EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Mikey Brown]

I think he'd do alright pace wise. Doesn't seem quite the best use of his skills but who knows. A bit like Jordie Barrett, I can see why you might give him a go there but can't picture it long term.

[Puja]

Harry Mallinder playing on the wing vs. Benetton is interesting. Like everyone else, I haven’t seen him play for a long time, but while I do recall him being deceptively quick, I wouldn’t have said he had the gas to play on the wing?

He's pretty rapid - more of a Marland Yarde sort of pace than a May or Rees-Zammit, but not slow. It won't make the best use of his playmaking or ability in traffic, but it does ameliorate the effects of his cowardice on the team's defence, so it could be that.

Plus, he needs to earn a place closer inside given the form of the likes of Grayson, Hutchinson, and Furbank.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Agreed. The three you‘ve mentioned there deserve to retain their places. Hopefully Boyd can have a similarly positive impact on Mallinder.

[Mikey Brown]

Only just heard LRZ talk. Shame he thinks he's Welsh.

[Mellsblue]

From today’s Times:

‘Jones was at Franklin’s Gardens to cast his eye over George Furbank and David Ribbans before the Six Nations.’

BUT

‘Furbank, the promising full-back, tweaked his groin in the warm-up and pulled out of the team before kick-off. Ribbans, the lock, suffered a left ankle injury after just 22 minutes, hobbled off and was taken to hospital for further examination.’

[Tigersman]

Coaching team for 6N's
Matt Proudfoot joins as forwards coach
Simon Amor becomes attack coach
Steve Borthwick switches to skills coach
John Mitchell continues to lead defence

[Puja]

Coaching team for 6N's
Matt Proudfoot joins as forwards coach
Simon Amor becomes attack coach
Steve Borthwick switches to skills coach
John Mitchell continues to lead defence

That's not actually terrible. I can get behind those appointments.

Puja

[Oakboy]

Just what skills does Borthwick have the qualification to supervise? The lineout, perhaps, but then what?

[Mellsblue]

Just what skills does Borthwick have the qualification to supervise? The lineout, perhaps, but then what?

In Borthwick’s world there is nothing outside the lineout.

[fivepointer]

Amor is the interesting appointment. Very bright 7's coach but how much has he coached 15's?

And Borthwick as skills coach. Mmmm.....

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah I figured Amor would be a skills coach if anything.

[Digby]

Do we believe things that Eddie says?

[TheNomad]

Have seen there are rumours that Nick Tompkins would be called up for Wales

1) I had no idea he was eligible for them
2) surely he's not far off an England cap? I think he and Devoto have been underused. Both really good players

[Scrumhead]

100% agree. One grandmother and not enough interest from England. A huge shame IMO.

Devoto’s slightly different. He may well have had more of a look-in but for his injury record.

[fivepointer]

Didnt Tompkins go to SA with the Saxons a few seasons back?

Pity to lose him and its galling to bring a player all the way through the English club system to top level and then lose him.

[twitchy]

That's really annoying.

[Puja]

Didnt Tompkins go to SA with the Saxons a few seasons back?

Pity to lose him and its galling to bring a player all the way through the English club system to top level and then lose him.

Yes, but despite England A playing South Africa A, that game did not count as an A game for capture purposes, as South Africa A were not registered as the South African A side, as they had chosen the Emerging Springboks to be their A side, despite the fact that the Emerging Springboks weren't playing that year and, in fact, hadn't played since 2009.

See also, why Mike Haley is Irish despite two appearances for England representative sides.

Puja

[fivepointer]

That all makes perfect sense...

[Mellsblue]

Not sure this is the correct thread, if only in the short term, but Jonny Williams returns for Newcastle after beating cancer.
https://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news ... rom-cancer

[Which Tyler]

Not sure this is the correct thread, if only in the short term, but Jonny Williams returns for Newcastle after beating cancer.
https://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news ... rom-cancer

Possibly deserves a thread of it's own - but brilliant news either way

[Digby]

Not sure this is the correct thread, if only in the short term, but Jonny Williams returns for Newcastle after beating cancer.
https://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news ... rom-cancer

Possibly deserves a thread of it's own - but brilliant news either way

I inferred Mells was saying he's going to be diagnosed with cancer soon, which was harsh, even for Mells

[Which Tyler]

Injury news from Bath.

Zach due back in time for the Valentine's day fixture
Cokanasiga having knee surgery early February. Apparently he's been "managing" it for a year now (so not necessarily England's fault) was then hoped that a few months rest and rehab would actually sort it but the decision has been made. Delay another few weeks is simply the next availability for the top guy for this surgery (in Sweden)

[twitchy]

Sam Simmonds and LCD the only english players nominated for euro player of the year.

[Mikey Brown]

No Jacob Umaga?

[p/d]

No Jacob Umaga?