EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Mellsblue]

I hope so. His voice isn't strong enough to carry a solo career.

[Puja]

No way ChrissyR is hip hop. I imagine him as more the Phil Collins type.

Maybe more in the Andrew Sheridan mould?

Yeah, I've got no idea where ChrissyR came from. I blame sleep deprivation.

Puja

True. I have horrible images of a crooning ballad, with the video being of them sat in their beautiful farmhouse kitchen-dinner in matching Joules jumpers, ChrissyR carving the roast lamb that was loving prepared by MissyR and Haskell peering in through the window in a desperate attempt to get yet more publicity.

Yeah, "more publicity" is not the first thing that comes to mind when I read of Haskell peering in on a loving couple.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Maybe more in the Andrew Sheridan mould?

Yeah, I've got no idea where ChrissyR came from. I blame sleep deprivation.

Puja

True. I have horrible images of a crooning ballad, with the video being of them sat in their beautiful farmhouse kitchen-dinner in matching Joules jumpers, ChrissyR carving the roast lamb that was loving prepared by MissyR and Haskell peering in through the window in a desperate attempt to get yet more publicity.

Yeah, "more publicity" is not the first thing that comes to mind when I read of Haskell peering in on a loving couple.

Puja

Now that is a horrible image.

[Peat]

Maybe more in the Andrew Sheridan mould?

Yeah, I've got no idea where ChrissyR came from. I blame sleep deprivation.

Puja

True. I have horrible images of a crooning ballad, with the video being of them sat in their beautiful farmhouse kitchen-dinner in matching Joules jumpers, ChrissyR carving the roast lamb that was loving prepared by MissyR and Haskell peering in through the window in a desperate attempt to get yet more publicity.

Yeah, "more publicity" is not the first thing that comes to mind when I read of Haskell peering in on a loving couple.

Puja

Dunno, he got a decent amount of publicity from the first time...

[Which Tyler]

If any flanker is going to move into the music industry, it's Wood, surely. Lots and lots of interviews, glossy mag shoots etc

[Scrumhead]

If any flanker is going to move into the music industry, it's Wood, surely. Lots and lots of interviews, glossy mag shoots etc

He looks a bit more suited to rock than 'ChrissyR'

[jngf]

The backrow is a worry. We'll be missing two out of the three first choice, one of which is probably our best/most important player (B Rolipola), and the third is only just coming back from a long layoff.
If we're also missing Launchbury and Kruis, news on these two seems to change with the weather, then the pack really starts to look compromised.

Losing Robshaw is a big problem, his efficiency has enabled Eddy's experimental approach to picking 7's to work ... so far - Wood may offer a similar dog approach to that of Robshaw but I'd play him at 7 (as he's more of a linkman than carrier )with Itoje or Haskell at 6. would be even happier to see Harrison at 7 if that's permissible. Robshaw missing out on a Lions place this time would be a travesty and I hope he recovers well enough to get the benefit of the doubt like Croft did previously.

On the positive side I think Nathan Hughes has the power and athleticism to overtake Billy V as England's preferred no.8 and is slightly underrated at present.

[Scrumhead]

I agree with your re. Robshaw but not on Hughes.

Billy has demonstrated his ability to perform at a world class level and Hughes is a long way off showing that IMO.

In fairness to Hughes, I think he improved considerably over the AIs and I think he'll continue to get better as he gains test experience, so I'm expecting him to have a good 6N. However, I still think he'll be a good reserve for Billy rather than overtaking him.

[Renniks]

I agree with your re. Robshaw but not on Hughes.

Billy has demonstrated his ability to perform at a world class level and Hughes is a long way off showing that IMO.

In fairness to Hughes, I think he improved considerably over the AIs and I think he'll continue to get better as he gains test experience, so I'm expecting him to have a good 6N. However, I still think he'll be a good reserve for Billy rather than overtaking him.

Whilst I don't disagree.

I wonder if people thought Billy was going to overtake Morgan when he was playing second string to him?

Be good to see Billy having a decent challenge!

[Scrumhead]

Maybe. Injuries always open the door and Billy really took his chance.

Personally, I'd still prefer Morgan over Hughes, but I can understand why Eddie feels differently.

[Bloggs]

It may be a little flavour of the month, but I think England should bring Jason Woodward into the squad. He seems to have it all, the form player in the league

[Timbo]

Marler's only bloody gone and fractured his leg! Guess we bring Genge back in as injury replacement and start...Mullen against France? Or just throw Genge straight in...?

[Spiffy]

The backrow is a worry. We'll be missing two out of the three first choice, one of which is probably our best/most important player (B Rolipola), and the third is only just coming back from a long layoff.
If we're also missing Launchbury and Kruis, news on these two seems to change with the weather, then the pack really starts to look compromised.

Losing Robshaw is a big problem, his efficiency has enabled Eddy's experimental approach to picking 7's to work ... so far - Wood may offer a similar dog approach to that of Robshaw but I'd play him at 7 (as he's more of a linkman than carrier )with Itoje or Haskell at 6. would be even happier to see Harrison at 7 if that's permissible. Robshaw missing out on a Lions place this time would be a travesty and I hope he recovers well enough to get the benefit of the doubt like Croft did previously.

On the positive side I think Nathan Hughes has the power and athleticism to overtake Billy V as England's preferred no.8 and is slightly underrated at present.

If Robshaw does not get a chance to show his paces in the 6N, he may very well not travel on the Lions tour. There are some very good flankers around at present ; Stander, O'Mahony and Henderson at 6; O'Brien and van der Flier at 7 ( both can play 6 too), Tipuric (7), Warburton (7 or 6). Not to mention No.8, which will hotly contested by Vunipola, Heaslip, Faletau, Hughes. Scotland have a couple of good young back rowers who could play themelves into contention with strong performances. Here's hoping Gatland picks on form and not reputation or national bias.

[Beasties]

Marler's only bloody gone and fractured his leg! Guess we bring Genge back in as injury replacement and start...Mullen against France? Or just throw Genge straight in...?

Mullan's time has passed now surely? Decent enough player but against France in particular you need a scrummaging LH to avoid Cole getting embarrassed. Mullan has a lot of good qualities but he just isn't a fierce scrummager. I speak as a Wasps fan. Marler's fracture does seem quite untimely in view of Mako being out. Bugger.

[Mellsblue]

That is bad news. Not sure what Quins' medical team were up to failing to diagnose a fracture for over a week.

McCall confirms Itoje will play at 6 for the two Champions Cup games coming up...........

[TheNomad]

Here's hoping Gatland picks on form and not reputation or national bias.

I doubt I'm the only one not holding their breath...

[Scrumhead]

Here's hoping Gatland picks on form and not reputation or national bias.

I doubt I'm the only one not holding their breath...

Same here. Apparently Warburton, O'Brien etc don't need to be fit of in form to be selected.

Losing Marler is $hit news. I tend to agree with beasties re. Mullan but I can't see Eddie going with Genge or Catt given they have 2 caps between them ...

[Puja]

Marler's only bloody gone and fractured his leg! Guess we bring Genge back in as injury replacement and start...Mullen against France? Or just throw Genge straight in...?

Mullan's time has passed now surely? Decent enough player but against France in particular you need a scrummaging LH to avoid Cole getting embarrassed. Mullan has a lot of good qualities but he just isn't a fierce scrummager. I speak as a Wasps fan. Marler's fracture does seem quite untimely in view of Mako being out. Bugger.

He did a solid enough job against Aus in the summer though. I wouldn't be massively disappointed to see him there.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Mullan is next in line and should start. He's played well for England and I don't see him as being past it or not up to it.

Genge must come back into the squad, his form demands it.

Eddie probably wont but I'd pick Rapava-Ruskin as my 3rd LH.

[Scrumhead]

Catt's OK but I don't know how/why he would be ahead of Rapava-Ruskin who is a much better all round player.

[Which Tyler]

With Mako and Marler out; Mullen's the only experienced option left.
Genge is still too green to have on the bench for anyone other than Italy (or Scotland if they look like falling apart).
I think a few people under-rate Catt because of his injury problems; just when he's looked like earning a shot with England, or the starting club jersey ahead of a seasoned international, he took 2 years to recover from injury, and another 6 months to recover form and faith in his body. So they see a 28 year old who's struggling to be first choice at his club (struggled with injury, not earning first choice), and only gone on 1 England tour before being rejected (with a dislocated shoulder); and they wonder why he's in the frame now.

He's no physical freak like Genge or Vunipola; but he's an excellent LHP (as far as I can tell).
I've not really seen enough of Rapava-Ruskin to comment; but isn't he also a bit callow yet?

I'm not sure I'd want to throw any prop into international rugby without a good 1600 minutes (about 1 season) of elite rugby under their belts.
I don't really like throwing any player in at this level without having had a chance to suffer and overcome second season syndrome; Catt never sufferd it, Genge has yet to start his second season, and whilst Ruskin is in his 2nd, his team isn't good enough for oponents to really need to tinker game-plans around anyone. I'd also suggest that props, more than any other position, improve with experience.

[fivepointer]

Catt's a perfectly good player. But he has played far less rugby than R-R and Genge over the last couple of seasons.

We are not talking sure thing with any of these guys. None of them is proven so some element of risk cannot be avoided. Catt is the oldest but has played very little over the last few years but his high level experience is limited. Genge went on one tour but didn't play. R-R would be completely new to the international game.

I'd be happy with Catt, but place R-R and Genge above him.

Does a prop need more high level play than other positions? He certainly requires very careful management. If he's good enough though I don't see an issue with bringing one in.

[Beasties]

I've no worries about starting Mullan at all, I was really meaning that he'd not be the best choice for the France match in particular with specific regard to the scrums. It depends who France decide to go with in the front row as well. If Chocci starts then we're in for a long afternoon in the scrums. Whether he's likely to be picked I have no idea, I haven't seen much French rugby lately. I'm sure EJ will pick Mullan in the first instance.

Of the remaining options Ruskin would be the strongest scrummager, I doubt he'll be anywhere near getting gametime unless things get even worse in the LH dept.

[fivepointer]

Kruis wont play for Saracens before the 6N's. Hasn't played since Dec 24. Haskell not playing this weekend.

[Mellsblue]

Kruis wont play for Saracens before the 6N's. Hasn't played since Dec 24. Haskell not playing this weekend.

How long was he out before he came straight back in for the AI's? Jones seems to be happy to chuck him straight in. He'll have been able to keep up aerobic work with his injury, too.