especially from time to time. I'm the same as you on Ludlam.