Comments on: Summer Tour 2018: England Team to Play South Africa

By: Leon

Leon — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 12:41:59 +0000

Surely Cipriani starts or doesn’t play at all?

“not even in the 23” doesn’t really make sense.

These two statements are contradictory. Eddies answer to stement 1 was not at all so why would he be in the 23

By: Harlequin

Harlequin — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 12:39:08 +0000

I agree entirely especially the morale angle.I suspect the players do not enjoy the Eddie culture and regard a period in camp as a chore they have to put up with.

By: Blub

Blub — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 12:28:22 +0000

So it would seem. Jonny May but consider himself very lucky that there are no kickers left on tour to take his place.

Very much the ‘odd man out’.

By: Egg Chaser

Egg Chaser — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 11:09:11 +0000

I should imagine that was the thinking behind Brown on the wing too. SA also likely to kick a lot, Brown is strong under the high ball and brave in the tackle. Also as a mentor to Elliot Daly as he settles into the FB position.

By: bolter

bolter — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 10:40:43 +0000

I do get concerned that Daly being so talented means he gets to play everywhere except at 13 ! If Slade plays well then I will be pleased but we need to fix the 13 position as Joseph has been anonymous for a long time.
Brown isn’t a wing!
Cipriani deserves a start at 10 for at least one test.
Will be very interesting to see how Curry goes…All the young back rowers seem to get injured straightaway which begs a number of questions and makes one think that older or tougher players like Armand and Wilson are more realistic bets for the world cup.
Key question for me is how squad morale looks…in the 6 nations it started to look awful..if this continues then the game ‘s up for Eddie.

By: Staggy

Staggy — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 09:34:17 +0000

Just read somewhere else that he hasn’t started at lock in the last four years. Didn’t however say that he hadn’t played lock in that time. Regardless, he is makeshift cover at this position at best. Bit like playing a lock at blindside really……….

By: Dazza (Dazzle)

Dazza (Dazzle) — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 07:47:59 +0000

Fair enough he wants to see Slade partnered with Ford and Farrell but I would at least have him on the bench, if only to shore up the defence second half. Francis is woeful in defence whereas Lozowski makes massive hits on anyone in his channel.

By: Staggy

Staggy — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 21:28:31 +0000

Thank you Hutch, although the answer does leave me worried. Fingers crossed no lock injuries then!

By: Scrappy

Scrappy — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 19:23:43 +0000

My problem with this team is that I can’t see where the tries come from. We only really have one ball carrier in Bilky who can break the line and whilst Ford and Faz can kick and distribute well, there’s no-one in the backs who poses a direct running threat. We were pretty toothless in attack in the 6N with Watson and JJ – arguably this selection offers even lesz.

By: Pablitoq

Pablitoq — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 19:10:37 +0000

Can you imagine lifting him?

By: Geraint

Geraint — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 18:27:25 +0000

One word. KICKING. This team has been picked to kick and keep kicking. The ball will travel and England’s pack is lighter and more mobile.

By: Jacob Bassford

Jacob Bassford — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 17:25:07 +0000

According to Wikipedia, Hughes can play lock but I highly doubt it ha ha!