RWC Training Squad

[Mellsblue]

Given performances in the past 12 months I’d rather we picked Freeman over May and Malins. I’d also rather have Arundell in the 23 jersey over anyone else if you want that player to able to produce something out of nothing to win a game.

[Epaminondas Pules]

A shame not to see Seb Atkinson, I’d have also taken a look at Riley for the wide squad.

I’d be surprised not to see both Willis brothers come into the squad and then of course the four semi finalists players.

[fivepointer]

Revised squad due later.

https://12ft.io/proxy?&q=https%3A%2F%2F ... -world-cup

"It is thought that Dan Kelly, the young Tigers centre who seemed in line to feature in the Six Nations before a thigh injury scuppered his tournament, and Saints full-back George Furbank have both been overlooked by Borthwick for now"

[Mikey Brown]

Launchbury injured but now training at Quins. Hmm.

[fivepointer]

Players added -
Dan Cole
Joe Heyes
George Martin
Guy Porter
Freddie Steward
Jack van Poortvliet
Anthony Watson
Ben Youngs
Courtney Lawes
Lewis Ludlam
David Ribbans
Fraser Dingwall
Tommy Freeman
Alex Mitchell
Fin Smith

Players dropped -
Ollie Hassell-Collins
Ben Spencer
Harry Randall

[Epaminondas Pules]

Really odd to see Kelly miss out. And I just don't get Porter if I'm honest.

[FKAS]

I sort of get Porter in that he's a handy utility player but his form towards the end of the season wasn't good enough to see him included. Kelly on the other hand finished the season well and we look desperately short at 12. I can only assume Kelly isn't fit.

[Mikey Brown]

A utility player like him seems like less of a requirement when we have Slade and Daly, but I guess it’s early on in the camp. A big shame for Kelly. Let’s hope he doesn’t continue this trend of terribly timed injuries.

[Puja]

I sort of get Porter in that he's a handy utility player but his form towards the end of the season wasn't good enough to see him included. Kelly on the other hand finished the season well and we look desperately short at 12. I can only assume Kelly isn't fit.

My only other theory is that Slim Banding has decided that it's too late to try and integrate a completely untested 12 for the RWC and that he's better going with players who have experience at international level. Not unfair, I suppose. (ETA. Not suggesting Porter as a potential internation 12 - just commenting on the lack of Kelly!)

Interesting that Murley's kept OHC out, in a reverse of the 6N squads.

Puja

[Tesh]

Interesting Care staying in over Randall and Spencer, but guess it's maybe just to give Smith some ready made cohesion and familiarity in training so he doesn't feel so sidelined by Ford and Farrell (who I guess are near guaranteed first and second choice at this point, and I reckon for the next cycle too) and can try to implement his own structure. Can't imagine Care making the Final Cut, though with total bias I'd love to see him finally go to a WC.

[FKAS]

I sort of get Porter in that he's a handy utility player but his form towards the end of the season wasn't good enough to see him included. Kelly on the other hand finished the season well and we look desperately short at 12. I can only assume Kelly isn't fit.

My only other theory is that Slim Banding has decided that it's too late to try and integrate a completely untested 12 for the RWC and that he's better going with players who have experience at international level. Not unfair, I suppose. (ETA. Not suggesting Porter as a potential internation 12 - just commenting on the lack of Kelly!)

Interesting that Murley's kept OHC out, in a reverse of the 6N squads.

Puja

I did wonder whether the Borthinator has decided that Manu and Lawrence are going to be the 12s for the world cup, preferring the hard carrying option with a runner or playmaker at 13 or going back to F&F with the hard carrying option at 13.

[Puja]

Interesting Care staying in over Randall and Spencer, but guess it's maybe just to give Smith some ready made cohesion and familiarity in training so he doesn't feel so sidelined by Ford and Farrell (who I guess are near guaranteed first and second choice at this point, and I reckon for the next cycle too) and can try to implement his own structure. Can't imagine Care making the Final Cut, though with total bias I'd love to see him finally go to a WC.

I guess that, since none of them are likely to go to the RWC, it makes sense to have the experience of Care who has been there and done that (and may have things to teach JVP and Mitchell as well).

Puja

[TheDasher]

By my count, there’s probably 11 with a decent shout of being in the final squad:

Genge
Sinckler
Stuart
Underhill
Dombrandt
Mercer
Smith
Slade
Lawrence
Arundell

Plus one of the other looseheads (I’d pick Marler, but I’d be happy with Obano or VRR).

Maybe 12 …

I know I’m going to get some heat for saying this, but the more I think about it, I could see May going. He’s had a poor season for sure, but having seen our other inexperienced options failing to really grab the opportunity, I think May at 80% of his peak is probably still better than the alternatives.

Hopefully Pearson too, looks the part.

[Mr Mwenda]

Really odd to see Kelly miss out. And I just don't get Porter if I'm honest.

It's a sweet beer, quite heavy. Often quite nice, although often a bit too strong and filling to drink too much of in my experience.

[16th man]

Really odd to see Kelly miss out. And I just don't get Porter if I'm honest.

It's a sweet beer, quite heavy. Often quite nice, although often a bit too strong and filling to drink too much of in my experience.

lightening the mood with a bit of mild humour?

[Banquo]

Really odd to see Kelly miss out. And I just don't get Porter if I'm honest.

It's a sweet beer, quite heavy. Often quite nice, although often a bit too strong and filling to drink too much of in my experience.

lightening the mood with a bit of mild humour?

a mixed response

[Mr Mwenda]

It's a sweet beer, quite heavy. Often quite nice, although often a bit too strong and filling to drink too much of in my experience.

lightening the mood with a bit of mild humour?

a mixed response

Hey, I'm not bitter.

[Epaminondas Pules]

36 player squad for this weeks training:

Forwards
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)

Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby)

Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)

Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)

Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)

Ted Hill (Bath Rugby)

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)

Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints)

Joe Marler (Harlequins)

George Martin (Leicester Tigers)

Zach Mercer (Montpellier Hérault Rugby)

Tom Pearson (London Irish)

Val Rapava-Ruskin (Gloucester Rugby)

David Ribbans (Northampton Saints)

Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)

Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)

Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)

Backs
Henry Arundell (London Irish)

Danny Care (Harlequins)

Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby)

Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)

Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)

Joe Marchant (Harlequins)

Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)

Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)

Cadan Murley (Harlequins)

Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers)

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)

Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)

Marcus Smith (Harlequins)

Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)

Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)

Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)



Billy Vunipola underwent a minor surgical procedure on his injured knee on Friday. The No. 8 will continue his rehabilitation, aiming to be available for Rugby World Cup selection in August.

"The medical team are positive about my prospects, and I understand exactly what needs to be done over the next few weeks," said Vunipola.

Ollie Chessum, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ollie Lawrence and Jack Walker remain in camp to continue their rehabilitation from injury.

[FKAS]

Presume this will change again or it's a very brave new world with neither Ford nor Farrell.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Yeah Sale and Sarries players not included still.

I guess, hope the same for the Willis brothers.

[Banquo]

The Porter mystery continues.

[Mr Mwenda]

The Porter mystery continues.

He's a stout-hearted fellow. A good bloke to have in the squad.

[Puja]

I can't tell - has anyone entered or left the squad this week?

Puja

[Which Tyler]

I can't tell - has anyone entered or left the squad this week?

Puja

Obano & Joseph

[Tom Moore]

I can't tell - has anyone entered or left the squad this week?

Puja

Obano & Joseph

Hoping Ewels is only still there for scrum practice, and will be leaving this time next week when Hill Isiekwe and Itoje are available.