Personally think that’s a really poor Bath squad. Neither of their 1st choice props, no Joseph, Watson, Redpath, McConnochie, or Ewels. Faletau, Stooke, Underhill and Boyce missing too. Just having a big backline doesn’t make them good.
Obviously lucky we’ve only lost Steele to international duty, but that’s not far off our best squad again. Anything less than 5 points will be disappointing imo
Think Joseph has been dropped rather than an international call up? He’s only in the shadow squad.
Think Joseph has been dropped rather than an international call up? He’s only in the shadow squad.
I knew he was dropped from the 'full' England squad, but I'd assumed being in the shadow squad meant he couldn't play, or maybe Bath had rested him because of the international preparations.
I would imagine England will have had a pretty full-on week, given that most of them haven't played for nearly a month and the Saracens players (except Billy V) even longer.
Marchant is also in the shadow squad but starting for us again this week
Yep it’s crazy to think Smith is still only 21 and has that number of caps for us. Surely Eddie can’t continue to ignore him, on current form he’s the best fly half in the premiership for me.
As long as Ford and Farrell can actually stand Smith will be nowhere near the England team, even then I am not sure that Jones see's Smith as next in line.
Big game for us.
After smashing Wasps last week, usually the impact of that would be to take two steps back.
Can we turn a corner?
Sadly I agree
Out of interest where do you think Smith is compared to them? Do you think he should be in instead of them or just a squad selection point of view?
I don’t know about ‘instead of’, but he should certainly be there in addition to them IMO.
Although, selfishly, England’s loss is our gain. We simply don’t have anyone else even close to Marcus’ level as a back-up 10.
Absolutely agree.
Selfishly nice to see a near full strength outfit in International weekend :D
As with last week, I really like the look of that team. It is pretty much us at full strength.
What was so brilliant last week was just how cohesive and connected we were. All the bits joined together in all aspects of our play. Let's hope for more of the same at the boggy Rec! I hope the boys are buzzing and full of confidence.
On Marcus for England: it is crazy that he is overlooked. Even non-Quins fans are a bit baffled. I would hazard a guess that Eddie does not see Marcus as someone who can (yet) deliver his game plan (as Ford and Farrell can and do). To include Marcus might mean a shifting of the style in which England play. In the long run this might be where Eddie wants to go, adding to the attacking quality of the national side. Marcus may then figure as the man to lead that.
I feel sorry for Marcus. England's loss is Quins' gain, though. I am grateful for that!
Out of interest where do you think Smith is compared to them? Do you think he should be in instead of them or just a squad selection point of view?
Whenever I consider this, I think would I swap either Ford or Farrell as starting fly half for Quins over Marcus - at the moment the answer would be no. However, Eddie doesn't want opportunistic fly-halves who play whats in front of them - he prefers kicking robots who stick to the game plan.
Are we on TV tomorrow? BT Sport not showing any Rugby on the planner.
Are we on TV tomorrow? BT Sport not showing any Rugby on the planner.
Yes on there on Extra 3 HD
What about Sky? Red button?
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