New and Improved EPS Watch/Player Form Thread

[Oakboy]

So, if Arundell has ruled himself out, what is SB's starting back three going to be? May has retired. Watson is injury-prone. Daly has had his day. Malins is ordinary. Steward is faltering. Will Hodge be fit? Is Freeman now a 13? Murley???? Hammersley?

Beyond Furbank at 15 perhaps, I haven't a clue.

[Mellsblue]

So, if Arundell has ruled himself out, what is SB's starting back three going to be? May has retired. Watson is injury-prone. Daly has had his day. Malins is ordinary. Steward is faltering. Will Hodge be fit? Is Freeman now a 13? Murley???? Hammersley?

Beyond Furbank at 15 perhaps, I haven't a clue.

Back three is so last year. We only need a back two:
Furbank and RICH LANE!!!
Beeeeedfooooorrrrrd.

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah it’s an odd one with May gone and Watson always injured.

Murley had a quieter game on Saturday - I think he took a knock quite early on. I’d give him a go but maybe he’s still finding that consistency after a few weeks out. Freeman looks to be a centre for the time being, though it would certainly make him a useful bench option.

Is Steward playing poorly or just not looking particularly exciting? It doesn't sound like the Leicester back division is particularly ambitious in general.

Furbank is one of those players who has performed very well at times but it’s always hard to see him as a real England regular.

I don’t know that Borthwick will necessarily view Daly as being done, but he seems to have lost a significant amount of spark.

Who is really demanding selection at the moment in the backs? Slade, Lawrence, Furbank, Smith seem to be the names popping up regularly at the moment.

[Puja]

Yeah it’s an odd one with May gone and Watson always injured.

Murley had a quieter game on Saturday - I think he took a knock quite early on. I’d give him a go but maybe he’s still finding that consistency after a few weeks out. Freeman looks to be a centre for the time being, though it would certainly make him a useful bench option.

Is Steward playing poorly or just not looking particularly exciting? It doesn't sound like the Leicester back division is particularly ambitious in general.

Furbank is one of those players who has performed very well at times but it’s always hard to see him as a real England regular.

I don’t know that Borthwick will necessarily view Daly as being done, but he seems to have lost a significant amount of spark.

Who is really demanding selection at the moment in the backs? Slade, Lawrence, Furbank, Smith seem to be the names popping up regularly at the moment.

Steward did have a crap game at the weekend (couldn't catch a cold, unusually), but he was far from alone at Leicester in that respect. Other than that game, I'd've said he was playing pretty well.

No-one really screaming for selection in the backs at present, although in the weather, that's not as surprising. There's a decent case for having Dingwall/Freeman in the centres - club connection, Dingwall's the best of a bad lot at 12, fantastic performance at the weekend.

Puja

[Puja]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... gby-duties

Very sensible approach by Smith. I do think the RWC players came back far too soon (and I say that as the supporter of a club whose form guide has been a nigh vertical line after getting our RWC players back).

Puja

[FKAS]

Yeah it’s an odd one with May gone and Watson always injured.

Murley had a quieter game on Saturday - I think he took a knock quite early on. I’d give him a go but maybe he’s still finding that consistency after a few weeks out. Freeman looks to be a centre for the time being, though it would certainly make him a useful bench option.

Is Steward playing poorly or just not looking particularly exciting? It doesn't sound like the Leicester back division is particularly ambitious in general.

Furbank is one of those players who has performed very well at times but it’s always hard to see him as a real England regular.

I don’t know that Borthwick will necessarily view Daly as being done, but he seems to have lost a significant amount of spark.

Who is really demanding selection at the moment in the backs? Slade, Lawrence, Furbank, Smith seem to be the names popping up regularly at the moment.

Steward did have a crap game at the weekend (couldn't catch a cold, unusually), but he was far from alone at Leicester in that respect. Other than that game, I'd've said he was playing pretty well.

No-one really screaming for selection in the backs at present, although in the weather, that's not as surprising. There's a decent case for having Dingwall/Freeman in the centres - club connection, Dingwall's the best of a bad lot at 12, fantastic performance at the weekend.

Puja

I agree with Puja. Steward looked to be coming back into his best form before the weekend. Was playing really well. At the weekend the Stormers adopted a tactic of jumping into him more than competing for the ball. Seemed to rattle him a bit.

Outside of the butter fingers stuff he actually played passably. Couple of big clearance kicks and made himself available for carries. I do worry he's a player that gets in his own head. His form dipped after the shouldn't have been a red card in Dublin.

I'm still undecided on Dingwall. Against Glasgow there was one pass that helped set up a score otherwise he was pretty quiet. Until he went off the defence worked though, Glasgow got some joy after Litchfield came on and Dingwall wasn't organising the defence. Glasgow did change their midfield round about the same time though. Freeman is making one hell of a case for selection.

[Mellsblue]

It’s good to have a neutral opinion…

[Oakboy]

It’s good to have a neutral opinion…

At the moment, I'd settle for an opinion of any sort when it comes to naming a starting backline for the 6N (and I think the back row will be just as difficult).

Beyond wanting Smith and Lawrence at 10/12, I'm stumped. I think Freeman at 13 could be a fit but it's too early a selection for SB's brain I suspect.

[Mellsblue]

It’s good to have a neutral opinion…

At the moment, I'd settle for an opinion of any sort when it comes to naming a starting backline for the 6N (and I think the back row will be just as difficult).

Beyond wanting Smith and Lawrence at 10/12, I'm stumped. I think Freeman at 13 could be a fit but it's too early a selection for SB's brain I suspect.

I’ve watched two Prem matches - Sale v Bath & Racing v Quins - all season so here you go:

Care
Smith
Murley
Lawrence
Joseph
Freeman
Furbank

[fivepointer]

Mitchell, Ford, Freeman, Dingwall, Lawrence, Murley, Steward

Bench Quirke, Smith, Ibitoye

Sorted.

[Epaminondas Pules]

..or he got a great offer from a great club.

Less total income

mebbe- whats he on?

Not sure, but it's less than the combined RFU / Bath hybrid contract apparently. I think he just enjoys the environment and what's he's got so far from the coaches. Plus after the World Cup its probably the ideal place for him to just get away from England rugby.

[Mellsblue]

Mitchell, Ford, Freeman, Dingwall, Lawrence, Murley, Steward

Bench Quirke, Smith, Ibitoye

Sorted.

Yeah but have you watched more than two matches… oh, you have.

[Mellsblue]

its probably the ideal place for him to just get away from England rugby.

So that’s how to do it. Right, I’m off to look for jobs en France.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Mitchell, Ford, Freeman, Dingwall, Lawrence, Murley, Steward

Bench Quirke, Smith, Ibitoye

Sorted.

Mitchell, Smith (M), Freeman, Atkinson (S), Lawrence, Murley, Steward (Arundell if only)

Quirke, Smith (F), Joseph

[TheDasher]

Mitchell, Smith (M), Hassell-Collins, Lawrence, Freeman, Murley, Steward.

Quirke, Ford, Hendy.

[Mikey Brown]

Tom Willis out for the 6 nations. With Mercer, Curry, Lawes and Jack Willis unavailable it'll be interesting to see who gets in the back row. Continue with Earl at 8 (Underhill still playing well at 7 - maybe he's past his fitness woes?) or go back to dirty Dommers, the soft, lazy, part-time bastard at 8? Surely it can't be Billy V? Is Ludlam still in the picture given he's off to France?

Typical really that we're discussing how we might be able to introduce some new, exciting faces in the backline and all our backrow stocks seem to disappear.

[Oakboy]

Tom Willis out for the 6 nations. With Mercer, Curry, Lawes and Jack Willis unavailable it'll be interesting to see who gets in the back row. Continue with Earl at 8 (Underhill still playing well at 7 - maybe he's past his fitness woes?) or go back to dirty Dommers, the soft, lazy, part-time bastard at 8? Surely it can't be Billy V? Is Ludlam still in the picture given he's off to France?

Typical really that we're discussing how we might be able to introduce some new, exciting faces in the backline and all our backrow stocks seem to disappear.

Would you not have Barbeary in the mix? I think it's possible (as with T Willis) that he might be better at international level than club level. It's only a guess, of course, but he surely must be worth a try just in case.

[Oakboy]

Mitchell, Smith (M), Hassell-Collins, Lawrence, Freeman, Murley, Steward.

Quirke, Ford, Hendy.

That's the best so far.

[Puja]

Mitchell, Smith (M), Hassell-Collins, Lawrence, Freeman, Murley, Steward.

Quirke, Ford, Hendy.

That's the best so far.

I am still unconvinced by Hassell-Collins. I don't see whatever it is about him that gets other people so excited - he doesn't seem outstandingly big or powerful or elusive or good at reading the game.

Plus my usual complaint that Lawrence's attacking skills are wasted in the congestion at 12 and his handling and ball retention skills are not up to par if you just want a big man going bosh. 13 or nothing! Frankly, I'd rather keep Tuilagi at 12 if we're going to want the latter.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Tom Willis out for the 6 nations. With Mercer, Curry, Lawes and Jack Willis unavailable it'll be interesting to see who gets in the back row. Continue with Earl at 8 (Underhill still playing well at 7 - maybe he's past his fitness woes?) or go back to dirty Dommers, the soft, lazy, part-time bastard at 8? Surely it can't be Billy V? Is Ludlam still in the picture given he's off to France?

Typical really that we're discussing how we might be able to introduce some new, exciting faces in the backline and all our backrow stocks seem to disappear.

Would you not have Barbeary in the mix? I think it's possible (as with T Willis) that he might be better at international level than club level. It's only a guess, of course, but he surely must be worth a try just in case.

I kind of forgot about him to be honest. How's he getting on with all the bits that aren't just trucking the ball up? Of course he's exceptionally good as a carrier, and that's not to be dismissed, but sometimes looked a bit sketchy on ball retention/placement?

It will be interesting to see if Dombrandt is simply a write-off for Borthwick, or like Earl may just take a few chances (or a more suitable game-plan) to settle in as an England player.

OHC does seem big and fast, but like you Puja I'm not quite sure he's got the general skill/awareness to be an asset when not gifted the time and space to run.

[Stom]

From what I've seen so far, which is a little limited, I'd have:

Mitchell
MSmith
Murley
Tuilagi
Freeman
?
Steward

Quirke?, Ford, Lawrence

Honestly struggling a little with the wings. I see Joseph has been picked a few times. I just don't feel he's international ready. He's a fine player, but he's a massive step down from Marchant. Coka is showing some form, could he come back in? Too early to tell, imo.

[Mikey Brown]

Agreed on Joseph. He’s looking way ahead of where I expected as a starting 13 at prem/European level, but no need to rush him in at all.

I guess the question is whether you shuffle Freeman back to the wing or try and ride the momentum he has playing centre. With Lawrence and Slade playing well it does make some sense, for England at least.

[FKAS]

Mitchell, Smith (M), Hassell-Collins, Lawrence, Freeman, Murley, Steward.

Quirke, Ford, Hendy.

That's the best so far.

I am still unconvinced by Hassell-Collins. I don't see whatever it is about him that gets other people so excited - he doesn't seem outstandingly big or powerful or elusive or good at reading the game.

Plus my usual complaint that Lawrence's attacking skills are wasted in the congestion at 12 and his handling and ball retention skills are not up to par if you just want a big man going bosh. 13 or nothing! Frankly, I'd rather keep Tuilagi at 12 if we're going to want the latter.

Puja

Generally agree with that. I'd argue a bit about OHC being elusive, one on one he beats the man time and time again. The problem is you need to generate those one on one opportunities for him to be effective and that doesn't fly at international level. He needs to start looking for work and causing a bigger headache for sides than hugging the touchline and hoping for an opportunity.

[fivepointer]

OHC used to come off his wing a lot for LI.

Another wing to consider is Radwan. Playing at Newcastle doesnt help him but he can trouble any defence with the pace he has.

[Mikey Brown]

Radwan is another who dared to score 5 tries against a lesser opposition and suffered the consequences. He should have focused on showing off his defensive/breakdown prowess.