The Official English Rugby Thread

[Brazil]

Make space wide to force the back three up, kick through for pressure, challenge Scotland at the set piece and breakdown, ???, win the game.

Makes much much more sense now..

[SaintK]

Interesting interview with Gustard in the D Telegraph

“I was probably over-demanding of staff. I really tried to drive my staff because I was so driven myself and was looking for that around me – which is not to say they weren’t like that. Some of the staff there are exceptional, but I had to feel like I was driving it and, on occasion, it was too much. And that frustrated me rather than making me think: ‘People are different’. I’m smart enough to recognise that and I didn’t.

https://12ft.io/proxy?ref=&q=https:// ... achieved/

I've used this to get round the paywall. It seems to work well
https://12ft.io/

[JM2K6]

I used to get up at 4am to drive into work and type out messages. ‘Let’s make today a winning day’, that type of thing.

fucking lol

[Kawazaki]

Interesting interview with Gustard in the D Telegraph

“I was probably over-demanding of staff. I really tried to drive my staff because I was so driven myself and was looking for that around me – which is not to say they weren’t like that. Some of the staff there are exceptional, but I had to feel like I was driving it and, on occasion, it was too much. And that frustrated me rather than making me think: ‘People are different’. I’m smart enough to recognise that and I didn’t.

https://12ft.io/proxy?ref=&q=https:// ... achieved/

I've used this to get round the paywall. It seems to work well
https://12ft.io/

I suspect he was trying to be humble but he still doesn't quite pull it off does he.

[inactionman]

I used to get up at 4am to drive into work and type out messages. ‘Let’s make today a winning day’, that type of thing.

fucking lol

You'd have thought he could figure a outlook rule for that.

[SaintK]

Alex Groves released from Bristol with immediate effect. Thought he was one of the outstanding players in last year's U20 6 Nations comp and would develop nicely. Do hope someone picks him up, though not a good look on your p[laying CV at that age

Pat Lam has explained why he has made the slightly surprising decision to release England U20 international Alex Groves.

In a ‘ruthless’ sink or swim environment, the Bears director of rugby explained the towering second row has not made the breakthrough into the Bristol Bears first team he had hoped and so has been immediately released from his contract at the club having signed a two-year academy deal back in 2020.

Lam said: “When we looked at it and weighed up everyone at this stage of the season and he is not what we are looking for.”

Bristol are currently well-stocked at second row, with Samoan international captain Chris Vui, now regular Bears captain Joe Joyce, former England international Dave Attwood, athletic first team regular Ed Holmes and emerging talent John Hawkins as options, while Sam Jeffries can also play in the engine room, however much was hoped of Groves.

[Niegs]

It certainly seems like management of people is more important than the actual 'coaching' element. Interesting that Gustard has shared his thoughts around the same time Jackman has:

[Margin__Walker]

Alex Groves released from Bristol with immediate effect. Thought he was one of the outstanding players in last year's U20 6 Nations comp and would develop nicely

Pat Lam has explained why he has made the slightly surprising decision to release England U20 international Alex Groves.

In a ‘ruthless’ sink or swim environment, the Bears director of rugby explained the towering second row has not made the breakthrough into the Bristol Bears first team he had hoped and so has been immediately released from his contract at the club having signed a two-year academy deal back in 2020.

Lam said: “When we looked at it and weighed up everyone at this stage of the season and he is not what we are looking for.”

Bristol are currently well-stocked at second row, with Samoan international captain Chris Vui, now regular Bears captain Joe Joyce, former England international Dave Attwood, athletic first team regular Ed Holmes and emerging talent John Hawkins as options, while Sam Jeffries can also play in the engine room, however much was hoped of Groves.

There must be some personality issues/clashes there. He was a stand out player in that U20s team and definitely one you'd have picked as a possible future international.

Even if he's not progressed at a rapid pace, he's a player you'd keep on the books if there were no other factors at play

[Niegs]

Alex Groves released from Bristol with immediate effect. Thought he was one of the outstanding players in last year's U20 6 Nations comp and would develop nicely. Do hope someone picks him up, though not a good look on your p[laying CV at that age

Pat Lam has explained why he has made the slightly surprising decision to release England U20 international Alex Groves.

In a ‘ruthless’ sink or swim environment, the Bears director of rugby explained the towering second row has not made the breakthrough into the Bristol Bears first team he had hoped and so has been immediately released from his contract at the club having signed a two-year academy deal back in 2020.

Lam said: “When we looked at it and weighed up everyone at this stage of the season and he is not what we are looking for.”

Bristol are currently well-stocked at second row, with Samoan international captain Chris Vui, now regular Bears captain Joe Joyce, former England international Dave Attwood, athletic first team regular Ed Holmes and emerging talent John Hawkins as options, while Sam Jeffries can also play in the engine room, however much was hoped of Groves.

Hopefully he pulls a Launchbury and finds a new lease with a new club.

[Kawazaki]

He needs to work on his Lock face. Looking like Wade Dooley is the ultimate aim of any Lock who aspires to be what being a Lock is all about. Groves looks like an 'art student'.

[SaintK]

He needs to work on his Lock face. Looking like Wade Dooley is the ultimate aim of any Lock who aspires to be what being a Lock is all about. Groves looks like an 'art student'.

Itoje looks nothing like Wade Dooley
Launchbury gets away with it as well

[Hal Jordan]

Are early 90s hairdos back, then? He's sporting s corker.

[fishfoodie]

It certainly seems like management of people is more important than the actual 'coaching' element. Interesting that Gustard has shared his thoughts around the same time Jackman has:

See the last couple of lines

Nice to see that EJ doesn't see it as his role to improve players !

[Lobby]

He needs to work on his Lock face. Looking like Wade Dooley is the ultimate aim of any Lock who aspires to be what being a Lock is all about. Groves looks like an 'art student'.

Itoje looks nothing like Wade Dooley
Launchbury gets away with it as well

Using ‘mustn’t look like an art student’ as the main criteria for a lock’s effectiveness is how you end up with Ewels getting picked for England.

[Punter15]

Eddie Jones on substituting Marcus Smith on 63 minutes when England had a 10-17 lead.

“Everybody has got a judgement but I have been a television commentator and I was the smartest coach in the world, I got everything right,” Jones said. “And it is easy with the hindsight of replays to get everything right. I don’t have any regrets about what happened on Saturday in terms of the replacements we made.”

Hubris, narcissism, pig-headed, arrogant, assinine, cunt.

While not my coach, he seems to make a point of screwing over our Wasps players so I completely agree.

Genuine question for anyone with a working knowledge of psychiatry - what is actually wrong with Eddie Jones?/ He’s not just a spoofer, he’s got some serious issues.

[Monk]

can just see him skipping onto the Twickenham pitch saying "Hullo clouds, hullo sky:"

[Kawazaki]

Eddie Jones on substituting Marcus Smith on 63 minutes when England had a 10-17 lead.

“Everybody has got a judgement but I have been a television commentator and I was the smartest coach in the world, I got everything right,” Jones said. “And it is easy with the hindsight of replays to get everything right. I don’t have any regrets about what happened on Saturday in terms of the replacements we made.”

Hubris, narcissism, pig-headed, arrogant, assinine, cunt.

While not my coach, he seems to make a point of screwing over our Wasps players so I completely agree.

Genuine question for anyone with a working knowledge of psychiatry - what is actually wrong with Eddie Jones?/ He’s not just a spoofer, he’s got some serious issues.

Based on his most recent book, it's clear he's very keen on money, he name checks a number of people he admires and in all of them he references their wealth before he details their actual character.

Jones is definitely a narcissist. Very likely a psychopath as well.

[mos_eisely_]

Lawes, Launchberry, Barbeary, Pearson, Atkinson, Furbank, OHC and Quirke omitted from squad for Sunday

[Kawazaki]

Lawes, Launchberry, Barbeary, Pearson, Atkinson, Furbank, OHC and Quirke omitted from squad for Sunday

Another cap for Youngs.

Trific.

[Oxbow]

So who goes to 6 then, one of Simmonds or Dombrandt? Or maybe Isiekwe to 6 and start with Ewels?

In other news, Chris Ashton has joined Leicester.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60324209

[Niegs]

can just see him skipping onto the Twickenham pitch saying "Hullo clouds, hullo sky:"

I'm sure, like Launchbury, lots of English locks went to posh schools and are actually very bright, but a lot of their photos DO give a Tom Cullen from "The Stand" vibe.

[Lobby]

So who goes to 6 then, one of Simmonds or Dombrandt? Or maybe Isiekwe to 6 and start with Ewels?

In other news, Chris Ashton has joined Leicester.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60324209

Itoje most likely to move to 6 surely.

[Oxbow]

So who goes to 6 then, one of Simmonds or Dombrandt? Or maybe Isiekwe to 6 and start with Ewels?

In other news, Chris Ashton has joined Leicester.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60324209

Itoje most likely to move to 6 surely.

Isiekwe played pretty much the whole of last season at 6 for Saints, I'm not sure about this year at Sarries but he'd be more likely than Itoje I reckon, unless Eddie decides to play 4D chess again.

[Woddy]

So who goes to 6 then, one of Simmonds or Dombrandt? Or maybe Isiekwe to 6 and start with Ewels?

In other news, Chris Ashton has joined Leicester.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60324209

Itoje most likely to move to 6 surely.

Isiekwe played pretty much the whole of last season at 6 for Saints, I'm not sure about this year at Sarries but he'd be more likely than Itoje I reckon, unless Eddie decides to play 4D chess again.

Would be a shame. I thought Isiekwe went alright at lock last weekend.

[Kawazaki]

England XV v Italy (via leak)

15. Stewart
14. Nowell
13. Marchant
12. Slade
11. Malins
10. Smith
9. Youngs
1. Genge
2. Cowan-Dickie
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Isiekwe
6. Lawes
7. Curry
8. Simmonds

Daly and Ludlam out.

[fishfoodie]

England XV v Italy (via leak)

15. Stewart
14. Nowell
13. Marchant
12. Slade
11. Malins
10. Smith
9. Youngs
1. Genge
2. Cowan-Dickie
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Isiekwe
6. Lawes
7. Curry
8. Simmonds

Daly and Ludlam out.

What is the point of playing Youngs in a game against Italy ?

You've very few gimme games these days; if you aren't going to give a younger guy a chance in a game like this, then when ?

[Kawazaki]

England XV v Italy (via leak)

15. Stewart
14. Nowell
13. Marchant
12. Slade
11. Malins
10. Smith
9. Youngs
1. Genge
2. Cowan-Dickie
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Isiekwe
6. Lawes
7. Curry
8. Simmonds

Daly and Ludlam out.

What is the point of playing Youngs in a game against Italy ?

You've very few gimme games these days; if you aren't going to give a younger guy a chance in a game like this, then when ?

Nobody knows.

Youngs is a 30-cap player tops. This will be cap number 115.

[sockwithaticket]

England XV v Italy (via leak)

15. Stewart
14. Nowell
13. Marchant
12. Slade
11. Malins
10. Smith
9. Youngs
1. Genge
2. Cowan-Dickie
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Isiekwe
6. Lawes
7. Curry
8. Simmonds

Daly and Ludlam out.

What is the point of playing Youngs in a game against Italy ?

You've very few gimme games these days; if you aren't going to give a younger guy a chance in a game like this, then when ?

I suppose the justification would be so there's some experience in the 8-9-10 spine. I'm of the opinion that experience counts for jack if the player who has it isn't playing well.

[Oxbow]

Everywhere is saying that Lawes is still out?

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/n ... concussion

[duke]

That’s what’s on the Beeb as well
Edit: Callum Chick called into squad so 3 number 8s

[Hal Jordan]

England XV v Italy (via leak)

15. Stewart
14. Nowell
13. Marchant
12. Slade
11. Malins
10. Smith
9. Youngs
1. Genge
2. Cowan-Dickie
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Isiekwe
6. Lawes
7. Curry
8. Simmonds

Daly and Ludlam out.

10-15 is fine, only Slade out of position and he at least has experience there.

In the pack, 5.5 is definitely the new 6.5. Are there no actual blindside flankers in the country?

I would start Marler over Genge, Marler is not really an impact player, he lays the groundwork for Genge to come on and make hay.

At 8, I would prefer Dombrandt simply because of my Quins bias, but Simmonds has more than earned a run.

9...

[Kawazaki]

Everywhere is saying that Lawes is still out?

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/n ... concussion

Yeah, I think you're right. The 'leak' was listed on Ruck.co.uk.

[Margin__Walker]

Everywhere is saying that Lawes is still out?

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/n ... concussion

Yeah, I think you're right. The 'leak' was listed on Ruck.co.uk.

The Ruck are purely in the 'make shit up' for clicks game.

[Kawazaki]

Everywhere is saying that Lawes is still out?

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/n ... concussion

Yeah, I think you're right. The 'leak' was listed on Ruck.co.uk.

The Ruck are purely in the 'make shit up' for clicks game.

They're right about Youngs though. He's definitely starting with a possible substitution at around the 76-79th minute to get Randall on and really show us what he's made of.

[Happyhooker]

England XV v Italy (via leak)

15. Stewart
14. Nowell
13. Marchant
12. Slade
11. Malins
10. Smith
9. Youngs
1. Genge
2. Cowan-Dickie
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Isiekwe
6. Lawes
7. Curry
8. Simmonds

Daly and Ludlam out.

Ludlam was replaced by launchbury because he has a rib injury. Lawes is still hia.

I'm late to this, but this is bollocks.

Also, re earlier posts, some of the hardest bastards I've played with/against look like fucking choirboys. Anyone who thinks a modern player needs to look archetypal 'hard' is an idiot.

[Kawazaki]

England XV v Italy (via leak)

15. Stewart
14. Nowell
13. Marchant
12. Slade
11. Malins
10. Smith
9. Youngs
1. Genge
2. Cowan-Dickie
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Isiekwe
6. Lawes
7. Curry
8. Simmonds

Daly and Ludlam out.

Ludlam was replaced by launchbury because he has a rib injury. Lawes is still hia.

I'm late to this, but this is bollocks.

Also, re earlier posts, some of the hardest bastards I've played with/against look like fucking choirboys. Anyone who thinks a modern player needs to look archetypal 'hard' is an idiot.

Try and find your sense of humour.

[inactionman]

Ash the Splash has signed a short-term deal with Leicester.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60324209

[JM2K6]

Can we talk about how mad this squad is? https://www.englandrugby.com/news/artic ... -test-talk

27 players. 16 forwards. 11 backs.

Forwards: 6 props. 3 hookers. 4 locks, all of them also covering blindside. No blindside. 1 openside. 2 number 8s.

Backs: 2 fly halves. 2 scrum halves. One specialist fullback. One 13 who can play back 3, one 13 who can play wing. One winger who plays a decent amount of 15 or sometimes 10. One 13 who can play 12. No specialist 12s. Two specialist wings, one of whom is slower than half our pack.

Pick the bones out of that one.

[Ovals]

Can we talk about how mad this squad is? https://www.englandrugby.com/news/artic ... -test-talk

27 players. 16 forwards. 11 backs.

Forwards: 6 props. 3 hookers. 4 locks, all of them also covering blindside. No blindside. 1 openside. 2 number 8s.

Backs: 2 fly halves. 2 scrum halves. One specialist fullback. One 13 who can play back 3, one 13 who can play wing. One winger who plays a decent amount of 15 or sometimes 10. One 13 who can play 12. No specialist 12s. Two specialist wings, one of whom is slower than half our pack.

Pick the bones out of that one.

And, your point is..............

[Kawazaki]

Can we talk about how mad this squad is? https://www.englandrugby.com/news/artic ... -test-talk

27 players. 16 forwards. 11 backs.

Forwards: 6 props. 3 hookers. 4 locks, all of them also covering blindside. No blindside. 1 openside. 2 number 8s.

Backs: 2 fly halves. 2 scrum halves. One specialist fullback. One 13 who can play back 3, one 13 who can play wing. One winger who plays a decent amount of 15 or sometimes 10. One 13 who can play 12. No specialist 12s. Two specialist wings, one of whom is slower than half our pack.

Pick the bones out of that one.

Andy Robinson - all is forgiven.