RugbyRebels

Cracknell ahead of who?

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 9:44 am

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 9:33 am Sounds like Underhill may be out.

This is going to sound like a wind up and isn’t a question I ever expected to ask but … is Cracknell completely off the radar for England as a big, nasty 6? Arguably he's one of the form players in the Premiership, he's only 30 and he's actually English despite his Welsh call-up in 2017 and U20s caps.

I think he’s better than Roots and I could see him doing a Mark Wilson-esque job.

Yes. Completely and utterly. He's in a decent run of form, but that's all it is - this is as good as it's possible for him to get and there will be a reversion to the mean in time.

Puja

He's playing better than I thought he could but it's very much in a way that compliments the rest of the Tigers pack. He's doing the tight carrying and tackling work to allow others to play more mobile games. Not sure that's something he can replicate internationally. He'd also be the slowest starting player in the side up there with the props were he selected. Love what he's doing at club level because he's a relentless physical machine but not sure he's got the step up.

Also helps massively Tigers have stopped playing him on the flank as his handling and jackling work is nearly non-existent.

My preferred options at 6 would be Hill, (maybe) Chessum and CCS

TheNomad wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 12:35 pm My preferred options at 6 would be Hill, (maybe) Chessum and CCS

I’m with you although, I’d also throw Kenningham in the mix.

As I said, I never expected to be considering Cracknell, but I also wouldn’t have expected to see Roots getting an England call.

Cracknell's playing well. Be surprised if he got a call. If you're looking for a form 6 who does the basics well, i'd offer Jack Clement at Gloucester, though the A team is probably where he will feature.
Hill and CCS as our 6's for me.

fivepointer wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 1:05 pm Cracknell's playing well. Be surprised if he got a call. If you're looking for a form 6 who does the basics well, i'd offer Jack Clement at Gloucester, though the A team is probably where he will feature.
Hill and CCS as our 6's for me.

I like the look of Clement. He's another that seems like he should be an 8. Maybe I'm judging too much on his appearance (and a Gloucester shirt) but reminds me a bit of Ben Morgan? A fair comparison or is that not really how he plays?

Heard a rumour that apparently Pollock will be included in the England squad - may not come as much of a surprise, but thought I'd share

TheNomad wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 5:50 pm Heard a rumour that apparently Pollock will be included in the England squad - may not come as much of a surprise, but thought I'd share

Wouldn't be a surprise, might as well get him involved even if he's not going to be in the 23 this 6N. Form and fitness permitting he'll be in the ones that follow.

fivepointer wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 1:05 pm Hill and CCS as our 6's for me.

What, what, what!!!!!! …. No Chessum.

Oh wait. I see what you have done. Gone with two quality 6’s.

As you were

TheNomad wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 5:50 pm Heard a rumour that apparently Pollock will be included in the England squad - may not come as much of a surprise, but thought I'd share

Reliable sources?

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 10:27 pm

TheNomad wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 5:50 pm Heard a rumour that apparently Pollock will be included in the England squad - may not come as much of a surprise, but thought I'd share

Reliable sources?

It'd be on brand for Swift Blooding, given how he picked CCS on promise last season.

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2025 1:48 am

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 10:27 pm

TheNomad wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 5:50 pm Heard a rumour that apparently Pollock will be included in the England squad - may not come as much of a surprise, but thought I'd share

Reliable sources?

It'd be on brand for Swift Blooding, given how he picked CCS on promise last season.

Puja

It doesn’t get more reliable than that.
I’m hoping it happens, and that Slowly Buildup manages him correctly, as he’s clearly a special talent.

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 10:27 pm

TheNomad wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 5:50 pm Heard a rumour that apparently Pollock will be included in the England squad - may not come as much of a surprise, but thought I'd share

Reliable sources?

I don’t want to say who, but I would say so, yes

TheNomad wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2025 7:01 am

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 10:27 pm

TheNomad wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 5:50 pm Heard a rumour that apparently Pollock will be included in the England squad - may not come as much of a surprise, but thought I'd share

Reliable sources?

I don’t want to say who, but I would say so, yes

Definitely don’t reveal your sources!

From baths team announce.

“Sam Underhill will undergo surgery to rectify a new ankle injury suffered in that same game. There is no set timeframe on his recovery.“

Presume this puts him out of the 6N which is a blow given his international form.

Does it potentially open the door for Willis at 8 and Earl at 7? Or just likely to get CCS/chessum, curry, Earl as a back row?

So, seeing that Ted Hill is back in the Bath team and Underhill is out injured (with Chessum I think still yet to return?) that's promising for 6. I'd happily give Hill a start (with CCS on the bench) but with Willis coming in as a newbie at 8 it might be a bit much to hope for.

Hope Tom Curry can stay in one piece, try shifting Earl to openside, or try Ben Curry again? For similar reasons it seems very unlikely we'd take a punt on Pollock at 7, even if he's in the squad.

Weird we just wrote basically the same post.

I think it does potentially open the door for Earl at 7 and T Willis at 8 but could also simply be an easy way back in for TCurry. Chessum isn't in the Tigers squad for this week, which was rumoured to be his comeback. If he doesn't play next week and hit the ground running there's really no real chance of him being ready for the Ireland game.

Concern I have with the back row is the lack of a real breakdown threat. Tom Curry, Underhill and Earl get the odd one but they aren’t regularly pilfering ball. Earl in particular seems to have a technique that international refs don’t like. Tom Willis is actually quite good there…

Pollock and Pepper are both good options there but I do wonder if Kenningham might have a game that translates well to internationals. Tough, very strong in lineout and leading the prem in turnovers currently.

I'd be very interested in Kenningham getting an opportunity.

Puja

There is chat about a 6:2 split to get more back row impact from the bench. That could see more exciting selections.

One thought was not having a FH on the bench, based on Marcus doing 80 in his proper position and emergency cover being provided by Slade (now playing there regularly for Exeter).

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2025 7:52 pm I'd be very interested in Kenningham getting an opportunity.

Puja

Yes

Oakboy wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2025 8:08 pm There is chat about a 6:2 split to get more back row impact from the bench. That could see more exciting selections.

One thought was not having a FH on the bench, based on Marcus doing 80 in his proper position and emergency cover being provided by Slade (now playing there regularly for Exeter).

I mean, if we're playing a Smith/Smith double-act, then we would need neither a fly-half on the bench, not to have to play Henry Slade.

Puja

Oakboy wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2025 8:08 pm There is chat about a 6:2 split to get more back row impact from the bench. That could see more exciting selections.

One thought was not having a FH on the bench, based on Marcus doing 80 in his proper position and emergency cover being provided by Slade (now playing there regularly for Exeter).

That was just seat chatter from the commentators at the Exe match, I wouldn't set my stall by it

Oakboy wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2025 8:08 pm There is chat about a 6:2 split to get more back row impact from the bench. That could see more exciting selections.

One thought was not having a FH on the bench, based on Marcus doing 80 in his proper position and emergency cover being provided by Slade (now playing there regularly for Exeter).

Marcus doing 80 in his proper position with Fin or Ford guiding the team from 10 would allow a 6-2 bench split.

Slade is barely a Prem level 10, he'd be a decent kicker for goal but that's about it.