EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[fivepointer]

So we're going with 2 heavyweight international calibre locks, plus a promising youngster and a player used at 8 by his club. Bit risky perhaps?

Dont think we've had any more injuries today.

The Bath contingent were all fine today and Slade very good for Exeter. Te'o played well for Wuss apparently. He certainly took his try well and set up the other Wuss score.

[Oakboy]

I wonder if Eddie is tempted by Spencer/Farrell at 9/10?

Slade is too good not to get a chance at some point. Does anybody else offer the same passing/tackling capacity?

[Timbo]

Big Joe Launchbury won MotM today. He was quality against Toulouse too.

[p/d]

Little Dave Lewis put in a memorable performance today

[Mellsblue]

Little Dave Lewis put in a memorable performance today

Didn't he just. He and the ref must be drowning there sorrows together in the bath, trumping each other with their tales of inadequacy.

"Did you see that time I kicked the ball straight out when we had a three on one in the outside channel," said Dave. "That's nothing" replied the shortly to be redundant referee, "I completely forgot there is no offside when a kick is touched in flight and started manically shouting about a ten metre rule from where the magic rugby fairies alighted. To make matters worse some primary school kid in the crowd had to correct me; though, in retrospect, it might have been that pre-pubescent linesman." At this Dave started crying. "I threw a 15 metres pass directly backwards to absolutely no one when we were odds on to score a try. If the ball had alighted within 10 metres of one of my team it would've been my best pass of the match." The shortly to be redundant referee took Dave in his arms and muttered, "Those f**king rugby fairies have a lot to answer for."

[Peat]

I wonder if Eddie is tempted by Spencer/Farrell at 9/10?

Slade is too good not to get a chance at some point. Does anybody else offer the same passing/tackling capacity?

If he plays anyone other than Ford at 10 he should be sacked. So I hope not.

[Puja]

Little Dave Lewis put in a memorable performance today

On the flip side, his replacement was very good, again. I think Maunder may be an outside bet to skip the JWC and instead go on tour to Argentina as one of Eddie's young talents to develop. I have yet to see a pass from him where he stops the receiver or forces the reciever to reach up or down. 100% into the waiting hands, just in front of him. Plus he is there at every ruck, without any delay.

I haven't seen anything of his running game yet, but even if he's utterly inapable of anything but delivering that quality of service for the rest of his career, I'd have him above every s/h in the country.

Puja

[Oakboy]

Little Dave Lewis put in a memorable performance today

On the flip side, his replacement was very good, again. I think Maunder may be an outside bet to skip the JWC and instead go on tour to Argentina as one of Eddie's young talents to develop. I have yet to see a pass from him where he stops the receiver or forces the reciever to reach up or down. 100% into the waiting hands, just in front of him. Plus he is there at every ruck, without any delay.

I haven't seen anything of his running game yet, but even if he's utterly inapable of anything but delivering that quality of service for the rest of his career, I'd have him above every s/h in the country.

Puja

Yes, a SH who passes quickly and accurately! The concept takes a bit of getting used to.

[Mikey Brown]

Little Dave Lewis put in a memorable performance today

On the flip side, his replacement was very good, again. I think Maunder may be an outside bet to skip the JWC and instead go on tour to Argentina as one of Eddie's young talents to develop. I have yet to see a pass from him where he stops the receiver or forces the reciever to reach up or down. 100% into the waiting hands, just in front of him. Plus he is there at every ruck, without any delay.

I haven't seen anything of his running game yet, but even if he's utterly inapable of anything but delivering that quality of service for the rest of his career, I'd have him above every s/h in the country.

Puja

Better get him in before he learns otherwise.

I watched a video of yesterday that popped up of the tries in that win against the ABs a few years ago, it really stood out how (comparatively) good Youngs' passing was, his drawing the first defender thing was actually useful when he was able to move the ball too.

What is it that happens to scrumhalves to drill this out of them? Is it laziness? Complacency? England? Playing in the Aviva?

[Peat]

Revisionism. Youngs was always guilty of poor passing by SH standards - last Englishman to deliver so many bouncing bombs was in the Dambusters - and he's improved since then truth told. Just because he's a poor passer for an international SH doesn't mean he's incapable of passing well at all, amusing as it is to pretend otherwise.

[Mikey Brown]

Either you didn't understand my post at all or I didn't understand yours.

I wasnt suggesting he was Aaron Smith at any point.

[Timbo]

I find Youngs always looks loads better on second viewing. Rewatching the 3 tests against Oz for example he was, imo, one of our best players. I think he usually gives 2-3 atrocious passes a game which really stick in the memory when you're caught up watching the game in real time, which colours opinion on his performances.

[Peat]

Either you didn't understand my post at all or I didn't understand yours.

I wasnt suggesting he was Aaron Smith at any point.

If you think Youngs' passing was better than it is now, that is (imo) revisionism.

[Mikey Brown]

I was literally talking about a 15 minute period in one game where his passes went to hand, and we were, shockingly, actually effective. I still dont know how it's possible that the quality of his passing gets dismissed, but it was quite striking how it actually went near the intended receivers in this clip.

I'd say recently it's been more like 2-3 acceptable passes in a game than 2-3 duds.

[Mikey Brown]

I don't know how relevant this really is but I thought it may interest some who haven't seen it re: Farrell.

[jngf]

On the subject of the back five, will Robshaw be one of our 3 key jumpers (along with Launchberry and Lawes/or Atwood/or Ewels) - or will Eddie introduce Wood or Hughes into the mix?

[Mellsblue]

I don't know how relevant this really is but I thought it may interest some who haven't seen it re: Farrell.

And there was me thinking Farrell was one of the few names you couldn't stick a 'Y' on the end of. Then again, if you're used to being called Paulie Farrellsy probably seems more than acceptable.

[Puja]

On the subject of the back five, will Robshaw be one of our 3 key jumpers (along with Launchberry and Lawes/or Atwood/or Ewels) - or will Eddie introduce Wood or Hughes into the mix?

That's a very pertinent question, especially against this Springbok lineout and with the risk of Lawes not making it. Robshaw's a perfectly serviceable jumper, but Launch/Attwood/Robshaw seems very risky. Eddie's already said that he doesn't want to pick a debutant against SA (for what Eddie's public proclamations are worth), so it'd have to be Wood to offer another jumping option. Personally, I'd put Ellis on the flank alongside Robshaw.

Alternatively, we could just rely on Borthwick's nous to go around the Bok towers, like Japan did, but that is a hell of a risk.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Tom Wood is back on form. Day 2 in camp and he's done his first interview.

[Puja]

Tom Wood is back on form. Day 2 in camp and he's done his first interview.

It's what Eddie wants in a 7. A very simple, stripped down role - you just make sure you hit the first camera, make sure you're there first, every time.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

I can't keep track. Is Lawes officially out and has a replacement been named? I think Kitchener could be a good call. I thought we were done with compromising our back row to cover failings in other selections.

[Digby]

indeed, our back row are quite capable of compromising themselves without anyone else wading in.

[Mellsblue]

I can't keep track. Is Lawes officially out and has a replacement been named? I think Kitchener could be a good call. I thought we were done with compromising our back row to cover failings in other selections.

They're hopeful that Lawes will be fit so no replacement.

[Puja]

I can't keep track. Is Lawes officially out and has a replacement been named? I think Kitchener could be a good call. I thought we were done with compromising our back row to cover failings in other selections.

They're hopeful that Lawes will be fit so no replacement.

Actually, they're hopeful that Lawes will be fit *and* they've called up a replacement. Josh Beaumont's gone to Portugal with them.

Puja

[Timbo]

I don't know how relevant this really is but I thought it may interest some who haven't seen it re: Farrell.

And there was me thinking Farrell was one of the few names you couldn't stick a 'Y' on the end of. Then again, if you're used to being called Paulie Farrellsy probably seems more than acceptable.

Think it's Philsy, as in Mike Phillips.