Comments on: June Internationals 2018: England Player Ratings 1st Test

By: Dazza (Dazzle)

Dazza (Dazzle) — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 11:31:36 +0000

Largely agree with these scores and can’t help feeling that Eddie has fallen into the same trap as Lancaster, in that he is more worried about losing than winning. Unfortunately this means he will keep picking players who we should be looking to replace, no matter how good they’ve been in the past.

I would stick with Mako and George but start Williams instead of Sinckler. Isiekwe did nothing wrong and was making more yards than the majority of the pack. To swap him for Shields was baffling to be honest!?
Swap Slade for Daly and if you have to play Brown (I wouldn’t) play him in his best position.

1. Mako, 2. George, 3. Williams, 4. Itoje, 5. Isiekwe (Launchbury if fit), 6. Wilson, 7. Curry, 8. Vunipola, 9. Youngs, 10. Ford, 11. May, 12. Farrell, 13. Daly, 14. Solomona (not who I would choose but with such a lack of wingers he gets the nod). 15. Earle.
16. LCD, 17. Genge, 18. Sinckler, 19. Hill, 20, Simmonds, 21. Spencer, 22. Lozowski, 23. Brown

By: acee

acee — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 23:31:52 +0000

Sorry if i offend you but i don’t get why you are singling me out. I’m only expressing my opinions just like you fella. It’s an open forum.If you don’t agree with me ,fine but snide comments? grow a pair.

By: Gwyn Parry-Jones

Gwyn Parry-Jones — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 19:55:12 +0000

Of the home nations, to be fair, the only one that could arguably name its ‘first XV’ at the present moment is Ireland. I’m a Wales supporter; but it is a bit alarming. I felt that after 2015, England were leading a true rally in the northern hemisphere, raising the bar, with lots of brilliant players coming through. It has suddenly gone pear-shaped, and we’re left asking is this a slip-up or an avalanche? Whatever it is, EJ needs to get a grip quick; it doesn’t help with Rob Andrew sounding off so ‘loyally’ today; unbelievable!

By: Gwyn Parry-Jones

Gwyn Parry-Jones — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 19:46:43 +0000

Needs more than a brain transplant. A talent transplant might do it.

By: Mike Attfield

Mike Attfield — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 18:13:02 +0000

Didn’t he play for the British Lions. So I suppose Gatland is also a numbnut.

By: AlexD

AlexD — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 16:34:05 +0000

Jake
Take all your points!
He has played more matchday minutes than any other player. For sure so a bit of rotation and subbing would do no harm!
Ultimately all are EJs decisions and as you rightly say he is management.
I think EJ needs to at least look at a new pairing at flanker though and if that entails resting Robshaw – Go for it!

By: Jacob Bassford

Jacob Bassford — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:35:37 +0000

Tuilagi was probably the 1st choice outside centre, trouble is he has been constantly injured (thank you Saracens, Bath and Wasps) but was building up steam ahead of the tour series. If he stays fit until November I expect to see the centre return to the international fold.

By: Pablito

Pablito — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 13:08:17 +0000

That’s partly why I’d like to see Earle – let’s see if he can cut it.

As for options at home, as far as wingers go, I think Nowell and Watson will fit back in pretty seamlessly. Question is how you perm a back three from Nowell, Watson, May and Brown

Defence wise, England have been narrow for some time now and it’s not the first time we’ve been caught out by sharp passing. At least previously we had a rush defence that tried to cut the ball off before it reached the wide spaces, now they seem caught halfway between drift and rush and not committed to either. (Quins should be slightly concerned about Gustard given their problems with defence all season!)

I often wonder how much Ford weakens the defence, especially close to the line. He’s a brave defender but his style of tackling the big men involves clinging on either until they fall over or until someone else hits them. Obviously this can’t work when the oppo only need to make another couple of metres. So presumably he is covered by the flankers and the 12, which of course leaves space elsewhere.

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 12:19:26 +0000

Totally agree with your analysis of the defensive problems Pablito. Brown had to come in because the midfield cover was simply not doing its job. I would also like to see Cips, Farrell, Daly with Brown at full back. Not sure about Earle, I haven´t really seen enough of him to judge. I also agree that there are options at home, but it seems to me that we are rapidly running out of time to forge them into a cohesive unit before the WC.

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 12:12:54 +0000

Not sure why you find this “idiotic” Jacob. If not a transplant, he certainly needs to start engaging the one that he has. He is undoubtedly an extremely talented player and when he first came on the scene many people thought that we had at last discovered a second row with the potential to be truly world class. At present he is a long way from that for a number of reasons.
1) He gives away far too many soft penalties for both club and country.
2) He does not seem to read referees well at all. Thinking players tend to suss out what refs will let them get away with after one penalty. Itoje often gets pinged for the same offence several times in a game.
3) He spends too much time trying to wind people up. This backfired spectacularly with de Klerk on Saturday.
4) He is inclined towards the deliberate cheap shot. His unpunished late takle on de Klerk which was designed purely to shake him up long after the ball had gone was a good example.
5) He has far too much to say for himself on the field. He´s not the captain, he should just shut up and get on with it.
I love his enthusiasm, great engine and skills, but at the moment he is not thinking enough about avoiding trouble, and is too often a liability rather than an inspiration.

By: Mike Attfield

Mike Attfield — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 10:54:42 +0000

Reads like you have all the answers why don’t you apply for the job

By: acee

acee — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 09:34:56 +0000

Agree with you Jake,especially about not wanting a repeat of the last WC debacle. Do you thibnk we should give EJ the benefit of the doubt or do we go for broke and get a new leader?