Comments on: England XV to play the Barbarians

By: Don P

Don P — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 09:59:37 +0000

Akin to trying to work out the other Donald Acee.

By: acee

acee — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 09:32:37 +0000

I have given up trying to work Ed out Don……………

By: steve

steve — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 19:46:40 +0000

A few players enhanced their reputations. Notably Dombrandt and Curry in the back row, the half backs and Marchant.
Wouldnt surprise me if a few of these are named in the initial WC training squad.
The game itself was lively enough. Lots of soft tries, but that was to be expected.
A win is a good result for this very inexperienced England team.

By: Don P

Don P — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 19:23:35 +0000

..intention of..

By: Don P

Don P — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 19:21:18 +0000

Good ? Acee. If Jones had no inenion appraising today’s ‘England’ players, what was he doing there, instead of relaxing @ Wetherspoons? If he was running the slide rule, whom might appear for, er, ‘real’ England in the warm ups?

By: Don P

Don P — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 19:06:53 +0000

Well both sides looked better going fwd, but it was the Baa Baas whom looked more the scratch side. Seemed intent on entertaining more than winning, but their execution & defence was just too scruffy for the fat middle of the match. Did they actually practice before the game? Presented England with with far too many opportunities from their errors. England capitalised without having to be creative with these gifts. OTOH, England did press on defence, so the Barbarians had less time & room. That being the case it would have served the latter better to have played what was in front with some clearing kicks @ times. However, I guess that that wasn’t part of their remit. England also had their moments , particularly with Mitchell & Bassett a couple of lively danger men. Dombrandt also featured, although he was fortuitous on occasion. He also had to be Johnny on the spot though, so perhaps he created some of his own good fortune. Ed was looking on, but unsure why; unless he intends to give a couple of potential bolters some game time prior to Japan? The mind boggles!? Collectively the English pack was aggressive & effective enough.. going fwd. Not so much on the back foot. Also, although Painter outweighed Marler by c. a couple of stone, he belly flopped a couple times @ scrum, so he may not be 1 of the bolters. Smith seemed to be a bit of a media darling. He did look a bit lively, but he also got charged, as did the 1/2 (when reverting to type?) & Smith also went for goal when he (& the 1/2) might have had more ambition. And the Baa Baas didn’t get their act together until the horse had bolted. Still, a win’s a win & there’ll be (more) talk about players of the future, but for me there are only players of the here & now, or not. The so called future is a nebulous thing. I wonder how many from today will feature in future, in Japan, for England. Not a lot I suspect. Not with EJ in situ.. but we’ll see. Might surprise us.

By: acee

acee — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 18:57:20 +0000

Well, has that result and performance put the cat amongst Ed’s World cup pigeons?

By: Don P

Don P — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 09:46:10 +0000

Well, the Barbarians are a scratch side too Steve. That England have chosen a team of greenhorns is their choice. Can’t really see the point in a 1 off game like this myself. Seems almost meaningless in terms of player development & actually meaningless in giving a slim chance to possible WC aspirants. Unless England are trying to protect the ‘A’ team? If so, why play any WC warm up games @ all? Anyway, it is what it is, so we’ll see how it pans out.

By: James

James — Fri, 31 May 2019 20:45:09 +0000

Im glad the Barbarians always make room for a non international player. I can’t help feeling that if selecting a combined xv, on paper you would likely pick 14 baabaas.
I expect Marler will have a big game and be a regular news story up to the WC.

By: Don P

Don P — Fri, 31 May 2019 16:10:28 +0000

Did you used to play as a striker alongside Alan Shearer for Blackburn Rovers Chris?

By: Don P

Don P — Fri, 31 May 2019 16:08:23 +0000

Hope TRB are paying you for doing 1/2 their job for them Leon. Thanks.

By: Leon

Leon — Fri, 31 May 2019 13:08:41 +0000

Yes but the oppo looks way too good and this result can only go one way

Barbarians: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Niyi Adeolokun, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Mark Atkinson, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Chris Vui, 4 James Horwill (c), 3 John Afoa, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Joe Marler

Replacements: 16 David Heffernan, 17 Piere Schoeman, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Facundo Isa, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Brock James, 23 Filipo Nakosi