Comments on: RWC Warm-ups: England Player Ratings versus France

By: Pablito

Pablito — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 16:30:58 +0000

No. Please not

By: Dazza

Dazza — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 15:57:42 +0000

Just read on BBC that Croft has been training with England?! Will he be first in if anyone in the back row gets injured?

By: Henry

Henry — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 15:09:41 +0000

Think the Slade vs Clarke yellows was a classic case of character affecting the refs decision. Slade looks like an innocent school boy, Clarke a thug who broke someone’s arm and was banned for a year and a half. Marginal calls made by the refs (probably unintentional) preconceptions of a player. See also: Dylan Hartley…

By: Dazza

Dazza — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:30:59 +0000

A good point there. The fact he didn’t realise it would be a yellow is a bit worrying, but it’s an instinctive thing to do, even if you’re aware it could result in a yellow.
I still think that Burgess’s skill set is better suited to the 12 position for England than Burrell or 12T’s. Both are good ball players, but neither are defence breakers or outstanding defenders, of which Burgess could be both. As an England 12, you need to be either one, or both to make a good partnership great. Barritt or Burgess with JJ or Slade could be great with time, but I don’t see where Burrell or 12T fit in with Lancaster’s plan.

I have to say I thought Slade was lucky not to get a yellow, and Clarke was unlucky to get one, as there didn’t seem to be too much wrong with his clear-out. One hand round the guys shoulder/neck, but hardly a neck-roll as they called it. Also thought the incident with Slade and Picamoles needed closer attention, and I’m surprised we haven’t seen a citing yet. It really looked like Picamoles led with his head once Slade was on the floor.

By: Henry

Henry — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:07:08 +0000

I do agree, and I probably would go for Burgess personally. I am more trying to say I understand if Lancaster doesn’t and I won’t be particularly angry if he picks Burrell (I will if he picks 12T over Slade). And yes I get the point about high level experience in the world cup that Burgess has had – I was really impressed with his attitude, always the first to congratulate the pack when they won a scrum for example, generally seems to exude a positive vibes. But lets not get carried away after one game, I would like to see him again in Paris before making any conclusions. He did make the silly yellow card mistake – something he freely admitted he didn’t realise would be a yellow. Big game experience and can deal with the pressure – yes. Still learning all of unions laws – yep. That is why I would be nervous.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 13:48:07 +0000

Thought Mako had a pretty good game, only member of the pack to generate any real go-forward. Couple of dodgy scrums were when we were a man down and >150kg of Atonio was fresh on the field.

I’m no member of the Alex Goode fanclub, but I thought he was excellent, probably the first time for England I’ve seen him join the line and add something. I still worry he’ll be exposed again when he’s the last line of defence against a power runner but he’s certainly put his hand up.

Burgess went much better than I expected. A Ford + Burgess + JJ combination may be our best option. We’ve been picking a 12 that plays more like a flanker so for that particular role actually picking a flanker has some upside! Barritt stops his man, Burgess smashes his man and offers a lot more ball in hand. I’d start with that trio on Sat (Burrell on the bench and 36 cut loose).

By: Dazza

Dazza — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 12:57:21 +0000

We mustn’t forget that Burgess is an experienced player, just not in Union. He has played in the big stadiums on the big occasions, so we know he can handle the pressure. He is also the closest thing we have to Tuilagi in the attack department.
For me Burrell and 12T alike, offered so much potential, but neither have lit up the pitch. Both have had good performances, (Burrell’s first couple of Six Nations games) but both have had bad (most notably in defence).
Slade has shown glimpses of excellence in several positions for Exeter, and I believe his time is now. He has the ability to play as the playmaker centre option, which is something 12T should’ve been, but is also a good solid defender. He is also a very good place kicker, which as we know is invaluable in a World Cup year. The more kickers on the pitch the better.

By: harlequin

harlequin — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 12:05:04 +0000

If we lose in Paris how much will it matter??

By: Henry

Henry — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 11:58:46 +0000

Agree that 12T is out. So I think Slade is in as the playmaking centre option. Burrell… we will wait and see. Its a straight shoot out for the ‘physical 12′ slot with Burgess. Lets remember Burgess has had one good (not amazing by any stretch) game. Burrell has had those before. He just isn’t consistently good and has yet to deliver a world class performance – the kind JJ and Tuilagi have had.

By the sounds of things Barritt may miss Saturday because of a slight injury so I would expect Burrell to start with JJ outside like the 6N. Burgess on the bench to get 30 unless Burrell has a stormer and it’s close. That gives everyone a fair chance to stake their claim, and after that Lancaster can make an informed choice.

I am just worried about throwing away some of our minimal international experience and having two novice centres in our squad. JJ is hardly a seasoned international as it is… This is why I am very keen for Barritt to start – even though I back Slade all the way and think he is England’s future 12 – a level head among the exciting, but raw Ford, JJ, May and Watson. Also why Brown and Youngs are so important.

By: Liono

Liono — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 11:03:42 +0000

Agreed entirely, its unfortunate for Eastmond that his outstanding season so far at inside coincided with Joseph’s resurgence at 13, in another universe, JJ wouldn’t have rediscovered his form and Manu wouldn’t have gotten himself kicked out of the squad and we would be watching Ford, Eastmond, Tuilagi as our 10, 12, 13 combo…

By: Dazza

Dazza — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 10:42:46 +0000

I would like to see Watson have a game at 15, as he played a lot there for Bath at the end of the season.
As for Goode, I think his all round game intelligence and ability with or without the ball gets him in. Who would you have instead of him? Foden spends more time injured than playing, and Pennell (although excellent) has played the last season a division below. I guess you could take Watson as a 15 option and bring one of the other wingers back? But would we see Watson put a kick into the corner like Goode did for May’s try? That’s the reason I would have him in the squad.

By: Dazza

Dazza — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 10:24:24 +0000

Does anyone else agree that after seeing this and how Burgess and Slade perfromed, that 12T and Burrell should be dropped?
I’m sure a few people will say Barritt should go, but when we get to the knockout stages and need to close out tight games, we will need Barritt’s midfield defence. Whereas we will not need 12T’s lack of defence (as shown on Saturday when attempting to tackle Spedding) or Burrell’s ability to butcher a 2 on 1 as in the Six Nations.