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!