Puja wrote:So, just to confirm, we've got Underhill, TCurry, BillyV, and Ludlam all under 26. And we've also got BCurry and JWillis who we know are excellent. And this weekend Earl and Hill were superb, along with Sam Simmonds and Dombrandt.
Anyone remember when we were so short of back row that we played locks there?
Puja
It’s mad thinking a couple of those guys are barely ever going to get a look in.
I was more struck by watching the highlights and thinking just how far down the pecking order Will Evans now is.
At risk of summoning the backrow opine god, is Mercer a specialist 8 or does he/can he cover 6?
Mercer has played 6, 7 and 8 for Bath.
He’s a good athlete with enough pace to be a credible flanker but I think he’s best as a wide-running, Read style 8.
This, he's also learning from one of the best wide-running 8s in the business, with a similar physique and almost identical height/weight stats - he also spent a few years being coached by another of the greats.
He usualy plays BSF when Faletau's fit, but has been known to displace Taulupe to the bench based on form; he's also started the odd game here and there at 7 when tactics (or injuries) demand; and has covered 7 many more times.
That's good news. It'll never happen, but it'd be nice if we had a midweek game against a local T3 side as well, like Hong Kong or Russia (in an eastern city).
twitchy wrote:We seem to have a huge amount 6's and 7's coming through. Not so many 8's.
Not many 8s like Billy, though I reckon if we can ensure the back row has enough ballast we'll be OK. For instance, if you had Hill (he's so rapid for 6ft 5), Curry, Willis, each would bring a bit of carrying to the party. Add some dynamic front rows (like Genge, Sinkler etc.) and locks (Itoje etc.) and you've got a pack that provides go forward ball.
That's good news. It'll never happen, but it'd be nice if we had a midweek game against a local T3 side as well, like Hong Kong or Russia (in an eastern city).
Puja
Can I assume if HK that would be them flying into Japan and not us going there and back betwixt tests? No idea if anywhere on the east coast of Russia is a rugby city, if not it could have all the appeal of Saracens playing London Irish in Portland
That's good news. It'll never happen, but it'd be nice if we had a midweek game against a local T3 side as well, like Hong Kong or Russia (in an eastern city).
Puja
Can I assume if HK that would be them flying into Japan and not us going there and back betwixt tests? No idea if anywhere on the east coast of Russia is a rugby city, if not it could have all the appeal of Saracens playing London Irish in Portland
On a google search, it appears nowhere on the east coast of Russia has a team in their top division. So probably not a good idea.
We could either have a warm-up in HK the week before or have a larger squad for a dirt tracker side to travel midweek.
Puja wrote:
That's good news. It'll never happen, but it'd be nice if we had a midweek game against a local T3 side as well, like Hong Kong or Russia (in an eastern city).
Puja
Can I assume if HK that would be them flying into Japan and not us going there and back betwixt tests? No idea if anywhere on the east coast of Russia is a rugby city, if not it could have all the appeal of Saracens playing London Irish in Portland
On a google search, it appears nowhere on the east coast of Russia has a team in their top division. So probably not a good idea.
We could either have a warm-up in HK the week before or have a larger squad for a dirt tracker side to travel midweek.
Puja
Given current troubles, an England sports team in HK could allay everyone’s fears that rugby doesn’t receive enough media coverage.
Can I assume if HK that would be them flying into Japan and not us going there and back betwixt tests? No idea if anywhere on the east coast of Russia is a rugby city, if not it could have all the appeal of Saracens playing London Irish in Portland
On a google search, it appears nowhere on the east coast of Russia has a team in their top division. So probably not a good idea.
We could either have a warm-up in HK the week before or have a larger squad for a dirt tracker side to travel midweek.
Puja
Given current troubles, an England sports team in HK could allay everyone’s fears that rugby doesn’t receive enough media coverage.
I wouldn't want to split the group for all that travel even without the possibility of martial law, riots, and being used as a political tool by all sides involved. Unless we send Lenny and Farrell as ambassadors to negotiate a bright new future
Can I assume if HK that would be them flying into Japan and not us going there and back betwixt tests? No idea if anywhere on the east coast of Russia is a rugby city, if not it could have all the appeal of Saracens playing London Irish in Portland
On a google search, it appears nowhere on the east coast of Russia has a team in their top division. So probably not a good idea.
We could either have a warm-up in HK the week before or have a larger squad for a dirt tracker side to travel midweek.
Puja
Given current troubles, an England sports team in HK could allay everyone’s fears that rugby doesn’t receive enough media coverage.
twitchy wrote:We seem to have a huge amount 6's and 7's coming through. Not so many 8's.
Not many 8s like Billy, though I reckon if we can ensure the back row has enough ballast we'll be OK. For instance, if you had Hill (he's so rapid for 6ft 5), Curry, Willis, each would bring a bit of carrying to the party. Add some dynamic front rows (like Genge, Sinkler etc.) and locks (Itoje etc.) and you've got a pack that provides go forward ball.
Is that wishful thinking?
Not particularly.
Ben Earl had another good game for Saracens today, picking up two tries and some good turnovers. He’s another who’s a kind of 7.5 (he was wearing 7 but packing down at 8 on a good few of the attacking scrums) in the mould of Clifford or Mercer.
I’d say bigger number 8s like Billy are less common now as carrying is increasingly being shared out across forward packs. It seems there is a trend to more dynamic, athletic 8s with good all round skills rather than bulk and heavy carrying being first priority.
Out of all the post World Cup possibilities, I'm mostly looking forward to the irony of England taking a blindside in Ted Hill and converting him to lock.
Provided it doesn't punch a hole in the fabric of time and space and leave me with the head of a wasp, I shall call him the anti-Lawes.
I said this in the match thread, but Saints were very good last night. Hard to watch as a Quins fan, but great to see some young English talent playing good attacking rugby.
Henry Taylor had another good performance and if he carries on like this, I’ll be very happy. I still think Alex Mitchell is the one to watch at Saints, but in his absence, Taylor’s been a real silver lining.
Grayson was excellent. I haven’t seen much of a running game from him, but aside from that he has all of the goods and is very composed for such a young guy.
Furbank also had another really strong performance. Seeing him play reminds me of Foden before he went off the ball. If he continues like this, he could be a really promising 15 for England.
That may be true in terms of the overall quality of Saints’ attack, but I’d argue that the decision-making and execution from Furbank has been very good and Grayson is nailing pressure kicks and is really showing up in defence. I’m not sure Hutchison can claim ‘massive’ credit for their individual skills.
