Always a Wasp

I absolutely hate Tom Willis going to Sarries, who will no doubt claim that he was very average but they were able to turn him into a great player.

They can claim that - but they only signed him because of him saving some of his best games against Sarries.....

I don?t know how the autumn team can look much different really. I?m wracking my brains thinking who could be involved that isn?t at the moment. Ford? Pearson? Quirke? Lawes? T Willis? Daly? We?re in a poor player cycle at the moment.

It may be that with a few alterations, the RWC team could be similar to the Ireland 23. I did think that the RWC was a write off - but given the draw, it's probably worth a punt with a lower risk selection. Leaving the line in the sand to the 2024 6Ns.

But it wouldn't be necessarily the same starting XV. I'd hope that there are queries around 8,9,10, and how the centres will operate. Back three prob looked better with Watson at 15....

But we ought to make the SF. And then it's game on. But even if that was the case, it ought to not indicate that there isn't a lot of work to do. And looking towards a future squad that might play positively towards 2027.

He's not looked like having any form for ages. I wonder if he's lost condition/pace such that he falls between two stools. He was supposed to be trying to lose weight to help his joints etc - but seemed to have lost that power which made him dangerous in the 13 channel.

Was still going well enough in 2020 6Ns especially vs Wales R4 and Ireland R3 until getting a red vs Wales. Subbed alter 16m vs France in R1 and missed R2

Not played 6Ns since.

Jones took advantage of having half plus of one clubs pack selected - that was especially useful when it included an on form BV and Maro and Kruis. Took a lot of requirements for coordination out of the way, increased with the hooker too.

Trouble was - when your plan is "EA's plus" and they go off form....

I hadn't actually noticed before - but the last 6Ns that England were doing ok was 2020. The last season that Kruis was available. And the last that a pack was able to deliver to a "RWC Final - a - like" backline.

What was stunning was the drop off in form and results immediately after. It really suggests that without most of an inform EA's pack to select, England were not at the races - prob caused by their relegation and lack of hard game time.

You can see it in the 2021 6Ns game vs Scotland - off the pace and not in a game they only lost 12-6. Got out thought in Cardiff and dismantled in Dublin. Oddly winning vs a France team that ought to have won.

So - England's successes seemed indeed based upon the EA's being like a "mini England" training team avoiding the need to change too much, and the 10/12 of the U-20's team. 

Makes Borthwick's task all the harder. As there isn't really that backbone of England qual EA's.....in form and able to support the England team.

Having seen Ireland win vs a more than decent Scotland....I'm rather concerned about England going to Dublin.....

Good post Wombles. But linking to mine who are you rebuilding with? Backs wise you?d pick out Smith/Ford and Steward. When you watch the prem there are no 12?s. All of the SH?s are similar in their averageness. We have more options at 13 and maybe a slight increase in quality but still I?d probably class as ?workaday?. On the wings? Arundell has promise. You are then into the likes of Watson, May, Nowell, Cockanasiga, Malins. All of whom range from average to adequate. Forwards wise it?s even worse but don?t want to repeat my earlier rant! English rugby is in a dire place and to rebuild you need appropriate materials.

It's a hard one Shugs - it's too late for the RWC, surely - but looking towards a team that could do the business in the 6N's and win more than 2 of 5 perhaps a bit of clear out might be best, enabling a line to drawn, post Jones.

Scrumwise, at LH, Genge has promise but needs to knuckle down - time for a break? West is playing for Tigers today and VRR looks good too and Rodd. Frankly, hooker needs a clear out. No George or LCD again and look towards Walker. TH Heyes plus....   SR Chessum and Martin are both good enough, though prob not together....Ditto Nick I. Backrow, Wills x 2 and Earl for starters. Curry looks lost, Ludlam not good enough and Ludlow might be worth a punt.

Backline is more awkward. Mitchell and Quirke @ 9, Smith and Grayson? 12.....Kelly at Tigers is well regarded, and Lawrence at 13 with ball is excellent even in a poor Bath side. Worth the time. Back three, Steward is ok. FH is potentially a problem if want more than a younger Brown...Wings - Arundell, OHC, Radwan and the rest.

But - it needs a clear our of pretty much everyone who was a Jones' preference......And then be patient.

Ouch. That's a lesson. If France maintain concentration this is going to get rather nasty...