Comments on: Stick or twist? England squad for the Autumn Internationals

By: AlexD

AlexD — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 21:55:39 +0000

He doesn’t seem to be found out at Saxons level. In fact he seems to consistently play a ‘blinder’ making his cover tackles (which would suggest he is in the right place at the right time) and then scoring tries. What more can you ask?
He does have a curious tackling style whereby he burrows under his man and tries to stand him up rather than just bringing him down with the legs. Is that what you mean by ‘working on his tackling?’

By: Jacob

Jacob — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 12:05:58 +0000

Wade’s issues have absolutely nothing to do with his. His positioning is dreadful.

I’m a Wasps fan, and a big fan of his, but he would get massively found out positionally at test level (as he often does at domestic level). His tackling is actually pretty good when he is stood in the right place with the correct footwork. It’s something I know he has spent a lot of time trying to work on, but it doesn’t seem to be improving. If it does, I expect him to be very much involved.

By: Ben Huxtable-Smith

Ben Huxtable-Smith — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 08:15:45 +0000

Alex. The only problem for Wade is we already have some smaller men in the backline. It is a massive shame as I think he is electric. I would love to see him given a chance at some point.

By: AlexD

AlexD — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 07:33:16 +0000

Good to see someone agrees about Wade. Size is definitely not the benchmark for everything at wing. Shane Williams, Euan Evans, Jason Robinson, Cueto and Wade for England were and are all small players that scored a ton of tries for their countries. Wade still does every time he puts on a club or England shirt. If Jones is to go through bthe next level and defeat NZ he needs a Christan Wade
IMO.

By: Ben Huxtable-Smith

Ben Huxtable-Smith — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 13:48:46 +0000

I am really looking for to the autumn internationals. I agree with most of the comments on here. Reference eligibility, I think we have to give the players a bit leniency. I do not blame Hughes for wanting to play for England. But I do think the qualification period should be increased from 3 to 5 years. That way we would only have people that really want to play for us. I do not think one parent is enough of a reason e.g. Teo. I think someone like Tuilagi who has played here since he was 14 and in the system should be above someone who has just moved to the country (even with parentage). We should not be encouraging kolpack mentality that’s for sure. I would also love to see Ewers given a chance, the guy should be the future at 6 instead of Hughes. Though my mind may change once I see Hughes play for us ;)

I would love to see Slade come into the side. But from the bench initially. I do not think we should change Ford/Farrell axis before the SA match. Maybe for Fiji instead. Though is still an excellent fly half, but needs to improve his kicking percentage. If Corbisero can get some games under his belt I would love to see back in the scrum. But its too early for Autumn I expect. I also agree about Christian Wade. It seems since the last lions tour when he flown over from England’s Argentina tour that he is the forgotten wing. But for a man with such pace, I would love to at least think he could get in the EPS.

I think Robshaw is probably in his last season for England as he will want once last crack at the Lions. I personally think he deserves it with how he has played for us and with his consistent performances. Every match he is 7/10 or above. I think Mike Brown is in a similar situation as well.

My Team as follows (Only from players in the current EPS):-
1. M Vunipola
2. D Hartley
3. D Cole
4. M Itoje
5. G Kruis
6. C Robshaw
7. J Clifford
8. B Vunipola
9. B Youngs
10. G Ford
11. J Nowell
12. O Farrell
13. J Joseph (Close with E Daly)
14. A Watson
15. M Brown

Subs – J Marler, J George, P Hill, J Launchberry, H Slade, E Daly, D Robson (Or J Simpson, whoever starts the season with Wasps)

By: AlexD

AlexD — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 00:47:08 +0000

Only change to the EPS I would like to see other than Cipriani is Wade. Wade for Yarde any day! Wade would also pose a greater try scoring threat than Nowell who whilst a good player doesn’t score enough tries to be a great.
Wade is a natural ‘ball in hand’ winger (like May) who relishes space and can score from anywhere. His defence is now good enough (probably no worse than Jason Robinson’s ever was – another small player whose size didn’t hold him back) and offers a similar ‘speedster’ attacking threat.
The attack play of the back line is the one area of weakness left to Eddie Jones to radically improve on along with the centre pairing sub plot. Both are outstanding issues or at least ones not yet put fully to bed (for beating NZ and winning a WC any ways)

By: Hutch

Hutch — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 08:56:21 +0000

Yes it has been awesome! Article coming up later today about it.

By: Pablito

Pablito — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 08:43:51 +0000

Has anyone else been enjoying the Olympic Sevens?

Its been fantastic so far with some great games. Brilliant to see Japan do so well and I will admit to a touch of schadenfreude at seeing the Kiwis come third in the pool and then get knocked out in the quarterfinals.

Team GB’s victory over the Kiwis sounded like the start to a joke with an Englishman, a Scotsman and a Welshman all scoring.

South Africa in the semi-finals is a tough ask for GB, but they must be on a high having topped their group and beaten the Kiwis, so fingers crossed!

By: Dazza

Dazza — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 09:42:17 +0000

I think Haley offers the best sides of both Brown and Goode, but without the experience. He has good pace, with Goode’s unpredictability in attack, but solid in defence with a good boot. It doesn’t seem like Goode is going to get a look in unless Brown has a real shocking start to the season, so I would get Haley in to gain experience.

By: Jake

Jake — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 08:08:54 +0000

Slade doesn’t play 10 at club level yet so might be a big ask for him to step up. Ford looked revitalised after coming off the bench so should keep his place for the time being.

By: Pablito

Pablito — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 12:26:26 +0000

I did forget Ben Te’o as well. Whilst his mother may have English heritage, he has spent no time in England and has yet, I believe, to play a game for an English side.

By: Henry

Henry — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 11:56:22 +0000

Hi Dazza – definitely had Haley in mind, however I was already pushing the boundaries of acceptable blog length and the average adult’s attention span without looking at the 15 shirt in detail… But I am in total agreement with you.