EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Epaminondas Pules]

Not seen it yet, but by all accounts Mercer comfortably won his head-to-head with Dombrandt yesterday - backing up his MotM on return last week with (Bath board consensus) MotM this.

McConnochie with 2 tries and apparently involved a lot (the other nomination for MotM, with Smith getting a few mentions) - another winger who'd be a better option at Twickenham than JJ, still with lots of time with the squad recently.

Is that the same JJ who had a cracking game today?

He did go well, I was amazed Ireland didn't have a crack at him under the high ball, they cleared touch on their right for some reason or went down the middle. He showed he's still got it in broken play, which was welcome, though he was bumped off a couple of tackles. He's a cracking 13 though

Aye man. Looked sharp all round. And yeah, Ireland’s kicking was at best questionable in every facet. Though never helps when you are getting constantly knocked back. The out the back play was so obvious and read almost every time by the England defence. Itoje and Underhill will cause the Irish back line nightmares for weeks! They really did seem to forget to protect Murray.

[Banquo]

Is that the same JJ who had a cracking game today?

He did go well, I was amazed Ireland didn't have a crack at him under the high ball, they cleared touch on their right for some reason or went down the middle. He showed he's still got it in broken play, which was welcome, though he was bumped off a couple of tackles. He's a cracking 13 though

Aye man. Looked sharp all round. And yeah, Ireland’s kicking was at best questionable in every facet. Though never helps when you are getting constantly knocked back. The out the back play was so obvious and read almost every time by the England defence. Itoje and Underhill will cause the Irish back line nightmares for weeks! They really did seem to forget to protect Murray.

Underhill was terrific, as was Itoje- I'd have had Underhill as MOTM, huge amount of work done.

[Epaminondas Pules]

He did go well, I was amazed Ireland didn't have a crack at him under the high ball, they cleared touch on their right for some reason or went down the middle. He showed he's still got it in broken play, which was welcome, though he was bumped off a couple of tackles. He's a cracking 13 though

Aye man. Looked sharp all round. And yeah, Ireland’s kicking was at best questionable in every facet. Though never helps when you are getting constantly knocked back. The out the back play was so obvious and read almost every time by the England defence. Itoje and Underhill will cause the Irish back line nightmares for weeks! They really did seem to forget to protect Murray.

Underhill was terrific, as was Itoje- I'd have had Underhill as MOTM, huge amount of work done.

Totally agree. Lawes was cracking, Underhill was just huge!

[Puja]

Not seen it yet, but by all accounts Mercer comfortably won his head-to-head with Dombrandt yesterday - backing up his MotM on return last week with (Bath board consensus) MotM this.

McConnochie with 2 tries and apparently involved a lot (the other nomination for MotM, with Smith getting a few mentions) - another winger who'd be a better option at Twickenham than JJ, still with lots of time with the squad recently.

Is that the same JJ who had a cracking game today?

Did he though? He had one great run from broken play, down the centre of the field, but I don't recall him doing much else, and certainly nothing you would remark upon as wing play. Wasn't utterly exposed, but they never kicked to him or attacked down his wing, so I don't know we could call him cracking.

Puja

[Banquo]

Not seen it yet, but by all accounts Mercer comfortably won his head-to-head with Dombrandt yesterday - backing up his MotM on return last week with (Bath board consensus) MotM this.

McConnochie with 2 tries and apparently involved a lot (the other nomination for MotM, with Smith getting a few mentions) - another winger who'd be a better option at Twickenham than JJ, still with lots of time with the squad recently.

Is that the same JJ who had a cracking game today?

Did he though? He had one great run from broken play, down the centre of the field, but I don't recall him doing much else, and certainly nothing you would remark upon as wing play. Wasn't utterly exposed, but they never kicked to him or attacked down his wing, so I don't know we could call him cracking.

Puja

He played well, bar being bumped on one tackle. Came off his wing to good effect and one great run. Semantic over cracking I guess.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Is that the same JJ who had a cracking game today?

Did he though? He had one great run from broken play, down the centre of the field, but I don't recall him doing much else, and certainly nothing you would remark upon as wing play. Wasn't utterly exposed, but they never kicked to him or attacked down his wing, so I don't know we could call him cracking.

Puja

He played well, bar being bumped on one tackle. Came off his wing to good effect and one great run. Semantic over cracking I guess.

And that bump was Aki, who handed off Farrell and had total advantage body position wise over JJ. And although bumped it still slowed Aki who was tackled straight afterwards.

[Timbo]

Is that the same JJ who had a cracking game today?

Did he though? He had one great run from broken play, down the centre of the field, but I don't recall him doing much else, and certainly nothing you would remark upon as wing play. Wasn't utterly exposed, but they never kicked to him or attacked down his wing, so I don't know we could call him cracking.

Puja

He played well, bar being bumped on one tackle. Came off his wing to good effect and one great run. Semantic over cracking I guess.

Appreciate Conway is not necessarily the quickest international wing, but did you see that JJ definitely looked to have him on one 40m spring down our left wing?

[Epaminondas Pules]

Not seen it yet, but by all accounts Mercer comfortably won his head-to-head with Dombrandt yesterday - backing up his MotM on return last week with (Bath board consensus) MotM this.

McConnochie with 2 tries and apparently involved a lot (the other nomination for MotM, with Smith getting a few mentions) - another winger who'd be a better option at Twickenham than JJ, still with lots of time with the squad recently.

Is that the same JJ who had a cracking game today?

Did he though? He had one great run from broken play, down the centre of the field, but I don't recall him doing much else, and certainly nothing you would remark upon as wing play. Wasn't utterly exposed, but they never kicked to him or attacked down his wing, so I don't know we could call him cracking.

Puja

Yes he did. Great break down the middle. Came off his wing to good effect. Made his tackles, apart from one on Aki. Turned over Irish ball on the kick chase.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Did he though? He had one great run from broken play, down the centre of the field, but I don't recall him doing much else, and certainly nothing you would remark upon as wing play. Wasn't utterly exposed, but they never kicked to him or attacked down his wing, so I don't know we could call him cracking.

Puja

He played well, bar being bumped on one tackle. Came off his wing to good effect and one great run. Semantic over cracking I guess.

Appreciate Conway is not necessarily the quickest international wing, but did you see that JJ definitely looked to have him on one 40m spring down our left wing?

Turned the ball over too.

[Timbo]

I will say this about JJ, I don’t think he lacks for self belief/confidence and although he wasn’t targeted to any great effect, he gave off a distinct “i’ve got this” sort of vibe.

[Banquo]

Did he though? He had one great run from broken play, down the centre of the field, but I don't recall him doing much else, and certainly nothing you would remark upon as wing play. Wasn't utterly exposed, but they never kicked to him or attacked down his wing, so I don't know we could call him cracking.

Puja

He played well, bar being bumped on one tackle. Came off his wing to good effect and one great run. Semantic over cracking I guess.

Appreciate Conway is not necessarily the quickest international wing, but did you see that JJ definitely looked to have him on one 40m spring down our left wing?

not very subtle young Timbo. Though a 40m spring is a good effort.

[switchskier]

Watching the channel 5 highlights and a few thoughts on English wingers:

- Kibirige looks rapid. Left Lewington for dead for his first try
- Ibitoye isn't ready if he's making mistakes like the one that led to Mcconnoghies second
- Why doesn't Hassell-Collins get any mentions? Four tries this week and I was impressed in the Quins game last weekend. Looks like he's got all the physical tools and is playing regularly.

[Beasties]

Kibirige's fast but he's bit of a girl's blouse in defence. He'll never trouble the Eng squad.

[fivepointer]

Ibitoye does seem to switch off from time to time. I do wonder sometimes about his decision making. He's still young and has time to iron out these flaws.
Been impressed with OHC. Looks to have the right mixture of pace, size and power.

[Scrumhead]

Yeah - Hassell-Collins has been a pleasant surprise.

From speaking to a few LI fans, he’s suddenly kicked in after being OK, but nothing special until now.

Ibitoye has a lot of raw skill, he really needs to upskill on defence, positioning and general game sense. I think he’s coachable so hopefully he can do that.

[Banquo]

Yeah - Hassell-Collins has been a pleasant surprise.

From speaking to a few LI fans, he’s suddenly kicked in after being OK, but nothing special until now.

Ibitoye has a lot of raw skill, he really needs to upskill on defence, positioning and general game sense. I think he’s coachable so hopefully he can do that.

Wasn't OHC in the sevens squad? Not surprising its taken a while to settle in.

[Scrumhead]

Maybe? Unless you’re thinking of Ollie Lindsay-Hague?

[Banquo]

Maybe? Unless you’re thinking of Ollie Lindsay-Hague?

Nope- OLH is still in the squad I think.
https://www.london-irish.com/news/ollie ... ll/bp2188/

[twitchy]

[Danno]

Would anyone be nice enough to cut n paste the article?

[twitchy]

I missed out a big chunk of it that relies on graphics so apologies if it doesn't read coherently.




There has been a sense of inevitability about Maro Itoje’s rise, which shows no sign of slowing down. In his autobiography My Life and Rugby, Eddie Jones describes the 25 year-old’s motivation succinctly.

“If he stays fit, he will establish himself as a dominant figure in world rugby… I’ve learned that Itoje wants to be more than a good player. He wants to be the best.”

If George Kruis can be undervalued because his contributions are inconspicuous, appreciation of Itoje’s performances is sometimes compromised by the heady levels that onlookers have come to expect.

He has been simply supreme in victories over Scotland and Ireland that have hauled England’s Six Nations back on track.

Hollywood moments

A ‘strip-sack’ in American football occurs when a defender fights through the line of scrimmage to collar the opposing team’s quarter-back and rip away the ball before they can sling a pass down-field.

Itoje has not exactly been revolutionary in bringing this practice into rugby union. The skill has always been part of the sport. However, his strike-rate of stripping rivals in the tackle has been astonishing throughout his young career to date.






Using his wingspan and explosive athleticism – attributes that scouts would have been evaluating in prospective defensive linemen from colleges around America at last week’s NFL combine – he has pulled off these steals for Saracens, England and the British and Irish Lions.

David Kilcoyne was one rival to be relieved of possession by what has become a signature move for Itoje. Just after half-time, the Ireland prop barrelled towards England’s 22. Itoje wrapped him up and robbed the ball with a powerful right hand:


During this Six Nations, Itoje has also lurked around the fringes of rucks before pouncing towards opposition scrum-halves. Again, his reach is the primary weapon:




Mostly, though, Itoje has weighed up risk and reward very nicely.

“He’s a nuisance around the breakdown and so physical off the line,” explained Ben Youngs last week. “He made some great, dominant hits [against Ireland]. That probably becomes infectious to other people.”

Itoje’s rowdy counter-rucking and charge-down attempts are particularly influential as other sides are clearing from inside their own 22, because ripple-effects of a rushed kick can be so damaging.

It was no coincidence that Jonathan Joseph made his dancing break last weekend after Itoje had grappled with CJ Stander and James Ryan at the preceding breakdown. From the base of a messy ruck and under pressure from George Kruis, Conor Murray’s clearance was poor and England could launch a counter:

Lineout nuances

Itoje marshalled England’s lineout during the Rugby World Cup semi-final victory over New Zealand. Jones had picked a starting side containing two specialist jumpers in Itoje and Courtney Lawes, with Tom Curry as an auxiliary option.

New Zealand boasted four – Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett and Kieran Read. Although club colleague Kruis and Steve Borthwick will have helped the pre-match analysis and strategy, Itoje called the shots with variety and clarity to frustrate the All Blacks.

One piece of lineout defence in the early stages of England’s win over Ireland epitomised his intuition. Rob Herring aims towards jumper Peter O’Mahony at the tail.

Itoje lifts Kruis to compete, but then sees that the ball had travelled beyond the 15-metre line:

Calm leadership

“When they are in amongst it, in the thick of things, sometimes the best leaders might not say much,” Youngs said. “They lead with their actions. Maro is such a presence within our team.”

Two subtle moments on Sunday demonstrated how Itoje is now able to flit between ferocity and composure. On the stroke of half-time, having muscled a turnover out of Stander, Kyle Sinckler is fired-up.

He appears to mock the Ireland back-rower. Then, as the players head towards the tunnel, Sinckler jogs towards Stander. Itoje holds back his teammate twice:



Previously a designated enforcer for England, notably between 2016 and 2017, he adopted the role of peacemaker as a tetchy contest threatened to boil over.

Interestingly, Jones encourages his players to engage in animated on-field conversations to keep their energy and awareness high during breaks in play – a suggestion of Australian hockey guru Ric Charlesworth.

Itoje is rarely quiet and Jones appreciates his value. Over 37 starts for England and the Lions in Test rugby, Itoje has lasted 80 minutes in all but two games. Those curtailed outings were due to a yellow card against South Africa in 2018 and a knee ligament injury that caused him to limp off in Dublin a year later.
Appetite and industry

Borthwick had to remind himself of Itoje’s age last Wednesday. “Maro’s what…25, now?” he said, settling on the right number following a pause. “It already feels like he’s been around for a very long time.” It does.

Jones’ lieutenant, who leaves for Leicester Tigers at the end of the Six Nations, saluted Itoje’s appetite for self-improvement. Peers such as Kruis, the Vunipola brothers and Jamie George, not to mention Retallick and Ryan, are more natural passers. Still, distribution has been one area Itoje has developed.



His sheer industry is unquestionable. In his autobiography, Warren Gatland praised an “extraordinary engine” after observing it close up as Lions head coach in 2017. Jones believes Itoje has added “constructive” aspects to balance out his “destructive” capabilities.

No player in the current Six Nations has cleared more attacking rucks than the 85 that Itoje has registered so far. He definitely contributes when England are in possession.

[Danno]

Much appreciated

[Digby]

To misunderstand on purpose, yes he is

[Danno]

To misunderstand on purpose, yes he is

He's screwed if they properly police the offside line but as long he's getting away with it....

[Digby]

To misunderstand on purpose, yes he is

He's screwed if they properly police the offside line but as long he's getting away with it....

He's hardly the only one, and players will adapt if they're actually told to do something which is in the interests of the game but the IRB don't care about it, or care about as much as those straight scrum feeds they promised, but he is one of the worst for offside. Then again he probably grew up watching McCaw