I think Ford is a brilliant fly half and I don't like how Eddie always makes him carry the can for other people's failings. Resting him completely would be the best idea; having him play second fiddle to Smith probably isn't fair, and starting him in all the matches seems like a waste but I could understand why he'd do it.
I’ve been a big fan of Ford for two RWC cycles now and I am a bit baffled why both Lancaster and Eddie seem to rely on Farrell more when the chips are down.
When Marcus first emerged, I said at the time that he reminded me of a young Ford - probably better at passing than Ford was at the same age but less good at kicking. But Marcus’s skill set has rounded out very impressively - his kicking from hand has really improved, his place kicking is ahead of Ford and on a par with Farrell, and he offers more as a running threat than either. The big unknown is whether he can manage a game at the highest level - but his response to crunch situations in the last two games, where he’s created and scored crucial tries at the death when a man down, suggests that he can. I really want to see him given a shot.
As an aside - Marcus is now 82 points ahead of AJ McGinty in the points scored table. Which sounds impressive enough but it’s 50% moire than McGinty has scored and only McGinty and Paddy Jackson have scored more than half of Smith’s total. He’s also 4th on the try scorers list behind Sam Simmonds, Care and Dombrandt.
I’d be very disappointed if we don’t have a decent number of players in both the main and A squads. Dombrandt, Smith and Marchant ought to be called up, and I think Northmore and Murley have a chance. Kenningham might too if he continues to play the way he has done - he looks to me more Eddie’s style of player than Evans is, and Eddie has a habit of picking players unexpectedly if they tick his boxes. 24 tackles will have registered - the highest total in Round 18, followed by Symons on 20 and Lawday on 18, with Dombrandt on 15 too)
I'm imaging Lasike (or Andre, De Allende, etc) running at that backline.....scary
I think they'll be ok, I don't see huge holes in those individual player's defences.
Youngs, Farrell, Daly, Billy, Eddie Jones...
Ford was a brilliant gainline threat but Eddie wanted a tactical mastermind who concentrated on the boot, so Ford became probably the best tactical kicker in world rugby for a while, to the detriment of the rest of his game. His record at 10 for England is phenomenal, especially compared to Farrell's record at 10, and if he does start these matches I would not be surprised to see England playing a high tempo style of attacking rugby - like we did last time Ford "toured" without those two handbrakes either side of him.
Exactly - Ford should be the default, for now. Reminds me, in some ways of the discussions way back between the various merits of Barnes v Andrew.
I hope that Smith joins an England side with a different direction and better PR - Jones' attempts to get under the skin of opponents often seems to backfire...
LiverpoolQuin: I would hope OH-C is in with a shout for the senior side, he's an excellent player - big, physical, fast, good offload, great strength, good agility, good brains...
I think they'll be ok, I don't see huge holes in those individual player's defences.
Slade misses loads of tackles on a regular basis, sadly.
Sorry Jammy, I don't have sight of his stats, which provider do you get yours from? Would it feel better for you with, say, Lawerence in there?
For internationals: 6N site has the stats for that tournament, ESPN has the other internationals but it's a real pain to find them sometimes.
Anyway, 6N for Slade:
7/3 v Scotland
7/2 v Italy
6/1 v Wales
6/6 v France
For Premiership stuff, the Premiership Rugby site has the stats. He was 4/3 for the Warriors game. Looked at a few random other games - he went 13/5 against Bristol, 4/3 against Wasps, both matches Exeter won.
How does that compare to other 13s? Outside centre is usually described as the most difficult position defensively, and not everyone can be George Lowe.
It doesn't stack up well, really. Vakatawa is another poor defensive 13 and his worst was 5/3; Vincent played a few games there and managed 20-odd tackles with 2 misses. North and Watkin made heaps of tackles at 13 and missed very few. Good 13s miss one or two, Slade has a habit of missing a shedload now and then.
Thanks Jammy, so there is a general issue with defence so they probably cancel each other out really. Maybe Marchant is looking like a strong candidate in the centres?
Thanks Jammy, so there is a general issue with defence so they probably cancel each other out really. Maybe Marchant is looking like a strong candidate in the centres?
Forgot Lawrence, sorry - didn't look his stats up but would be surprised if he was as bad defensively as slade. Very different type of player though. Still not sure about his suitability for international rugby but deserves a proper chance.
Joe's recent form definitely makes him a strong candidate, given Eddie liked him enough to play him even when he wasn't playing well.
Given Eddie's baffling measurement of form, I'd not be at all surprised if he thought that Joe's form has dipped since he got back from NZ.
Given Eddie's baffling measurement of form, I'd not be at all surprised if he thought that Joe's form has dipped since he got back from NZ.
Many on here agreed that his form on return from NZ had diminished - it’s only been in the last 2-3 months that it has recovered...
Many on here agreed that his form on return from NZ had diminished - it’s only been in the last 2-3 months that it has recovered...
I misread, I thought RR was saying Eddie probably didn't notice the dip!
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