Always a Wasp
General Category => Wasps Rugby Discussion => Topic started by: Westy68 on February 02, 2022, 11:10:46 AM
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Has now been reduced to 29 players, I know EJ does a lot of stupid stuff but I’m finding this squad very odd.
The 2nd row is difficult to fathom. He has itoje, which is obvious, then his other choices are Chessum, Ewels and maybe Isiekwe, who may even have to play in the back row.
I know it’s good for us but how the hell is Chessum and Ewels ahead of Stooke.
Also back row, curry at 7 is fine and Dombrant and simmonds at 8 fine. 6 is a big problem, does EJ really believe that Isiekwe is the best 6 available. Again best for us but on what planet is Isiekwe better than Alfie or Brad at 6. I appreciate Isiekwe can play 2nd row as well but I personally feel he isn’t our best choice anyway.
I would like to see Jack Nowell and Max Malins on the wing because he has let all the good one go. I should imagine it will be Daly.
I would like England to do well but I’m struggling to see us get pass Scotland, Ireland and France
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I know it’s good for us but how the hell is Chessum and Ewels ahead of Stooke.
Eddie doesn't pick on current form, he has his own formula.
Again best for us but on what planet is Isiekwe better than Alfie at 6.
They said that Alfie wasn't able to train at full intensity until the final session because of a hamstring problem. Also, Lee has made it clear that he thinks Alfie's workload needs to be carefully managed to avoid more problems. To that end I think we can see Alfie on the bench at, at best, against Chiefs if Eddie didn't overdo it in that final session.
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I know it’s good for us but how the hell is Chessum and Ewels ahead of Stooke.
Eddie doesn't pick on current form, he has his own formula.
Yes. It's called the hat and folded up bits of paper :)
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You missed out Lewis Ludlum from the back row options.
I suspect EJ will go with Maro & Ewels as locks with Isiekwe at 6, Curry at 7 & Dombrandt at 8.
with Ludlum & Simmonds on the bench.
Not what I would have done but I'm not the head coach!
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I wouldn’t be surprised if EJ goes Isiekwe at 6, Ludlum at 7 and curry at 8.
As he doesn’t like to be told that was a stupid idea in the autumn internationals
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I wouldn’t be surprised if EJ goes Isiekwe at 6, Ludlum at 7 and curry at 8.
As he doesn’t like to be told that was a stupid idea in the autumn internationals
How can Isiekwe be no where near the squad for so long,( I can see improvements in Hill despite his regular brain fades, but Ewells has really done nothing for years) and now Isiekwe could be the best 6 available in England. Unbelievable. I actually think he’s a good player and people forget how young he is still but Eddie really is on another planet with how he treats players
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With the 29 picked I would like to see
15 Freddie Steward
14 Joe Marchant/ Jack Nowell (if Covid has effected Joe)
13 Henry Slade
12 Mark Atkinson
11 Max Malins
10 Marcus Smith
9 Ben Youngs
1 Joe Marler
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Kyle Sinckler
4 Maro Itoje
5 Ollie Chessum
6 Nick Isiekwe
7 Tom Curry
8 Alex Dombrandt
If it was down to me I would have Brad at 6 and Stooke instead of Chessum, Dan instead of Ben as Quirke is injured
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It’s Eddie. Anything could happen. I think he’ll continue with his ridiculous lock at 6 and Curry at 8 selection. 7? Who knows. Marcus Smith?
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It’s Eddie. Anything could happen. I think he’ll continue with his ridiculous lock at 6 and Curry at 8 selection. 7? Who knows. Marcus Smith?
Don't think he has enough locks in his remaining squad for that luxury.
Suspect it'll be Slade at 12 and Marchant 13, but no point trying to 2nd guess Eddie. Won't be seeing Barbeary at 13 though! :)
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It’s Eddie. Anything could happen. I think he’ll continue with his ridiculous lock at 6 and Curry at 8 selection. 7? Who knows. Marcus Smith?
Don't think he has enough locks in his remaining squad for that luxury.
Suspect it'll be Slade at 12 and Marchant 13, but no point trying to 2nd guess Eddie. Won't be seeing Barbeary at 13 though! :)
Marchant is undergoing a covid test this morning. If he's out the Daly could be 13?
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Here it is! Tom Curry will captain England as they open their Six Nations campaign against Scotland. Nick Isiekwe gets the nod alongside Maro Itoje at lock, Lewis Ludlam replaces Courtney Lawes and Sam Simmonds is selected at No. 8.
In the backs, Joe Marchant returns from Covid isolation to start at wing, with Elliot Daly partnering Henry Slade in midfield. Marcus Smith starts at fly-half alongside Ben Youngs.
15. Freddie Steward 14. Max Malins 13. Elliot Daly 12. Henry Slade 11. Joe Marchant 10. Marcus Smith 9. Ben Youngs 1. Ellis Genge 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie 3. Kyle Sinckler 4. Maro Itoje 5. Nick Isiekwe 6. Lewis Ludlam 7. Tom Curry (c) 8. Sam Simmonds
Finishers: 16. Jamie George 17. Joe Marler 18. Will Stuart 19. Charlie Ewels 20. Alex Dombrandt 21. Harry Randall 22. George Ford 23. Jack Nowell
The center partnership is a problem
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Is that... only one player out of position (Slade).
Although Eddie probably thinks he's playing a fullback at outside centre and a flanker or two in the second row.
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Is that... only one player out of position (Slade).
Although Eddie probably thinks he's playing a fullback at outside centre and a flanker or two in the second row.
And Marchant, and, arguably, Isiekwe...
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Did hear he was considering using Catherine when she turned up for training, but sadly she had to withdraw due to a hamstring injury.
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Slade was quality at 12 last time and really showcased his class and subsequently all of the things Farrell cannot do in the position like fizzing out 30yard passes for try assists.
This is a good looking team but why has it taken so long to get here. All those years of Daly not playing at 13, a few years of trying curry at 8 when Dombrandt and Simmons in particular could have been improving.
Still do not think Randall is anywhere near this level yet but pleased Isiekwe has edged Ewells for the time being
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Yeah, I'm happy with that lineup too.
It will be a tough game.
I can't wait.
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To play -
15. Stuart Hogg - Exeter Chiefs - (Captain) - 88 caps
14. Darcy Graham - Edinburgh Rugby - 22 caps
13. Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby - 31 caps
12. Sam Johnson - Glasgow Warriors - 21 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe - Worcester Warriors - 13 caps
10. Finn Russell – Racing 92 - (Vice-Captain) - 58 caps
9. Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors - 46 caps
1. Rory Sutherland - Worcester Warriors - 16 caps
2. George Turner - Glasgow Warriors - 20 caps
3. Zander Fagerson - Glasgow Warriors - 42 caps
4. Jonny Gray – Exeter Chiefs – 64 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist - Edinburgh Rugby - 48 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie - Edinburgh Rugby - (Vice-Captain) – 31 caps
7. Hamish Watson - Edinburgh Rugby - 45 caps
8. Matt Fagerson - Glasgow Warriors - 17 caps
Replacements
16. Stuart McInally - Edinburgh Rugby - 43 caps
17. Pierre Schoeman - Edinburgh Rugby - 4 caps
18. WP Nel - Edinburgh Rugby - 43 caps
19. Sam Skinner - Exeter Chiefs - 15 caps
20. Magnus Bradbury - Edinburgh Rugby - 14 caps
21. Ben White - London Irish - Uncapped
22 Blair Kinghorn - Edinburgh Rugby - 28 caps
23 Sione Tuipulotu - Glasgow Warriors - 1 cap
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I don't tend to watch Saracens.
How regularly has Daly actually played outside centre in the last year or 3?
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I think Daly has played 13 a couple of times recently.
Overall I don't mind the squad, but Daly is a problem for me.
Dombrandt & Simmonds can go either way. I like who he has on the wings.
Ben youngs again, has got to change
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Disappointed by Daly, and Youngs is not my 9 for sure, but it could have been worse, Duchess jokes aside.
At least it isn't Mako and Billy et al.
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When England have played without Farell in the past, they have done reasonably well.
It will be interesting to see how the likes of Youngs, Smith, Slade etc do without the presence of Faz at 10 or 12 running the game.
He tends to dominate everything so Smith being in charge could be quite decent.....
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Anything's got to be better than Farrell.
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When England have played without Farell in the past, they have done reasonably well.
It will be interesting to see how the likes of Youngs, Smith, Slade etc do without the presence of Faz at 10 or 12 running the game.
He tends to dominate everything so Smith being in charge could be quite decent.....
Its going to interesting to see how Smith performs without Farrell and then if Farrell ever comes back. We know that Farrell doesn't like wild cards (see his reaction to Cips' kick at the end of that SA match), and Smith is another player who isn't going to die wondering when the chips are down at the end of a match.
Can an England team play well with both of them playing? The 2 temperaments appear to be diametrically opposites.
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The Daly comments do make me chuckle. Poor Elliott, largely detested by Wasps fans for leaving and seemingly not caring in the lead-up to go. Pushed from 13 (his preferred position) to 15 (by England). Many fans talking about wishing to see him at 13 as it’s his natural position and he isn’t so safe under the high ball as many would like.
He gets selected at 13 and the comments along the lines of ‘not sure about Daly at 13’ begin ;D
Atkinson/Slade might be the more natural form selection, admittedly. But who else would we have in who is fit at 12/13?
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Mental Eddie stating the obvious. Apparently Scotland will target Smith and try to wind up Genge and Sinckler! I think he's just taken the words straight out of Gregor's mouth ;) With Marler on the bench then the sledging no doubt will continue when he gets on the field.
He also states that Scotland are "hot favourites". Someone should let the bookies know, as they've obviously got it wrong as they have England as favourites.
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The Daly comments do make me chuckle. Poor Elliott, largely detested by Wasps fans for leaving and seemingly not caring in the lead-up to go. Pushed from 13 (his preferred position) to 15 (by England). Many fans talking about wishing to see him at 13 as it’s his natural position and he isn’t so safe under the high ball as many would like.
He gets selected at 13 and the comments along the lines of ‘not sure about Daly at 13’ begin ;D
Atkinson/Slade might be the more natural form selection, admittedly. But who else would we have in who is fit at 12/13?
I think the Daly comments are more around his inclusion given recent form and lack of games following injury. If he's going to start I'd rather see him at 13 definitely. Just not sure he should be in there at all. I think Eddie's gone for his experience among an otherwise pretty raw back division (Youngs and Slade excepted). Stick Atkinson in there in place of Daly, and you've got 5/7 backs with only a handful of caps between them. Personally I'd have gone the whole hog and gone with Atkinson and Randall, but that's easy for me to say.
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The Daly comments do make me chuckle. Poor Elliott, largely detested by Wasps fans for leaving and seemingly not caring in the lead-up to go. Pushed from 13 (his preferred position) to 15 (by England). Many fans talking about wishing to see him at 13 as it’s his natural position and he isn’t so safe under the high ball as many would like.
He gets selected at 13 and the comments along the lines of ‘not sure about Daly at 13’ begin ;D
Atkinson/Slade might be the more natural form selection, admittedly. But who else would we have in who is fit at 12/13?
Agree with all of that and, consequently, just hit my first "I like this" :)
I think the Daly comments are more around his inclusion given recent form and lack of games following injury. If he's going to start I'd rather see him at 13 definitely. Just not sure he should be in there at all. I think Eddie's gone for his experience among an otherwise pretty raw back division (Youngs and Slade excepted). Stick Atkinson in there in place of Daly, and you've got 5/7 backs with only a handful of caps between them. Personally I'd have gone the whole hog and gone with Atkinson and Randall, but that's easy for me to say.
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Although I think there are better players who could play 13 tomorrow, Daly had to play.
You have to remember he’s been on massive Lions Tours, World Cup Finals, huge international games over a number of years.
You simply have to have that level of experience in the backs - considering most of our players are brand new or have never played in front of a Six Nations ‘away’ crowd. Only empty stadiums.
It’s a huge step up….and sometimes you need an experienced head or two. Especially in the backs.
Furthermore, he has got a howitzer of a boot on a day when a key penalty might decide things.
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Has now been reduced to 29 players, I know EJ does a lot of stupid stuff but I’m finding this squad very odd.
The 2nd row is difficult to fathom. He has itoje, which is obvious, then his other choices are Chessum, Ewels and maybe Isiekwe, who may even have to play in the back row.
I know it’s good for us but how the hell is Chessum and Ewels ahead of Stooke.
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I would like England to do well but I’m struggling to see us get pass Scotland, Ireland and France
I fully agree with the above and cannot think of a second row better than Itoje with Stooke at present based on what we have seen though the season so far. Do you think Mad Eddie has clocked the impact Eliot has had and what do you think he has to do to get representative honours?
I really hope I am wrong but if I were a betting man I would be going with Scotland to get the win. Some friends in Jockland are going to the match and tell me the weather forecast is foul!
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The weather sounds like it’s going to be the same as 2 years ago. So unlikely to be a classic and not high scoring.
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Daly is not an issue at 13, he is an issue full stop. He had 4 great years for us, but in his last for us he was poor to the point of droppable and since then he has been a terrible full back and not very good winger for England whilst struggling to impact a Sarries team that ill suits his talents. His best days have been behind him, but he gets a pass because he can kick from distance, something very few can offer. He covers everywhere almost thanks to Eddie, meaning he will always be in with a shout.
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Daly is not an issue at 13, he is an issue full stop. He had 4 great years for us, but in his last for us he was poor to the point of droppable and since then he has been a terrible full back and not very good winger for England whilst struggling to impact a Sarries team that ill suits his talents. His best days have been behind him, but he gets a pass because he can kick from distance, something very few can offer. He covers everywhere almost thanks to Eddie, meaning he will always be in with a shout.
I’m going to withhold judgment until the final whistle tomorrow afternoon.
I still think he’s a useful player if he’s confident and giving 100%.
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No disagreement there- he is a useful player- if he can find some form. I am just not sure an international under dodgy conditions is a place to do it. He is a worry for me, it is a gamble that has a high ceiling but also a low floor, but I do accept the high ceiling- it could be what England want.