EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Timbo]

Barbeary’s first and third try’s were very decent finishes that he makes look absurdly easy. Second was obviously a walk in off the back of a dominant scrum.

I also really like Tom Willis, but looking at the back 5 of Wasps’ scrum they do have a lot of grafters and workhorses, so can see a case for wanting an ‘x factor’ 8. Barbeary has match winning/turning moments and his try scoring record is ridiculous.

[Puja]

A bit of clickbait that I thought I'd share on here rather than rewarding them:

Screenshot_20220418-132414_Facebook.jpg

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Credit where credit’s due, it was a nice piece of skill from Farrell. Probably more noteworthy because it was an unusual thing for him to do.

Rugby Onslaught is unbelievably full of $hit though.

[Puja]

Credit where credit’s due, it was a nice piece of skill from Farrell. Probably more noteworthy because it was an unusual thing for him to do.

Rugby Onslaught is unbelievably full of $hit though.

Do you have a link to it? I refuse to give them a click for that headline.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

[Mikey Brown]

A bit of clickbait that I thought I'd share on here rather than rewarding them:

Screenshot_20220418-132414_Facebook.jpg

Puja

Haha. Quality stuff. Not going for subtlety are they? 23 year olds career over because Farrell did an offload while standing still.

I’ve got to admit I’d got my hopes up for a bit more before I saw the clip of it. Nice pass and great line by Malins, but as Flatman alluded to they were sort of playing Barbarians stuff at that point anyway.

Farrell did a good offload in the build up to an Ashton (I think) try vs NZ in 2012 too. He’s building up quite a portfolio for himself. I’ve been saying for a while the media have it backwards, he’s not reliable at all, I’d call him something of a maverick.

[fivepointer]

Nice assist by Farrell but you'd expect a world beater like him to be doing this kind of thing pretty regularly. He doesnt.

I note the tweet didnt mention Smith's spectacular play that helped set up Marchants try on Saturday.

[Puja]

That's pretty nice, but I was expecting a little bit more from the description. Hope he is starting to get back to his best though cause I'm far from convinced that Slade at 12 is the answer.

On the same subject, Squidge woke up and chose violence today on twitter:



Puja

[Scrumhead]

Credit where credit’s due, it was a nice piece of skill from Farrell. Probably more noteworthy because it was an unusual thing for him to do.

Rugby Onslaught is unbelievably full of $hit though.

Do you have a link to it? I refuse to give them a click for that headline.

Puja

I haven’t read it and wouldn’t entertain reading any of their crap TBH. I’ve been suckered by the click bait enough times to know it won’t be worth reading!

[Mikey Brown]

That's pretty nice, but I was expecting a little bit more from the description. Hope he is starting to get back to his best though cause I'm far from convinced that Slade at 12 is the answer.

On the same subject, Squidge woke up and chose violence today on twitter:



Puja

I mean I don't know what it was he's responding to but I think it's valid as a general point. The Farrell hate at the moment is often OTT or just oddly placed. Like people are making up for lost time, having not realised he's been a bit limited for his entire career. He is a far better player than many of his detractors say, just not as good as the fanboys suggest either. Quite like Smith really, but one is at the beginning of their development.

I'm really rooting for Leicester to do something big in Europe, largely because I'm really curious if there is any path back for George Ford to start at 10 again. It's not like form was his issue when he was left out before, but these are the closest games he'll get to test level. I understand sticking with Smith, but it seems stupid to have him in the 23 if he's not genuinely a contender for a starting spot any more.

[Oakboy]

That's pretty nice, but I was expecting a little bit more from the description. Hope he is starting to get back to his best though cause I'm far from convinced that Slade at 12 is the answer.

On the same subject, Squidge woke up and chose violence today on twitter:



Puja

I mean I don't know what it was he's responding to but I think it's valid as a general point. The Farrell hate at the moment is often OTT or just oddly placed. Like people are making up for lost time, having not realised he's been a bit limited for his entire career. He is a far better player than many of his detractors say, just not as good as the fanboys suggest either. Quite like Smith really, but one is at the beginning of their development.

I'm really rooting for Leicester to do something big in Europe, largely because I'm really curious if there is any path back for George Ford to start at 10 again. It's not like form was his issue when he was left out before, but these are the closest games he'll get to test level. I understand sticking with Smith, but it seems stupid to have him in the 23 if he's not genuinely a contender for a starting spot any more.

I often wonder how Ford would perform without coaching restrictions, without Farrell (anywhere in team, squad or training camp), with a quick-firing, non-kicking SH and with a penetrative IC ( not necessarily a battering ram). Given all that, would he still be better than Smith, has he the pace to make breaks himself and would he stop aimless kicking to the sky?

It seems to me that even Jones has concluded that Youngs/Ford/Farrell as a unit peaked in that last RWC SF. That probably means that only Farrell will be first choice in the startiing XV for the next RWC - at 12 (wrongly, IMO). I'd pick none of the three.

[Mellsblue]

It seems to me that even Jones has concluded that Youngs/Ford/Farrell as a unit peaked in that last RWC SF.

Yep, and dropped the best player of three….. albeit to promote the best replacement. Imo, he identified the right problem but came up with the wrong solution.

[Oakboy]

It seems to me that even Jones has concluded that Youngs/Ford/Farrell as a unit peaked in that last RWC SF.

Yep, and dropped the best player of three….. albeit to promote the best replacement. Imo, he identified the right problem but came up with the wrong solution.

Quite!!

[Mikey Brown]

It seems to me that even Jones has concluded that Youngs/Ford/Farrell as a unit peaked in that last RWC SF.

Yep, and dropped the best player of three….. albeit to promote the best replacement. Imo, he identified the right problem but came up with the wrong solution.

Surely that’s the wrong problem then?

I’m unsure because I think Ford is still the best option at 10, but Farrell WILL play, and maybe Smith/Farrell or Farrell/Good-centre would be a better combo.

[Danno]

It seems to me that even Jones has concluded that Youngs/Ford/Farrell as a unit peaked in that last RWC SF.

Yep, and dropped the best player of three….. albeit to promote the best replacement. Imo, he identified the right problem but came up with the wrong solution.

or Farrell/Good-centre would be a better combo.

/chokes

[Puja]

Lawes a doubt for the summer tour: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61161824

I have to say that strikes me as good news. Great player, but not an international 6 - we need this opportunity to get some of our back row talent cemented into that shirt before he comes back.

Puja

[Beasties]

+1

[Stom]

Lawes a doubt for the summer tour: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61161824

I have to say that strikes me as good news. Great player, but not an international 6 - we need this opportunity to get some of our back row talent cemented into that shirt before he comes back.

Puja

I wish we had a no 8 called port, then we could have a portcullis backrow

[Scrumhead]

Shame Declan Rice is a footballer and not a rugby player. Curry and Rice would no doubt have been a great combo.

[Danno]

Shame Declan Rice is a footballer and not a rugby player. Curry and Rice would no doubt have been a great combo.

Pretty sure Anneka Rice is at a bit of a loose end these days, time for a career change?

[Scrumhead]

Sounds like Quirke’s injury is going to keep him out until mid-way through preseason.

Massive shame as I was hoping to see him in Australia. I doubt Youngs will travel so it could be a good chance for Mitchell to transfer his Saints form to test rugby. Either that or a recall for Robson?

[Raggs]

Whilst I think Robson is the better scrum half at the moment, I'd not be upset to see will porter go to aus. Think he'd work well with Ford/Smith.

[Peej]

Shame Declan Rice is a footballer and not a rugby player. Curry and Rice would no doubt have been a great combo.

Pretty sure Anneka Rice is at a bit of a loose end these days, time for a career change?

There's a slim (slim!) chance of a Lamb Curry though isn't there?

[Puja]

Sounds like Quirke’s injury is going to keep him out until mid-way through preseason.

Massive shame as I was hoping to see him in Australia. I doubt Youngs will travel so it could be a good chance for Mitchell to transfer his Saints form to test rugby. Either that or a recall for Robson?

Absolutely not to Robson. We riot if Mitchell doesn't go - he's been having a phenomenal season and would deserve a place.

If Youngs doesn't go and we need a third, JVP is the most promising of the young thrusters and would benefit from the experience.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Are we assuming Youngs wants to stay with his family? I'm worried Jones is just going to go full first team and not rest any of the Lions guys, not that Youngs even toured.