England U20 EPS Squad 2017/18

[Banquo]

I've now become a FNM follower

[twitchy]

This french pack is pretty scary, how often does that happen to a NZ scrum?

[fivepointer]

Not often enough.

The French 3,5,7 and 8 were mightily impressive. Demba Bamba was just sensational.

[twitchy]

The number 8 was quality and they have trevor brennan's kid at lock I think.

[TheNomad]

The number 8 was quality and they have trevor brennan's kid at lock I think.

He's 17 right? Incredible potential.

They look seriously good, you have to fancy them for the final, but the fact that we've again made the final is great. Real consistency at a youth level

I think Ibitoye could, long term, be better suited at 13 than wing. I think he'll suffer from the English disease of being seen as too small for wing, but his passing game is pretty good, his decision making is good and his offloading is exceptional.

[padprop]

The number 8 was quality and they have trevor brennan's kid at lock I think.

He's 17 right? Incredible potential.

They look seriously good, you have to fancy them for the final, but the fact that we've again made the final is great. Real consistency at a youth level

I think Ibitoye could, long term, be better suited at 13 than wing. I think he'll suffer from the English disease of being seen as too small for wing, but his passing game is pretty good, his decision making is good and his offloading is exceptional.

Ive never heard of anyone being too small to play wing so moved to 13. Even if all the england 13s have been relatively small (Joseph and Daly) They are still big enough to play wing. Tuilagi isn't exactly small either.

I admit its going to be hard for him to break through as Wade's history has shown but he can't be much smaller than Nowell, so does have a chance.

[Digby]

I don't even think it was really a red. He didn't change his line, didn't deliberately choose to make contact and, while in slow motion he had an age to stop, turn around, make sure his elbow didn't connect with anything, at full speed he just couldn't stop. The usual terrible decision by the citing panel in ignorance of the basic laws of physics.

Hopefully there'll be an appeal and he can be back for the final.

Puja

He definitely took an extra step in for me, perhaps there'd have been contact without it, but he looked to me to be trying to get in the way.

See, that's where I think the slow motion has suckered people. "An extra step" in slow motion is a deliberate movement; at full speed, it's just the inevitable consequence of 16st not being able to stop on a sixpence.

Puja

We can all agree though whatever actions were taken or not it isn't remotely in the same league as the Ofa Tu'ungafasi hit on Remy Grosso, which of course received a much longer ban of 0 weeks.

They're not bad incidents to compare actually, both players hit were doing down, one was brushed with minimal contact, one was full on smashed, and the authorities have clearly perceived which was the more dangerous incident.

[Timbo]

The number 8 was quality and they have trevor brennan's kid at lock I think.

He's 17 right? Incredible potential.

They look seriously good, you have to fancy them for the final, but the fact that we've again made the final is great. Real consistency at a youth level

I think Ibitoye could, long term, be better suited at 13 than wing. I think he'll suffer from the English disease of being seen as too small for wing, but his passing game is pretty good, his decision making is good and his offloading is exceptional.

Ive never heard of anyone being too small to play wing so moved to 13. Even if all the england 13s have been relatively small (Joseph and Daly) They are still big enough to play wing. Tuilagi isn't exactly small either.

I admit its going to be hard for him to break through as Wade's history has shown but he can't be much smaller than Nowell, so does have a chance.

Ibitoye May be short, but I really can’t see him as ‘small’. He’s about as wide as he is tall. I would think he weighs significantly more than Christian Wade.

[Mellsblue]

He looks sketchy enough in defence stationed on the wing let alone at OC. Also, what is his passing like. He has wing written all over him, if you ask me.

[Timbo]

Saw a stat showing that this French team is the most experienced in the competition in terms of; number of players who’ve played first team rugby, number of starts for clubs and number of minutes. England relatively close second.

NewZealand next, but some way behind, and that’s Mitre10 not Super Rugby. Pro14 Nations giving very few chances for their respective u20’s.

Opportunities for young players not a problem in the ‘foreign mercenary’ dominated Premiership and Top14 it would seem.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Saw a stat showing that this French team is the most experienced in the competition in terms of; number of players who’ve played first team rugby, number of starts for clubs and number of minutes. England relatively close second.

NewZealand next, but some way behind, and that’s Mitre10 not Super Rugby. Pro14 Nations giving very few chances for their respective u20’s.

Opportunities for young players not a problem in the ‘foreign mercenary’ dominated Premiership and Top14 it would seem.

Yep, 18 of the 23 played first team rugby this season, amassing 175 games with 81 starts and over 7,000 minutes of first team rugby.

England aren’t bad but Curry and Smith would skew the figures somewhat.

[Tigersman]

So will England have a young player of the year nom?

If so who do you think it will be?
For me my money will be on Olowofela which i would never have thought pre WC would be the case.

[Epaminondas Pules]

So will England have a young player of the year nom?

If so who do you think it will be?
For me my money will be on Olowofela which i would never have thought pre WC would be the case.

From England I expect it will be Olowofela or Ibitoye, though you could also argue for Smith or Curry.

Jordan Joseph for me stand out overall.

[Oakboy]

So will England have a young player of the year nom?

If so who do you think it will be?
For me my money will be on Olowofela which i would never have thought pre WC would be the case.

From England I expect it will be Olowofela or Ibitoye, though you could also argue for Smith or Curry.

Jordan Joseph for me stand out overall.

Have you seen a lot of Curry? I only ask because I haven't and I can't make my mind up yet. In the SF, for example, I thought the 6 (Hill?) looked a better player on the day.

[Epaminondas Pules]

So will England have a young player of the year nom?

If so who do you think it will be?
For me my money will be on Olowofela which i would never have thought pre WC would be the case.

From England I expect it will be Olowofela or Ibitoye, though you could also argue for Smith or Curry.

Jordan Joseph for me stand out overall.

Have you seen a lot of Curry? I only ask because I haven't and I can't make my mind up yet. In the SF, for example, I thought the 6 (Hill?) looked a better player on the day.

Yes lots. Make up your mind in what way?

Hill was good, but Curry was excellent. He was a right nuisance all night. He looked in every way a more mature (experienced) player.

[twitchy]

Yep curry was a demon. Also don't forget about marcus smith as well he just looks so classy.

[Mellsblue]

I actually thought Curry wasn't that impressive. He didn't play/listen to the ref at the breakdown and gave away quite a few pens. As a no7, listening to and second guessing the ref is a key part of the game. I say that whilst thinking he is quality and should've been involved in the 6N.

Smith was brilliant. So much time on the ball. I was also impressed with White, even if he is a bit slow, both wings, even if both need a bit of polishing, and both locks.

[Peej]

Apparently the French 10 has been playing at Toulon with Nonu and Fekitoa. That's not bad for development. Imagine Curry and Smith skew the averages for England.

If it's Brennan's son that explains the massive ginger in the French team!

[Oakboy]

From England I expect it will be Olowofela or Ibitoye, though you could also argue for Smith or Curry.

Jordan Joseph for me stand out overall.

Have you seen a lot of Curry? I only ask because I haven't and I can't make my mind up yet. In the SF, for example, I thought the 6 (Hill?) looked a better player on the day.

Yes lots. Make up your mind in what way?
[/pre]
Hill was good, but Curry was excellent. He was a right nuisance all night. He looked in every way a more mature (experienced) player.

Only about how good he is. So many praise him (and his brother) that I can't help wondering how much is over-hype (being a cynic). In the SF I wondered if he was trying too hard to live up to his reputation and therefore missing a modicum of composure. I'm not condemning in any way because I think that is the first time I've seen him play a full game. Everything else has been highlights.

[Tigersman]

so it's
Olowofela
Ibitoye
Joseph
Ntamack
as the shortlist.

[francoisfou]

The number 8 was quality and they have trevor brennan's kid at lock I think.

Yes,and Daniel Brennan is TB's boy - and a biggun too! He's leaving Toulouse and going to play for Montpellier next season.

Listen to this post match interview with him and see if there's a hint of a French accent!!

[Mellsblue]

I want some of Emile’s moisturuser. He’s got to be going on 50.

[fivepointer]

England U20s v France JWC final 6pm (on ITV4)

15. Tom Parton (London Irish)
14. Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
13. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
12. Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers)
11. Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
9. Ben White (Leicester Tigers)
1. Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby)
2. Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby)
3. Ehren Painter (Northampton Saints)
4. Joel Kpoku (Saracens)
5. James Scott (Worcester Warriors)
6. Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors)
7. Ben Curry – captain (Sale Sharks)
8. Josh Basham (London Irish)

Replacements
16. Beck Cutting (Worcester Warriors)
17. Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
19. Tom Willis (Wasps)
20. Aaron Hinkley (Gloucester Rugby)
21. Rory Brand (London Irish)
22. James Grayson (Northampton Saints)
23. Will Butler (Worcester Warriors)

Painter starts ahead of Heyes and Cutting on bench for Ogrhe.
Difficult game for our lads but we do have game winners in the backs if we can get a foothold up front.

[Mellsblue]

The number 8 was quality and they have trevor brennan's kid at lock I think.

Yes,and Daniel Brennan is TB's boy - and a biggun too! He's leaving Toulouse and going to play for Montpellier next season.

Listen to this post match interview with him and see if there's a hint of a French accent!!

You’ll know better than me. There is definitely a Northern twang. Probably more Bretagne than Parisian.

[Banquo]

England U20s v France JWC final 6pm (on ITV4)

15. Tom Parton (London Irish)
14. Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
13. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
12. Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers)
11. Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
9. Ben White (Leicester Tigers)
1. Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby)
2. Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby)
3. Ehren Painter (Northampton Saints)
4. Joel Kpoku (Saracens)
5. James Scott (Worcester Warriors)
6. Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors)
7. Ben Curry – captain (Sale Sharks)
8. Josh Basham (London Irish)

Replacements
16. Beck Cutting (Worcester Warriors)
17. Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
19. Tom Willis (Wasps)
20. Aaron Hinkley (Gloucester Rugby)
21. Rory Brand (London Irish)
22. James Grayson (Northampton Saints)
23. Will Butler (Worcester Warriors)

Painter starts ahead of Heyes and Cutting on bench for Ogrhe.
Difficult game for our lads but we do have game winners in the backs if we can get a foothold up front.

Two Cambridge RUFC lads and one from my old school in the squad, woo hoo.

Might as well have sent Isiekwe over to help out tbh.