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Author Topic: Murley Released  (Read 2864 times)

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Carbonm

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #15 on: Wednesday 01-Feb-2023, 11:42* »
As some have suggested a straight shoot out between Murley and OHC. Borthwick probably wanted Watson for a bit of experience and covering fullback. Must have been a tough call but I can see him going as part of the world cup squad if he keeps his form up. Personally I would pick him but I am biased after all.

Actually scrap what I said, I didn't Malins and Freeman retained. Feel for Cadan what more does he have to do?

JammyGit

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #16 on: Wednesday 01-Feb-2023, 13:02* »
Freeman didn't do anything to deserve being dropped, and Malins has been in great form again. Both of them are also multi-positional; Freeman has played a lot of 15, Malins a lot of 15 and 10.

As the one with the least international experience it's going to be difficult for him to unseat quality players who are playing very well and have more experience.
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Fearless Fred

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #17 on: Wednesday 01-Feb-2023, 14:23* »
Telegraph is reporting that Tuilagi won't be part of the 23. 10-12-13 will be Smith Farrell Marchant, with Lawrence and Watson on the bench.


Banstead Quin

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #18 on: Wednesday 01-Feb-2023, 14:42* »
I'm struggling to see what it is that Murley doesn't give you but the others do? He's fast, he's a terrific finisher, dominant tackler, runs intelligent lines, defends very well, good in the air.....not saying the others aren't good players but they don't deliver all of those attributes.

Malins & Freeman aren't great defenders. Watson has lost some pace and OHC just runs in straight lines. Maybe he doesn't look as good in training, as opposed to what he does on the pitch?

As for No Tuilagi, I understand that but still doesn't resolve the fact that Farrell is there at 12 so Smith & Marchant won't see the ball.

JammyGit

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #19 on: Wednesday 01-Feb-2023, 15:15* »
OHC is better in the air - Murley's good-not-great there - and probably has a bit more pace. Certainly has a lot more size. Calling him a straight line runner seems strange, not what I've seen from him.

Malins is great with ball in hand, has superb footwork and a 10's eye for the pass. Freeman is very rapid and excellent in the air. Both these two cover 15 as well, ditto Watson who remains a threatening winger with incredible footwork.

Murley probably has the weakest kicking game of the entire group, too.

MaidstoneQuin

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #20 on: Wednesday 01-Feb-2023, 19:08* »
Murley not being picked is tough, but OHC is also in good form.

Personally, I think it’s potentially good for England supporters. Murley’s presence and continued clamour for inclusion should bring the best out of Watson/OHC, as they surely will know they need to deliver to remain in the side.

I think under EJ a lot of the issues simply were a lot of players knew their position in the team was a given, with no real competition.(May/Nowell being chucked in with nothing to justify their last selections).

Also, selfishly we retain him, and against Gloucester (if he’s not involved with England) we will need all hands on deck if we are to even consider being in the top 4
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RodneyRegis

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #21 on: Wednesday 01-Feb-2023, 22:27* »
He's played left wing a decent amount, so it's not that.

I think the simple answer is that a fit and firing Watson is world class, and OHC's extended form matches Murley's extended form. I'm sure it wasn't an easy call.

I would argue that perhaps this:

should've been "was", with 2015-17 his peak - even back in 2019 he wasn't quite at his best and it's been a struggle for him since then thanks to injury. He's not played for England for over 18 months, too.

Not sure when we last saw a fit and firing Watson. He's scored 3 tries from 9 matches this season, behind even Steward. All the other wingers were up near a try a game.

I think ohc left and murley right with Malins or Watson 23 would have been better, but if murley isn't starting there's not much point him being there in fairness. He does also need to work on his kicking.

Le Tiss

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #22 on: Thursday 02-Feb-2023, 10:37* »
In other news it's good to see Huw Jones getting a starting shirt for Scotland. A player who did wonders for us in a difficult time of need. Go well Huw.
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JammyGit

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #23 on: Thursday 02-Feb-2023, 10:44* »
Was interesting seeing on another forum the Scottish fans all worrying massively about his defence. That wouldn't have been my major criticism of him as a player. Will be really interesting to see how he gets on!

Banstead Quin

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #24 on: Thursday 02-Feb-2023, 11:37* »
All the main media outlet's going with March at 13 against Jones, so that will be good to see and pleased for March if true
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poorfour

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #25 on: Thursday 02-Feb-2023, 12:37* »
All the main media outlet's going with March at 13 against Jones, so that will be good to see and pleased for March if true

It'd be an interesting contrast of styles, and it's always fun to see players who've played together at club level up against each other at International level

Archquin

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #26 on: Thursday 02-Feb-2023, 14:38* »
England starting XV: F Steward; M Malins, J Marchant, O Farrell (c), O Hassell-Collins; M Smith, J van Poortvliet; E Genge, J George, K Sinckler, M Itoje, O Chessum, L Ludlam, B Curry, A Dombrandt.

Replacements: J Walker, M Vunipola, D Cole, N Isiekwe, B Earl, B Youngs, O Lawrence, A Watson.

DOK

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #27 on: Thursday 02-Feb-2023, 20:49* »
Well, as usual, England team looks good on paper!

Rocker

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #28 on: Thursday 02-Feb-2023, 22:38* »
That is actually a well balanced back three and back row. Still not convinced about Smith-Farrell... I'm willing to give it a chance with NEv in charge of the attack though.
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#495

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Re: Murley Released
« Reply #29 on: Friday 03-Feb-2023, 09:08* »
The only sliver of faith I have in Smith + Farrell is that NEv has been allowed to change the dynamic of how it works i.e. actually let Marcus play first receiver more often than not and not just as an option "out the back" if Faz decides not to give it to a forward first.

I like having actual flankers playing 6 and 7 - Ludlam has always looked fiesty and physical and maybe we need a bit more of that.  I wonder if we are a bit light in the row though.  Admittedly I don't know loads about Chessum but neither he or Itoje seem to be of the heavier tight-head type lock.  Should look great around the park and in the line-out but I think we could struggle at scrum time against better packs (though I suppose this could be a horses for courses selection as the Scottish front-row may be slightly weakened).

All in all, looking forward to it - if we lose at least we won't have the added ignominy of having to live with any pre-match EJ jibes.

 

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