Yes, but kudos to Kerrod, he came up with an excellent turn over at a very key time of the game. Not a bad player for third choice tighthead.
Thought you saw in second half how good Collier is from when he was off the pitch and we got less go forward. Kerrod is probably better around the park, but the scrum is really a big weapon of Quins over past year!
That's fair. Although also highlights just how good Wilco is. He can run and scrum.
That's fair. Although also highlights just how good Wilco is. He can run and scrum.
He can’t step off either foot like Big Coll can…
Scrum was pretty good too. Again.
TBH, I made reference to the lineout mostly because this has been an area we needed to improve. Albig is probably right that Cardiff let us off a bit by not reacting to the lack of variety, but they were still competing and the timing and accuracy looked much better.
I didn’t comment on the scrum as a positive mostly because it’s become such a reliable platform for us when Marler and Collier (or Louw) is present.
In fact, my worry about our scrum right now is that our
entire front row have put themselves in a great position to make the 6N squad. On form, it wouldn’t be overly fanciful to have Marler and Collier starting and Walker should definitely be a contender to back up LCD and George.
As much as I’d be delighted for them, losing a whole unit - particularly one that is functioning so well right now - would be a big blow for us.
In fact, my worry about our scrum right now is that our entire front row have put themselves in a great position to make the 6N squad. On form, it wouldn’t be overly fanciful to have Marler and Collier starting and Walker should definitely be a contender to back up LCD and George.
Who knows with Jones. His selection policy feels more like roulette at times.
Collier would deserve it, but presumably his role would as a set piece specialist off the bench. I guess it comes down to whether Jones considers him too old, and sticks with younger options.
Walker has been solid, but a lot of options for the third choice hooker slot. Singleton has been in good form for Gloucester. Suspect he might stick with Blamire, who's had decent cameos for England of late. Then there's Dolly who hasn't played much.
I dunno. Sinckler is a favourite of Eddie’s, but he’s not been playing particularly well. It depends on the game, but in most situations, I’d have thought Collier helps to give the platform to build a lead, Sinckler brings the impact to turn the screw.
For me though, it’s more about having the option to make ‘horses for courses’ selections. If you’re up against a weaker pair of props, Genge and Sinckler might be you 1 and 3 combo, whereas I’d much prefer to see Marler and Collier square off against Porter and Furlong.
I dunno. Sinckler is a favourite of Eddie’s, but he’s not been playing particularly well. It depends on the game, but in most situations, I’d have thought Collier helps to give the platform to build a lead, Sinckler brings the impact to turn the screw.
For me though, it’s more about having the option to make ‘horses for courses’ selections. If you’re up against a weaker pair of props, Genge and Sinckler might be you 1 and 3 combo, whereas I’d much prefer to see Marler and Collier square off against Porter and Furlong.
Scotland (red cards permitting) and France have good front rows, too, and Wales when they have all of theirs available. I am pretty confident that Marler is a match for anyone, including the Boks, right now, and an on form Sinckler is good enough to hold his own. But he’s not on form, and Genge is still adapting to the realities of international scrummaging.
With the back line that England could field, I think carrying from the front rows is less important than in previous years, and I would rather have the most solid forward platform we can put out. But I am not Eddie.
A massive fan of Will, but Jones has always looked for props that offer more than scrum. I would say Marler is probably the odd one out here at international level, as certainly has impact than Mako, Genge, Sinckler etc. I think Collier would be a bit of a break in what Jones tends to want. I hope this is not true as I think he would be very good and help England!
Agree x 1
View List
Like x 1
Funny x 1