RugbyRebels

Danno wrote: ↑Mon Sep 22, 2025 1:39 am

Puja wrote: ↑Sun Sep 21, 2025 9:54 pm

Danno wrote: ↑Sun Sep 21, 2025 8:53 pm This does not fill me with confidence

"Steve kept things really simple,” Atkinson says. “He made me aware early doors that international rugby is a lot about physicality and discipline – not giving away penalties. Simple things and simple habits that maybe I didn’t appreciate quite how important they are towards winning rugby matches. That was a big thing and hopefully something I can bring back to Gloucester. Even in games where there are 50 points, matches will often come down to a few moments here and there. That really opened my eyes."

I don't know - seems pretty bang on to me. It's not saying that flair has no place, but that flair without the basic underlying core won't get you to the top level. There are lots of players that can trade on their skills and flair at club level and it masks their weaknesses, but they'll be found wanting at the step up - that's why Muir and Roebuck are preferred to Ibitoye, despite the latter's incredible successes for Brizzle.

I'm hopeful that that article's not 100% fluff and that SAtkinson is going up a gear after seeing the top level. He is a good player, but if he can reduce his error count, then he could be great, and that would be fantastic for England.

Puja

Aye I know what you mean. It just smells a bit like that thing of England coaching talent out of players that we've been a bit squinty eyed about for over a decade now.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 22, 2025 8:40 am

Danno wrote: ↑Mon Sep 22, 2025 1:39 am

Puja wrote: ↑Sun Sep 21, 2025 9:54 pm

I don't know - seems pretty bang on to me. It's not saying that flair has no place, but that flair without the basic underlying core won't get you to the top level. There are lots of players that can trade on their skills and flair at club level and it masks their weaknesses, but they'll be found wanting at the step up - that's why Muir and Roebuck are preferred to Ibitoye, despite the latter's incredible successes for Brizzle.

I'm hopeful that that article's not 100% fluff and that SAtkinson is going up a gear after seeing the top level. He is a good player, but if he can reduce his error count, then he could be great, and that would be fantastic for England.

Puja

Aye I know what you mean. It just smells a bit like that thing of England coaching talent out of players that we've been a bit squinty eyed about for over a decade now.

This. If he had been English, would Russell have got the 10 shirt ahead of Farrell? It's partly the old adage of concentrating on what they are good at rather than highlighting faults. It's more about the sum of the creative ability within a team unit, linked with balance of defence/attack overall.

FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Sep 22, 2025 9:24 am Which Russell? Russell in his early to mid twenties, no chance. Russell after he started controlling games and being more of an all round flyhalf in his late twenties and early thirties, yes I think he would.

Remember Ford played mostly at 10 with Farrell at 12 for a reason, Marcus Smith has nearly 50 England caps at 26 as we are desperate for him to follow the same learning curve Russell did. I'm hoping he makes that developmental step forward soon.

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Mon Sep 22, 2025 9:39 am

FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Sep 22, 2025 9:24 am Which Russell? Russell in his early to mid twenties, no chance. Russell after he started controlling games and being more of an all round flyhalf in his late twenties and early thirties, yes I think he would.

Remember Ford played mostly at 10 with Farrell at 12 for a reason, Marcus Smith has nearly 50 England caps at 26 as we are desperate for him to follow the same learning curve Russell did. I'm hoping he makes that developmental step forward soon.

Would Russell have developed into the world class, controlling fly half he is, if he hadn't been playing, and losing test matches (and a place in Lions tests) as a mid-20s maverick?

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 4:23 pm Mark McCall wouldn't dream of being cheeky - hence Farrell won't be playing until week 3...

I'm not sure that playing a friendly match is all that cheeky during pre-season though (though I also think the player welfare stand-down should be a stand-down, not "stand-down-unless-friendly". Should probably be longer than 10 weeks too)

Puja wrote: ↑Wed Oct 08, 2025 12:41 pm BCurry mulling over the timing of a hamstring operation - could probably do with being sorted sooner, but it'll rule him out of the AIs and, with the competition in the back row at present, it's entirely possible he might not be able to get back in. Difficult choice.

Puja

Danno wrote: ↑Thu Oct 09, 2025 3:45 am

Puja wrote: ↑Wed Oct 08, 2025 12:41 pm BCurry mulling over the timing of a hamstring operation - could probably do with being sorted sooner, but it'll rule him out of the AIs and, with the competition in the back row at present, it's entirely possible he might not be able to get back in. Difficult choice.

Puja

I understand the dilemma given how he had to fight his way in after you-know-who left him out in the cold, but surely your health comes first. I think I'd want to extend my career with an op over risking it.

Is he on a Central?

FKAS wrote: ↑Thu Oct 09, 2025 5:40 am

Danno wrote: ↑Thu Oct 09, 2025 3:45 am

Puja wrote: ↑Wed Oct 08, 2025 12:41 pm BCurry mulling over the timing of a hamstring operation - could probably do with being sorted sooner, but it'll rule him out of the AIs and, with the competition in the back row at present, it's entirely possible he might not be able to get back in. Difficult choice.

Puja

I understand the dilemma given how he had to fight his way in after you-know-who left him out in the cold, but surely your health comes first. I think I'd want to extend my career with an op over risking it.

Is he on a Central?

There's a few backrow trying to fight their way in. Do you want to risk a rival taking their chance?

Danno wrote: ↑Thu Oct 09, 2025 3:45 am

Puja wrote: ↑Wed Oct 08, 2025 12:41 pm BCurry mulling over the timing of a hamstring operation - could probably do with being sorted sooner, but it'll rule him out of the AIs and, with the competition in the back row at present, it's entirely possible he might not be able to get back in. Difficult choice.

Puja

I understand the dilemma given how he had to fight his way in after you-know-who left him out in the cold, but surely your health comes first. I think I'd want to extend my career with an op over risking it.

Is he on a Central?

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Oct 09, 2025 10:44 am

Danno wrote: ↑Thu Oct 09, 2025 3:45 am

Puja wrote: ↑Wed Oct 08, 2025 12:41 pm BCurry mulling over the timing of a hamstring operation - could probably do with being sorted sooner, but it'll rule him out of the AIs and, with the competition in the back row at present, it's entirely possible he might not be able to get back in. Difficult choice.

Puja

I understand the dilemma given how he had to fight his way in after you-know-who left him out in the cold, but surely your health comes first. I think I'd want to extend my career with an op over risking it.

Is he on a Central?

I think the hope is to have his cake and eat it - play in the AIs, then have the surgery and be off for just long enough that he can get form for Sale before the 6N. Obviously a risk if it goes pop before then.

With the way Pepper's playing, Pollock due to return, TWillis surely pushing Earl to the flanks, you can't blame him for wanting to chance it. Could also end up in the situation where he delays the op, then doesn't get picked for England anyway - worst of all possible worlds.

Puja

Danno wrote: ↑Thu Oct 09, 2025 1:10 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Oct 09, 2025 10:44 am

Danno wrote: ↑Thu Oct 09, 2025 3:45 am

I understand the dilemma given how he had to fight his way in after you-know-who left him out in the cold, but surely your health comes first. I think I'd want to extend my career with an op over risking it.

Is he on a Central?

I think the hope is to have his cake and eat it - play in the AIs, then have the surgery and be off for just long enough that he can get form for Sale before the 6N. Obviously a risk if it goes pop before then.

With the way Pepper's playing, Pollock due to return, TWillis surely pushing Earl to the flanks, you can't blame him for wanting to chance it. Could also end up in the situation where he delays the op, then doesn't get picked for England anyway - worst of all possible worlds.

Puja

Aye it's an absolute bugger's muddle for him. I really really hope playing through it (if that's what he chooses) doesn't backfire. On a more positive note, he's still in great form and I'd have him straight back into the side if he carries on like this after the procedure. Ben and Henry can warm the bench for a bit.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Oct 09, 2025 5:08 pm

Danno wrote: ↑Thu Oct 09, 2025 1:10 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Oct 09, 2025 10:44 am

I think the hope is to have his cake and eat it - play in the AIs, then have the surgery and be off for just long enough that he can get form for Sale before the 6N. Obviously a risk if it goes pop before then.

With the way Pepper's playing, Pollock due to return, TWillis surely pushing Earl to the flanks, you can't blame him for wanting to chance it. Could also end up in the situation where he delays the op, then doesn't get picked for England anyway - worst of all possible worlds.

Puja

Aye it's an absolute bugger's muddle for him. I really really hope playing through it (if that's what he chooses) doesn't backfire. On a more positive note, he's still in great form and I'd have him straight back into the side if he carries on like this after the procedure. Ben and Henry can warm the bench for a bit.

I think BC is damned good, if a fair distance behind his brother. However, to compete for an England starting shirt, he needs to be right on top of his game. At 85% or whatever, he does not get in, IMO. Add on the possibility of damaging the muscle even further, thereby lengthening the absence, and there's no sense to trying to delay the op'.

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Oct 11, 2025 11:32 am Yeah, I'd say he's in line for an A call up. He's stepped into the Hill shaped hole for Sale. Bamber and Batley might be a nice combo, particularly if there's a 6 that can jump at lineout time like say Kenningham.

Puja wrote: ↑Sun Oct 12, 2025 12:40 am Jack Singleton out long-term with "a cardiac event" back in September: https://www.planetrugby.com/news/glouce ... diac-issue

Poor sod; hope he's okay.

Puja