RugbyRebels

Will SB start Langdon v USA? He might as well decide that neither he nor Dan are up to it the way things look, though I assume that Langdon would have had limited time in the lineout routines in training.

To get full benefit from this tour I'd imagine starts for Murley, CCS, Hill, IFW and Pepper would make sense.

Pepper is starting to look special.

The way Dan was helped off last night i dont expect him to be fit so Langdon will start. Presumably we'll fly someone in to provide bench cover. Blamire?

Ta, for the feedback on Spencer. Only had the highlights to go on.

Re the bounce of the ball, it does indeed always hate you.

Oakboy, I'd expect a fair bit of rotation for the USA game.

Baxter, Langdon, Heyes
CCS, Clarke
Pepper, Willis, Curry (c)
JVP, Atkinson
Atkinson, Northmore
Murley, Carpenter, Roebuck

Dan, Rodd, AOF, Coles, Underhill, Randall, Ford, Beard

Something like that for me. I'm sure Stupid Benchpick will go 6:2 with no flyhalf cover and Dombrandt but that side would keep the midfield and prop combos we know were working. Bit of experience, a few getting a chance and some club combinations to assist some with less experience.

fivepointer wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 9:14 am The way Dan was helped off last night i dont expect him to be fit so Langdon will start. Presumably we'll fly someone in to provide bench cover. Blamire?

Ideally Blake as he's dual qualified and before signing his last Glaws contract had offers from Australia.

Would think Oghre would be the next in line.

We might need another hooker for the squad in case of a late injury. Wonder if Kepu might get a call.

FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 9:16 am

fivepointer wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 9:14 am The way Dan was helped off last night i dont expect him to be fit so Langdon will start. Presumably we'll fly someone in to provide bench cover. Blamire?

Ideally Blake as he's dual qualified and before signing his last Glaws contract had offers from Australia.

Yeah, I’d like it to be Blake but I think it’ll probably be Oghre.

FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 9:15 am Ta, for the feedback on Spencer. Only had the highlights to go on.

Re the bounce of the ball, it does indeed always hate you.

Oakboy, I'd expect a fair bit of rotation for the USA game.

Baxter, Langdon, Heyes
CCS, Clarke
Pepper, Willis, Curry (c)
JVP, Atkinson
Atkinson, Northmore
Murley, Carpenter, Roebuck

Dan, Rodd, AOF, Coles, Underhill, Randall, Ford, Beard

Something like that for me. I'm sure Stupid Benchpick will go 6:2 with no flyhalf cover and Dombrandt but that side would keep the midfield and prop combos we know were working. Bit of experience, a few getting a chance and some club combinations to assist some with less experience.

Did you forget Hill or is he not even in the 23 for that game?

fivepointer wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 6:30 am The big positives for me have been Baxter, Heyes and Atkinson. The young props have really stood up (so too Rodd and AOF) and Atkinson has shown we do have a serious IC talent.
A few other bright spots too - Muir surprised me in a good way, Coles took a step forward and i'm liking Pepper a lot.

yep, esp Pepper in what was a physical battle.

FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 9:15 am Ta, for the feedback on Spencer. Only had the highlights to go on.

Re the bounce of the ball, it does indeed always hate you.

Oakboy, I'd expect a fair bit of rotation for the USA game.

Baxter, Langdon, Heyes
CCS, Clarke
Pepper, Willis, Curry (c)
JVP, Atkinson
Atkinson, Northmore
Murley, Carpenter, Roebuck

Dan, Rodd, AOF, Coles, Underhill, Randall, Ford, Beard

Something like that for me. I'm sure Stupid Benchpick will go 6:2 with no flyhalf cover and Dombrandt but that side would keep the midfield and prop combos we know were working. Bit of experience, a few getting a chance and some club combinations to assist some with less experience.

Ted Hill must have really upset someone

FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 9:15 am Ta, for the feedback on Spencer. Only had the highlights to go on.

Re the bounce of the ball, it does indeed always hate you.

Oakboy, I'd expect a fair bit of rotation for the USA game.

Baxter, Langdon, Heyes
CCS, Clarke
Pepper, Willis, Curry (c)
JVP, Atkinson
Atkinson, Northmore
Murley, Carpenter, Roebuck

Dan, Rodd, AOF, Coles, Underhill, Randall, Ford, Beard

Something like that for me. I'm sure Stupid Benchpick will go 6:2 with no flyhalf cover and Dombrandt but that side would keep the midfield and prop combos we know were working. Bit of experience, a few getting a chance and some club combinations to assist some with less experience.

I’d go pretty similar. Centre is the main dilemma. As much as I want to see Ojomoh and Beard, Atkinson 100% deserves to keep the 12 shirt and if fit, Northmore should stay at 13 after an assured debut.

No way IFW doesn’t play in this game. He can’t have been taken solely for training.

I’d go for:

1. Rodd
2. Langdon
3. Opoku-Fordjour
4. Coles
5. Clark
6. Hill
7. Pepper
8. Willis
9. Spencer
10. Ford
11. Murley
12. S. Atkinson
13. Northmore
14. Feyi-Waboso
15. Carpenter

16. TBC 17. Baxter 18. Fasogbon 19. Cunningham-South 20. Curry 21. van Poortvliet 22. C. Atkinson 23. Ojomoh

That would leave Beard as the only uncapped player I think? Harsh but largely driven by others taking their opportunities.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 10:15 am

FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 9:15 am Ta, for the feedback on Spencer. Only had the highlights to go on.

Re the bounce of the ball, it does indeed always hate you.

Oakboy, I'd expect a fair bit of rotation for the USA game.

Baxter, Langdon, Heyes
CCS, Clarke
Pepper, Willis, Curry (c)
JVP, Atkinson
Atkinson, Northmore
Murley, Carpenter, Roebuck

Dan, Rodd, AOF, Coles, Underhill, Randall, Ford, Beard

Something like that for me. I'm sure Stupid Benchpick will go 6:2 with no flyhalf cover and Dombrandt but that side would keep the midfield and prop combos we know were working. Bit of experience, a few getting a chance and some club combinations to assist some with less experience.

Did you forget Hill or is he not even in the 23 for that game?

I did think about it but the balance of the side has been pretty good so kept the dual openside backrow. He could be on the bench instead of Coles or if we switch to a 6:2 bench.

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 10:42 am

FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 9:15 am Ta, for the feedback on Spencer. Only had the highlights to go on.

Re the bounce of the ball, it does indeed always hate you.

Oakboy, I'd expect a fair bit of rotation for the USA game.

Baxter, Langdon, Heyes
CCS, Clarke
Pepper, Willis, Curry (c)
JVP, Atkinson
Atkinson, Northmore
Murley, Carpenter, Roebuck

Dan, Rodd, AOF, Coles, Underhill, Randall, Ford, Beard

Something like that for me. I'm sure Stupid Benchpick will go 6:2 with no flyhalf cover and Dombrandt but that side would keep the midfield and prop combos we know were working. Bit of experience, a few getting a chance and some club combinations to assist some with less experience.

I’d go pretty similar. Centre is the main dilemma. As much as I want to see Ojomoh and Beard, Atkinson 100% deserves to keep the 12 shirt and if fit, Northmore should stay at 13 after an assured debut.

No way IFW doesn’t play in this game. He can’t have been taken solely for training.

I’d go for:

1. Rodd
2. Langdon
3. Opoku-Fordjour
4. Coles
5. Clark
6. Hill
7. Pepper
8. Willis
9. Spencer
10. Ford
11. Murley
12. S. Atkinson
13. Northmore
14. Feyi-Waboso
15. Carpenter

16. TBC 17. Baxter 18. Fasogbon 19. Cunningham-South 20. Curry 21. van Poortvliet 22. C. Atkinson 23. Ojomoh

Good point on IFW but I see no point in playing Ford or Spencer again. Spencer is only a short term option for England and Ford needs to be managed. In what should be an early win then give Charlie a go with JvP. Given how well the props have gone I'd give them 45 mins to let loose. I would be tempted to try AOF at LH and Fasogbon at TH.

Stick with Ford and Atkinson - the combo is starting to take shape nicely.

Don’t see the point of C Atkinson, but if he does start then Spencer will have to so we can field a goal kicker.

No problems with Langdon or Dan - though looks unlikely to be fit.

Pepper and Hill to feature.

p/d wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 10:59 am Stick with Ford and Atkinson - the combo is starting to take shape nicely.

Don’t see the point of C Atkinson, but if he does start then Spencer will have to so we can field a goal kicker.

No problems with Langdon or Dan - though looks unlikely to be fit.

Pepper and Hill to feature.

Dan was utterly rubbish yesterday, suspect it threw (ha ha) him being moved to starting with 6 hours notice, and Langdon not much better. Makes no difference v the States, but on another day another Dan effort like that costs you. I like him, but his darts are poor (tho why we called the 1st lineout to 6 I have no idea, given the late change) and his ball retention was dire. Needs to get some good club starts under his belt.

Northmore went off with an HIA and didn't return. He didn't look like he knew what was going on afterwards either. I don't think he or Dan will be available next week.

ETA: taken the rest to the USA match thread

when they all get back, the Ford/Smith/Smith battle will be fascinating. Its good that we now have the ability to field an actual centre at 12 with two similar options, and with Lawrence and maybe Freeman as 13 options (and Northmore looked ok, as I thought he would- always liked what he offers at 13)....and good variety of wing options. 15 is a concern, and JVP needs to re-work on his kicking, or shock horror, not kick.

Props and back row looking great. Second row 1st choices class too, and Coles is slowly getting there imo

Banquo wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 11:16 am when they all get back, the Ford/Smith/Smith battle will be fascinating. Its good that we now have the ability to field an actual centre at 12 with two similar options, and with Lawrence and maybe Freeman as 13 options (and Northmore looked ok, as I thought he would- always liked what he offers at 13)....and good variety of wing options. 15 is a concern, and JVP needs to re-work on his kicking, or shock horror, not kick.

Props and back row looking great. Second row 1st choices class too, and Coles is slowly getting there imo

You mean fazbag?

MOD!

R3dders wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 7:51 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 11:16 am when they all get back, the Ford/Smith/Smith battle will be fascinating. Its good that we now have the ability to field an actual centre at 12 with two similar options, and with Lawrence and maybe Freeman as 13 options (and Northmore looked ok, as I thought he would- always liked what he offers at 13)....and good variety of wing options. 15 is a concern, and JVP needs to re-work on his kicking, or shock horror, not kick.

Props and back row looking great. Second row 1st choices class too, and Coles is slowly getting there imo

You mean fazbag?

Who is fazbag?

Banquo wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 10:08 pm

R3dders wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 7:51 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 11:16 am when they all get back, the Ford/Smith/Smith battle will be fascinating. Its good that we now have the ability to field an actual centre at 12 with two similar options, and with Lawrence and maybe Freeman as 13 options (and Northmore looked ok, as I thought he would- always liked what he offers at 13)....and good variety of wing options. 15 is a concern, and JVP needs to re-work on his kicking, or shock horror, not kick.

Props and back row looking great. Second row 1st choices class too, and Coles is slowly getting there imo

You mean fazbag?

Who is fazbag?

Owen the iceman

R3dders wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 10:43 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 10:08 pm

R3dders wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 7:51 pm

You mean fazbag?

Who is fazbag?

Owen the iceman

Ah, presume that’s sarcasm then

Surprised we haven’t called up another hooker. Quite possible that Dan overplayed his injury in order to get the hell of the pitch.

Even if Dan is fit, I’d have thought we’d call one up in case he or Langdon go down in the week.

Kepu is playing for the under 20s today so possible he joins after that.

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Jul 14, 2025 8:29 am

R3dders wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 10:43 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 10:08 pm
Who is fazbag?

Owen the iceman

Ah, presume that’s sarcasm then

Yessum

R3dders wrote: ↑Mon Jul 14, 2025 9:49 am

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Jul 14, 2025 8:29 am

R3dders wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 10:43 pm
Owen the iceman

Ah, presume that’s sarcasm then

Yessum

Excellent.

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Mon Jul 14, 2025 9:31 am Quite possible that Dan overplayed his injury in order to get the hell of the pitch.

Wow