EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[twitchy]

Rob Baxter is not impressed.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/ ... ddie-jones

[Puja]

Never mind wing, Banahan has been loking quite useful at 12 for Bath. If Jones really wants a big unit/bosher in the IC slot he could do worse. Banahan is bigger than anyone else, he actually has a bit of pace, and pretty good hands too. But it won't happen.

Nor should it happen either - he's not a 12, he's a winger who can now do a job there. Besides, the IC with the best form in the league is available and in the EPS already, and also possessing of bulk - Te'o

I'm assuming you're joking. He's had 2 games!

Puja

[Bloggs]

Sinckler at 12...?

[Scrumhead]

Nowell latest to be reported to be injured after the training camp

That sounds like he's really going to be pushing it to make the AIs, which leaves us with Roko and Yarde as our only fit EPS wingers. Thankfully, both of them appear to be in pretty good form at the moment and having a bit of size on each wing will give a bit of comfort if Eddie's worried about Slade/Joseph not bringing enough bosh.

However, surely this brings up who the next taxi off the rank is. Wade's got to be close. If May's promise of a mid-October return is accurate, then he could be back in contention. On form, you'd have to say Addison and Banahan are looking useful.

Puja

Given that Wade is in good form, has been in and around the England camp before and was on the Saxons tour, he is the logical choice. Personally I'd pick him over Yarde to start, but I can't see that happening. Wade's strengths and weaknesses are well known, but in the circumstances, he's surely the 'next taxi off the rank' as an injury call-up ...

I wouldn't be heartbroken to see Addison either, but I can easily see Eddie going in a different direction and looking at Daly or JJ to cover the wing

[Scrumhead]

Also - let's not forget SA are currently playing Hougaard as one of their wingers ... Good player, but not really a winger.

[Which Tyler]

I'm assuming you're joking. He's had 2 games!

I wish I were. He's played well in 2 games at IC, whilst Faz and Manu are unavailable, Slade is still not playing IC* and Devo is outside the EPS

* I haven't seen yesterday's match, but even last week he wore 12 and played OC

[twitchy]

Sinckler at 12...?

I'm down. He is a fun player to watch that is for sure.

[Which Tyler]

After his side-step, KPN?

[Mellsblue]

After his side-step, KPN?

If it's between him and Burrell then yes.

[Beasties]

After his side-step, KPN?

If it's between him and Burrell then yes.

Speaking of whom, did anyone see Burrell's wise old head pinpoint kick to touch yest? I was so shocked I spat my tea out.

[Puja]

I'm assuming you're joking. He's had 2 games!

I wish I were. He's played well in 2 games at IC, whilst Faz and Manu are unavailable, Slade is still not playing IC* and Devo is outside the EPS

* I haven't seen yesterday's match, but even last week he wore 12 and played OC

He's played okay in two games, nothing special. Whereas Slade has actually played 12 a few times this season and is looking excellent there.

Puja

[Puja]

After his side-step, KPN?

If it's between him and Burrell then yes.

Speaking of whom, did anyone see Burrell's wise old head pinpoint kick to touch yest? I was so shocked I spat my tea out.

I saw him shit the bed in defence for the first Quins try. Does that count?

Puja

[Mellsblue]

If it's between him and Burrell then yes.

Speaking of whom, did anyone see Burrell's wise old head pinpoint kick to touch yest? I was so shocked I spat my tea out.

I saw him shit the bed in defence for the first Quins try. Does that count?

Puja

Yes, as does knocking-on a regulation catch from a good pass when taking a crash ball.

[Which Tyler]

He's played okay in two games, nothing special. Whereas Slade has actually played 12 a few times this season and is looking excellent there.

I've seen him wearing 12, but not playing IC yet

[Mellsblue]

Mike Williams out now after suffering nerve damage in his arm warming up for Tigers on Saturday.

Jones is to complain about the brutal nature of Leicester's pre-match routine.

[Mellsblue]

Eddie Jones on.....

B Rolipola: "Getting better all the time".

G Ford: "I've never seen a more talented Flyhalf. He can see space, some of the things he did in training were quite remarkable."

[Mikey Brown]

He's played okay in two games, nothing special. Whereas Slade has actually played 12 a few times this season and is looking excellent there.

I've seen him wearing 12, but not playing IC yet

Seems odd to be so black and white about it given how much they switched around even when he wore 13. I've seen him at second receiver a lot, I don't know what your definition is. Is it defending from plays in the 12 channel that we're so worried about?

[Timbo]

Don't care about Hartley's injured back, it'll be a travesty if George doesn't start the South Africa game. Regardless of test experience the bloke is genuinely the best hooker in the northern hemisphere.

[Peej]

Sam Jones is out for 5 months, unfortunately

[Which Tyler]

Seems odd to be so black and white about it given how much they switched around even when he wore 13. I've seen him at second receiver a lot, I don't know what your definition is. Is it defending from plays in the 12 channel that we're so worried about?

I'm not really, I like Slade and think he's got great potential. I don't think he's been playing well this season, or much ever at IC, even though I think it'd be his best position.
TBH I'm probably still reacting a little against his Messiah status without earning it.

Out of interest, my back line for the AIs would be Ford, Wade, Teo, JJ, Roko & Brown, with Slade and Daly the bench

[Mikey Brown]

I don't even know who two of those guys are.

[Beasties]

I don't even know who two of those guys are.

He dropped the T out of JTH?

[Beasties]

Being a Wasps fan and notwithstanding the Wade love in on the Wasps board, I'd take Roko every day of the week over Wade at international level. Yest's game showed exactly what the problem is with picking Wade. As the standard of rugby goes up he becomes increasingly marginalised as a player. The suffocating nature of the top defences in the world make it impossible for him to gain a foothold in a game at the top level and if he isn't able to run riot then why pick him?

[fivepointer]

Being a Wasps fan and notwithstanding the Wade love in on the Wasps board, I'd take Roko every day of the week over Wade at international level. Yest's game showed exactly what the problem is with picking Wade. As the standard of rugby goes up he becomes increasingly marginalised as a player. The suffocating nature of the top defences in the world make it impossible for him to gain a foothold in a game at the top level and if he isn't able to run riot then why pick him?

That's exactly where I am on Wade. If he was a really sharp footballer, a la Shane Williams, it might help his cause but his size is always going to be a handicap.

The form of the Saracens EPS players will have pleased EJ no end.

Ford and JJ had good games on Friday as did Robshaw on Saturday.

[Digby]

Being a Wasps fan and notwithstanding the Wade love in on the Wasps board, I'd take Roko every day of the week over Wade at international level. Yest's game showed exactly what the problem is with picking Wade. As the standard of rugby goes up he becomes increasingly marginalised as a player. The suffocating nature of the top defences in the world make it impossible for him to gain a foothold in a game at the top level and if he isn't able to run riot then why pick him?

That's exactly where I am on Wade. If he was a really sharp footballer, a la Shane Williams, it might help his cause but his size is always going to be a handicap.

The form of the Saracens EPS players will have pleased EJ no end.

Ford and JJ had good games on Friday as did Robshaw on Saturday.

Of course Williams did have the 10 or so caps that so many need at test level before they start to find their feet. And it's going to be impossible to call with Wade unless someone has the balls to give him not just a game but quite a few games. He may shine at test level, it may overwhelm him, but the basic athletic talent to scare the hell out of defences is there without question.