England v Barbarians

[Beasties]

Really hope trinder takes his chance and remains fit.

Who are you kidding ?

he's there to make up the numbers and has ZERO future in an England shirt.

The May Barbarians fixture is purely a money making exercise.

I think you're wrong - assuming he doesn't trip on the way into the ground and wreck his ACL, I think he'll get capped in SA. Normally this Barbarians game is a shadow side, but Eddie's clearly using it as a warm-up, given he's playing Marler, Sinckler, Launchbury, Robshaw, Youngs, Ford, May, Brown, Daly. This is the first team minus the Exeter and Saracens players.

Trinder's ahead of Te'o today and he's got a good chance to show he should be ahead of Slade and Lozowski for 13 as well.

Puja

I like Slade but he didn't look much like an Eng player yest.

[Mellsblue]

Who are you kidding ?

he's there to make up the numbers and has ZERO future in an England shirt.

The May Barbarians fixture is purely a money making exercise.

I think you're wrong - assuming he doesn't trip on the way into the ground and wreck his ACL, I think he'll get capped in SA. Normally this Barbarians game is a shadow side, but Eddie's clearly using it as a warm-up, given he's playing Marler, Sinckler, Launchbury, Robshaw, Youngs, Ford, May, Brown, Daly. This is the first team minus the Exeter and Saracens players.

Trinder's ahead of Te'o today and he's got a good chance to show he should be ahead of Slade and Lozowski for 13 as well.

Puja

I like Slade but he didn't look much like an Eng player yest.

Agreed. Lozowski was the superior player yesterday, and in a relatively new position. Slade always seems to have a habit of misfiring on the big occasions.

[Scrumhead]

Agreed. One great kick aside, Slade has generally failed to deliver on the big occasions/for England.

In comparison, Lozowski has always done well with his limited England opportunities.

Still, I’m hoping Trinder does well and makes the plane to SA.

[Timbo]

One poor kick to touch aside I can’t see that Slade did much wrong. Exeter’s forwards took a battering on the gainline, only so much a heavily marked 13 can do really.

[Banquo]

One poor kick to touch aside I can’t see that Slade did much wrong. Exeter’s forwards took a battering on the gainline, only so much a heavily marked 13 can do really.

bar missing 5 tackles out of 8 and being turned over? He had a poor 50 minutes, but in fairness had a good 20 minutes when Chiefs came back into it.

[Mikey Brown]

It feels like I've been rooting for Slade for so long now but he just hasn't kicked on enough, or doesn't consistently imposes himself on a game. I think he should have had more chances in the full side by this point, but it seems his form has faded from earlier in the season where he really seemed to be taking on board the stuff about carrying harder and defence. I still think if we'd invested what we have in others we might have a serious players, he's still young but maybe that ship is starting to sail, or he just hasn't got the temperament.

I didn't see the final though.

[Banquo]

It feels like I've been rooting for Slade for so long now but he just hasn't kicked on enough, or doesn't consistently imposes himself on a game. I think he should have had more chances in the full side by this point, but it seems his form has faded from earlier in the season where he really seemed to be taking on board the stuff about carrying harder and defence. I still think if we'd invested what we have in others we might have a serious players, he's still young but maybe that ship is starting to sail, or he just hasn't got the temperament.

I didn't see the final though.

well he was excellent in the semi.

[Mikey Brown]

Well, good to hear. I haven’t seen him much recently and that was just the impression that I was getting was he wasn’t having as much of an impact.

I just think with the midfield set up the way it is it’s a hard ask for him make the difference in the England side as a 13, though he seems a pretty canny defender in that position these days?

It just irks me he wasn’t given the same freedom as the golden one to make mistakes and keep getting a shot, though arguably nobody should get that freedom anyway.

[Mellsblue]

One poor kick to touch aside I can’t see that Slade did much wrong. Exeter’s forwards took a battering on the gainline, only so much a heavily marked 13 can do really.

I’d like him to be better than not doing much wrong if he wants to be in the England team. I’d love him to come good as he has all the tools but his performances in the England shirt and yesterday does suggest he doesn’t shine enough on the big occasions.
As for the kick, I don’t mind that too much at that point in the game. I’d rather one of those than numerous conservative kicks that gain 10m.

[Mellsblue]

It just irks me he wasn’t given the same freedom as the golden one to make mistakes and keep getting a shot, though arguably nobody should get that freedom anyway.

Very much this.

[Banquo]

One poor kick to touch aside I can’t see that Slade did much wrong. Exeter’s forwards took a battering on the gainline, only so much a heavily marked 13 can do really.

I’d like him to be better than not doing much wrong if he wants to be in the England team. I’d love him to come good as he has all the tools but his performances in the England shirt and yesterday does suggest he doesn’t shine enough on the big occasions.
As for the kick, I don’t mind that too much at that point in the game. I’d rather one of those than numerous conservative kicks that gain 10m.

He did quite a lot wrong in the first half. He just looks like a natural born 12, but no-one who matters agrees.

[Timbo]

One poor kick to touch aside I can’t see that Slade did much wrong. Exeter’s forwards took a battering on the gainline, only so much a heavily marked 13 can do really.

I’d like him to be better than not doing much wrong if he wants to be in the England team. I’d love him to come good as he has all the tools but his performances in the England shirt and yesterday does suggest he doesn’t shine enough on the big occasions.
As for the kick, I don’t mind that too much at that point in the game. I’d rather one of those than numerous conservative kicks that gain 10m.

Me too, but for whatever reason Slade seems to be someone who is judged game to game, almost moment to moment. He’s had a really good season, been very consistent and has really tightened his game up imo.

If we are going to find out if he’s got it at international level then he needs a run of games for England. That said, Lozowski has got to be pushing for that 13 shirt in SAfrica too.

[Mellsblue]

One poor kick to touch aside I can’t see that Slade did much wrong. Exeter’s forwards took a battering on the gainline, only so much a heavily marked 13 can do really.

I’d like him to be better than not doing much wrong if he wants to be in the England team. I’d love him to come good as he has all the tools but his performances in the England shirt and yesterday does suggest he doesn’t shine enough on the big occasions.
As for the kick, I don’t mind that too much at that point in the game. I’d rather one of those than numerous conservative kicks that gain 10m.

He did quite a lot wrong in the first half. He just looks like a natural born 12, but no-one who matters agrees.

Agreed. My point was that even if you think he didn't do too much wrong it’s still not an argument for him playing for Eng.

[Raggs]

Faz at 12 and Loz at 13 could be a recipe for disaster in defence.

[Banquo]

Faz at 12 and Loz at 13 could be a recipe for disaster in defence.

agreed, though Loz was miles better yesterday, albeit against a very different attack to last week.

[Raggs]

Faz at 12 and Loz at 13 could be a recipe for disaster in defence.

agreed, though Loz was miles better yesterday, albeit against a very different attack to last week.

I think Wasps attack is closer to an international attack, than Exeters, and probably a better judge. It's why Joseph is invaluable, even when his attack isn't firing.

[Banquo]

Faz at 12 and Loz at 13 could be a recipe for disaster in defence.

agreed, though Loz was miles better yesterday, albeit against a very different attack to last week.

I think Wasps attack is closer to an international attack, than Exeters, and probably a better judge. It's why Joseph is invaluable, even when his attack isn't firing.

Preaching to the converted. JJ is amongst the best defenders in the world imo.

[Beasties]

Slade wasn't godawful, it was just one of those games where nothing seemed to go right for him. There was one Exeter attack which looked promising but Slade dropped the ball from an easy pass. Kinda summed his day up really. As others have said, he needs to shine in the big games to demand selection.

[Beasties]

agreed, though Loz was miles better yesterday, albeit against a very different attack to last week.

I think Wasps attack is closer to an international attack, than Exeters, and probably a better judge. It's why Joseph is invaluable, even when his attack isn't firing.

Preaching to the converted. JJ is amongst the best defenders in the world imo.

Everyone needs a hobby

[Banquo]

Slade wasn't godawful, it was just one of those games where nothing seemed to go right for him. There was one Exeter attack which looked promising but Slade dropped the ball from an easy pass. Kinda summed his day up really. As others have said, he needs to shine in the big games to demand selection.

indeed, he was a mixed bag, but had a poor start.

[Puja]

Who are you kidding ?

he's there to make up the numbers and has ZERO future in an England shirt.

The May Barbarians fixture is purely a money making exercise.

I think you're wrong - assuming he doesn't trip on the way into the ground and wreck his ACL, I think he'll get capped in SA. Normally this Barbarians game is a shadow side, but Eddie's clearly using it as a warm-up, given he's playing Marler, Sinckler, Launchbury, Robshaw, Youngs, Ford, May, Brown, Daly. This is the first team minus the Exeter and Saracens players.

Trinder's ahead of Te'o today and he's got a good chance to show he should be ahead of Slade and Lozowski for 13 as well.

Puja

Jones is on record as saying he is picking his strongest side. However, you can temper that with the fact it was Jones who said it and Brown is playing on the wing.
Trinder is absolute quality in attack and I can see him forcing his way into the tour squad. I can’t see him getting past Teo in to the test team, though. Not if we continue with the Ford - Farrell axis.

I don't know about him not getting past Te'o. He's the closest Joseph substitute we have and, given Te'o available today and not picked, I'd say he's certainly at least piqued Eddie's interest.

Puja

[Tigersman]

My issue with Slade is that he started off amazingly and since his first couple of seasons he hasn't really done much IMO, and hasn't really done much in his limited england appearances.
Not sure Exeter's 500 centres help him much.

[Timbo]

My issue with Slade is that he started off amazingly and since his first couple of seasons he hasn't really done much IMO, and hasn't really done much in his limited england appearances.
Not sure Exeter's 500 centres help him much.

Can’t agree with all you’ve said there. He’s had a very good and consistent season this year, starting whenever fit.

[Tigersman]

He's been consistent but the level he has been playing IMO is a couple down from when he first came onto the scene at Prem level.

[Spiffy]

agreed, though Loz was miles better yesterday, albeit against a very different attack to last week.

I think Wasps attack is closer to an international attack, than Exeters, and probably a better judge. It's why Joseph is invaluable, even when his attack isn't firing.

Preaching to the converted. JJ is amongst the best defenders in the world imo.

JJ is a great attacking 13 too with plenty of gas but his England teammates do not always get the best out of him and he often seems to be scurrying about cleaning up somebody else's boo-boos. He's probably still the best all-round 13 available, but he does get a bit of flack on the board.