Comments on: 6 things we learned from the weekend’s rugby

By: teecee

teecee — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 21:11:01 +0000

I think we need to view Itoje as more of a six than a lock. One area where England fall short in is having a couple of big beefy units in the second row mix. Maro is more lithe and athletic and only about six foot five,not ideal when the average height for a lock these days is around six-seven to eight. Ewers,Itoje and Robshaw would bring different but equally valuable qualities to the back row.

Throw in Kvesic and Fraser and find a pair of giants to complement Kruis,Launchbury et al.

as for Haskell, I have never been totally convinced.I too, thought he had an iffy 6N and a quiet WC.That’s not unforgivable but ,and it’s big but,James is never short of an opinion when in front of a camera or reporters note book but he definitely did not show himself to be a leader when the wc chips were down.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 13:15:45 +0000

See I’d go Robshaw, Ewers, O’Connor and Kvesic.

Says a lot about how many options there are. Haskell would then be next cab off the rank for me, and to honest I’d he half tempted to have him over Kvesic anyway.

By: Pablito

Pablito — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 11:27:15 +0000

Forgot to say. My flanker choices for the EPS would be Robshaw, Ewers, Fraser and Clifford and I’d have Itoje in one of the lock places as we know he can also cover 6

By: Pablito

Pablito — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 11:24:30 +0000

To be fair to Wood, he did only play for about 30 mins in the 6 Nations. I’d have Haskell in front of him though

Haskell should be an emergency pick only. He’s been in great club form before and demonstrated that he cannot transfer that to the international stage in any consistent fashion

Its not like he’s some new tyro whose abilities are untested and unknown. We know all about him and know that he is not going to hit the international heights.

The Tier One nations 6s in the RWC were Kaino, Fardy, Lydiate, Louw, Matera, O’Mahony, Dusautoir, Zanni and whoever Vern Cotter picked out of a hat that day

There aren’t many players there that I would choose Haskell in front of – Zanni for sure and a couple of the Scot choices.

By: Dazza

Dazza — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 10:26:56 +0000

He couldn’t have been more anonymous than Wood though. Most of the games Wood was playing in I forgot he was even there. Haskell may have been tackled and hit the post, but at least he had the ball and was running in the direction of the try line, which is more than I can say for Wood.

I don’t think Haskell is someone to disregard just yet. He is still one of our most experienced players, and is great form at the moment.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 09:06:24 +0000

Haskell is in ridiculous shape, he lives and breathes fitness. 31 is like most 25 years olds to him so age really is not an issue.

I would like to see Ewers given a chance, but Beaumont is an 8 or lock in my eyes; certainly not a better 6 than Robshaw, Wood or Haskell.

I don’t think Haskell should start in the 6 nations but I would not completely discard him either. If Ewers got injured then he should be right in the mix.

By: snewe

snewe — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 18:10:37 +0000

Haskell is 31 in April and as good as he is for wasps he has never translated that to international. In all honesty he just isn’t a player that other countries will fear.
What good is giving caps to a mediocre international who we’re going to get little out of. Same goes for robshaw.

In terms of 6s playing as well, admittedly it’s hard to come up with any but Haskell has never played for England like he does for wasps. Both ewers and Beaumont have started the season well so they’d be my two 6s.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 17:23:25 +0000

Completely disagree that he was anonymous, although i do agree that his carrying was quieter as the 6 nations went on. Was a stupid trip again France, can’t really argue with that.

I certainly think Ewers deserves a shot, but I’m not seeing many other flankers in the Premiership that are better than him, so I wouldn’t be moving on from him completely.

By: Pablito

Pablito — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 17:13:07 +0000

I feel this is somewhat exaggerated.

Haskell got worse as the 6 Nations went on. He was good against Wales despite somehow running into a post and failing to score. He was more anonymous in the following games, went missing against Ireland and capped it all off with an idiotic trip against France

Seems to happen every time with Haskell’s international career – has one or two great games followed by a number of mediocre ones. He is also prone to the odd appalling error of judgement

He’s had his chance and shown that he is not consistent enough at this level. I would drop him for Ewers

By: Dazza

Dazza — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 16:42:36 +0000

Unfortunate is right considering Wood was playing, and he hasn’t shown any good form for some time.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 16:04:12 +0000

I think that “rule” is fairly flexible. Certainly when SL came in it was completely ignored.

I certainly wouldn’t remove Haskel anywayl, his form for Wasps has been outstanding, and he has also actually been very good for England in the 6 nations. Unfortunately he didn’t get much of a chance in the WC.

By: Dazza

Dazza — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 15:43:57 +0000

I think on current form Haskell might keep his place. Itoje in for Parling instead of Attwood. Itoje is a lock who can play 6, not the other way round.

It would be a shame if you’re right because I think there are other players outside of this that Jones will want to have a look at. Players like Yarde, Beaumont, Ashton, Auterac to name a few.

Start with a clean slate, but then get told you can still only change ten players.