Another great weekend of rugby, and a couple of scorelines more reminiscent of cricket than rugby mean plenty of players gave their international coaches a nudge.
GOING UP
Henry Slade
Just as we were wondering whether we would ever see the same Henry Slade that tore up the premiership before his cruel leg break, he produces a truly class performance against Harlequins. While Luke Cowan-Dickie is deservedly getting the plaudits for his hat-trick, it was Slade who dictated his team’s play with real maturity. Also interesting to see him at 12, rather than his more usual 10 or 13, he dovetailed brilliantly with Steenson at 10. As England have looked at their best recently with a pair of receivers, this was an important statement of a performance, although breaking up the Ford/Farrell axis will be easier said than done.
Iain Henderson
Cruelly denying the Scarlets a bonus point as he crashed/flopped over to score on his return from injury as a half time substitute, Iain Henderson made a welcome return for Ulster and Ireland fans. One of the form locks/blindside flankers last season, Ireland look so much more formidable with him playing and they will be hoping he gets back to his best for their opener against New Zealand. If he is in form, he definitely tours with the Lions.
John Ryan
When was the last time you saw a tight-head win Man of the Match? I expect someone to respond with a detailed list of all the occasions below, but it is an often under-appreciated position: scrum well and you have done your job. However, John Ryan was immense for Munster at the weekend, not only doing his job at the coal-face but powerful in defence, his physicality set the tone for Munster’s victory. Tight-head is not a position in which Ireland are blessed with many class players and Mike Ross is the wrong side of 35 now – John Ryan is no fresh-faced rookie himself, but they say props come into their own later. You could probably get spectacular odds on him representing the Lions, but for now Joe Schmidt could do worse than take a look at the Munster-man.
Eliot Daly
In truth I could have picked pretty much any of the British and Irish qualified players in the Wasps side; no matter the opposition, 70 points is impressive. Tommy Taylor looks more like one of the signings of the summer every time he plays and Cipriani showcased his pace of old as he ran the length of the pitch to score. However, it was another English centre who stole the show for me. Sure, his first try may have been the easiest he will ever score, as he pounced on a fluke rebound of the corner flag, but he finished his second with composure and alongside that his scything break set up Christian Wade’s try. He is looking a more complete player than a couple of seasons ago: his passing is sharp and his defence is strong. Joseph has looked a little off the pace compared with his brilliance of last year, maybe it’s time to see what Daly could do at 13?
Christian Wade
Ok so I have picked two Wasps players but Wade bamboozled all in front of him for his second try in a manner not seen since Shane Williams. It is easy to forget Wade has actually represented the Lions already given his international exile since, but he can do things no other player currently playing can. Yes, he has his weakness. Yes, he will be targeted by the high ball and defensively by powerful international wingers. But he will also scare the bejeezus out of them in return.
GOING DOWN
Chris Ashton
Oh Chris Ashton… he is not one of the most popular players. Perhaps slightly unfairly – from a disciplinary point of view the only major blemish is his 10 weeks for ‘making contact with the eye area’ (quite harsh in my view), it’s more due to petulance and showboating – but now he has picked up a 13-week ban for two separate biting incidents. Opinion seems to be a little divided about the incident (you could say Waller shoved his arm into his mouth and got what he deserved) but this latest indiscretion is likely to irreversibly damage his prospects.
Alex Waller
The ‘victim’ of Ashton’s bite also had a total brain fade at the weekend. His idiocy in dumping Jamie George off the ball at a ruck cost him a card and his side the game. Saints were still in contention when he went to the bin, but playing Saracens is hard enough with 15 players, let alone 14. It is noticeable that Sarries’ two tries came in positions he would have been key in defending: the first as George (rubbing salt in the wound) skipped round the side of a lineout and the second as a penalty try came from a collapsed maul. The England loosehead bench spot is far from certain given Marler’s recent issues, Genge’s inexperience and Mullan’s dependable yet unexciting abilities. Waller could have launched a late run for the England team; unlikely if he does stuff like this.
Who caught your eye this weekend?
By Henry Ker
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Agreed – I think Tommy Taylor looks like he’s got the potential to bolt as well
Some of the performances at the weekend were certainly looking good from an England perspective. Daly, Wade, Taylor, LCD, Slade, both Vunipolas, Itoje, George etc etc.
The one thing with Slade is I’m still not sure anyone know his best position? Daly is best at 13, but can cover other positions, but Slade has been moved around so much I still don’t know which position suits him best.
He certainly looked more comfortable playing at 12 outside Steenson which makes me think that Farrell and Slade would be a good combination with either JJ or Daly at 13. Plenty of pace but with enough power and defensive stability to cope at the top level. But you can’t ignore Ford’s form at the moment coupled with Farrell’s injured start to the season.
I thought Slade’s best performances in an England shirt at any rate was at 13 under SL. I’d keep him there. I wouldn’t obsess and over complicate things by moving him to accommodate some miracle pairing (or someone else’s strengths and weaknesses)! Keep it simple and play him where he’s already performed for England and has a track record ! Not sure he has the size and weight to cope at 12 at international level! I could be wrong however!
He’s been moved out to 13 for the game this evening so should be good to see what he can do. I wouldn’t say he doesn’t have the size for international @ inside, he’s a tall guy and is definitely bigger than Giteau, Folley and Crotty who all seem to cope at 12 for their nations.
Blimey Ashton would be so far down the pecking order for The Lions I put him behind Anthony Watson, Nowell, Warde, Yarde and May for England before you start then you have North, Maitland and Earls perhaps Zebo.
Maybe he can go on the Saxons tour……. oh wait……….
I’ve been a Wade fan on here for a year. I’ll always sing his praises because he needs a recall to the England team not just the squad!
His attacking DOES and WILL scare the “beejeezus” out of any team including the ABs either on the Lions Tour or for England!
If you are of the train of thought that says to win a rugby match you need to score tries (definitely the AB philosophy right now) you need Wade. I think Jones is making a big mistake in not picking him. Shows a lack of imagination and zest for the attack! Then again Jones’s style for England is certainly still defence orientated isn’t it? The game against the ABs in a year’s time will require a greater showing in attacking play! Plus I would say the only winger who has nailed his position down is Watson – that leaves one winger’s berth still up for grabs!
In answer to Don P’s constant requests as to how the ABs can be beaten; player selection is one way and Wade could run them off the park (certainly from the bench in the second half!)
I am inclined to agree with you Alex! Certainly Wade offers something unique. He has been a little unlucky with injuries – he was down to start the first Autumn International way back in 2013 but injury kept him out, how different things may have been if he’d started and excelled. Since then May, Nowell and Watson have all burst through and done excellently and its always unlikely a coach will change when it is going well.
I will say: good defence is essential at international level. We sometimes take it as a given, but when it falls apart it it can be devastating – remember that test in New Zealand where Eastmond was hooked at half time, or this year in Aus when Burrell was taken off. However, I think Wade has improved his defence, particularly his positioning, to the point where, although not the best in the world, he is not a liability. I would love to see him given another go to show what he can do.
So would I Henry (see him return that is). Have to start up a Christian Wade fan club! Put some pressure on Jones if you know what I mean!
Always liked Wade but don’t overlook Elliot Daly either, I feel he should be getting more of a run in the England side not only for his ability to play the game but also for the sheer fact of that boot of his 50 meters plus, puts all kins of pressure on the opposition as they would be less inclined to concede ‘Throw Away’ penalties to kill the game around half way.