Vive la revolution!

[rjjb]

Another interesting question among this is who gets a central contract - sounds like there will be about 20 but it will be fixed for a world cup cycle. I have asterisked those I would have.

Here is my squad (ignoring the under 30 rule!) - I think it's will be evolution not revolution which I think is correct as I despise devaluing the six nations:

LH: Genge*, VRR, [Rodd or Marler]
Hooker: Cowan-Dickie*, George, Dan
TH: Sinckler*, Stuart, [Heyes]
Lock: Itoje*, Chessum*, Martin, [JHill]
Flanker: TCurry*, Earl*, Pearson, THill, Barbeary (JWillis not available)
Number 8: Mercer*, TWillis

Scrum Half: Quirke, Warr, Mitchell (assumes JvP* injured)
Fly Half: Ford*, [FSmith]
Centre: Lawrence*, Kelly, Atkinson, Slade (Marchant not available)
Wing: Arundell*, Watson*, Freeman*, Murley
Full back: MSmith*, Steward*, Carpenter

Square brackets for a few names I'm chucking in without much conviction.

Retired / moved on: Cole, Mako, Lawes, Billy, Ben&Danny, Farrell (unfortunately he will be captain and 10), Daly, May

When are the hybrid contracts being introduced?

[Spiffy]

In the absence of other outstanding candidates, Alfie Barbeary should revert to hooker and play in the style of Ireland's Sheehan.

[Mellsblue]

In the absence of other outstanding candidates, Alfie Barbeary should revert to hooker and play in the style of Ireland's Sheehan.

The irony being that if we had the Irish system the RFU, assuming competence, would have looked at the pipeline and made Barbeary stay at hooker.

[Oakboy]

Here is my squad (ignoring the under 30 rule!) - I think it's will be evolution not revolution which I think is correct as I despise devaluing the six nations:

I understand why you say that about the 6N but our performances of late (2 wins) surely devalued the competition to the extent that a clear-out and re-buiid would be more respectful. At least it would acknowledge how far back we had slipped by picking 'experience'. The other factor, not to be underestimated IMO, is the collective team spirit that could be engendered with a new broom approach. Let the younger players rule the roost in dressing room and training camp without the old sweats holding them back.

[Tigersman]

Paul Hill is only 28 kinda crazy
Injuries free run and I feel if he went to somewhere like Saracens and I reckon he would’ve been pushing Sinckler for Th for a while

[Tigersman]

In the absence of other outstanding candidates, Alfie Barbeary should revert to hooker and play in the style of Ireland's Sheehan.

The irony being that if we had the Irish system the RFU, assuming competence, would have looked at the pipeline and made Barbeary stay at hooker.

True granted with his run of injuries how would he have fixed his fundamentals

[jngf]

On the No.8 issue there seem to be lots of advocates of Mercer but isn’t he just a slightly slower version of Simmonds or Earl?
Scrumhead and others I expect you may be thinking I’m being contrarian for the sake of it here but I promise I’m not

My own view is you need a bigger player like Dombrandt or Tom Willis at 8 ( though appreciate their vastly differing styles) or put a real hard yards ball carrier in the loose head lock / 4 shirt which means someone like Martin, to allow a smaller but pacy and mobile No.8 like Simmonds, Earl or Mercer to feature.

A further bonus is if the no.8 can be the third jumper, meaning we no longer have to keep sticking locks at 6, mentioning no names …

[Which Tyler]

On the No.8 issue there seem to be lots of advocates of Mercer but isn’t he just a slightly slower version of Simmonds or Earl?

No

My own view is you need a bigger player

Insert "Fry is shocked" gif here

[jngf]

On the No.8 issue there seem to be lots of advocates of Mercer but isn’t he just a slightly slower version of Simmonds or Earl?

No

My own view is you need a bigger player

Insert "Fry is shocked" gif here

[Mikey Brown]

I’m not even convinced you believe the stuff you write anymore.

Is having every post queried/ridiculed for seemingly not even watching any of these players (no, reading their stats on wiki doesn’t count) really that gratifying?

[jngf]

I’m not even convinced you believe the stuff you write anymore.

Is having every post queried/ridiculed for seemingly not even watching any of these players (no, reading their stats on wiki doesn’t count) really that gratifying?

Don’t be so pompous

[Puja]

[Mod] Let's be sure to be civil and kind. While we disagree on things, often finding others' opinions utterly incomprehensible, I don't want to be here moderating escalating arguments that stray into personal abuse. I have such fun being indolent - please don't make me have to actively mod. If I wanted to work, then I'd be doing my actual paid job right now. [/Mod]

[Mellsblue]

Moderating my arse. You don’t even enforce RICH LANE!!! being written in the proper and correct format.

[Banquo]

Moderating my arse. You don’t even enforce RICH LANE!!! being written in the proper and correct format.

That's a bit rich, coming from you...

[Mellsblue]

Moderating my arse. You don’t even enforce RICH LANE!!! being written in the proper and correct format.

That's a bit rich, coming from you...

What’s this got to do with you, stay in your lane.

[Banquo]

Moderating my arse. You don’t even enforce RICH LANE!!! being written in the proper and correct format.

That's a bit rich, coming from you...

What’s this got to do with you, stay in your lane.

a penny for your thoughts....

[Mellsblue]

That's a bit rich, coming from you...

What’s this got to do with you, stay in your lane.

a penny for your thoughts....

That’s a poor response.

[Banquo]

What’s this got to do with you, stay in your lane.

a penny for your thoughts....

That’s a poor response.

I don't give tuppence for your opinion

[p/d]

rich lane

[Mikey Brown]

[Mod] Let's be sure to be civil and kind. While we disagree on things, often finding others' opinions utterly incomprehensible, I don't want to be here moderating escalating arguments that stray into personal abuse. I have such fun being indolent - please don't make me have to actively mod. If I wanted to work, then I'd be doing my actual paid job right now. [/Mod]

My bad. Sorry to both of you.

“Is Mercer just a slower version of Earl” appeared to me like letting the mask slip on a decade long wind-up.

[Mellsblue]

rich lane

If this isn’t a two week ban, down from 12 weeks for previous good behaviour, then my point has been proven.

[jngf]

[Mod] Let's be sure to be civil and kind. While we disagree on things, often finding others' opinions utterly incomprehensible, I don't want to be here moderating escalating arguments that stray into personal abuse. I have such fun being indolent - please don't make me have to actively mod. If I wanted to work, then I'd be doing my actual paid job right now. [/Mod]

My bad. Sorry to both of you.

“Is Mercer just a slower version of Earl” appeared to me like letting the mask slip on a decade long wind-up.

Fair enough and for my part I’ll try not to appear so sizest in future ( bar Lawes at 6 which I hope isn’t too controversial an opinion )

[Puja]

PEACE IN OUR TIME!

And I don't think anyone's not annoyed about Lawes at 6 nowadays, so that's safe ground.

Puja

[Spiffy]

On the No.8 issue there seem to be lots of advocates of Mercer but isn’t he just a slightly slower version of Simmonds or Earl?
Scrumhead and others I expect you may be thinking I’m being contrarian for the sake of it here but I promise I’m not

My own view is you need a bigger player like Dombrandt or Tom Willis at 8 ( though appreciate their vastly differing styles) or put a real hard yards ball carrier in the loose head lock / 4 shirt which means someone like Martin, to allow a smaller but pacy and mobile No.8 like Simmonds, Earl or Mercer to feature.

A further bonus is if the no.8 can be the third jumper, meaning we no longer have to keep sticking locks at 6, mentioning no names …

Why do you consider Mercer small? At 17.5 st.he is bigger than Doris or Ardie Savea, both of them world class No.8s. (and yes - I know that Savea is a miss placed 7 but look how he's performing at 8.)

[Banquo]

On the No.8 issue there seem to be lots of advocates of Mercer but isn’t he just a slightly slower version of Simmonds or Earl?
Scrumhead and others I expect you may be thinking I’m being contrarian for the sake of it here but I promise I’m not

My own view is you need a bigger player like Dombrandt or Tom Willis at 8 ( though appreciate their vastly differing styles) or put a real hard yards ball carrier in the loose head lock / 4 shirt which means someone like Martin, to allow a smaller but pacy and mobile No.8 like Simmonds, Earl or Mercer to feature.

A further bonus is if the no.8 can be the third jumper, meaning we no longer have to keep sticking locks at 6, mentioning no names …

Why do you consider Mercer small? At 17.5 st.he is bigger than Doris or Ardie Savea, both of them world class No.8s. (and yes - I know that Savea is a miss placed 7 but look how he's performing at 8.)

Just when Puja had brokered an armistice....