Comments on: 5 England players that need to impress Lancaster this weekend

By: Don P

Don P — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 13:32:51 +0000

Cip excluded? Should be the starter as he has SKILL. Farrell is trusted by SL tho & suits the ‘English’ temp. Lancs doesn’t like or trust Cip methinks. Shamr for E. Gd 2 Eastmond @ centre, as has potential, skill factor that 12T’s lacks (butchered that try with an open line for G! Eyes off ball!), but who to play besiide him? Brave & try Joesph? Unlikely. Tui or Burrell? Anyway back to Wade. Must have a run out? No opp yet, but with some space?! Others don’t know so well, so can’t raelly say.

By: ExpatDadSG

ExpatDadSG — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 19:23:16 +0000

Slade is being rested this week

By: Jamie

Jamie — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:52:11 +0000

Mmm it’s not quite the same situation, because Twelvetrees has been established in the England squad for a while now, whereas Slade is trying to break his way in. I think 12T will be in the squad, but Eastmond deserves the starting spot given the way he’s started the season. 12T has never impressed so much that he’s really made that England 12 shirt his own, either, so he can’t really have any qualms.

Also disagree re Eastmond and Barritt! I do rate Barritt but not sure he’s the right man to play with Eastmond. Joseph has looked so good outside him at Bath this year because he’s a strike runner, and someone that can feed off Eastmond’s quick feet, distribution and knowledge of space. That screams Tuilagi to me!

By: Dazza

Dazza — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:18:01 +0000

Jamie, are you saying that Slade is a long shot becuse he’s playing in the Challenge Cup. If so does this mean you don’t think 12T will be in the England squad? He’s not looking too great this season, and with the likes of Eastmond and Burrell playing better, in better teams will he be left out?
Not sure about Eastmond and Tuilagi together, but Eastmond with Barritt at 13, could work really well. Barritt will help defensively, and he does have the ability and strength to get over the gain line. Barritt is another leader on the pitch, and if Ford or Cipriani are playing at 10, Lancaster may need one in his back line.

By: spoonofmilk

spoonofmilk — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:03:58 +0000

Henry Slade has always been geared towards making him a kicking centre and his partnership with Sam Hill (another future England star in the making) is one of the chief (no pun intended) reasons for Exeter’s great start to the season. I don’t think either of them are ready for the step up just yet, but next season it’s entirely possible!