The Official English Rugby Thread
With the injuries it can make sense to call up old heads, rather than kids that aren't going to have time to settle in, before they're displaced again for the next series.Oxbow wrote: Wed Oct 16, 2024 11:51 am Still not moving on from the likes of Marler, Ewels, Daly et al and some notable absentees in the forwards. Struggling to get excited about this.
There's a very nice backline to be made there (shame about Mitchell and Ford). Pack is a bit more of a struggle, but not terrible by a long shot.
Give a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
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I haven't watched a huge amount of the Prem so far, but it strikes me that this really is the sort of time where older members of the pack need to start being moved on. That doesn't mean shedding every single experienced option, but it probably does mean not including both George and LCD and not bringing back Ewels. We've seen the negative of leaving a squad refresh too late and evolution is better than revolution, so bring a couple more of the new gen through.
LCD is only 31. Ewels 29. I realise Ewels shouldn't really be there, but with Chessum and Martin I don't think we're skipping youth by any means.sockwithaticket wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 10:03 am I haven't watched a huge amount of the Prem so far, but it strikes me that this really is the sort of time where older members of the pack need to start being moved on. That doesn't mean shedding every single experienced option, but it probably does mean not including both George and LCD and not bringing back Ewels. We've seen the negative of leaving a squad refresh too late and evolution is better than revolution, so bring a couple more of the new gen through.
Give a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
34 and 32 for the next World Cup.Raggs wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 10:07 amLCD is only 31. Ewels 29. I realise Ewels shouldn't really be there, but with Chessum and Martin I don't think we're skipping youth by any means.sockwithaticket wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 10:03 am I haven't watched a huge amount of the Prem so far, but it strikes me that this really is the sort of time where older members of the pack need to start being moved on. That doesn't mean shedding every single experienced option, but it probably does mean not including both George and LCD and not bringing back Ewels. We've seen the negative of leaving a squad refresh too late and evolution is better than revolution, so bring a couple more of the new gen through.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
Which are perfectly acceptable ages for tight five players...Biffer wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 10:18 am34 and 32 for the next World Cup.Raggs wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 10:07 amLCD is only 31. Ewels 29. I realise Ewels shouldn't really be there, but with Chessum and Martin I don't think we're skipping youth by any means.sockwithaticket wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 10:03 am I haven't watched a huge amount of the Prem so far, but it strikes me that this really is the sort of time where older members of the pack need to start being moved on. That doesn't mean shedding every single experienced option, but it probably does mean not including both George and LCD and not bringing back Ewels. We've seen the negative of leaving a squad refresh too late and evolution is better than revolution, so bring a couple more of the new gen through.
Give a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
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But also ages by which those players retire, especially ones with Luke Cowan-Dickie's injury history. Past 32 it becomes a lottery for most positions - plenty of examples of players carrying on, but also plenty who've hung up their boots. With his reduced efficacy lately I'd probably be looking at shuffling out George rather than LCD, but of course Borthwick has Geoge as captain, so that's unlikely. I just think we need somone other than Dan to have an appreciable number of caps by the world cup in case neither George or LCD are available by then, which isn't at all improbable.Raggs wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 10:20 amWhich are perfectly acceptable ages for tight five players...
29 isn't old for a second row, but it is late to be keeping proven plodders with a red card problem around. I fail to see what Ewels offers that we mightn't get out of a Tizard or Munga other than perhaps lineout calling. If he's not in danger of getting near the test team, then get one of these promising younger players in his stead to familiarise them with the environment and start paving the way for their involvement.
Can't imagine Saracens had a lot of budget to spare to compete with Toulouse. Though I suppose they will lose Goode at the end of this season?
On the England discussion, agree it's weird that Dombrandt is in despite missing weeks of rugby and not being fit for the bench at the weekend. Still not quite convinced by Tom Willis being as good as the hype, though, but I've settled for him being a CJ Stander type and I can see the value in that. Certainly would rather have him than Mercer!
LCD, who was frequently a better option than George in the last 4-5 years, is not at that standard any more and with Langdon and Ohgre tearing up trees I think he should be focusing on earning the shirt back in club rugby.
On the England discussion, agree it's weird that Dombrandt is in despite missing weeks of rugby and not being fit for the bench at the weekend. Still not quite convinced by Tom Willis being as good as the hype, though, but I've settled for him being a CJ Stander type and I can see the value in that. Certainly would rather have him than Mercer!
LCD, who was frequently a better option than George in the last 4-5 years, is not at that standard any more and with Langdon and Ohgre tearing up trees I think he should be focusing on earning the shirt back in club rugby.
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No club will be able to match the spending of any of the French giants. Nor can many (any?) of the Prem clubs offer the same level of job security, which I suspect will be fairly high in the mind of player whose club collapsed from under him with a family to provide for.
Toulouse specifically offer consistently competing at the sharp end of both the domestic and European seasons too.
He'd have to rate playing for England very highly to come back tbh.
Toulouse specifically offer consistently competing at the sharp end of both the domestic and European seasons too.
He'd have to rate playing for England very highly to come back tbh.
Langdon and Oghre are easily the two best performing EQ hookers in the Premiership at present.JM2K6 wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 8:26 pm Can't imagine Saracens had a lot of budget to spare to compete with Toulouse. Though I suppose they will lose Goode at the end of this season?
On the England discussion, agree it's weird that Dombrandt is in despite missing weeks of rugby and not being fit for the bench at the weekend. Still not quite convinced by Tom Willis being as good as the hype, though, but I've settled for him being a CJ Stander type and I can see the value in that. Certainly would rather have him than Mercer!
LCD, who was frequently a better option than George in the last 4-5 years, is not at that standard any more and with Langdon and Ohgre tearing up trees I think he should be focusing on earning the shirt back in club rugby.
Dan appears to be suffering 2nd/3rd season syndrome at Sarries though is outplaying George.
George should be replaced for the 6N with a huge pat on his back and thankyou.
Let’s face it, trying to compete with French wages is one of the reasons why English clubs are going bust.sockwithaticket wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 10:21 pm No club will be able to match the spending of any of the French giants. Nor can many (any?) of the Prem clubs offer the same level of job security, which I suspect will be fairly high in the mind of player whose club collapsed from under him with a family to provide for.
Toulouse specifically offer consistently competing at the sharp end of both the domestic and European seasons too.
He'd have to rate playing for England very highly to come back tbh.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
I'm loathe to suggest getting rid of George, who is in a very similar role to Dylan Hartley during the successful Eddie period. Solid, reliable, good leader, well respected, and an excellent conduit for the coaches. Perhaps with another captaincy option available I would be happier with it.SaintK wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:06 amLangdon and Oghre are easily the two best performing EQ hookers in the Premiership at present.JM2K6 wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 8:26 pm Can't imagine Saracens had a lot of budget to spare to compete with Toulouse. Though I suppose they will lose Goode at the end of this season?
On the England discussion, agree it's weird that Dombrandt is in despite missing weeks of rugby and not being fit for the bench at the weekend. Still not quite convinced by Tom Willis being as good as the hype, though, but I've settled for him being a CJ Stander type and I can see the value in that. Certainly would rather have him than Mercer!
LCD, who was frequently a better option than George in the last 4-5 years, is not at that standard any more and with Langdon and Ohgre tearing up trees I think he should be focusing on earning the shirt back in club rugby.
Dan appears to be suffering 2nd/3rd season syndrome at Sarries though is outplaying George.
George should be replaced for the 6N with a huge pat on his back and thankyou.
Anyway this is all just killing time until Jibulu becomes world player of the year ;-)
Not really. I thought wages were a bigger deal but the costs of running the clubs are way more than that. I do still think we're paying too much but ultimately the salary arms race in English rugby is with direct competitors, even if it was triggered by a couple of clubs wishing to leverage their financial backing with Europe in mind.Biffer wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:25 amLet’s face it, trying to compete with French wages is one of the reasons why English clubs are going bust.sockwithaticket wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 10:21 pm No club will be able to match the spending of any of the French giants. Nor can many (any?) of the Prem clubs offer the same level of job security, which I suspect will be fairly high in the mind of player whose club collapsed from under him with a family to provide for.
Toulouse specifically offer consistently competing at the sharp end of both the domestic and European seasons too.
He'd have to rate playing for England very highly to come back tbh.
None of the sides going bust did so because they were trying to compete with French sides.
I think i'd drop LCD for Langdon rather than George for those same reasons.JM2K6 wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:37 amI'm loathe to suggest getting rid of George, who is in a very similar role to Dylan Hartley during the successful Eddie period. Solid, reliable, good leader, well respected, and an excellent conduit for the coaches. Perhaps with another captaincy option available I would be happier with it.SaintK wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:06 amLangdon and Oghre are easily the two best performing EQ hookers in the Premiership at present.JM2K6 wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 8:26 pm Can't imagine Saracens had a lot of budget to spare to compete with Toulouse. Though I suppose they will lose Goode at the end of this season?
On the England discussion, agree it's weird that Dombrandt is in despite missing weeks of rugby and not being fit for the bench at the weekend. Still not quite convinced by Tom Willis being as good as the hype, though, but I've settled for him being a CJ Stander type and I can see the value in that. Certainly would rather have him than Mercer!
LCD, who was frequently a better option than George in the last 4-5 years, is not at that standard any more and with Langdon and Ohgre tearing up trees I think he should be focusing on earning the shirt back in club rugby.
Dan appears to be suffering 2nd/3rd season syndrome at Sarries though is outplaying George.
George should be replaced for the 6N with a huge pat on his back and thankyou.
Anyway this is all just killing time until Jibulu becomes world player of the year ;-)
Have been mightily impressed with that young man this seasonJM2K6 wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:37 amI'm loathe to suggest getting rid of George, who is in a very similar role to Dylan Hartley during the successful Eddie period. Solid, reliable, good leader, well respected, and an excellent conduit for the coaches. Perhaps with another captaincy option available I would be happier with it.SaintK wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:06 amLangdon and Oghre are easily the two best performing EQ hookers in the Premiership at present.JM2K6 wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 8:26 pm Can't imagine Saracens had a lot of budget to spare to compete with Toulouse. Though I suppose they will lose Goode at the end of this season?
On the England discussion, agree it's weird that Dombrandt is in despite missing weeks of rugby and not being fit for the bench at the weekend. Still not quite convinced by Tom Willis being as good as the hype, though, but I've settled for him being a CJ Stander type and I can see the value in that. Certainly would rather have him than Mercer!
LCD, who was frequently a better option than George in the last 4-5 years, is not at that standard any more and with Langdon and Ohgre tearing up trees I think he should be focusing on earning the shirt back in club rugby.
Dan appears to be suffering 2nd/3rd season syndrome at Sarries though is outplaying George.
George should be replaced for the 6N with a huge pat on his back and thankyou.
Anyway this is all just killing time until Jibulu becomes world player of the year ;-)
Yeah, he does seem to have the goods. Monster carrier, great at the breakdown, tackles like a truck, and solid in the set piece. Very excited by him and think he offers a level of power that no one else does at hooker in this country. A lot of Quins fans are still in Team Riley, but Riley can be a bit of an idiot and his lineout work is often flaky.SaintK wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:55 amHave been mightily impressed with that young man this seasonJM2K6 wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:37 amI'm loathe to suggest getting rid of George, who is in a very similar role to Dylan Hartley during the successful Eddie period. Solid, reliable, good leader, well respected, and an excellent conduit for the coaches. Perhaps with another captaincy option available I would be happier with it.SaintK wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:06 am
Langdon and Oghre are easily the two best performing EQ hookers in the Premiership at present.
Dan appears to be suffering 2nd/3rd season syndrome at Sarries though is outplaying George.
George should be replaced for the 6N with a huge pat on his back and thankyou.
Anyway this is all just killing time until Jibulu becomes world player of the year ;-)
Not watched much, but what I've read suggests he'd perhaps not be in line for a cap any time soon, but as an EQP player again, he'd be worth more to clubs.
Give a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
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23 minutes 35 seconds and Saints have the try bonus point wrapped up against Sale. The back three are looking particularly lethal.
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I know it's Saints and you can never rule out a collapse, but it's getting close to game over already.
Shhhhhhshsockwithaticket wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 7:28 pm I know it's Saints and you can never rule out a collapse, but it's getting close to game over already.
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Saints really easy on the eye. How rugby should be played. But you fear for them when they come up against some heavyweight packs.
How are Exeter this sh*t this season?
How are Exeter this sh*t this season?
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Newcastle in serious danger of winning a game here...
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Don't invoke the ire of the mocker GodsMargin__Walker wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:17 pm Newcastle in serious danger of winning a game here...
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FalconJock wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:21 pmDon't invoke the ire of the mocker GodsMargin__Walker wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:17 pm Newcastle in serious danger of winning a game here...
Apologies!
I will though. It's in the bag.
edit - sort of
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Braz will be kicking something or other.
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Delighted for Newcastle, must admit I didn’t see it coming
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
So what I just saw is truePaddington Bear wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:48 pm Delighted for Newcastle, must admit I didn’t see it coming
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
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Margin__Walker wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:26 pmFalconJock wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:21 pmDon't invoke the ire of the mocker GodsMargin__Walker wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:17 pm Newcastle in serious danger of winning a game here...
Apologies!
I will though. It's in the bag.
edit - sort of
You had to go and do it didn't you

Falcons win and stay bottom, I'd curse you if I wasnt so delirious

You have to ask what the hell's going on at Exeter.Paddington Bear wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:48 pm Delighted for Newcastle, must admit I didn’t see it coming
They can't continue the "we're a team in transition" excuse for much longer.
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100%. Very odd. Newcastle have looked Championship level in every other game.SaintK wrote: Sat Oct 19, 2024 8:06 amYou have to ask what the hell's going on at Exeter.Paddington Bear wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:48 pm Delighted for Newcastle, must admit I didn’t see it coming
They can't continue the "we're a team in transition" excuse for much longer.
Meanwhile, watching Goodey at 10 really is a thing of beauty.
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day