RugbyRebels

Without the advantage of the EPS we might have finished even lower in the 6N, clearly it's important to protect it.

(I think the EPS has been useful, but I'd still rather pick the best players. It's very likely the best players will avail themselves of playing in England and being in the EPS, but they might play in France or Ireland and that wouldn't bother me)

It's an extra check on wage inflation too. Wasps don't have to fight Toulon when resigning Daly or Launchbury because they know they don't want to end their England career and the EPS money makes up a lot of the wage shortfall.

Puja

The rumour is that Ashton wants to come back to England (presumably to push for England selection).

Obviously he’s a proven Premiership player, but I can’t see any Premiership club paying what it would cost to get him out of Toulon?

Not too many clubs actively looking for wingers either (AFAIK) unless Tigers fancy him to replace Malouf or Gustard wants a statement signing at Quins (can’t see him going for Ashton though).

Scrumhead wrote:The rumour is that Ashton wants to come back to England (presumably to push for England selection).

Obviously he’s a proven Premiership player, but I can’t see any Premiership club paying what it would cost to get him out of Toulon?

Not too many clubs actively looking for wingers either (AFAIK) unless Tigers fancy him to replace Malouf or Gustard wants a statement signing at Quins (can’t see him going for Ashton though).

We've got Aspland-Robinson to replace Malouf already and with May, Holmes, Thompstone and Olowofela as well, we're fairly well stocked. Gloucester aren't overflowing with top wingers, so they could be an option. Or Saints would no doubt have him back.

Puja

Why wouldn't Sarries take him back if he were available?

Digby wrote:Why wouldn't Sarries take him back if he were available?

Salary cap?


I'll get my coat

Which Tyler wrote:

Digby wrote:Why wouldn't Sarries take him back if he were available?

Salary cap?


I'll get my coat

Nonsense, every club can afford to have Will Skelton as 4th choice lock

Digby wrote:

Which Tyler wrote:

Digby wrote:Why wouldn't Sarries take him back if he were available?

Salary cap?


I'll get my coat

Nonsense, every club can afford to have Will Skelton as 4th choice lock

Only because the catering budget doesn’t sit in the salary cap.

Digby wrote:

Which Tyler wrote:

Digby wrote:Why wouldn't Sarries take him back if he were available?

Salary cap?


I'll get my coat

Nonsense, every club can afford to have Will Skelton as 4th choice lock

And Tolofua as 3rd choice hooker obviously...

I'm getting a little Deja Vu here.

Young Bath player, has breakout season for his club; trains with England; in the wider squad and in contention to pull on a White Jersey against the BaaBaas.
Out for 9-12 months with a complex knee injury picked up in training.

2017 Tom Ellis
2018 Beno Obano
2019 Josh Bayliss? Jo Coka?

Let's hope Zac Mercer makes it through the weekend.

Rugby these days is just injuries, injuries, injuries.

twitchy wrote:Rugby these days is just injuries, injuries, injuries.

We are shooting ourselves in the foot, or knee.

Banquo wrote:

twitchy wrote:Rugby these days is just injuries, injuries, injuries.

We are shooting ourselves in the foot, or knee.

But are we targeting the knee?

Mellsblue wrote:

Banquo wrote:

twitchy wrote:Rugby these days is just injuries, injuries, injuries.

We are shooting ourselves in the foot, or knee.

But are we targeting the knee?

Does it matter? If its in the general area, clearly it needs to be BANNED.

Damn straight

Obano the latest player to be seriously crocked with England. Out for 12 months with ‘multiple ligament and hamstring tendon damage’. Bruce Craig has not taken it well.

All the candidates for the defence coach position are English. According to Jones anyway. So, expect an Aussie to be appointed.

Means Brad Davis is not going to be one of them then (At least if he's not lying, or using residency rules...).

Nick Easter.

Stom wrote:Nick Easter.

Seems a fair swap. If you’re Welsh, Irish, Scottish, French, Kiwi, Aussie and South African. Hell, the Georgians might even fancy their chances.

Mellsblue wrote:

Stom wrote:Nick Easter.

Seems a fair swap. If you’re Welsh, Irish, Scottish, French, Kiwi, Aussie and. South African. Hell, the Georgians might even fancy their chances.

Would be two great deals for Quins in quick succession

Mellsblue wrote:Obano the latest player to be seriously crocked with England. Out for 12 months with ‘multiple ligament and hamstring tendon damage’. Bruce Craig has not taken it well.

Only 20 hours late then

Honestly what does Eddie do to the players?

The track record of injuries in England training under Eddie is just plain crazy.

Surely it needs looking in to?

S**t for Obano and s**t for Bath considering they’ve just let Auterac go.

The incidence of injuries with England does seem to be unnaturally high.
Injuries can and will happen at any time of course, but it does look like the casualty rate in England camp needs looking at.
I cannot recall many injuries while Burt or Jonno were in charge.

fivepointer wrote:The incidence of injuries with England does seem to be unnaturally high.
Injuries can and will happen at any time of course, but it does look like the casualty rate in England camp needs looking at.
I cannot recall many injuries while Burt or Jonno were in charge.

Not sure its Eddie per se, we just flog our players- Eddie is just the cherry on top, as it were. Redpath and Willis were injured with their clubs.