EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Scrumhead]

First start - he had half an hour or so against Quins in the LV Cup last week

[Mellsblue]

Interestingly in The Times today both the Chief Rugby Correspondent and Ben Kay say that Jones sees Daly as a potential fullback.

Ben Kay also states Roko struggled against Savea which isn't how I remember it.

[Beasties]

Ben Kay also states Roko struggled against Savea which isn't how I remember it.

Well that's just flat out bollox.

[fivepointer]

I thought Roko had a perfectly decent game and was surprised he was so quickly discarded. I dont recall him really struggling.

[Digby]

Ben Kay also states Roko struggled against Savea which isn't how I remember it.

Well that's just flat out bollox.

Roko did utterly fail to defend the 3 on 1 overlap that sent McCaw over.

[Scrumhead]

Interestingly in The Times today both the Chief Rugby Correspondent and Ben Kay say that Jones sees Daly as a potential fullback.

Ben Kay also states Roko struggled against Savea which isn't how I remember it.

A long term replacement for Brown has to be up there on Eddie's priority list and, in theory at least, Daly has all the tools to play at 15 (as well as a little bit of experience having played there for Wasps on occasion).

However, with Wasps signing Le Roux and Beale along with Miller as another more than capable, specialist 15, I don't see him playing there at club level, so it would be a huge ask to expect him to become a test-class 15 without the practice.

I was interested to hear about Slade running at 15 in training. The poor guy's versatility (and injury) haven't helped him to nail down a position, but 15 could be an interesting experiment. Personally, I'd rather see him at 12, but I think he could be an effective 15 and with Exeter being over-stocked in the centres, he'd probably have a good chance of nailing down a regular starting berth if he could crack it. TBH I don't know how good he is under a high ball and he doesn't have out and out gas, but I could see him as a playmaking 15 with the boot to play a territorial game - like a more defensively solid version of Goode.

[TheNomad]

Interestingly in The Times today both the Chief Rugby Correspondent and Ben Kay say that Jones sees Daly as a potential fullback.

Ben Kay also states Roko struggled against Savea which isn't how I remember it.

A long term replacement for Brown has to be up there on Eddie's priority list and, in theory at least, Daly has all the tools to play at 15 (as well as a little bit of experience having played there for Wasps on occasion).

However, with Wasps signing Le Roux and Beale along with Miller as another more than capable, specialist 15, I don't see him playing there at club level, so it would be a huge ask to expect him to become a test-class 15 without the practice.

I was interested to hear about Slade running at 15 in training. The poor guy's versatility (and injury) haven't helped him to nail down a position, but 15 could be an interesting experiment. Personally, I'd rather see him at 12, but I think he could be an effective 15 and with Exeter being over-stocked in the centres, he'd probably have a good chance of nailing down a regular starting berth if he could crack it. TBH I don't know how good he is under a high ball and he doesn't have out and out gas, but I could see him as a playmaking 15 with the boot to play a territorial game - like a more defensively solid version of Goode.

Yup - he has all the talent required for it, but if he doesn't play there at club level it'll be some stretch for it to work properly at test level, as you say.

However, I think his 'roaming' style could work very well on the wing, and alongside Watson as a specialist 15 (assuming he plays there!) then I think it could work very well. He's such a talent I'd just want him on the pitch.

[bitts]

Interestingly in The Times today both the Chief Rugby Correspondent and Ben Kay say that Jones sees Daly as a potential fullback.

Ben Kay also states Roko struggled against Savea which isn't how I remember it.

A long term replacement for Brown has to be up there on Eddie's priority list and, in theory at least, Daly has all the tools to play at 15 (as well as a little bit of experience having played there for Wasps on occasion).

However, with Wasps signing Le Roux and Beale along with Miller as another more than capable, specialist 15, I don't see him playing there at club level, so it would be a huge ask to expect him to become a test-class 15 without the practice.

I was interested to hear about Slade running at 15 in training. The poor guy's versatility (and injury) haven't helped him to nail down a position, but 15 could be an interesting experiment. Personally, I'd rather see him at 12, but I think he could be an effective 15 and with Exeter being over-stocked in the centres, he'd probably have a good chance of nailing down a regular starting berth if he could crack it. TBH I don't know how good he is under a high ball and he doesn't have out and out gas, but I could see him as a playmaking 15 with the boot to play a territorial game - like a more defensively solid version of Goode.

Yup - he has all the talent required for it, but if he doesn't play there at club level it'll be some stretch for it to work properly at test level, as you say.

However, I think his 'roaming' style could work very well on the wing, and alongside Watson as a specialist 15 (assuming he plays there!) then I think it could work very well. He's such a talent I'd just want him on the pitch.

I've generally been dubious of playing people out of position. It all sounds great in theory but often leads to neither helping the team or the player.

That said, I could see Daly being useful on the wing. Or at least better than Nowell. Although I'd rather see Wade start, just to see if he can hack it. Slade for me is a 12/10 in the Giteu mould.

[Which Tyler]

This season, Premiership only (adding international matches is a pain, so I'll do that after the AIs are done)

EPS Stats - 2016-17.png

And, just for Bath (If anyone wants to do their club, Im happy to email the excel worksheet, and let them do the work)

Bath.png

Oh yeah, and last season's again - it hasn't changed, but I think I deleted it by accident:

EPS Stats - 2015-16.png

[Stom]

I have to say, 3 things again stand out:

1) George is just much better than Hartley
2) The Wasps front row are superb defensively, perhaps we can add JCW to the list, Which?
3) Joseph is just consistently excellent, isn't he?

I'd also add: Marler is playing shunt, no? Genge looks like he can develop really well. Spencer should probably be England's 9, looking at those stats and his average performances. Maybe if he kicks more often Farrell's selection will be made PURELY on his performance on the pitch, not the tee.

[TheNomad]

I'd say Robson should be our #9

[Mikey Brown]

I'd say Robson should be our #9

I think he's going to have to wait for an injury I'm afraid. Who knows whether that will come before Ben Spencer takes his place anyway.

[fivepointer]

Itoje back for Saracens tomorrow.

[Puja]

Itoje back for Saracens tomorrow.

Good news, although I think his hand injury's been a blessing in disguise. It's given him a chance to rest and recuperate, which I suspect will be in short supply for him in the next year or two.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Itoje back for Saracens tomorrow.

Good news, although I think his hand injury's been a blessing in disguise. It's given him a chance to rest and recuperate, which I suspect will be in short supply for him in the next year or two.

Puja

Nope, bad news, really, really bad news. He should be given one more week - just to make sure he's good to go.

[Timbo]

Kvesic not injured and out of Gloucester's 23 all together.

[Gloskarlos]

Preparing for time without him. Been doing so for a while

[Digby]

Preparing for time without him. Been doing so for a while

They need to win some more games, else the players would rather win a bit more and hang next season. Also players move, it's not like Glaws don't sign payers from other clubs and moving to ignore a talented player doesn't really impress anyone.

[Gloskarlos]

Bleeding obvious accepted. Need to win more games, if only it were that easy. Accept the coaching is questionable currently but it's not like they aren't trying!

Pretty sure it's not intended to impress a single person. Jacob Rowan has been playing well, kvesic has been injured, add those into the mix of planning for a kvesic-less next season and to me it's understandable. Impressed or not.

[Digby]

If they're not winning games and not picking Kev I think they will have more issues than simply not winning games.

[fivepointer]

Robson in great form for Wasps yesterday. Likewise Taylor.

[Oakboy]

Robson in great form for Wasps yesterday. Likewise Taylor.

I wonder if Robson will even get a look-in with England at jamboree time.

[Scrumhead]

Robson in great form for Wasps yesterday. Likewise Taylor.

I wonder if Robson will even get a look-in with England at jamboree time.

If Youngs can maintain his current form I would imagine he's one of our most likely Lions tourists.

In theory that means Care would be elevated to the starting Scrum Half for the Argentina tour, so Robson has a very good chance of making the bench and taking Care's current role as the 'finisher'.

Personally I'd rather see Robson start with either Simpson or Spencer as the finisher. IMO, there's nothing we will learn from starting Care that we don't already know.

[Scrumhead]

Also if George goes with the Lions too, Taylor has a great chance of starting.

IIRC, I don't think George has started a game for England yet? If he ends up in the Lions squad, Taylor or LCD will quite likely end the season having made more starts for England than he has!

[TheNomad]

Potential Arg tour side looks very interesting. I realise:
- some of these could tour
- others (e.g. Ford) could end up not touring and therefore be available
- I've left out players (e.g. Wood) who could play, but I've done so as I'd rather others got a shot

Genge
George
Sinkler
Lawes/Beaumont
Launch/Ewels
Jones
Harrison/Williams/Evans/Underhill
Hughes/Clifford

Robson
Lozowski

Daly - think he could have a long term future as a back three for the full side
Mallinder/Te'o/Many/Slade
Marchant
Roko/Nowell
Haley

I've left loads out (this post could have gone in the 'potentials' thread) but some talented players there