The Official English Rugby Thread

[ASMO]

You are all missing the point though...it won't matter a jot who is selected...with Boredthick at the helm it will be kick and chase as both first and second options. He does not have an attacking bone in his body, neither does his coaching team.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Just reading that Oscar Beard views himself/is viewed as a 13. Which is good, because we're struggling for 13s at the moment...

I've spent the last 18-24 months thinking we might as well pick Freeman there because he offered something and looked a little slow on the wing. But between the two we might have the makings of a centre pairing, which led me to wondering just how often England have picked (have even been able to pick) two centres with decent physicality and speed? Now just the minor quibble of can they play rugby and make decisions at test level, luckily as I recall from conversions around Burgess that latter part is easy

[SaintK]

Barbeary cited for both cards. The low end entry point ban for both offences is two weeks
Greg Fisilau of Exeterr who was name checked by Borthwick has also been cited for his yellow card
Both being heard on WEdnesday
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/alfie-b ... ed-card/

Fisilau cleared tpo play this morning
Barbeary up in front of the panel this afternoon

Barbeary banned for 6 weeks forthe first red card citing, reduced to 3 because of his good previous record. Second card citing dismissed.
Could be free to play in the A team match in February

[Raggs]

Barbeary cited for both cards. The low end entry point ban for both offences is two weeks
Greg Fisilau of Exeterr who was name checked by Borthwick has also been cited for his yellow card
Both being heard on WEdnesday
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/alfie-b ... ed-card/

Fisilau cleared tpo play this morning
Barbeary up in front of the panel this afternoon

Barbeary banned for 6 weeks forthe first red card citing, reduced to 3 because of his good previous record. Second card citing dismissed.
Could be free to play in the A team match in February

So that'll be 2 weeks with the tackle school I guess?

As much as I like the idea of the A team getting a run out. It's Portugal, and whilst they aren't complete no names, it's not far off. Is there another A team game scheduled? Against maybe a wolfhounds team etc?

[Ovals]

Fisilau cleared tpo play this morning
Barbeary up in front of the panel this afternoon

Barbeary banned for 6 weeks forthe first red card citing, reduced to 3 because of his good previous record. Second card citing dismissed.
Could be free to play in the A team match in February

So that'll be 2 weeks with the tackle school I guess?

As much as I like the idea of the A team getting a run out. It's Portugal, and whilst they aren't complete no names, it's not far off. Is there another A team game scheduled? Against maybe a wolfhounds team etc?

Yeah - putting a cricket score on Portugal isn't going to tell us much about the fringe and upcoming players. If they can't find sides like the Wolfhounds to play, they'd be better off organising a Premiership Baa Baas side to play against - might even draw in a decent crowd.

[JM2K6]

Just reading that Oscar Beard views himself/is viewed as a 13. Which is good, because we're struggling for 13s at the moment...

I've spent the last 18-24 months thinking we might as well pick Freeman there because he offered something and looked a little slow on the wing. But between the two we might have the makings of a centre pairing, which led me to wondering just how often England have picked (have even been able to pick) two centres with decent physicality and speed? Now just the minor quibble of can they play rugby and make decisions at test level, luckily as I recall from conversions around Burgess that latter part is easy

Freeman... slow? When did that happen?

And I don't see how Beard/Freeman makes a centre pairing, unless I'm misunderstanding you. Neither of them are 12s.

Beard is a schoolboy 13 who was playing wing early on for Quins but 13 is definitely his preferred position. I'd prefer it if he didn't go walkabout in defence so often but I'm pleased he's kicked on in recent weeks. He's not a live international option, though, he's far too callow. Definitely has what it takes to compete physically at the top level, which is great, but he started the season as 3rd choice at Quins behind Northmore and Joseph, and both of those players are currently far better attackers and more assured defenders.

1 try in 870 minutes of rugby this season is not prime attacking form... Joseph has 5 tries in 10 matches and we all know what Northmore can do.

[Ovals]

Just reading that Oscar Beard views himself/is viewed as a 13. Which is good, because we're struggling for 13s at the moment...

I've spent the last 18-24 months thinking we might as well pick Freeman there because he offered something and looked a little slow on the wing. But between the two we might have the makings of a centre pairing, which led me to wondering just how often England have picked (have even been able to pick) two centres with decent physicality and speed? Now just the minor quibble of can they play rugby and make decisions at test level, luckily as I recall from conversions around Burgess that latter part is easy

Freeman... slow? When did that happen?



And I don't see how Beard/Freeman makes a centre pairing, unless I'm misunderstanding you. Neither of them are 12s.

Beard is a schoolboy 13 who was playing wing early on for Quins but 13 is definitely his preferred position. I'd prefer it if he didn't go walkabout in defence so often but I'm pleased he's kicked on in recent weeks. He's not a live international option, though, he's far too callow. Definitely has what it takes to compete physically at the top level, which is great, but he started the season as 3rd choice at Quins behind Northmore and Joseph, and both of those players are currently far better attackers and more assured defenders.

1 try in 870 minutes of rugby this season is not prime attacking form... Joseph has 5 tries in 10 matches and we all know what Northmore can do.

Yeah - he's great for Quins but he's still a rookie - he won't make the cut but definitely one for the future.

[sockwithaticket]

Fisilau cleared tpo play this morning
Barbeary up in front of the panel this afternoon

Barbeary banned for 6 weeks forthe first red card citing, reduced to 3 because of his good previous record. Second card citing dismissed.
Could be free to play in the A team match in February

So that'll be 2 weeks with the tackle school I guess?

As much as I like the idea of the A team getting a run out. It's Portugal, and whilst they aren't complete no names, it's not far off. Is there another A team game scheduled? Against maybe a wolfhounds team etc?

The RFU only have the Portugal game listed, which seems a shame.

Emerging Ireland is probably the only other side that might have been brought together, can't see the Scots, Welsh or Italians having either the depth or money to re-form A teams, while the French would probably baulk at more players being made unavailable around 6N time.

[petej]

Pretty happy with the squad. Shame that marchant and arundell aren't available.

[Raggs]

Pretty happy with the squad. Shame that marchant and arundell aren't available.

We could definitely do with a 13 in the squad...

Marchant would be a nice option though.

[SaintK]

Codling gone from Falcons.
Steve Diamond in. I guess if anyone can turn their fortunes round it's him. Falcon's players in for a hard ride!!!!

Newcastle Falcons have appointed Steve Diamond as consultant director of rugby with current boss Alex Codling to step down from his role.
Forwards coach Micky Ward will take charge of the club on an interim basis for their games against Perpignan and Northampton before Diamond arrives.
Diamond, 54, will also continue his consultancy role at the RFU in addition to taking over at Kingston Park.

[ASMO]

Codling gone from Falcons.
Steve Diamond in. I guess if anyone can turn their fortunes round it's him. Falcon's players in for a hard ride!!!!

Newcastle Falcons have appointed Steve Diamond as consultant director of rugby with current boss Alex Codling to step down from his role.
Forwards coach Micky Ward will take charge of the club on an interim basis for their games against Perpignan and Northampton before Diamond arrives.
Diamond, 54, will also continue his consultancy role at the RFU in addition to taking over at Kingston Park.

Like using a bucket to bail out the Titanic.

[SaintK]

Should have stayed in France mate?

Gloucester number eight Zach Mercer says he is "done" with England for now after missing out on selection for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship.
Mercer, who won two caps in 2018, returned to the Premiership this season after two years in France, with the aim of playing for his country again.
He was also overlooked for a place in the World Cup squad last autumn.
The 26-year-old said he does not feel head coach Steve Borthwick "values what he can offer" as a player.
"I'm older, more mature, I put the international selection aside now, I'm done for the time being with that and I'm just going to focus on Gloucester," Mercer told BBC Sport.

[fishfoodie]

Should have stayed in France mate?

Gloucester number eight Zach Mercer says he is "done" with England for now after missing out on selection for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship.
Mercer, who won two caps in 2018, returned to the Premiership this season after two years in France, with the aim of playing for his country again.
He was also overlooked for a place in the World Cup squad last autumn.
The 26-year-old said he does not feel head coach Steve Borthwick "values what he can offer" as a player.
"I'm older, more mature, I put the international selection aside now, I'm done for the time being with that and I'm just going to focus on Gloucester," Mercer told BBC Sport.

Yeah; unless he had been approached with some kind of credible indications that he'd be in the squad, it's hard to understand. It's not like the Premiership is swimming in money at the mo

[sockwithaticket]

And perhaps signed with a better club and shown more form.

[fishfoodie]

And perhaps signed with a better club and shown more form.

Since when was that a prerequisite for being selected by scabnose ??

[sockwithaticket]

Should have stayed in France mate?

Gloucester number eight Zach Mercer says he is "done" with England for now after missing out on selection for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship.
Mercer, who won two caps in 2018, returned to the Premiership this season after two years in France, with the aim of playing for his country again.
He was also overlooked for a place in the World Cup squad last autumn.
The 26-year-old said he does not feel head coach Steve Borthwick "values what he can offer" as a player.
"I'm older, more mature, I put the international selection aside now, I'm done for the time being with that and I'm just going to focus on Gloucester," Mercer told BBC Sport.

Yeah; unless he had been approached with some kind of credible indications that he'd be in the squad, it's hard to understand. It's not like the Premiership is swimming in money at the mo

He clearly wanted to have a crack at the world cup, but he gave himself one season at a middling club (who ended up having a particularly poor year) to break into the national team whose back row was a rare area of real depth.

He really should've timed it for a season earlier if he wanted to make a serious go of things.

[sockwithaticket]

And perhaps signed with a better club and shown more form.

Since when was that a prerequisite for being selected by scabnose ??

Well, if he wanted to get picked regardless of form he should've had the nous to sign for Sarries or Tigers...

[Raggs]

Bath have Lawrence at 12 and Ojomoh at 13. May hunt towards borthers thinking?

[Slick]

Should have stayed in France mate?

Gloucester number eight Zach Mercer says he is "done" with England for now after missing out on selection for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship.
Mercer, who won two caps in 2018, returned to the Premiership this season after two years in France, with the aim of playing for his country again.
He was also overlooked for a place in the World Cup squad last autumn.
The 26-year-old said he does not feel head coach Steve Borthwick "values what he can offer" as a player.
"I'm older, more mature, I put the international selection aside now, I'm done for the time being with that and I'm just going to focus on Gloucester," Mercer told BBC Sport.

When was his last England cap? Aski’n 4 a friend..

[sockwithaticket]

Should have stayed in France mate?

Gloucester number eight Zach Mercer says he is "done" with England for now after missing out on selection for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship.
Mercer, who won two caps in 2018, returned to the Premiership this season after two years in France, with the aim of playing for his country again.
He was also overlooked for a place in the World Cup squad last autumn.
The 26-year-old said he does not feel head coach Steve Borthwick "values what he can offer" as a player.
"I'm older, more mature, I put the international selection aside now, I'm done for the time being with that and I'm just going to focus on Gloucester," Mercer told BBC Sport.

When was his last England cap? Aski’n 4 a friend..

2018. So he'd be free to represent any other nation he's eligible for, but that wouldn't include Scotland. Nation switching requires the player to be born there or a heritage link, Mercer only ever qualified for Scotland on residency.

[Slick]

Should have stayed in France mate?

When was his last England cap? Aski’n 4 a friend..

2018. So he'd be free to represent any other nation he's eligible for, but that wouldn't include Scotland. Nation switching requires the player to be born there or a heritage link, Mercer only ever qualified for Scotland on residency.

I certainly wasn’t thinking of that. Disgusting..

[geordie_6]

Bath have Lawrence at 12 and Ojomoh at 13. May hunt towards borthers thinking?

Both playing out of position, definitely fits wth how England does it.

[JM2K6]

It really seems like Mercer thought all he had to do was move back to England and the shirt was his. Gotta outplay your rivals first, fella

Codling moving on from Falcons isn't a shock. He's a serial quitter and a very weird character who seemed to be angling to get sacked earlier in the season. I suspect underneath it all is a very good bloke who cares very deeply and is manifestly unsuited to the job of coaching rugby at a decent level.

[geordie_6]

https://www.ruck.co.uk/absolutely-hilar ... TvszsqoIlg

Just Joe Marler doing Marler things.

[Margin__Walker]

Faz announced by Racing.

[inactionman]

Faz announced by Racing.

Hats off, he's had a great career at sarries.

[Ovals]

Faz announced by Racing.

Hats off, he's had a great career at sarries.

Fresh start all round. Time for the younger FHS to show their mettle - build a side around the two Smiths.

[Hal Jordan]

Ford it is, sir!

[sockwithaticket]

Faz announced by Racing.

Hats off, he's had a great career at sarries.

Fresh start all round. Time for the younger FHS to show their mettle - build a side around the two Smiths.

And time for us to actually address the 12 issue rather than stick Farrell there as a compromise solution that doesn't get the best out of him or the 10 selected.

[geordie_6]

And time for Woodentop, the Walrus and other shitehawks to spend the next few years lamenting his absence from the England side...

[Raggs]

Max Ojomoh is in the England squad! Because Ollie Lawrence is broken.

Along with beard and LCD. Muir and blamire have been called up.

[SaintK]

Max Ojomoh is in the England squad! Because Ollie Lawrence is broken.

Along with beard and LCD. Muir and blamire have been called up.

Great!!!!
Hopefully none are too serious

[sockwithaticket]

Pleased for Muir, he should've been capped ahead of both McConnochie and Cokanasiga when it comes to Bath wingers. Big opportunity for him.

Even bigger for Ojomoh given the lack of clearcut 12 options.

A little surprised Blamire was still in the frame.

[SaintK]

Pleased for Muir, he should've been capped ahead of both McConnochie and Cokanasiga when it comes to Bath wingers. Big opportunity for him.

Even bigger for Ojomoh given the lack of clearcut 12 options.

A little surprised Blamire was still in the frame.

Langdon is going to regret his red card on Saturday. Reckon he was next cab off the rank and not Blamire

[sockwithaticket]

Pleased for Muir, he should've been capped ahead of both McConnochie and Cokanasiga when it comes to Bath wingers. Big opportunity for him.

Even bigger for Ojomoh given the lack of clearcut 12 options.

A little surprised Blamire was still in the frame.

Langdon is going to regret his red card on Saturday. Reckon he was next cab off the rank and not Blamire

I figured it would be him or Walker and since Walker went to the world cup, is fit and going well with Quins, that he'd be ahead of Blamire.

[SaintK]

Lawrence and LC-D set miss the Italy match.

England are set to be without centre Ollie Lawrence and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie for their Six Nations opener against Italy.
Both picked up injuries in last weekend's Investec Champions Cup and have withdrawn from the training camp in Girona.
England have called up Newcastle's Jamie Blamire and the Bath pair of centre Max Ojomoh and wing Will Muir.

Harlequins centre Oscar Beard is going through return-to-play protocols after concussion but has travelled to northern Spain.

[Punter15]

Max Ojomoh is in the England squad! Because Ollie Lawrence is broken.

Along with beard and LCD. Muir and blamire have been called up.

Borthers outdoing Eddie at every turn.

[Raggs]

Max Ojomoh is in the England squad! Because Ollie Lawrence is broken.

Along with beard and LCD. Muir and blamire have been called up.

Borthers outdoing Eddie at every turn.

Think these were all down to the matches they played at the weekend, rather than anything borthers has done.

[SaintK]

Max Ojomoh is in the England squad! Because Ollie Lawrence is broken.

Along with beard and LCD. Muir and blamire have been called up.

Borthers outdoing Eddie at every turn.

Think these were all down to the matches they played at the weekend, rather than anything borthers has done.

Lawrence gone for up to 8 weeks with a hip injury
Dingwall and Slade it is against Italy then