Squad Depth - What have we learned?

[Spiffy]

Since there are very few games before the RWC, maybe England should revert to the old amateur era approach. The Trials. The Probables v. the Possibles. Two full 23 man squads going at it full bore in direct head-to-head competition for 80 min in a proper rugby match, in a public venue, all playing for their places. Quite a different context to playing safety first soft ruby, scratch selections in training behind closed doors. Could be a few potential injury concerns, but maybe worth it.

I know there would be umpteen arguments against this, but I am semi-serious here.

[Mikey Brown]

Since there are very few games before the RWC, maybe England should revert to the old amateur era approach. The Trials. The Probables v. the Possibles. Two full 23 man squads going at it full bore in direct head-to-head competition for 80 min in a proper rugby match, in a public venue, all playing for their places. Quite a different context to playing safety first soft ruby, scratch selections in training behind closed doors. Could be a few potential injury concerns, but maybe worth it.

I know there would be umpteen arguments against this, but I am semi-serious here.

Obviously there 0% chance of this happening, but you do feel like people would be more willing to part with money to watch that than whichever B team games are likely lined up.

[Oakboy]

Since there are very few games before the RWC, maybe England should revert to the old amateur era approach. The Trials. The Probables v. the Possibles. Two full 23 man squads going at it full bore in direct head-to-head competition for 80 min in a proper rugby match, in a public venue, all playing for their places. Quite a different context to playing safety first soft ruby, scratch selections in training behind closed doors. Could be a few potential injury concerns, but maybe worth it.

I know there would be umpteen arguments against this, but I am semi-serious here.

I can imagine the Possibles' strategy - nail that FH. Imagine the post mortem!

[Mikey Brown]

Since there are very few games before the RWC, maybe England should revert to the old amateur era approach. The Trials. The Probables v. the Possibles. Two full 23 man squads going at it full bore in direct head-to-head competition for 80 min in a proper rugby match, in a public venue, all playing for their places. Quite a different context to playing safety first soft ruby, scratch selections in training behind closed doors. Could be a few potential injury concerns, but maybe worth it.

I know there would be umpteen arguments against this, but I am semi-serious here.

I can imagine the Possibles' strategy - nail that FH. Imagine the post mortem!

Farrell? Is drawing so much attention and so many defenders how he routinely creates all that space for his outside backs?

[Oakboy]

Since there are very few games before the RWC, maybe England should revert to the old amateur era approach. The Trials. The Probables v. the Possibles. Two full 23 man squads going at it full bore in direct head-to-head competition for 80 min in a proper rugby match, in a public venue, all playing for their places. Quite a different context to playing safety first soft ruby, scratch selections in training behind closed doors. Could be a few potential injury concerns, but maybe worth it.

I know there would be umpteen arguments against this, but I am semi-serious here.

I can imagine the Possibles' strategy - nail that FH. Imagine the post mortem!

Farrell? Is drawing so much attention and so many defenders how he routinely creates all that space for his outside backs?

??? The ones that see so little of the ball, you mean?

[Peej]

Since there are very few games before the RWC, maybe England should revert to the old amateur era approach. The Trials. The Probables v. the Possibles. Two full 23 man squads going at it full bore in direct head-to-head competition for 80 min in a proper rugby match, in a public venue, all playing for their places. Quite a different context to playing safety first soft ruby, scratch selections in training behind closed doors. Could be a few potential injury concerns, but maybe worth it.

I know there would be umpteen arguments against this, but I am semi-serious here.

Obviously there 0% chance of this happening, but you do feel like people would be more willing to part with money to watch that than whichever B team games are likely lined up.

I'd be more interested watching that than a BaaBaas game