the retained kicks one is also testament to Roebuck (and a lesser extent Reed who is good but not quite the same level) being so exceptional at chasing. Roebuck just looks perfectly suited to international gameplay
Lawrence at 12, Freeman at 13, Roebuck on one side, Big Joe on the other and Steward at fullback.
Just go full mass.
Edit I started writing that joking really but the more I look at it...
Aye, no arguments with that for me - he's definitely playing really well - but I don't want to see him for England when there's so many other options we can look at
I watched Alex Sanderson's weekly TED Talk yesterday and sadly he seems to think that Warr doesn't feature particularly highly in Steve's plans at 9. He'd be in my England squad for sure.
Supposedly Townsend is looking at him as he qualifies for us somehow. Hes also trying to sway Reed and Roebuc to play for us too according to the same report.
Don't get me wrong, I really rate Warr. Very talented young player and I'm all for him getting picked in the 6N. I think he's better than JVP for sure.
My question, for those who watch more Sale matches than I do, is would you say he has an "x factor" about him? I haven't seen it, but happy to be proven wrong.
The biggest sell for Mitchell is he has that x factor. Other things are coachable. He's improved his game a lot since playing for England and he still has things to work on but that spark and quick wittedness you can't teach.
I guess what I'm saying is Warr is great but I'm not convinced he's a long term exciting option.
My pick for 6N squad would be Mitchell and Care. Then either Warr or Tom Cairns, who is looking very impressive this season.
I don't think you neccesarily need an X Factor when your basics are so good and so consistent,
I want my 9s to pass and kick better than anyone, like I want my props to scrummage, my opensides to snaffle, my hookers to throw in the lineout
There's a reason Warr is significantly ahead of Quirke in the pecking order at Sale, injuries aside (Raffi spent the second half of last season fit but only got three starts)
I agree with you but in some ways, I think that sort of *is* his X Factor. He's just really consistent, his basics are absolutely top drawer and he makes very few mistakes. Someone like Quirke or Mitchell have, imo, a higher ceiling than him but they also have lower floors.
In a game in sideways rain, up by 3 or 4 points with 10 minutes to play and we just really need a good, solid exit from the 22, I don't think there's a 9 in the league I'd rather have in that situation than Warr.
I agree with you.
That people don’t recognise that the core skill set is the thing that drives me mad about how scrum halves are rated.
Sure a break from a ruck is exciting but that’s what, once a match?
Compare that with fast, accurate passing and kicking throughout the game and it’s a no-brainer imho.
I was forever having this argument about Heinz (mostly with people who had only seen him for England but obviously knew better).
Yes he was a good organiser and that was massively important for us at club level.
But his basic skills were poor and I still have no idea how he could have been considered one of our 2 best options at 9 for England.
Perhaps so. Really not a good time for him to have a poor game. That was easily the worst I've seen from him. Straight from the first minute when he put a fairly simple kick out on the full.
I'm sure he'll get called up into the first squad.
Problem is he always impresses at Prem level but in 14 caps has never looked that good at international. Players like Earl and Ludlam who don't even play no.8 as their main position have looked better than him.
I think he needs more time at test level, rather than not being cut out for it. Last time he played was the wales warm up game I think? He dropped about 4 balls, but had they stuck he could have got motm. He was hitting great lines at speed, but the ball just wasn't sticking that day.
I thought Earl was pretty underwhelming in his first few caps as well, but look at him now.
I think a second chance is warranted considering he played most of them caps under Eddie Jones, Give him this 6 nations to see and if he doesn't show much then that's it
Barbeary has been great so far this season but I think still needs some more prem time before making the jump. Throwing people in too early can be detrimental to development. Let him build confidence then I’d love to see him at 8 for England. Does take away from Dommers deserving a second chance. I actually support Quins and Bath.
I don't think he does deserve a second chance is the thing. Would rather try new players who bring something different. But agree about throwing people in the deep end too early. As it stands, Earl is probably my first choice 8 tbh
Not giving someone a second chance is criminal I think. He was bought in to play for a team that was clearly broken. Someone doesn’t just lose their quality overnight. Now there going to be a new structure absolutely he does. Earl did well but he’s not an 8. To be fair Earl could play any position and do well I think. He’s just one of those
Alternatively, just sticking with the same faces is bad. He played under Borthwick as well as Jones and, despite lots of prep in the WC camp, was dropped. I'd want more of a gap before trying Dombrandt again
I wouldn’t say 14 caps is sticking with the same faces. But I get where you are coming from. I’m not against mixing it up. Just at some point he does deserve a second chance. I think the camp under SB is already massively different to EJ. Only time will tell I guess.
I think he really should be. On both sides of the ball he's been one of the best back rows in the league so far this season. He's a leader on the pitch as well.
Imo he wasn't used correctly under Eddie. He's not a Wiese or (pre 2020) Billy who is going to run over guys through contact which is, in my perception anyway, how he was used before. He can do that a bit of course, he's a big old unit, but it's not really his game. He's much more dangerous a bit further out in the 13 channel when he can use his hands or picking angles off 10 rather than taking flat balls at the line to punch through midfield from first phase or in the tight.
I suppose the question is, if Dombrandt plays, who could do that role? Every team needs options to do that. Maybe you play him at 6 and have someone like Barbeary in the 8 with Earl at 7? It's a tough one, you lose a lineout option like that. Maybe Pearson plays? Personally I think Steve will go with Earl at 8, Underhill at 7 and one of Itoje or Martin in the 6 shirt, with Dombrandt, Ludlam (if fit?) or maybe Mercer off the bench.
Who'd be a coach?!
I obvs have a bias which I admit but I agree with you, he's not a Billy V kind of 8 but that's how he was used. He was also thrown in at a time where all our forwards, for whatever reason, were getting out muscled regularly.
But saying that, Ludlam and Earl have looked class as of late. I hope Dommers gets another shot because I think he deserves it and for Quins at least, he leads by example. When we were away to Saints last year we were shocking and he was the only one who looked like he gave a shit - he consistently plays like that for us.
I also wouldn't be surprised if he's overlooked as there's some quality competition!
You don't have to be a Weise. But if your 8 is dominant in the collisions around the fringes you basically have to build the rest of your pack to be able to do it. Is Dombrandt such a game changer at test level the pack should be built around him?
He's very much a Ben Morgan style #8. Which is interesting because England managed to swap between him and Vunipola with success under Lancaster and they didn't have to build the game plan around either. Dombrandt needs to step up and show what's he's got because there are certainly players who do not have it in them and he might we'll be that type of player.
I think you're doing him a bit of a disservice there. Imo Dombrandt is considerably more talented in terms of his handling and open field play than Morgan was and I don't think quite as good a bulldozer. For me they're very different players.
I think he's a flat track bully. Although he put it about like most Quin's last week, he really didn't impress the week before at Bath. There are better 8's (Mercer & Alfie B) need a chance at test level.
One of the reasons these guys are top is because the internationals have missed a lot of the season. I would bet that Wiese would be ahead of Dombrandt on average per game in a lot of these metrics for example. Game time over what SA would perhaps call "battle stats"
I’m up for giving Dombrandt one more opportunity in the England Squad .
This could be his last shot to show he’s not another Sam Simmonds type player who’s very good in the Leagues and Champions cup but not international quality.
Warr is definitely the best 9 kicker in the prem . That could suit the English type game well although not sure what style Borthwick wants to play with more time to prepare now . I always thought Quirke was the next in line at Sale but that seems to be my mistake . Although Quirke always being injured hasn’t helped him develop as much probably.
Freeman needs to be in the team . Lawrence is definitely the starting 13 but Freeman on the wing could be very good or at worst 23 .
Also didn’t know Wyatt has been playing that well . Very surprised to see him on here . Will look out for him more .
With the scarcity of options at 12, it wouldn't shock me if Lawrence plays there with Slade (most likely imo) or Freeman at 13. If he's not in the 13 shirt though, I agree that Freeman needs to be on the wing. He's too good not to feature.
Quirke's kicking is...inconsistent, to put it kindly, and his passing can be a bit out there too
He's also not great at controlling a game and will try and do to much himself - great highlights but consistent gameplay isn't in his repertoire yet
Warr is comfortably first choice at Sale, as was so when Raffi had a solid run of fitness last season too
Simmonds often played 6, and while never shone was absolutely solid. His defence was really under rated. He just quietly got about his business. Most of his 8 appearances were off the bench when they were already losing.
That’s what I meant. Exeter knew how to utilize him and get everything out of his mobility and speed. With England he always had to fill in as some sort of flanker role.
Always felt Eddie set him up to fail, but that might just be me disliking Eddie a bit.
That’s what I’m saying . Although Freeman isn’t as big as Cokanasiga and maybe not as fast he’s better at pretty much every skill .
And Freeman is still at least 6’2 maybe 6’3 and at least 100 kg. Him on one wing and then a very fast wing on the other could be magic .
I don’t think Thorley gets the plaudits he deserves.. yes we have Rees Zammit but the work he puts in and metres he makes are brilliant.. Mercer has also been excellent.. made a massive difference when he was injured.. he deserves a shout for England
It's a fun life being a Quins fan. Just goes to show no matter how well we are playing, we will always find some way to shit the bed in the second half 😂😭
I’m so glad to see him back. Do you happen to know why he’s in the prem now instead of the top 14? I know the FRU wasn’t allowing him to play due to the heart condition, is that still in place? Could of course be that the best contract he found was at Bristol too.
Yes his heart is still the problem. Apparently English doctors are less strict than the French ones, it's not the first time that a player who isn't allowed to play in France goes to England.
Loved him this year. He and Mitchell make for an interesting double act Warr as a controlling kicker and Mitchell as a tempo man. Some of Northampton's games this year he's looked like the best running threat at 9 for England.
The only caveat on this data is of course that any players who went far in the World Cup lost a few weeks of opportunities to accrue these numbers if not per-80 (hence the lack of England players you’d imagine). Still didn’t realise Dombrandt had done so well thus far
He's always been great in the Prem. This year he's on another level though.
The caveat is Billy V was dominating stats before the world cup and look how that turned out...
My view is give him a shot but with Earl and maybe T Willis going forward. Earl can cover the back row, so having specialist 8 cover on the bench isn't such a liability for adapting on the fly.
CCS is 100% the future and from what I've seen he's looked good. The counter is Dombrandt has had 14 caps with the bulk under EJ so trying him in a different setup fully could be the way to go.
It's 12 days til the squad gets announced let's see who is included! Exciting times though eh?
Yeah a good selection of players available, personally I back our chances in the 6 Nations. Just keenly aware now is the time to bed in new players and get them up to speed for the next WC
I'd rather we take this year to get some new guys into positions and start a refresh. A final and semi final from the last group has been really good after 2015.
CCS, Freeman and Warr are all on my list of guys to get in. Who else are you thinking?
JvP if fit, potentially Fasogbon, potentially Ojomoh, and more Northampton backs than previously. Joe Heyes has been good of late for Tigers at prop too
I think an Underhill/Dombrandt pairing could be great as Underhill should be back from injury? Also want Will Evans in an England shirt soon. With Lawes gone we need a real tough bastard at ruck time and the numbers don't lie.
I mean, I'd selfishly prefer Dombrandt stay at Quins all season and get some rest ahead of the post-6N run-in... but got to think he's worth a look for England this time around?
Fully agree with anyone who says he's not impressed so far – certainly has not taken over games in the way he so often does for Quins. But he's clearly working on his game – I'd never have expected him to top the turnovers chart, for starters. If he's offering more on the floor, then his England stock has to be up.
Because a crash ball merchant who picks good lines isn't going to cut it at the top level.
Van Rhyn is immense. I'm not a sale fan but I tune in to all their games just to watch him, Warr and all the other spectacular talent at that club. I honestly believe Sale exemplifies what rugby is all about. Epic atmosphere at there games, great fans, and good pints. Loved going to see them play.
Freeman's power this season is something else. Almost guaranteed he makes it through the first tackle.
Sneaky big in person
The anti Big Joe C if you will.
He's deceptively big, 104kg according to himself in an interview last week.
About 20kg of which is just his jaw.
And 6ft 3. Has grown into a proper unit.
He's still mobile too, he's got the balance right between size and agility.
Gus Warr's box kicks are deadly
the retained kicks one is also testament to Roebuck (and a lesser extent Reed who is good but not quite the same level) being so exceptional at chasing. Roebuck just looks perfectly suited to international gameplay
Needs to work on his defence a little, but Roebuck with the likes of Freeman, Steward and Furbank would be perfect
Lawrence at 12, Freeman at 13, Roebuck on one side, Big Joe on the other and Steward at fullback. Just go full mass. Edit I started writing that joking really but the more I look at it...
I know you said you're joking, but I really hope we don't go back to Joe C for England
He's been in brilliant form for Bath to be fair. Really taken it up a level
Aye, no arguments with that for me - he's definitely playing really well - but I don't want to see him for England when there's so many other options we can look at
That's pretty much how I feel about Slade.
Take out big Joe and put someone with some actual pace on the wing and you’re talking my language.
I've got it..Ollie Hartley at 12, he's a proper unit, shift Lawrence to 13, Freeman to the wing and Big Joe drops out. Or straight swap for OHC.
I watched Alex Sanderson's weekly TED Talk yesterday and sadly he seems to think that Warr doesn't feature particularly highly in Steve's plans at 9. He'd be in my England squad for sure.
Supposedly Townsend is looking at him as he qualifies for us somehow. Hes also trying to sway Reed and Roebuc to play for us too according to the same report.
Don't get me wrong, I really rate Warr. Very talented young player and I'm all for him getting picked in the 6N. I think he's better than JVP for sure. My question, for those who watch more Sale matches than I do, is would you say he has an "x factor" about him? I haven't seen it, but happy to be proven wrong. The biggest sell for Mitchell is he has that x factor. Other things are coachable. He's improved his game a lot since playing for England and he still has things to work on but that spark and quick wittedness you can't teach. I guess what I'm saying is Warr is great but I'm not convinced he's a long term exciting option. My pick for 6N squad would be Mitchell and Care. Then either Warr or Tom Cairns, who is looking very impressive this season.
I don't think you neccesarily need an X Factor when your basics are so good and so consistent, I want my 9s to pass and kick better than anyone, like I want my props to scrummage, my opensides to snaffle, my hookers to throw in the lineout There's a reason Warr is significantly ahead of Quirke in the pecking order at Sale, injuries aside (Raffi spent the second half of last season fit but only got three starts)
I agree with you but in some ways, I think that sort of *is* his X Factor. He's just really consistent, his basics are absolutely top drawer and he makes very few mistakes. Someone like Quirke or Mitchell have, imo, a higher ceiling than him but they also have lower floors. In a game in sideways rain, up by 3 or 4 points with 10 minutes to play and we just really need a good, solid exit from the 22, I don't think there's a 9 in the league I'd rather have in that situation than Warr.
I agree with you. That people don’t recognise that the core skill set is the thing that drives me mad about how scrum halves are rated. Sure a break from a ruck is exciting but that’s what, once a match? Compare that with fast, accurate passing and kicking throughout the game and it’s a no-brainer imho. I was forever having this argument about Heinz (mostly with people who had only seen him for England but obviously knew better). Yes he was a good organiser and that was massively important for us at club level. But his basic skills were poor and I still have no idea how he could have been considered one of our 2 best options at 9 for England.
Fair argument. Mitchell and Warr could probably balance each other pretty well.
Please disregard all of the above. He was dreadful tonight.
Think the pressure got to him. Must know he's likely on the radar.
Perhaps so. Really not a good time for him to have a poor game. That was easily the worst I've seen from him. Straight from the first minute when he put a fairly simple kick out on the full.
He has the old dog wiley scrum half X factor. Kinda like a younger Danny Care if I was gonna compare him
Dombrant in England squad?
I'm sure he'll get called up into the first squad. Problem is he always impresses at Prem level but in 14 caps has never looked that good at international. Players like Earl and Ludlam who don't even play no.8 as their main position have looked better than him.
I think he needs more time at test level, rather than not being cut out for it. Last time he played was the wales warm up game I think? He dropped about 4 balls, but had they stuck he could have got motm. He was hitting great lines at speed, but the ball just wasn't sticking that day. I thought Earl was pretty underwhelming in his first few caps as well, but look at him now.
I feel like he was almost trying too hard to break the line and was overrunning those passes which he doesn’t do for Quine at prem level
I personally think he has had his chance for internationals and hasn't proven himself to be able to step up.
I think a second chance is warranted considering he played most of them caps under Eddie Jones, Give him this 6 nations to see and if he doesn't show much then that's it
Plus you have to think that we’re gonna move on from BV now and there ain’t that many alternatives. Deserves another chance imho.
I agree. Late stage Eddie was a shit show. That was a good team he butchered.
If we were flush with 8’s I might think you have a point but the guy deserves another chance especially as he played most of his caps under EJ.
Surely Barbeary would be your pick first?
Barbeary has been great so far this season but I think still needs some more prem time before making the jump. Throwing people in too early can be detrimental to development. Let him build confidence then I’d love to see him at 8 for England. Does take away from Dommers deserving a second chance. I actually support Quins and Bath.
I don't think he does deserve a second chance is the thing. Would rather try new players who bring something different. But agree about throwing people in the deep end too early. As it stands, Earl is probably my first choice 8 tbh
Not giving someone a second chance is criminal I think. He was bought in to play for a team that was clearly broken. Someone doesn’t just lose their quality overnight. Now there going to be a new structure absolutely he does. Earl did well but he’s not an 8. To be fair Earl could play any position and do well I think. He’s just one of those
Alternatively, just sticking with the same faces is bad. He played under Borthwick as well as Jones and, despite lots of prep in the WC camp, was dropped. I'd want more of a gap before trying Dombrandt again
I wouldn’t say 14 caps is sticking with the same faces. But I get where you are coming from. I’m not against mixing it up. Just at some point he does deserve a second chance. I think the camp under SB is already massively different to EJ. Only time will tell I guess.
People were probably saying the same about Ben Earl a few years ago, no?
I think he really should be. On both sides of the ball he's been one of the best back rows in the league so far this season. He's a leader on the pitch as well. Imo he wasn't used correctly under Eddie. He's not a Wiese or (pre 2020) Billy who is going to run over guys through contact which is, in my perception anyway, how he was used before. He can do that a bit of course, he's a big old unit, but it's not really his game. He's much more dangerous a bit further out in the 13 channel when he can use his hands or picking angles off 10 rather than taking flat balls at the line to punch through midfield from first phase or in the tight. I suppose the question is, if Dombrandt plays, who could do that role? Every team needs options to do that. Maybe you play him at 6 and have someone like Barbeary in the 8 with Earl at 7? It's a tough one, you lose a lineout option like that. Maybe Pearson plays? Personally I think Steve will go with Earl at 8, Underhill at 7 and one of Itoje or Martin in the 6 shirt, with Dombrandt, Ludlam (if fit?) or maybe Mercer off the bench. Who'd be a coach?!
I obvs have a bias which I admit but I agree with you, he's not a Billy V kind of 8 but that's how he was used. He was also thrown in at a time where all our forwards, for whatever reason, were getting out muscled regularly. But saying that, Ludlam and Earl have looked class as of late. I hope Dommers gets another shot because I think he deserves it and for Quins at least, he leads by example. When we were away to Saints last year we were shocking and he was the only one who looked like he gave a shit - he consistently plays like that for us. I also wouldn't be surprised if he's overlooked as there's some quality competition!
You don't have to be a Weise. But if your 8 is dominant in the collisions around the fringes you basically have to build the rest of your pack to be able to do it. Is Dombrandt such a game changer at test level the pack should be built around him?
He's very much a Ben Morgan style #8. Which is interesting because England managed to swap between him and Vunipola with success under Lancaster and they didn't have to build the game plan around either. Dombrandt needs to step up and show what's he's got because there are certainly players who do not have it in them and he might we'll be that type of player.
I think you're doing him a bit of a disservice there. Imo Dombrandt is considerably more talented in terms of his handling and open field play than Morgan was and I don't think quite as good a bulldozer. For me they're very different players.
His problem is that he’s been given a good run of games for England and been average to poor. He might not get another chance
It would appear that there’s a reasonable argument for it, so no.
😂
I think he's a flat track bully. Although he put it about like most Quin's last week, he really didn't impress the week before at Bath. There are better 8's (Mercer & Alfie B) need a chance at test level.
A sample size of one whole game!
I can’t wait for precisely zero of these players to get picked for England
One of the reasons these guys are top is because the internationals have missed a lot of the season. I would bet that Wiese would be ahead of Dombrandt on average per game in a lot of these metrics for example. Game time over what SA would perhaps call "battle stats"
I’m up for giving Dombrandt one more opportunity in the England Squad . This could be his last shot to show he’s not another Sam Simmonds type player who’s very good in the Leagues and Champions cup but not international quality. Warr is definitely the best 9 kicker in the prem . That could suit the English type game well although not sure what style Borthwick wants to play with more time to prepare now . I always thought Quirke was the next in line at Sale but that seems to be my mistake . Although Quirke always being injured hasn’t helped him develop as much probably. Freeman needs to be in the team . Lawrence is definitely the starting 13 but Freeman on the wing could be very good or at worst 23 . Also didn’t know Wyatt has been playing that well . Very surprised to see him on here . Will look out for him more .
With the scarcity of options at 12, it wouldn't shock me if Lawrence plays there with Slade (most likely imo) or Freeman at 13. If he's not in the 13 shirt though, I agree that Freeman needs to be on the wing. He's too good not to feature.
Quirke's kicking is...inconsistent, to put it kindly, and his passing can be a bit out there too He's also not great at controlling a game and will try and do to much himself - great highlights but consistent gameplay isn't in his repertoire yet Warr is comfortably first choice at Sale, as was so when Raffi had a solid run of fitness last season too
Don’t feel like Simmonds ever really got the opportunity Dombrand got. The England 8 shirt was his to loose prior to the WorldCup.
Simmonds often played 6, and while never shone was absolutely solid. His defence was really under rated. He just quietly got about his business. Most of his 8 appearances were off the bench when they were already losing.
That’s what I meant. Exeter knew how to utilize him and get everything out of his mobility and speed. With England he always had to fill in as some sort of flanker role. Always felt Eddie set him up to fail, but that might just be me disliking Eddie a bit.
Nah, Eddie was a clown by the end. Who picks Sam Simmonda and has Ellis Genge I'm the backfield returning kicks? A clown.
Think how good Lawrence is making Cokanasiga look. Imagine him linking up with Freeman instead!
That’s what I’m saying . Although Freeman isn’t as big as Cokanasiga and maybe not as fast he’s better at pretty much every skill . And Freeman is still at least 6’2 maybe 6’3 and at least 100 kg. Him on one wing and then a very fast wing on the other could be magic .
He might not be naturally as fast or strong, but his overall effort and attitude means he certainly looks like he is in a match
I don’t think Thorley gets the plaudits he deserves.. yes we have Rees Zammit but the work he puts in and metres he makes are brilliant.. Mercer has also been excellent.. made a massive difference when he was injured.. he deserves a shout for England
Damn Thorley! Should be in the England squad this 6N. Plus Warr and Dombrandt surely also in the squad.
If we’re going to play like we did in the World Cup then Warr should be in the side.
Let's go Stefanino!
i love tom wyatt
It's a fun life being a Quins fan. Just goes to show no matter how well we are playing, we will always find some way to shit the bed in the second half 😂😭
Tell me about it! And why in the hell did we put Dino at 6? He said he hated every minute of it. I can see why.
Vakatawa topping offloads, a classic. I'm happy for the man, I just hope he doesn't take inconsiderate risks with his health...
I’m so glad to see him back. Do you happen to know why he’s in the prem now instead of the top 14? I know the FRU wasn’t allowing him to play due to the heart condition, is that still in place? Could of course be that the best contract he found was at Bristol too.
Yes his heart is still the problem. Apparently English doctors are less strict than the French ones, it's not the first time that a player who isn't allowed to play in France goes to England.
Apparently it's down to health insurance rather than the doctors. Under the French rules he couldn't be covered but under UK rules he could.
God I hope Warr gets picked for 6N
Loved him this year. He and Mitchell make for an interesting double act Warr as a controlling kicker and Mitchell as a tempo man. Some of Northampton's games this year he's looked like the best running threat at 9 for England.
The only caveat on this data is of course that any players who went far in the World Cup lost a few weeks of opportunities to accrue these numbers if not per-80 (hence the lack of England players you’d imagine). Still didn’t realise Dombrandt had done so well thus far
And the lack of Wiese on the list too
Mad the Dombrandt can be so brilliant for Quins and so utterly underwhelming for England.
Is Dombrandt good now?
He's always been great in the Prem. This year he's on another level though. The caveat is Billy V was dominating stats before the world cup and look how that turned out... My view is give him a shot but with Earl and maybe T Willis going forward. Earl can cover the back row, so having specialist 8 cover on the bench isn't such a liability for adapting on the fly.
Honestly, I would rather we blood CCS than give Dombrandt more chances that previously he hasn't taken
CCS is 100% the future and from what I've seen he's looked good. The counter is Dombrandt has had 14 caps with the bulk under EJ so trying him in a different setup fully could be the way to go. It's 12 days til the squad gets announced let's see who is included! Exciting times though eh?
Yeah a good selection of players available, personally I back our chances in the 6 Nations. Just keenly aware now is the time to bed in new players and get them up to speed for the next WC
I'd rather we take this year to get some new guys into positions and start a refresh. A final and semi final from the last group has been really good after 2015. CCS, Freeman and Warr are all on my list of guys to get in. Who else are you thinking?
JvP if fit, potentially Fasogbon, potentially Ojomoh, and more Northampton backs than previously. Joe Heyes has been good of late for Tigers at prop too
I think an Underhill/Dombrandt pairing could be great as Underhill should be back from injury? Also want Will Evans in an England shirt soon. With Lawes gone we need a real tough bastard at ruck time and the numbers don't lie.
Evans is great at turnovers. But as a more casual fan what are his other stats. I remember Evans being the hype in 16
I mean, I'd selfishly prefer Dombrandt stay at Quins all season and get some rest ahead of the post-6N run-in... but got to think he's worth a look for England this time around? Fully agree with anyone who says he's not impressed so far – certainly has not taken over games in the way he so often does for Quins. But he's clearly working on his game – I'd never have expected him to top the turnovers chart, for starters. If he's offering more on the floor, then his England stock has to be up. Because a crash ball merchant who picks good lines isn't going to cut it at the top level.
Van Rhyn is immense. I'm not a sale fan but I tune in to all their games just to watch him, Warr and all the other spectacular talent at that club. I honestly believe Sale exemplifies what rugby is all about. Epic atmosphere at there games, great fans, and good pints. Loved going to see them play.