The England Thread

[BoyBrumby]

Grewcock's not even named in our 47 man training squad at the mo. From the Beeb:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb...sh/6743705.stm

He is appealing the length of his ban tho (at 34 I guess this really is his last possible tournament so has nothing to lose).

Hill's missed out altogether too, sadly.

[BoyBrumby]

Our squad has been trimmed down 40 ahead of our warm-up tests v Wales & France (twice). Juilan White has withdrawn for personal reasons, but the six unlucky guys are Olly Morgan, Fraser Waters, Shane Geraghty, Louis Deacon, Magnus Lund & Andy Hazell. From the Beeb:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb...sh/6897917.stm

Lund & (particularly) Geraghty are unlucky. Geraghty's break against the French was arguably the highlight of our 6 Nations campaign this year. He's raw, but has an eye for a gap & the pace to make breaks count.

[Perm]

I thought Magnus Lund was rated relatively highly in England, obviously not.

[BoyBrumby]

I thought Magnus Lund was rated relatively highly in England, obviously not.

Well some of us rate him, but unfortunately we don't pick the squad. Leaves Tom Rees as our only specialist open side too, so really can't see the logic. Hey-ho.

[Perm]

Well some of us rate him, but unfortunately we don't pick the squad. Leaves Tom Rees as our only specialist open side too, so really can't see the logic. Hey-ho.

He's played a few games for England, hasn't he? Seemed pretty decent, the way the commentators were talking about him suggested that the management thought very highly of him.

[BoyBrumby]

He's played a few games for England, hasn't he? Seemed pretty decent, the way the commentators were talking about him suggested that the management thought very highly of him.

Without looking I'd guess he'd have about ten caps, mainly from the bench. It's infuriating because, as well as being a decent ball-winning 7, he's tall so he's another line-out option too. FTR I rate Rees above him, but if he's crocked now we'd have to go with Moody who's really more of a 6-and-a-half than a 7.

[Perm]

Without looking I'd guess he'd have about ten caps, mainly from the bench. It's infuriating because, as well as being a decent ball-winning 7, he's tall so he's another line-out option too. FTR I rate Rees above him, but if he's crocked now we'd have to go with Moody who's really more of a 6-and-a-half than a 7.

I rate Moody, not sure why, but he impressed me on the Lions tour in 2005 and I've been a fan ever since. Seemed the closest thing England had to a proper openside flanker.

[reptillia]

So, what do you think england will go for good old fashioned brute force or skill (Matt Tait, Anthony Allen etc.) in the centres????

[BoyBrumby]

So, what do you think england will go for good old fashioned brute force or skill (Matt Tait, Anthony Allen etc.) in the centres????

Ashton has the reputation (somewhat undeserved for mine, but anyway) of being an innovative backs coach so hopefully we won't see Noon & Tindall playing together again any time soon, but I do think we may revert to type & play one of them (probably outside Catt) to punch holes in the oppo's defence.

Allen's not in our provisional squad, btw, so he def won't get a go, but Tait & Hipkiss are options @ 13 if Ashton prefers a bit of pace & guile to brute force.

[reptillia]

Ashton has the reputation (somewhat undeserved for mine, but anyway) of being an innovative backs coach so hopefully we won't see Noon & Tindall playing together again any time soon, but I do think we may revert to type & play one of them (probably outside Catt) to punch holes in the oppo's defence.

Allen's not in our provisional squad, btw, so he def won't get a go, but Tait & Hipkiss are options @ 13 if Ashton prefers a bit of pace & guile to brute force.

I like the sound of Catt at 12, his passing could create some good spaces for faster players like Dave Strettle. Who do you think they'll choose for Full Back? Abendanaon? Lewsey?

[BoyBrumby]

Dunno actually. Ashton went on record as saying he wanted to play specialist full-backs only, so Olly Morgan & Balshaw both got a go in the 6 Nations this year, but he seemed to recant quite quickly as Lewsey was back there for the French game & neither Morgan or Balshaw (or Mike Brown who played in the Saffie losses) is in the running for a place in the squad.

In our last 6 Nations game Ashton went for Cueto ahead of Lewsey so that may be a clue as to how he's thinking. Cipriani, who did well for Wasps at 15 towards the end of last season, is another option & I guess that's why he's still in the squad rather than as a fly-half option as we've also got Wilko, Hodgson, Barkley & Flood as 10s.

[reptillia]

True, from what I've seen of Cipriani he seems to be a player who could either do something brilliant or give the ball away, I haven't seen much of him TBH.
Also number 8? (it's just question after question with me ) Dallaghlio (spelling?), Corry?? Easter???

[BoyBrumby]

True, from what I've seen of Cipriani he seems to be a player who could either do something brilliant or give the ball away, I haven't seen much of him TBH.
Also number 8? (it's just question after question with me ) Dallaghlio (spelling?), Corry?? Easter???

Dallaglio for mine. Can't see why a bloke who'll be 35 by the time the tournament starts has been brought back in if he's not going to play. Corry may even get a go at lock as he did towards the end of our 6 Nations campaign.

[Perm]

Corry at lock? He's a bit short for that, isn't he?

[Fiery]

Corry at lock? He's a bit short for that, isn't he?

Especially when they play SA