Always a Wasp

General Category => Wasps Rugby Discussion => Topic started by: JonnyD on February 26, 2022, 05:27:25 PM

Title: England
Post by: JonnyD on February 26, 2022, 05:27:25 PM
Is it just me or has this been a very long half?
Sure it’s been about twenty mins of reset scrums so far
Title: Re: England
Post by: Shugs on February 26, 2022, 05:40:23 PM
I’m still watching it - just. It’s incredibly dull. And this is not a good Wales team.
Title: Re: England
Post by: Bloke in North Dorset on February 26, 2022, 05:43:48 PM
Fussy refereeing as well.

Randall and Smith adding some spark   
Title: Re: England
Post by: Neils on February 26, 2022, 05:45:47 PM
Fussy refereeing as well.

Randall and Smith adding some spark

Fussy refereeing cause by inadequate players. Boring beyond belief.
Title: Re: England
Post by: Rossm on February 26, 2022, 05:57:04 PM
Fussy refereeing as well.

Randall and Smith adding some spark

Stop start. Way too much whistle.
Title: Re: England
Post by: mike909 on February 26, 2022, 06:30:05 PM
England making a poor and badly resourced Wales team look quite coherent.

Ref is poor and has given England all the breakdowns - including some really poor ones. Nowell off the pace, incoherent ball in hand - relying on Smith's "moments" and offside is a joke.

I have not the first idea what jones' "new England" is supposed to be. France would have murdered us.

Title: Re: England
Post by: Bloke in North Dorset on February 26, 2022, 06:37:27 PM
It’s hard to see England scoring against Ireland or France, and they certainly aren’t going to keep them out.
Title: Re: England
Post by: Shugs on February 26, 2022, 06:40:04 PM
Crikey, Wales have got three tries. To be honest England have been abysmal. What’s the game plan. What do our centres contribute etc etc etc etc.
Title: Re: England
Post by: mike909 on February 26, 2022, 06:42:53 PM
Crikey, Wales have got three tries. To be honest England have been abysmal. What’s the game plan. What do our centres contribute etc etc etc etc.

+1
Title: Re: England
Post by: Andywasp50 on February 26, 2022, 06:50:09 PM
Rank from England, hanging on when they should have put an average Welsh side away before half time.

Ref was abysmal for both sides, particularly at the breakdown.
Title: Re: England
Post by: Shugs on February 26, 2022, 07:05:09 PM
Agree Andy. In fact I thought both Dickson and Adamson were poor today. England are going backwards under Jones. The guys a myth. He can’t/ doesn’t want to find a way to get his backs involved. Malins, Nowell, Daly, Steward did nothing - had no ball. Slade executed one good kick. Randall is not a test player and nor is Ewels. But worse than all of that it was just incredibly dull.
Title: Re: England
Post by: Wombles on February 26, 2022, 07:22:31 PM
I will be honest and say that England did not look like losing today. Wales (and all nations) always lift their games against us, but Wales -despite missing some key players- are at the start of a decline due to their grass roots and regional problems.

What frustrates me hugely is that with all the resources and playing ability we have, we are led by a coach who overcomplicates, micromanages and confuses himself which only leads to confusing others. The hand break in England’s development is Eddie Jones. Wales we’re trying to bring England down to their level and it worked to a certain extent. I am hoping the next two rounds against higher quality teams in Ireland and France will lift our game, however I haves feeling we have seen our last victory in this six nations.
Title: Re: England
Post by: mike909 on February 27, 2022, 01:13:49 PM
Looking back and having read a lot of comments elsewhere re the game - it does appear that many fans seem to think this was some sort of indicator of England going well.....

Whilst only having the official stats made available by England, what is v clear is that England have been a) blunt, ball in hand, not making clean breaks or offloading (we were at 50% of Wales yesterday) and b) not nailing our set piece

Whilst by no means a Billy or Mako fan, what they did (when fit...) provide to England was metres, offloads and defenders beaten. Positives that have been in shorter supply when England don't have such players. And that seems to mean the backline is not ever playing off front foot ball.

Again, part of that success was utilising the back three - and again, the selections yesterday were not anything like Watson, May and even Daly in terms of go forwards. In selecting Nowell, Malins and Steward, we really have little to fear in terms of pace and with Lawes, Dombrandt and Curry - we have no offloaders, just players that run into contact.

That we've picked a 13 at 12 again, just shows that we've not really planned for when Farrell (for all his issues) isn't fit, and our backline, too often looked like they'd met in the car park.

So - we'd be there with the better teams with a) sorting the set piece - surely easy enough? b) picking a backrow with a plan other than "lets run straight into contact" c) Look to someone to play 12......d) play pace in the back three.

This sort of performance was exactly what was expected with trying to play "hybrid" players, confusing players with roles and shirt numbers and thinking there is some sort of master plan if you are not going to compete at breakdown and do the basics.
Title: Re: England
Post by: hopwood on February 27, 2022, 02:43:25 PM
Looking back and having read a lot of comments elsewhere re the game - it does appear that many fans seem to think this was some sort of indicator of England going well.....

Whilst only having the official stats made available by England, what is v clear is that England have been a) blunt, ball in hand, not making clean breaks or offloading (we were at 50% of Wales yesterday) and b) not nailing our set piece

Whilst by no means a Billy or Mako fan, what they did (when fit...) provide to England was metres, offloads and defenders beaten. Positives that have been in shorter supply when England don't have such players. And that seems to mean the backline is not ever playing off front foot ball.

Again, part of that success was utilising the back three - and again, the selections yesterday were not anything like Watson, May and even Daly in terms of go forwards. In selecting Nowell, Malins and Steward, we really have little to fear in terms of pace and with Lawes, Dombrandt and Curry - we have no offloaders, just players that run into contact.

That we've picked a 13 at 12 again, just shows that we've not really planned for when Farrell (for all his issues) isn't fit, and our backline, too often looked like they'd met in the car park.

So - we'd be there with the better teams with a) sorting the set piece - surely easy enough? b) picking a backrow with a plan other than "lets run straight into contact" c) Look to someone to play 12......d) play pace in the back three.

This sort of performance was exactly what was expected with trying to play "hybrid" players, confusing players with roles and shirt numbers and thinking there is some sort of master plan if you are not going to compete at breakdown and do the basics.

I think that's a good assessment of the situation.
Agree with you entirely.

I also reckon Eddie doesn't encourage off-loads in training much. Or indeed anything even slightly risky.
Title: Re: England
Post by: backdoc on February 27, 2022, 04:11:27 PM
i was at the game with a group of 6 chaps, and next to me were a group of Wales supporters.

We spent more time talking about rugby than we did watching what was mostly a borefest. Almost all the excitement was provided by Wales.

My tickets [hospitality] were £180;

We had lunch in a pub near Marble Arch, and picked up a cab to take us to the ground near the Old Dear Park [!]. After the game our prebooked cabs took 2.5 hours to get to the Tesco car park and I arrived home at 10.30.

Twelve hours in total from home- home.

I won't be going again  The product does not deserve the expenditure.

Maybe when Andy Farrell and Sean Edwards become England coaches.
Title: Re: England
Post by: westwaleswasp on February 27, 2022, 05:58:46 PM
Completely agree that all the hybrid player stuff that Eddie wants is balls, I have nothing to add to the voices above save agreement.

However,  I thought the standard of reffing this weekend, and in the 6n this year, far exceeds that of recent years. It may not be how I want the game to be reffed at times, especially around offside, but it has been consistent and equal for both teams, which compared to some of the tosh we have endured in the last few years, is an improvement.
I thought Sco/Fra was remarkably well reffed by Dixon, and had thought the England Wales game was fairly reffed, even if the whistle went too often.
Title: Re: England
Post by: mike909 on March 02, 2022, 02:51:20 PM
Joe and Alfie retained for three days with the squad in Bristol....so we won't be seeing them (if at all) much before the weekend.

And Furbank....does anyone see what Jones sees in Furbank? Looks a very decent Prem player, but Ford's been dropped, which suggests that Furbank will be fly half cover....
Title: Re: England
Post by: westwaleswasp on March 02, 2022, 03:30:56 PM
I think think Ford is on Eddie's naughty step, to be honest, after R1
Title: Re: England
Post by: mike909 on March 02, 2022, 04:25:00 PM
I think think Ford is on Eddie's naughty step, to be honest, after R1
That, or like some significant other examples, perhaps gave an honest answer to Jones.....
Title: Re: England
Post by: hopwood on March 02, 2022, 04:32:45 PM
...."Others omitted from the Bristol camp include George Ford and Joe Marler, who need game-time with Leicester and Harlequins respectively.

Others in that category are Orlando Bailey, Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes, Louis Lynagh, Raffi Quirke, Adam Radwan and Bevan Rodd. "


Title: Re: England
Post by: Rossm on March 02, 2022, 05:29:17 PM
Joe and Alfie retained for three days with the squad in Bristol....so we won't be seeing them (if at all) much before the weekend.

Don't we have a bye this weekend?
Title: Re: England
Post by: Neils on March 02, 2022, 05:32:08 PM
Joe and Alfie retained for three days with the squad in Bristol....so we won't be seeing them (if at all) much before the weekend.

Don't we have a bye this weekend?

Yup. The one that gets me is Marler- needing game time!
Title: Re: England
Post by: Shugs on March 02, 2022, 05:48:39 PM
With it being a bye week I fully expected Jones to release Launchbury and Barbeary to play! Isn’t the whole thing a bit of a farce now? For a start the games feel dotted about due to the rest weekends. You then have some Nations releasing players back for non playing weekends and some not. Then throw in Jones’ random picks and a chaotic assessment of who wants/needs/asks to play and the whole thing feels de-valued. At club level and the 6N.
Title: Re: England
Post by: mike909 on March 02, 2022, 06:00:21 PM
Ah....forgot about the bye w/e

Still, be back in camp next Tues......
Title: Re: England
Post by: Chunky24 on March 02, 2022, 06:22:48 PM
Joe and Alfie retained for three days with the squad in Bristol....so we won't be seeing them (if at all) much before the weekend.

Don't we have a bye this weekend?

Yup. The one that gets me is Marler- needing game time!

Aren't people now satisfied it wasn't a conspiracy to just release him to play against Wasps!
Title: Re: England
Post by: Neils on March 02, 2022, 06:44:33 PM
Joe and Alfie retained for three days with the squad in Bristol....so we won't be seeing them (if at all) much before the weekend.

Don't we have a bye this weekend?

Yup. The one that gets me is Marler- needing game time!

Aren't people now satisfied it wasn't a conspiracy to just release him to play against Wasps!

He just nearly always gets released.
Title: Re: England
Post by: Chunky24 on March 02, 2022, 07:00:09 PM
Joe and Alfie retained for three days with the squad in Bristol....so we won't be seeing them (if at all) much before the weekend.

Don't we have a bye this weekend?

Yup. The one that gets me is Marler- needing game time!

Aren't people now satisfied it wasn't a conspiracy to just release him to play against Wasps!

He just nearly always gets released.

Perhaps because Eddie only lets him play so few minutes, came on at 71 minutes against Wales to add 9 to the 32 minutes from the previous two 6 nations games, can understand him wanting / needing game time rather than the much mentioned on here tackle shield holding.
Title: Re: England
Post by: Neils on March 02, 2022, 11:07:25 PM
Joe and Alfie retained for three days with the squad in Bristol....so we won't be seeing them (if at all) much before the weekend.

Don't we have a bye this weekend?

Yup. The one that gets me is Marler- needing game time!

Aren't people now satisfied it wasn't a conspiracy to just release him to play against Wasps!

He just nearly always gets released.

Perhaps because Eddie only lets him play so few minutes, came on at 71 minutes against Wales to add 9 to the 32 minutes from the previous two 6 nations games, can understand him wanting / needing game time rather than the much mentioned on here tackle shield holding.

And when released he plays almost 80 minutes.
Title: Re: England
Post by: westwaleswasp on March 02, 2022, 11:24:06 PM
I think think Ford is on Eddie's naughty step, to be honest, after R1
That, or like some significant other examples, perhaps gave an honest answer to Jones.....
Anyone being honest with Jones will be on their ear pretty quickly. I would love to think that is the case, but suspect none of the Engjand camp would tell Jones what they really thought of his 'selections'.
Title: Re: England
Post by: Rossm on March 03, 2022, 10:28:51 AM
I think think Ford is on Eddie's naughty step, to be honest, after R1
That, or like some significant other examples, perhaps gave an honest answer to Jones.....
Anyone being honest with Jones will be on their ear pretty quickly. I would love to think that is the case, but suspect none of the Engjand camp would tell Jones what they really thought of his 'selections'.

And you know who they are, as they've been purged.
Title: Re: England
Post by: mike909 on March 03, 2022, 10:48:21 AM
And apparently BV has been rejected "never to return" because of attitude and negativity around camp.....which given his club form and England's failings, ball in hand, is rather a shame.....
Title: Re: England
Post by: JonnyD on March 03, 2022, 11:01:00 AM
I wonder if Eddie has banished anyone from the RFU who had negative opinions of his set up - now no one can get in touch with him to fire him
Title: Re: England
Post by: Vespula Vulgaris on March 03, 2022, 11:31:42 AM
And apparently BV has been rejected "never to return" because of attitude and negativity around camp.....which given his club form and England's failings, ball in hand, is rather a shame.....

I'd like to propose the hypothesis that Billy is back on form and playing near his best because he's no longer part of the England set-up.  He's no longer worried about what Mental eddie will say or do if he doesn't toe the line, and is back to just being a talented rugby player.

I'd also like to propose that the converse is true of Dobby. He is playing the way we hate to watch Youngs play for England, because the unhinged one has told him "what he needs to work on"...
Title: Re: England
Post by: mike909 on March 03, 2022, 12:41:57 PM
And apparently BV has been rejected "never to return" because of attitude and negativity around camp.....which given his club form and England's failings, ball in hand, is rather a shame.....

I'd like to propose the hypothesis that Billy is back on form and playing near his best because he's no longer part of the England set-up.  He's no longer worried about what Mental eddie will say or do if he doesn't toe the line, and is back to just being a talented rugby player.

I'd also like to propose that the converse is true of Dobby. He is playing the way we hate to watch Youngs play for England, because the unhinged one has told him "what he needs to work on"...

Seems fair. BV's club stats from Opta are right back were they were when England won games assertively. Last time seen vs France last 6Ns....and Dan seems lost - and what an old hooker would know about playing 9 is anyone's guess.
Title: Re: England
Post by: Mellie on March 03, 2022, 01:02:24 PM
... what an old hooker would know about playing 9 is anyone's guess.
I thought you were an old prop Mike. That's what your posts usually say 😉
Title: Re: England
Post by: Beasties on March 03, 2022, 01:07:14 PM
And apparently BV has been rejected "never to return" because of attitude and negativity around camp.....which given his club form and England's failings, ball in hand, is rather a shame.....

I'd like to propose the hypothesis that Billy is back on form and playing near his best because he's no longer part of the England set-up.  He's no longer worried about what Mental eddie will say or do if he doesn't toe the line, and is back to just being a talented rugby player.

I'd also like to propose that the converse is true of Dobby. He is playing the way we hate to watch Youngs play for England, because the unhinged one has told him "what he needs to work on"...

Seems fair. BV's club stats from Opta are right back were they were when England won games assertively. Last time seen vs France last 6Ns....and Dan seems lost - and what an old hooker would know about playing 9 is anyone's guess.
I’m guessing he means Eddie?
Title: Re: England
Post by: mike909 on March 03, 2022, 04:58:55 PM
... what an old hooker would know about playing 9 is anyone's guess.
I thought you were an old prop Mike. That's what your posts usually say 😉


I sure am.....loose in head and in position!
Title: Re: England
Post by: Shugs on March 03, 2022, 06:16:14 PM
Yes, upturn in form for BV may also be to lack of “high energy training required for the international scene even though it makes you play worse”.
Title: Re: England
Post by: JonnyD on March 05, 2022, 12:24:42 PM
An apparent leaked 15 has Launchbury starting in place of Ewells against Ireland
Title: Re: England
Post by: Rossm on March 11, 2022, 11:10:41 AM
Tweet from Bobby Bridge:

The Times has reported that Itoje is a 'late doubt' for England. If he doesn't feature v Ireland, one suspects that Launchbury will start with Chessum promoted to the bench. OR Dombrandt could be a lock option (Cardiff Met days) with  Barbeary added to bench...
Title: Re: England
Post by: Rossm on March 11, 2022, 11:46:47 AM
Tweet from Bobby Bridge:

The Times has reported that Itoje is a 'late doubt' for England. If he doesn't feature v Ireland, one suspects that Launchbury will start with Chessum promoted to the bench. OR Dombrandt could be a lock option (Cardiff Met days) with  Barbeary added to bench...

BBC reporting that he has been taken ill over night..........Incidently Cockers has tested positive for covid.