Wasps injury updates for Harlequins trip and England duo latest.

[Rossm]

Sorry to hear about Brad. Glad that it's not worse.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/harlequins-v-wasps-injury-updates-23107317

[hookender]

Shame about Alfie & Joe missing out for this weeks game

[NellyWellyWaspy]

Shame about Alfie & Joe missing out for this weeks game

That isn't quite what it says. Lee is planning for them to be unavailable, but they may get released.

[hookender]

Shame about Alfie & Joe missing out for this weeks game

That isn't quite what it says. Lee is planning for them to be unavailable, but they may get released.

Think there may be some raised eyebrows from other clubs if players taken into camp(again) and then released for non game weekend. Would have been more diplomatic to go in next Monday, but guess EJ doesn’t do that.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

Yeah, but who knows, this is mental eddie we are talking about.

[Shugs]

Some good news in there. Plus we’ve not yet really seen Harris or Mills who are, I think, both available (I know Mills had a cameo v Bath). I think Gopperth needs a break for this one and with Mills available it’s a decent chance to rotate. 10/full back will be an interesting call.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

Now confirmed that Joe and Alfie away with Eddie this weekend, also Alex Dombrandt, Marcus Smith & Joe Marchant.

[Chunky24]

Now confirmed that Joe and Alfie away with Eddie this weekend, also Alex Dombrandt, Marcus Smith & Joe Marchant.

Probably the biggest news from this is Quins getting Marler back given their scrum last week.

[Horusthewasp]

Not having both captains (Launchbury & Shields) available this week isn’t ideal. We need a strong character to step in … I’d like to see Stooke become skipper.

[hopwood]

Quite strange that Marler has been jettisoned for the game versus Wales.

Maybe something has gone on.
Or maybe Eddie just being weird again.

As Lol alludes to on his new podcast, while Ireland and France have really grown over the past 2 years, England have gone backwards.
And the lack of continuity and a clear strategy have to be the main reasons why.

[Westy68]

Really don’t understand why mental Eddie needs take Joe and Alfie, surely more game time is best for them.

Some very good players missing for this weekends game, going to make it difficult

[Rossm]

Really don’t understand why mental Eddie needs take Joe and Alfie, surely more game time is best for them.

Some very good players missing for this weekends game, going to make it difficult

From the Beeb:

Number eight Sam Simmonds will not train because of a hip issue and Alfie Barbeary has been called up.

After starts in the opening-round defeat by Scotland and Sunday's victory against Italy, lock Nick Isiekwe is left out of the squad.
Fellow second row Jonny Hill is recovering from an injury to his calf bone, while Joe Launchbury is once again in the training group, having made his last England appearance over a year ago because of injury.

England forwards: Barbeary, Chessum, Cowan-Dickie, Curry, Dombrandt, Ewels, Genge, George, Itoje, Launchbury, Pearson, Rodd, Sinckler, Stuart.

Backs: Daly, Ford, Malins, Marchant, Nowell, Randall, Slade, Smith, Steward, Tuilagi, Youngs.

[Shugs]

The problem is that the “fate” or even “integrity” of the GP is being decided on the whim of a crass egotist. Release Marler? Why? Maybe there is a reason. Keep two players in a training camp who’ve just got back into their stride and really need match minutes. It’s insane. The sooner we’re rid of this joker the better.

[WonkyWasp]

Plus 2

[Bloke in North Dorset]

The problem is that the “fate” or even “integrity” of the GP is being decided on the whim of a crass egotist. Release Marler? Why? Maybe there is a reason. Keep two players in a training camp who’ve just got back into their stride and really need match minutes. It’s insane. The sooner we’re rid of this joker the better.

Herein is a big part of the problem. EJ doesn’t think he needs to communicate to fans what he’s doing and why. It’s the lack of respect, not the action itself. We may not agree with him if he told us, but at least we be able to accept his reasoning, or not.