Work ons for Spruce Bringsteen

[Beasties]

Hard to look beyond a return to Billy V, Sam Simmonds and then a look at Willis T and Mercer as possible bolters. It is most definitely a problem position in a number of facets, with not much time to find a coherent answer. Backrow as a whole really. We don't know what our backrow makeup should be.

Aye. Frankly Jack Willis and Tom Curry are class acts, but very different- can you accomodate them both (probably), but what does that mean for number 8 and locks...and what is our breakdown strategy (which is also a function of what game we'd like to impose on the opposition).

Slightly Bothersome.

Tom Curry has been injured for a while, but before he was crocked, he did not look the player he was a couple of years ago. Can't say why exactly, but overall he has just seemed a little more ploddy and lacking his earlier zip. Perhaps he has bulked up a tad when he didn't really need to.
Re. flankers - I'm surprised Pearson is not getting more plaudits here. For me he has been the best open side in the league for some time with a great all-round game, size, pace, footwork and intelligence.
If I were Seymour Bumph (but I don't have the schnozz for it), with a new, free hand on selection, not tied to Eddie's eejits, he would be the first flanker on my roster.

I’d happily have Pearson in above Earl. He has been very impressive of late. Looks like he’d slot in to any team too, got that sort of game. I keep hearing Hill being mentioned, never quite got why he gets so many mentions. Now would be a good time to have a summer tour to try out the likes of Pearson and T Willis. Tricky decisions ahead.

[Banquo]

Hard to look beyond a return to Billy V, Sam Simmonds and then a look at Willis T and Mercer as possible bolters. It is most definitely a problem position in a number of facets, with not much time to find a coherent answer. Backrow as a whole really. We don't know what our backrow makeup should be.

Aye. Frankly Jack Willis and Tom Curry are class acts, but very different- can you accomodate them both (probably), but what does that mean for number 8 and locks...and what is our breakdown strategy (which is also a function of what game we'd like to impose on the opposition).

Slightly Bothersome.

Tom Curry has been injured for a while, but before he was crocked, he did not look the player he was a couple of years ago. Can't say why exactly, but overall he has just seemed a little more ploddy and lacking his earlier zip. Perhaps he has bulked up a tad when he didn't really need to.
Re. flankers - I'm surprised Pearson is not getting more plaudits here. For me he has been the best open side in the league for some time with a great all-round game, size, pace, footwork and intelligence.
If I were Seymour Bumph (but I don't have the schnozz for it), with a new, free hand on selection, not tied to Eddie's eejits, he would be the first flanker on my roster.

Fair, but prem good doesn’t equal Intl good necessarily hopefully he is that good at the next level. Pearson could have been picked btw- replacing either Tom Curry or Lawes when they were injured.

[p/d]

Look back into my DNA, find a French connection, buy a blue shirt and sit back and enjoy the WC.

What Sk8er Boi is going to do is anybody’s guess

[Oakboy]

. . . but prem good doesn’t equal Intl good necessarily . . .

What about the French league? I suppose there is more than a smattering of world class players to play with and against. It must be some sort of benchmark if an English backrower is getting picked to start and if he's outstanding reportedly . . . ?

[Mellsblue]

Look back into my DNA, find a French connection, buy a blue shirt and sit back and enjoy the WC.

What Sk8er Boi is going to do is anybody’s guess

You left out ‘move to La Rochelle’.

[p/d]

Look back into my DNA, find a French connection, buy a blue shirt and sit back and enjoy the WC.

What Sk8er Boi is going to do is anybody’s guess

You left out ‘move to La Rochelle’.

I was thinking Avignon, where my ability to reenact historical battles through the art of mime would reach a large audience during the month of Juillet

[Puja]

. . . but prem good doesn’t equal Intl good necessarily . . .

What about the French league? I suppose there is more than a smattering of world class players to play with and against. It must be some sort of benchmark if an English backrower is getting picked to start and if he's outstanding reportedly . . . ?

That then brings the Jackson Wray question of whether someone is a top player or just surrounded by top players making him look good.

Puja

[Oakboy]

. . . but prem good doesn’t equal Intl good necessarily . . .

What about the French league? I suppose there is more than a smattering of world class players to play with and against. It must be some sort of benchmark if an English backrower is getting picked to start and if he's outstanding reportedly . . . ?

That then brings the Jackson Wray question of whether someone is a top player or just surrounded by top players making him look good.

Puja

True, but there are some classy (world class) French players that have emerged in the last season or two - certainly far more than English from the Prem etc. The overall average standard could be higher. Mercer, Willis, Willis must at least be learning in exalted company. I haven't seen any of it so can only refer to reports.

[Spiffy]

Aye. Frankly Jack Willis and Tom Curry are class acts, but very different- can you accomodate them both (probably), but what does that mean for number 8 and locks...and what is our breakdown strategy (which is also a function of what game we'd like to impose on the opposition).

Slightly Bothersome.

Tom Curry has been injured for a while, but before he was crocked, he did not look the player he was a couple of years ago. Can't say why exactly, but overall he has just seemed a little more ploddy and lacking his earlier zip. Perhaps he has bulked up a tad when he didn't really need to.
Re. flankers - I'm surprised Pearson is not getting more plaudits here. For me he has been the best open side in the league for some time with a great all-round game, size, pace, footwork and intelligence.
If I were Seymour Bumph (but I don't have the schnozz for it), with a new, free hand on selection, not tied to Eddie's eejits, he would be the first flanker on my roster.

Fair, but prem good doesn’t equal Intl good necessarily hopefully he is that good at the next level. Pearson could have been picked btw- replacing either Tom Curry or Lawes when they were injured.

Fair enough. But we will never know until (unless) Pearson gets an international game to see if he can hack it. In the meantime, we can only compare him with his peers at League level.

[Spiffy]

Just watched Sarries/Quins.

Solomon Burke should be taking a good look at Lozowski. He has been sticking his hand up for some time now. A good all-round midfielder with ball skills, decent pace, strong defence and rugby brains. Looks a step up from the current Henry Slade.

Also - Faz seems to play a different game for club/country. Looser, more flexible and less structured for Sarries. (Though not that loose in the absolute sense.) If SB is to keep starting him, then get him to start playing more like this for England.

[Banquo]

Just watched Sarries/Quins.

Solomon Burke should be taking a good look at Lozowski. He has been sticking his hand up for some time now. A good all-round midfielder with ball skills, decent pace, strong defence and rugby brains. Looks a step up from the current Henry Slade.

Also - Faz seems to play a different game for club/country. Looser, more flexible and less structured for Sarries. (Though not that loose in the absolute sense.) If SB is to keep starting him, then get him to start playing more like this for England.

Yes on Loz; on Faz it’s in line with Sarries playing a lot more open a game, but a good point. They also use Malins and Goode a lot as distributors.You also have more time in the prem

[p/d]

I just hope Faz’s eye is okay after taking a forearm to the throat.

[Oakboy]

I've been talking up Lozowski for a while now. I think more imaginative use of the backs on the bench is worth a thought. He covers 10-14, arguably. So, select a SH at 21, Loz at 22 and use the 23 slot depending on the opposition.

[Puja]

I've been talking up Lozowski for a while now. I think more imaginative use of the backs on the bench is worth a thought. He covers 10-14, arguably. So, select a SH at 21, Loz at 22 and use the 23 slot depending on the opposition.

Would it not be utterly terrifying having Lozowski playing 10 for any significant part of an international game?

Puja

[Tom Moore]

I've been talking up Lozowski for a while now. I think more imaginative use of the backs on the bench is worth a thought. He covers 10-14, arguably. So, select a SH at 21, Loz at 22 and use the 23 slot depending on the opposition.

Would it not be utterly terrifying having Lozowski playing 10 for any significant part of an international game?

Puja

Having seen Farrell, I don't think I'm frightened of anyone else at 10.

[Oakboy]

I've been talking up Lozowski for a while now. I think more imaginative use of the backs on the bench is worth a thought. He covers 10-14, arguably. So, select a SH at 21, Loz at 22 and use the 23 slot depending on the opposition.

Would it not be utterly terrifying having Lozowski playing 10 for any significant part of an international game?

Puja

Not in the least - a damned sight better than Furbank, for example. Frankly, if Farrell was crocked long-term, Saracens would be happy with him there. What's not to like? He's got good hands, genuine pace and he's a superb defender.

[Puja]

I've been talking up Lozowski for a while now. I think more imaginative use of the backs on the bench is worth a thought. He covers 10-14, arguably. So, select a SH at 21, Loz at 22 and use the 23 slot depending on the opposition.

Would it not be utterly terrifying having Lozowski playing 10 for any significant part of an international game?

Puja

Not in the least - a damned sight better than Furbank, for example. Frankly, if Farrell was crocked long-term, Saracens would be happy with him there. What's not to like? He's got good hands, genuine pace and he's a superb defender.

They don't play him there though. When Farrell's unavailable, they put Goode there. When was the last time he even played a game at 10?

Puja

[FKAS]

Would it not be utterly terrifying having Lozowski playing 10 for any significant part of an international game?

Puja

Not in the least - a damned sight better than Furbank, for example. Frankly, if Farrell was crocked long-term, Saracens would be happy with him there. What's not to like? He's got good hands, genuine pace and he's a superb defender.

They don't play him there though. When Farrell's unavailable, they put Goode there. When was the last time he even played a game at 10?

Puja

Whilst I generally agree with you Puja, Montpellier had no issue with starting Lozowski for an extended period for his one season in France.

[Puja]

Not in the least - a damned sight better than Furbank, for example. Frankly, if Farrell was crocked long-term, Saracens would be happy with him there. What's not to like? He's got good hands, genuine pace and he's a superb defender.

They don't play him there though. When Farrell's unavailable, they put Goode there. When was the last time he even played a game at 10?

Puja

Whilst I generally agree with you Puja, Montpellier had no issue with starting Lozowski for an extended period for his one season in France.

It is comforting to find out that he's played 10 more recently than his Wasps days, but I'm still a little bit nervous about the idea of having a part-time fly-half as our international 10 in the case of a first minute injury.

Puja

[Crash Hamster]

Interesting afternoon in front of the telly; Lozowski was very good (though I'd not want him at 10 in an international) Malins had a good game, though Murley ran over him twice (and bashed some decent holes in Saracens' forwards, too.)

Pearson outdid Ludlam and Arundell outbombed Nick David in the earlier game; a couple of complete butcherings of certain tries.

Much for Sniff Bostik to ponder.

[FKAS]

Interesting afternoon in front of the telly; Lozowski was very good (though I'd not want him at 10 in an international) Malins had a good game, though Murley ran over him twice (and bashed some decent holes in Saracens' forwards, too.)

Pearson outdid Ludlam and Arundell outbombed Nick David in the earlier game; a couple of complete butcherings of certain tries.

Much for Sniff Bostik to ponder.

Ben Loader was the pick of the LI back three players. Borthwick might well be looking at him, played like a more powerful Anthony Watson (but can actually play 15).

Pearson was pretty much peerless. He's really go to be in the next England squad.

[Danno]

Sniff Bostik.

Superb

[FKAS]

They don't play him there though. When Farrell's unavailable, they put Goode there. When was the last time he even played a game at 10?

Puja

Whilst I generally agree with you Puja, Montpellier had no issue with starting Lozowski for an extended period for his one season in France.

It is comforting to find out that he's played 10 more recently than his Wasps days, but I'm still a little bit nervous about the idea of having a part-time fly-half as our international 10 in the case of a first minute injury.

Puja

He started the European final Vs Tigers at 10 before being replaced by Pollard on about 60 mins, you might remember that one.

[Puja]

Whilst I generally agree with you Puja, Montpellier had no issue with starting Lozowski for an extended period for his one season in France.

It is comforting to find out that he's played 10 more recently than his Wasps days, but I'm still a little bit nervous about the idea of having a part-time fly-half as our international 10 in the case of a first minute injury.

Puja

He started the European final Vs Tigers at 10 before being replaced by Pollard on about 60 mins, you might remember that one.

No, I don't recall that game. Don't think it even exists.

So, we're talking about just about 2 years since his last game at 10?

Puja

[badback]

Watched some premiership rugby for first time for ages yesterday. What struck me is how good the players are. It seems the key skill from an England coach point of viewing is picking and sticking with a cohort. Not an easy thing to do. Fewer options might make life easier.