England side for the Barbarians game

[Epaminondas Pules]

By position

Loosehead:
Mako Vunipola, Saracens
Ellis Genge, Leicester Tigers
Beno Obano, Bath Rugby*

Hooker:
Jamie George, Saracens
Tom Dunn, Bath Rugby*

Tighthead:
Will Stuart, Bath Rugby
Joe Heyes, Leicester Tigers*

Lock:
Charlie Ewels, Bath Rugby
Maro Itoje, Saracens
Alex Moon, Northampton Saints*
David Ribbans, Northampton Saints*

Flanker:
Sam Underhill, Bath Rugby
Ted Hill, Worcester Warriors
Mark Wilson, Newcastle Falcons

No8:
Billy Vunipola, Saracens
Alex Dombrandt, Harlequins*

SH:
Ben Youngs, Leicester Tigers
Willi Heinz, Gloucester Rugby
Alex Mitchell, Northampton Saints*

FH:
Owen Farrell, Saracens
George Ford, Leicester Tigers

IC:
Piers Francis, Northampton Saints
Fraser Dingwall, Northampton Saints*

OC:
Jonathan Joseph, Bath Rugby
Joe Marchant, Harlequins
Ollie Lawrence, Worcester Warriors*

Wing:
Jonny May, Gloucester Rugby
Ollie Thorley, Gloucester Rugby*
Ali Crossdale, Saracens*

FB:
Anthony Watson, Bath Rugby
George Furbank, Northampton Saints

[Scrumhead]

That’s a strong squad. Now it’s just a question of experimentation vs. prep for Italy.

I think we can do a bit of both.

The players that probably need game time the most are the Saracens players and Wilson. The rest have played a fair bit more rugby.

Crossdale is a bit of a strange one. I know he’s fairly highly-rated, but McConnochie must be scratching his head - a generous inclusion in the RWC squad followed by a bit of a snub when he’s been playing really well in favour of a kid who can barely break in to the Saracens 2nd team. Eddie’s gonna Eddie ...

[FKAS]

Crossdale is a bit of a strange one. I know he’s fairly highly-rated, but McConnochie must be scratching his head - a generous inclusion in the RWC squad followed by a bit of a snub when he’s been playing really well in favour of a kid who can barely break in to the Saracens 2nd team. Eddie’s gonna Eddie ...

I'm unsure what's more surprising, Crossdale coming into the squad or Furbank retaining his spot. One has played briefly but fairly well the other has played regularly but increasingly poorly. Odd calls.

Glad to see Heyes is retained. Hopefully he gets a cap at some point over the next few weeks and that's stops the WRU and the regions sniffing round every time it's contract renewal time at Tigers.

[Scrumhead]

Agreed. Furbank is lucky to be there and is probably saved by the fact that Malins can’t be selected. I’d have much preferred Luke James though. Not sure why Heinz is still around?

Eddie’s gonna Eddie, but seriously, there’s not that much controversy there for me.

Who should be picked that isn’t there?

I already mentioned Redpath and Luke James and for this game, I’d have been tempted to call up Will Evans and maybe kept Jack Clement, but given how strong our back row options are, that would only have been for this game.

I might be missing someone obvious, but anyone else I would add isn’t available because of the Premiership final situation.

[Oakboy]

Is there much point to this match? Usually, it's a chance to top up the RFU coffers and it provides broader ticket access etc. Now, with the apparent disappointing standard of the Barbarians squad within Covid restrictions and the teams still involved in the Premiership Final is it really worthwhile? Won't the game be put on at a loss?

[Puja]

So, dropped players are:
Kerrod
Daly
de Glanville

Brought back in:
Moon
Francis
Furbank

Kerrod, I understand, as he was clearly there to provide a second fit tight-head for practice. I'm assuming TCurry and Daly are coronavirus or other injury-related (rather than Eddie being possessed by the ghost of jngf for the former). I don't see why you would drop Moon, Francis, and Furbank from last week's squad only to bring them back for this - maybe a COVID thing given they all come from the same club?

ETA. Apparently TCurry is in the squad and administrative error left him off the teamsheet. I'm sure his feelings aren't hurt.

Puja

[Epaminondas Pules]

Is there much point to this match? Usually, it's a chance to top up the RFU coffers and it provides broader ticket access etc. Now, with the apparent disappointing standard of the Barbarians squad within Covid restrictions and the teams still involved in the Premiership Final is it really worthwhile? Won't the game be put on at a loss?

It is a competitive warm up before games that actually matter.

[Puja]

Is there much point to this match? Usually, it's a chance to top up the RFU coffers and it provides broader ticket access etc. Now, with the apparent disappointing standard of the Barbarians squad within Covid restrictions and the teams still involved in the Premiership Final is it really worthwhile? Won't the game be put on at a loss?

Nope, no point whatsoever. Its only value is as an opposed training run to prepare some of our players for Italy. However, there was never a chance of cancelling, as the prestige hit for the RFU would be worse than the money loss.

I am hoping the Barbarians will get late week reinforcements from Bristol if Wasps stay clean. If the unions were fine with Bristol players potentially playing one more game this weekend, then surely it won't be too much of a player welfare problem if they still do but it's less of a serious one, especially if we're talking players who won't have international commitments. The Barbarians would be immeasurably strengthened by the likes of Thacker, Afoa, Luatua, Hughes, Morahan, etc being allowed to go out and have some fun and we might get a vague semblance of a contest on our hands.

Puja

[Epaminondas Pules]

Tom Curry is in the squad. For some reason they missed him off the main announcements, but then corrected it.

By position

Loosehead:
Mako Vunipola, Saracens
Ellis Genge, Leicester Tigers
Beno Obano, Bath Rugby*

Hooker:
Jamie George, Saracens
Tom Dunn, Bath Rugby*

Tighthead:
Will Stuart, Bath Rugby
Joe Heyes, Leicester Tigers*

Lock:
Charlie Ewels, Bath Rugby
Maro Itoje, Saracens
Alex Moon, Northampton Saints*
David Ribbans, Northampton Saints*

Flanker:
Tom Curry, Sale Sharks
Sam Underhill, Bath Rugby
Ted Hill, Worcester Warriors
Mark Wilson, Newcastle Falcons

No8:
Billy Vunipola, Saracens
Alex Dombrandt, Harlequins*

SH:
Ben Youngs, Leicester Tigers
Willi Heinz, Gloucester Rugby
Alex Mitchell, Northampton Saints*

FH:
Owen Farrell, Saracens
George Ford, Leicester Tigers

IC:
Piers Francis, Northampton Saints
Fraser Dingwall, Northampton Saints*

OC:
Jonathan Joseph, Bath Rugby
Joe Marchant, Harlequins
Ollie Lawrence, Worcester Warriors*

Wing:
Jonny May, Gloucester Rugby
Ollie Thorley, Gloucester Rugby*
Ali Crossdale, Saracens*

FB:
Anthony Watson, Bath Rugby
George Furbank, Northampton Saints

[Puja]

Is there much point to this match? Usually, it's a chance to top up the RFU coffers and it provides broader ticket access etc. Now, with the apparent disappointing standard of the Barbarians squad within Covid restrictions and the teams still involved in the Premiership Final is it really worthwhile? Won't the game be put on at a loss?

It is a competitive warm up before games that actually matter.

Given that the opposition is the Saracens 2nd XV, I take issue with your use of the word 'competitive'.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Might be fun to see all the uncapped players get a start. Wont happen but it would make the game a touch more interesting.
This is about a run out ahead of Italy so Jones will pick an experienced core. A few new players will get a chance, notably Dunn and Heyes in the front row and in the centre and back 3.

[Banquo]

Might have missed it, but are Brizz players being held back in case they are in the prem final (ie Sinckler)

Why no Daly ??

[Banquo]

Is it worth asking S Simmonds to convert back to centre now Tuilagi is injured? (Insert tongue in cheek emoji here)
If nothing else, it would simplify the how many brothers can you get in one Eng team game.

People will scoff at this but I would love to try it as well.

Yes they will.

[Banquo]

Is there much point to this match? Usually, it's a chance to top up the RFU coffers and it provides broader ticket access etc. Now, with the apparent disappointing standard of the Barbarians squad within Covid restrictions and the teams still involved in the Premiership Final is it really worthwhile? Won't the game be put on at a loss?

Yes, the game as a whole needs the money.

[Scrumhead]

Yep. Even if there’s no gate revenue, Sky are still showing it.

[jimKRFC]

Might have missed it, but are Brizz players being held back in case they are in the prem final (ie Sinckler)

Yeah, Sheedy and Lloyd have both had to miss the Wales camp this week just in case.

Not sure I want the Bris players to join the BaaBaas, seems a unnessary game with the lack of break before they start again.

[Puja]

Yep. Even if there’s no gate revenue, Sky are still showing it.

Will they really turn a profit from the event even with Sky showing it?

Puja

[Epaminondas Pules]

Is it worth asking S Simmonds to convert back to centre now Tuilagi is injured? (Insert tongue in cheek emoji here)
If nothing else, it would simplify the how many brothers can you get in one Eng team game.

People will scoff at this but I would love to try it as well.

Yes they will.

If anyone wants to see it tried then I'd suggest watching Sam Hill play.

[Puja]

Interesting section in the BBC article about the squad:

Experienced Saracens back Elliot Daly has not been included in the squad despite training last week, with Jones set to give an update on his non-selection on Tuesday.

Puja

[Banquo]

Yep. Even if there’s no gate revenue, Sky are still showing it.

Will they really turn a profit from the event even with Sky showing it?

Puja

I’d think so, plus it’d be part of a contractual commitment

[Banquo]

People will scoff at this but I would love to try it as well.

Yes they will.

If anyone wants to see it tried then I'd suggest watching Sam Hill play.

Bit harsh on Hill tbh. One dimensional, but effective at that one dimension.

[Timbo]

Interesting section in the BBC article about the squad:

Experienced Saracens back Elliot Daly has not been included in the squad despite training last week, with Jones set to give an update on his non-selection on Tuesday.

Puja

He’s not fit to train this week apparently. Would have made the squad otherwise.

[Puja]

Yep. Even if there’s no gate revenue, Sky are still showing it.

Will they really turn a profit from the event even with Sky showing it?

Puja

I’d think so, plus it’d be part of a contractual commitment

Yeah, fair point - might not make them money, but they'd certainly lose some if they renege on their contract with Sky.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Yep - that’s my impression too.

I cancelled Sky Sports but I’ll most probably get a day pass to watch the game so I guess it kind of works for them.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Yes they will.

If anyone wants to see it tried then I'd suggest watching Sam Hill play.

Bit harsh on Hill tbh. One dimensional, but effective at that one dimension.

Most definitely, which I'm pretty sure SImmonds would also be, but little beyond that dimension. Hence the comparison.