EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[twitchy]

Guscott on marcus smith

https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/feature ... top-class/

[Raggs]

No Saints Quins thread that I see, but to bring the Collins discussion away from the pack discussion. Good acceleration, not sure about his top pace, elusive but teams will start to target him and he won't have the big holes available in the 2nd half of the season. Anyone else think that he was a bit too happy to not make the tackle and to "trust" his inside man for the Jamie Roberts score?

[Mikey Brown]

Aye. Got to say that was a beautiful try he scored. Someone to draw some ruddy defenders away from Ford would certainly be helpful. Not sure how quickly I see Jones dismissing Solomona if he is intending to look at wing options beyond Daly/Watson/May/Nowell though.

[Banquo]

No Saints Quins thread that I see, but to bring the Collins discussion away from the pack discussion. Good acceleration, not sure about his top pace, elusive but teams will start to target him and he won't have the big holes available in the 2nd half of the season. Anyone else think that he was a bit too happy to not make the tackle and to "trust" his inside man for the Jamie Roberts score?

Damned either way, looked worse because the inside defenders didn't get remotely near; it was the right thing to do if not 10 metres from the line, but wingers should be coached to step in and take the man that close to the line. Just looked a bad decision rather than a yellow streak; lets see what happens next time he has that kind of physical threat.

[Oakboy]

Guscott on marcus smith

https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/feature ... top-class/

The comparison with Barnes may annoy some but the ability to step around an oncoming tackler in a very tight space is one attribute that I used to like in Barnes.

If Smith is allowed the freedom by coaches to do that naturally as he has already shown a tendency to do, I can see him going beyond Farrell and Ford eventually. It's a physical and mental issue. The physical skill to be able to do it has to be accompanied by nerve. In Ford's case I have no doubt about the former but I am starting to question the latter, particularly when Farrell is beside him.

Guscott does not want to see Smith held back by coaching restrictions. That, I agree with. Sometimes, a player just has to do what comes naturally whether it annoys the coaches or not.

IMO, the top class FHs stay on track for 90% of the time (or more) but something in their make-up releases them to inject flair at just the right time. Cipriani does it. Ford can do it (I think) but doesn't. Farrell probably can't do it. Let's hope Smith proves he can at international level eventually and just does it.

[16th man]

Right well, looks like we can scratch Sinkler for at least the AIs and possibly the 6Ns, for being a gougey idiot.

[Which Tyler]

Yeah, I hadn't really seen it before. But the halpful BT slo-mo with magnifying class had him bang to rights

[Mellsblue]

Assuming he's fit, I'd be very surprised if Underhill doesn't start the AI's in the 7 shirt.

[Which Tyler]

But who at 8?
Billy out, hopefully Hughes just picked up a dead leg today, but if not, who's next?

I believe Beaumont is still trying to play lock, and failing; Clifford's rightly been discarded, Ewers out whilst it's too soon for Simmonds and Mercer...
A return for Morgan? Push one of the locks back there?

[Mellsblue]

But who at 8?
Billy out, hopefully Hughes just picked up a dead leg today, but if not, who's next?

I believe Beaumont is still trying to play lock, and failing; Clifford's rightly been discarded, Ewers out whilst it's too soon for Simmonds and Mercer...
A return for Morgan? Push one of the locks back there?

I thought we'd all decided it should be Itoje. Hughes looked like nothing more than a dead leg. If he's out I'd go for Clifford. If I was feeling brace I'd chuck Simmonds in.

[Banquo]

But who at 8?
Billy out, hopefully Hughes just picked up a dead leg today, but if not, who's next?

I believe Beaumont is still trying to play lock, and failing; Clifford's rightly been discarded, Ewers out whilst it's too soon for Simmonds and Mercer...
A return for Morgan? Push one of the locks back there?

I thought we'd all decided it should be Itoje. Hughes looked like nothing more than a dead leg. If he's out I'd go for Clifford. If I was feeling brace I'd chuck Simmonds in.

Beat me to it.

Brave yourself....Tommy is raring to go.

[Scrumhead]

But who at 8?
Billy out, hopefully Hughes just picked up a dead leg today, but if not, who's next?

I believe Beaumont is still trying to play lock, and failing; Clifford's rightly been discarded, Ewers out whilst it's too soon for Simmonds and Mercer...
A return for Morgan? Push one of the locks back there?

I thought we'd all decided it should be Itoje. Hughes looked like nothing more than a dead leg. If he's out I'd go for Clifford. If I was feeling brace I'd chuck Simmonds in.

Did we???? I certainly didn't.

Of all the locks we have, Itoje is probably best equipped to fill in at 8, but I would only contemplate in an emergency. I'd sooner see Itoje do what he does best at lock and put Clifford or Simmonds in at 8.

[Banquo]

But who at 8?
Billy out, hopefully Hughes just picked up a dead leg today, but if not, who's next?

I believe Beaumont is still trying to play lock, and failing; Clifford's rightly been discarded, Ewers out whilst it's too soon for Simmonds and Mercer...
A return for Morgan? Push one of the locks back there?

I thought we'd all decided it should be Itoje. Hughes looked like nothing more than a dead leg. If he's out I'd go for Clifford. If I was feeling brace I'd chuck Simmonds in.

Did we???? I certainly didn't.

Of all the locks we have, Itoje is probably best equipped to fill in at 8, but I would only contemplate in an emergency. I'd sooner see Itoje do what he does best at lock and put Clifford or Simmonds in at 8.

Mells is having a laugh. Has anyone actually seen Itoje play 8, before saying he is even an option?

[Mikey Brown]

Give Almond a crack at 8?

[Banquo]

Give Almond a crack at 8?

That's nuts

[Mellsblue]

Give Almond a crack at 8?

Still made me giggle.

[fivepointer]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41461379

Sinckler is formally cited. He might get 4 weeks if lucky.

[Banquo]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41461379

Sinckler is formally cited. He might get 4 weeks if lucky.

only clip I saw, I ended up ripping a head guard off. Careless at best, probably,

[Mikey Brown]

Only just seen the Sinkler thing. Couldn't make out much from the shots on Paterson's face, but the reverse shot looks really bad where Sinkler is just lying there with his arm out. It's as if he saw Marler go right to the brink with the Haskell incident and thought he'd try and top it. Fucking idiot. I wonder how many conversations Jones and Horwill will be willing to have with him if he keeps doing shit like this.

[Tom Moore]

If the issues Eddie had with Mercer for Argentina were lack of workrate it looks like he's listened- put a big shift in today, as did Underhill.

[Digby]

I was going to suggest Sinckler at 8 until he had his composure workshop with Ben Stokes, but Itoje is a fine 2nd choice

[Scrumhead]

Only just seen the Sinkler thing. Couldn't make out much from the shots on Paterson's face, but the reverse shot looks really bad where Sinkler is just lying there with his arm out. It's as if he saw Marler go right to the brink with the Haskell incident and thought he'd try and top it. Fucking idiot. I wonder how many conversations Jones and Horwill will be willing to have with him if he keeps doing shit like this.

Yep. Very disappointing. From what I have seen, I don't think there is clear/conclusive evidence of a deliberate eye gouge but he shouldn't have been doing anything to even put himself in a position where he's getting cited. Idiocy.

To be honest, he's been a ticking time-bomb for a while (from the Lions tour at least) and when he's like that, his potential to be a liability outweighs his ability.

Very annoying.

[Timbo]

Papers seem to be suggesting that there will be a mix and match element to the first two games in the Autumn, some players only playing 1 game, a bit of experimenting etc. Farrell and Itoje named as 2 players who will both miss the first 2 fixtures, then all hands on deck for the Oz game. I would imagine a couple of other Lions might miss the first 2 tests aswell (Mako...maybe Watson). Sounds a reasonable plan to me.

[Mikey Brown]

Actually sounds pretty measured.

Not sure if this has done the rounds already but Eddie here gives a bit of an overview/preview at the halfway point, heading to the World Cup.

http://www.rugbydump.com/2017/09/5916/a ... interview-

[oldbackrow]

Very impressed by both Mercer and Underhill's work rate and skill levels. Had been a little underwhelmed by underhill after all the hype, but he was really putting himself about. Also very impressed by Dai Youngs lad, is he EQ?!