EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Which Tyler]

Mallinder needs to grow some guts in the tackle before I'd consider him

[Puja]

Mallinder needs to grow some guts in the tackle before I'd consider him

QFT. And in the ruck as well. Shame, cause he's got all the talent.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Forgive the massive post, but here's one I posted earlier (on Planet Rugby) re. the Argentina tour.

Assuming that we do have a strong representation on the Lions tour, I'd like to see a squad looking something like this:

1. Marler / Genge
2. George (c) / Taylor (Cowan-Dickie if George tour with the Lions)
3. Sinckler / Hill
4. Lawes / Ewels
5. Kruis / Attwood
6. Wood / Jones
7. Clifford / Evans
8. Hughes / Fearns
9. Robson / Spencer
10. Burns / Lozowski (I don't see Cipriani making it)
11. Nowell / Addison
12. Slade / Te'o (Tuilagi if miraculously fit)
13. Daly / Marchant
14. Yarde / Rokoduguni
15. Brown / Haley

The locks have the most potential to change, but I'd say the tight five picks itself. Regardless of whether Cole tours with the Lions, I'd like to see Sinckler start with Hill off the bench. If George isn't with the Lions, he'd be my skipper for the tour. If not, Cowan-Dickie comes in.

Similarly, I've left Haskell and Robshaw out as even if they don't make the Lions tour, I think they need a rest and Eddie needs to look at some serious alternatives.

Unless a more classic 7 emerges, I've gone for Clifford, with Evans (subject to him getting a few more games under his belt with Leicester) as the wildcard option. At 6, Wood has played himself in to contention and his experience would help us to be more experimental elsewhere in the back row. I never thought I'd say this, but I'd also have him as a contender for captaining the tour ). Injury permitting, I'd prefer Sam Jones over Mike Williams as the other 6.

At 8, Hughes probably played well enough to put himself in to contention for the 6N, so I'm going on the working assumption that he'll be the starting 8. I was tempted to pick Morgan, but I think the past few weeks suggest that he's not a likely choice. I've gone with Fearns (he'll be eligible due to his move to Gloucester) as I think Eddie will like his abrasiveness and he can cover across the back row.

With Youngs likely to be away with the Lions, I think it's an ideal opportunity to blood Robson and Spencer. We're not going to learn anything we don't already know about Care and it's time for Robson or Spencer to be pushing to be the reserve 9.

10 is a tricky one. Cipriani has shown the best and the worst of his game this season and I just can't see Eddie ever fully trusting him, so I'd go for Burns (based upon current form) with Lozowski on the bench.

In the centres it's a great opportunity to see what a partnership of Slade and Daly could do. I'd love to see Manu back, but I'm always sceptical about him returning from injuries, so I'd bring in Te'o - with either of them challenging Slade for the 12 jersey. Marchant (or Tompkins) would be my wildcard centre.

I'd say the back three more or less picks itself. I think both May and Watson will go with the Lions so it's a simple case of Nowell and Yarde starting with Roko as the third choice. After that it's tricky on the wings, but I'd go with Addison. It's also great opportunity to blood Haley at 15, although I imagine Brown would still be there.

Other wildcards for me would be one of the other uncapped locks like Symons, one of Curry brothers (possibly in place of Evans) and possibly Eastmond as a utility back.

[jngf]

Forgive the massive post, but here's one I posted earlier (on Planet Rugby) re. the Argentina tour.

Assuming that we do have a strong representation on the Lions tour, I'd like to see a squad looking something like this:

1. Marler / Genge
2. George (c) / Taylor (Cowan-Dickie if George tour with the Lions)
3. Sinckler / Hill
4. Lawes / Ewels
5. Kruis / Attwood
6. Wood / Jones
7. Clifford / Evans
8. Hughes / Fearns
9. Robson / Spencer
10. Burns / Lozowski (I don't see Cipriani making it)
11. Nowell / Addison
12. Slade / Te'o (Tuilagi if miraculously fit)
13. Daly / Marchant
14. Yarde / Rokoduguni
15. Brown / Haley

The locks have the most potential to change, but I'd say the tight five picks itself. Regardless of whether Cole tours with the Lions, I'd like to see Sinckler start with Hill off the bench. If George isn't with the Lions, he'd be my skipper for the tour. If not, Cowan-Dickie comes in.

Similarly, I've left Haskell and Robshaw out as even if they don't make the Lions tour, I think they need a rest and Eddie needs to look at some serious alternatives.

Unless a more classic 7 emerges, I've gone for Clifford, with Evans (subject to him getting a few more games under his belt with Leicester) as the wildcard option. At 6, Wood has played himself in to contention and his experience would help us to be more experimental elsewhere in the back row. I never thought I'd say this, but I'd also have him as a contender for captaining the tour ). Injury permitting, I'd prefer Sam Jones over Mike Williams as the other 6.

At 8, Hughes probably played well enough to put himself in to contention for the 6N, so I'm going on the working assumption that he'll be the starting 8. I was tempted to pick Morgan, but I think the past few weeks suggest that he's not a likely choice. I've gone with Fearns (he'll be eligible due to his move to Gloucester) as I think Eddie will like his abrasiveness and he can cover across the back row.

With Youngs likely to be away with the Lions, I think it's an ideal opportunity to blood Robson and Spencer. We're not going to learn anything we don't already know about Care and it's time for Robson or Spencer to be pushing to be the reserve 9.

10 is a tricky one. Cipriani has shown the best and the worst of his game this season and I just can't see Eddie ever fully trusting him, so I'd go for Burns (based upon current form) with Lozowski on the bench.

In the centres it's a great opportunity to see what a partnership of Slade and Daly could do. I'd love to see Manu back, but I'm always sceptical about him returning from injuries, so I'd bring in Te'o - with either of them challenging Slade for the 12 jersey. Marchant (or Tompkins) would be my wildcard centre.

I'd say the back three more or less picks itself. I think both May and Watson will go with the Lions so it's a simple case of Nowell and Yarde starting with Roko as the third choice. After that it's tricky on the wings, but I'd go with Addison. It's also great opportunity to blood Haley at 15, although I imagine Brown would still be there.

Other wildcards for me would be one of the other uncapped locks like Symons, one of Curry brothers (possibly in place of Evans) and possibly Eastmond as a utility back.

Interesting selections. Think I'd prefer Clifford at 6 and 2 from Wood, Harrison and Evans at 7 (unless Eddy was prepared to give Kvesic an opportunity). Feel Wood offers much more as an openside than a blindside tbh and Clifford's carrying might come in handy at 6 (playing 6 in a similar way to how Moody and Croft did).

[Scrumhead]

I'm purely going off the back of Eddie's previous comments/selections re. Clifford - i.e. He has said he sees him as a 7 who is likely to drop back to 8 longer term.

If Wood and Clifford played together, I'd be fairly ambivalent over who wore what shirt. I think they'd both be doing bits you could say are more of a 6 or a 7s role.

My rationale in picking that side was to mix a solid, experienced core with the likes of Marler, Lawes, Kruis, Wood and Brown allowing for some more experimental selections elsewhere.

With the exception of Addison, Burns and Fearns, every player I selected has been in an Eddie Jones EPS so I don't think there were many wild selections in there.

I left Harrison out on purpose as I'd much rather see Jones or Williams.

[Which Tyler]

I'm purely going off the back of Eddie's previous comments/selections re. Clifford - i.e. He has said he sees him as a 7 who is likely to drop back to 8 longer term.

A bit like anything said before the word "but"; anything said after the word's "according to Eddie" can be safely ignored.

[Scrumhead]

6, 7, 8 - I still prefer Clifford to Harrison!

[Which Tyler]

This season - Premiership and International appearances both counted, but not Low Value or Euro Cups

EPS 2016-17.png

Bath.png

[bitts]

This season - Premiership and International appearances both counted, but not Low Value or Euro Cups
EPS 2016-17.png

Bath.png

Few points:
1. Thanks again for posting. Love going through this.
2. Are Faz's poor stats just due to playing few games, the majority International? I can't remember how many hes played for Sarries this season? I would put it down to him being a center but so have Slade and Mallnder.
3. JJ is quality.
4.Roko is so unlucky.

[Which Tyler]

1. No prob.s
2. Yes; it's only Prem and international, so that's 1 AP match, and 4 internationals IIRC; so more fair to compare his stats vs other ICs, and then make allowances for tougher opposition.
3. Yes
4. Yes

[Puja]

This season - Premiership and International appearances both counted, but not Low Value or Euro Cups
EPS 2016-17.png

Bath.png

Few points:
1. Thanks again for posting. Love going through this.
2. Are Faz's poor stats just due to playing few games, the majority International? I can't remember how many hes played for Sarries this season? I would put it down to him being a center but so have Slade and Mallnder.
3. JJ is quality.
4.Roko is so unlucky.

I think Faz has literally only played 3 games for Sarries this year. He only came back very shortly before the AIs.

I just don't get the non-selection of Roko. I spent Saturday watching Yarde embarrass himself in defence against Australia while offering precious little in attack, and then on Sunday got the Bath vs Sarries game to play on the website and saw Roko tackling everything that came his way and walking through the Saracens defence at will. I can understand the thinking that Roko's got areas to work on and that he's not the finished article, but I don't know how Yarde keeps getting selected considering his far more blatant flaws.

Puja

[fivepointer]

This season - Premiership and International appearances both counted, but not Low Value or Euro Cups
EPS 2016-17.png

Bath.png

Few points:
1. Thanks again for posting. Love going through this.
2. Are Faz's poor stats just due to playing few games, the majority International? I can't remember how many hes played for Sarries this season? I would put it down to him being a center but so have Slade and Mallnder.
3. JJ is quality.
4.Roko is so unlucky.

I think Faz has literally only played 3 games for Sarries this year. He only came back very shortly before the AIs.

I just don't get the non-selection of Roko. I spent Saturday watching Yarde embarrass himself in defence against Australia while offering precious little in attack, and then on Sunday got the Bath vs Sarries game to play on the website and saw Roko tackling everything that came his way and walking through the Saracens defence at will. I can understand the thinking that Roko's got areas to work on and that he's not the finished article, but I don't know how Yarde keeps getting selected considering his far more blatant flaws.

Puja

Beats me too.

Roko looks far more threatening with the ball and defensively doesnt appear to be any worse than Yarde.

I dont get it. I do feel he's been hard done by. Played 2 games, acquitted himself perfectly well, then dropped. Selection can sometimes be unjust, but Roko does seem to have been harshly treated by England.

[I R Geech]

Truly bizarre. It's not as if he's a twunt with an attitude problem either (unless that is precisely what Eddie is looking for...)

[Oakboy]

Beats me too.

Roko looks far more threatening with the ball and defensively doesnt appear to be any worse than Yarde.

I dont get it. I do feel he's been hard done by. Played 2 games, acquitted himself perfectly well, then dropped. Selection can sometimes be unjust, but Roko does seem to have been harshly treated by England.

I can only think that Eddie sees neither as the real deal which would make choosing between the two a bit of a lottery - 'which can I get the most out of just for a game or two?' Maybe Yarde has slightly longer future prospects.

That's it. Can't explain it. Having said that, I'd be disappointed if we haven't got a list of better wingers available for the 6N. Does anybody still expect either to be selected ahead of May, Watson, Daly or Nowell?

[Mellsblue]

Truly bizarre. It's not as if he's a twunt with an attitude problem either (unless that is precisely what Eddie is looking for...)

That might be the problem. Maybe he's too nice. We all know Jones likes an attitude problem.

[Timbo]

Possibly he's too quiet, on and off the field? Eddie Jones is big on leaders and getting players to take responsibility for the direction of the team. My perception of Roko is that he's a nice, quiet bloke who just gets on with doing his own thing...but then his actual play is tough and pretty uncompromising, which I would have thought would be right up EJ's street...so who knows.

[Spiffy]

Beats me too.

Roko looks far more threatening with the ball and defensively doesnt appear to be any worse than Yarde.

I dont get it. I do feel he's been hard done by. Played 2 games, acquitted himself perfectly well, then dropped. Selection can sometimes be unjust, but Roko does seem to have been harshly treated by England.

I can only think that Eddie sees neither as the real deal which would make choosing between the two a bit of a lottery - 'which can I get the most out of just for a game or two?' Maybe Yarde has slightly longer future prospects.

That's it. Can't explain it. Having said that, I'd be disappointed if we haven't got a list of better wingers available for the 6N. Does anybody still expect either to be selected ahead of May, Watson, Daly or Nowell?

May, Watson and Daly have real pace are are potential game breakers. Nowell does not have their out-and-out gas but he is an abrasive pain in the ass for the opposition, looks for work and has a nose for the try line. England could probably select their most effective back three form these four, given that Watson/Daly/Nowell can all play FB. I'd like to see Jones experiment at FB. Watson could be the long term solution and Brown, who rarely uses the ball intelligently, should have a "rest". But Brown is a tough nut and Eddie likes him. Another FB who has impressed is Haley of Sale. I don't know how much he's on Jones' radar. His situation is a little like that of Pennell a few years ago - a very good player who may not get deserved recognition because he plays for a club that is perceived to be below the very top level.

[Mellsblue]

Beats me too.

Roko looks far more threatening with the ball and defensively doesnt appear to be any worse than Yarde.

I dont get it. I do feel he's been hard done by. Played 2 games, acquitted himself perfectly well, then dropped. Selection can sometimes be unjust, but Roko does seem to have been harshly treated by England.

I can only think that Eddie sees neither as the real deal which would make choosing between the two a bit of a lottery - 'which can I get the most out of just for a game or two?' Maybe Yarde has slightly longer future prospects.

That's it. Can't explain it. Having said that, I'd be disappointed if we haven't got a list of better wingers available for the 6N. Does anybody still expect either to be selected ahead of May, Watson, Daly or Nowell?

Another FB who has impressed is Haley of Sale. I don't know how much he's on Jones' radar. His situation is a little like that of Pennell a few years ago - a very good player who may not get deserved recognition because he plays for a club that is perceived to be below the very top level.

He's been in the training squads for the AIs.

[skidger]

James Haskell lives thankfully. The steroids rumours are a scandal. I mean does he really look like someone who is taking steroids or something ahead of the testing.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... rdose.html

[TheNomad]

Solomona signs for Sale - apparently he played Union when he was younger which is good.

He's a great build for full back but my hunch is he'll focus on the wing. In him and Charnley they have two really impressive raw talents, albeit they'll both need time. Odougwu too

[Which Tyler]

Solomona signs for Sale - apparently he played Union when he was younger which is good.

He's a great build for full back but my hunch is he'll focus on the wing. In him and Charnley they have two really impressive raw talents, albeit they'll both need time. Odougwu too

If he concentrates on wing, then he's an idiot. There's an opening at FB for both England, wing is far more congested. Someone like Solomona is switching for the chance of international rugby, and it'll take him a good few years to get ahead of Roko for England, let alone May, Watson, Nowell; whilst he could potentially make it as a FB for the summer tour to Arg.

[TheNomad]

Yup - he has time on his side, he's only 23 after all, but at Sale he has Haley at 15 to contend with.

He should learn both. Could be a good union player

[Puja]

Solomona signs for Sale - apparently he played Union when he was younger which is good.

He's a great build for full back but my hunch is he'll focus on the wing. In him and Charnley they have two really impressive raw talents, albeit they'll both need time. Odougwu too

He has previously turned down England RL, saying that he doesn't feel English and his "heart isn't here", going on to represent Samoa instead.

Now, we can argue till the cows come home about people like Hughes and whether they're English enough and what their motivations are, without ever knowing the truth about what they believe. But I think we can all agree that, if Solomona miraculously discovers his Englishness now that he's in a sport where it's lucrative, we can be certain that he's a money-grubbing mercenary that shouldn't wear the shirt.

Here's hoping he has the courage of his convictions and turns out in a Samoa shirt in union as well.

Puja

[Digby]

I'd not blame Solomona in the event he proves good enough and plays for England. The issue isn't with him.

Still not actually seen the lad play so no idea if he's going to challenge, or even have a hope to

[Mellsblue]

If he does wear an England shirt after saying that I'll be disgusted. Hopefully, it'll be the 'unbeaten in 2016' t-shirt he'll be made to wear. That'd learn 'im.