EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Raggs]

Mead

Come live in East London, you can be king of the hipsters

Nah, the reason I grow my beard is because I can't be bothered with shaving etc. What's the point in not having to shave, if you're then going to spend the equivalent amount of time trimming and shaping and grooming etc etc. I've been bearded for the vast majority of my adult life, but never called a hipster by anyone who's actually met me .

A thousand times, this.

One time I do spend time on my beard, is if I'm playing a game of rugby. Then if available, my wife braids it into 2-3 braids, if not, I use a lot of bands to hold it together. Single hairs get ripped out too easily in mauls etc, and get really uncomfortable, sticking it all together in some way reduces that issue greatly. Going to try folding it all up next, get it right out the way.

[Which Tyler]

Nah, the reason I grow my beard is because I can't be bothered with shaving etc. What's the point in not having to shave, if you're then going to spend the equivalent amount of time trimming and shaping and grooming etc etc. I've been bearded for the vast majority of my adult life, but never called a hipster by anyone who's actually met me .

This.
I can never get through the itching phase to have any length, but about a minute, once a week keeps it in check and comfortable.

Oh, and mead is awesome, just hard to find a good one (too many are essentially honeyed sherry). I never knew that was supposed to be a hipseter thing, and knowing that isn't going to put me off

[Scrumhead]

As someone who has been described as the love child of Joe Marler and Luke Wallace, I think I might be flirting with hipster territory (albeit unintentionally and only when it comes to image).

I’ve had a full beard for about 5yrs now but I can’t see myself shaving it off. I am going to cut my hair post lockdown though.

[Mr Mwenda]

Who's the bloke that's replacing Willis?

[Tigersman]

George Martin 19 year old that has played a grand total of 7 games for Tigers.
I would say along with Barbeary IMO the two standout players in that age group.

Played mainly lock in the academy but played all his games in senior rugby so far at 6, he won't be playing anyway unless one of the other back rowers get a injury.

[Puja]

Good decision from Eddie, IMO. Unless there's more injuries, the newest player is unlikely to see the pitch (and if there are more injuries, then he can call up others), so it'd be a bit of a waste of time calling up someone like Simmonds to hold tackle bags. Martin, on the other hand, will get a phenomenal amount of value out of being part of the squad and it's a good opportunity to kick start a future England player's development.

Puja

[fivepointer]

If we had a 33/34 man squad i'd agree. With only 28 are options are limited and if one or two injuries arise Martin might have to be included in the matchday 23. Is he really ready for that kind of step up?
Surely Ted Hill would have been a better choice if Sam Simmonds isnt considered good enough (though he is)

[Tigersman]

IDK Ted Hill has seemed to have vanished somewhat.
Was talked about a lot last year but since then nothing.

[Puja]

If we had a 33/34 man squad i'd agree. With only 28 are options are limited and if one or two injuries arise Martin might have to be included in the matchday 23. Is he really ready for that kind of step up?
Surely Ted Hill would have been a better choice if Sam Simmonds isnt considered good enough (though he is)

It would need 2 injuries in the same position for him to come onto the bench at either lock or back row, and 3 injuries for him to have to start. Barring a morning-of-match-day freak clash of heads that takes two flankers out, then we'd have room to call up someone else.

As to whether he's ready - probably not, but I don't think he'd disgrace himself in the event of an unlikely cap. Frankly, I'm not sure his Prem form isn't ahead of Ted Hill's right now.

Puja

[fivepointer]

There are 9 back 5 forwards in the squad. I think thats too small a number to carry a lad who isnt there to compete for as place.

I just wonder whether if the value of bringing a young player in just so he can gain some experience has served much purpose under Jones?

Has it helped Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell or Josh Hodge for instance?

Has anyone moved from being an apprentice to being included in a senior squad?

It sounds like a good idea, but in reality has it actually done England or the player much good. I'm not sure it has.

[Raggs]

Has it done anyone any harm to be an apprentice? Has it helped England? It's meant Jones has had a chance to give a player the once over without having to commit one of his 33 proper squad places to them before.

[Digby]

I'm sure it'll help England. You just cannot replace the enthusiasm that new/young players bring to an environment. And it should help the young player(s) when they see what's expected both on and off the training paddock, help them in their current development, and help them feel more settled if they ever do come back

Providing the clubs are happy to go along with having players go missing I'm struggling to see a problem with it

[Mr Mwenda]

Providing the clubs are happy to go along with having players go missing I'm struggling to see a problem with it

But... But... Eddie Jones... He's probably luring them into the deep state with dark pacts with the Clintons... converting them to kick culture.... Raaaargh

[twitchy]

Providing the clubs are happy to go along with having players go missing I'm struggling to see a problem with it

But... But... Eddie Jones... He's probably luring them into the deep state with dark pacts with the Clintons... converting them to kick culture.... Raaaargh

Calm down harry.

[Dan. Dan. Dan.]

Providing the clubs are happy to go along with having players go missing I'm struggling to see a problem with it

But... But... Eddie Jones... He's probably luring them into the deep state with dark pacts with the Clintons... converting them to kick culture.... Raaaargh

I've heard on YouTube that he does apprentice training at Comet Pizza...

[Mr Mwenda]

Providing the clubs are happy to go along with having players go missing I'm struggling to see a problem with it

But... But... Eddie Jones... He's probably luring them into the deep state with dark pacts with the Clintons... converting them to kick culture.... Raaaargh

Calm down harry.

This is the internet, I'm never calm.

[Timbo]

I thought today was one of the best games I’ve ever seen Dombrandt have. Usual sparks of brilliance in attack, but really involved in all aspects, good work rate and some big defensive interventions. Made 20 tackles all told.

[Peej]

The mystery as to why Smith isn't in the England squad deepens yet further.

On the subject of challengers, I was amazed Joe Simmonds played today (albeit from the bench) given he was knocked to the Isles of Scily last weekend

[Mikey Brown]

The mystery as to why Smith isn't in the England squad deepens yet further.

On the subject of challengers, I was amazed Joe Simmonds played today (albeit from the bench) given he was knocked to the Isles of Scily last weekend

It's not test match rugby mate etc. etc.

[FKAS]

The mystery as to why Smith isn't in the England squad deepens yet further.

Freddie Steward had another excellent game regularly beating the first man and making metres. Eddie doesn't pick on form though does he so dunno when those two will get a chance.

[fivepointer]

Thought Dombrandt was really good yesterday. His handling is streets ahead of any other back rower we have. He put in some really clever work during the game.
Smith again very good, but that has now become a given.
Will Evans wont be in Jones mind but he is one helluva player. Quins definitely the poorer once he came off.

[Danno]

I'll get the burn ointment.

Agree on Dombrandt, two weeks ago I was still convinced he was lazing around the pitch half the time, but he's been everywhere in the last few matches. Really pleased.

[Mikey Brown]

[Raggs]

The size of Odogwu's legs compared to the other backs when he scores the try...

[Which Tyler]

Josh Bayliss called up by Scotland- didn't know he was eligible.
Good player, good enough for a few caps, but not going to get close for England with our strength in depth.

Leaves Bath up the Khyber though - we'd already run out of locks and now we've run out of backrows