Comments on: Best of the Weekend: Saracens rumble on, Toulon ransack Clermont

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 15:30:45 +0000

Would play Ford instead of Farrell. Ewers instead of Robshaw.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 15:06:01 +0000

Goode isn’t in the side that Dazza picked? Ashton certainly isn’t great, but if that is all that it is hardly a weak defensive back line.

Daly seemed absolutely fine against Basteraud, and considering there aren’t many heavier more direct backs in international rugby I can’t see how he’d have trouble with size. Slade is a better tackler than Daly so I’d be surprised if he has issues.

By: Leon

Leon — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 14:53:54 +0000

Defensively I would have concerns about Ashton & Goode and it is quite a lightweight midfield which would likely allow teams to make ground even when tackles are completed

By: Pablito

Pablito — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 14:22:39 +0000

Yarde has started the season extremely well. He looks back to the form that saw him get England caps. Think he has a slight injury at present though

Quins have a couple of very potent wingers with him and Visser on the field

By: Pablito

Pablito — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 14:20:08 +0000

Wallace and Clifford are both injured. In fact I think Robshaw and Ward were the last flanker options on their feet in the Quins squad

Didn’t see the game but from the match reports, Robshaw seems to have been outstanding. Times report gave him man of the match despite Quins losing

By: Dazza

Dazza — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 13:53:50 +0000

Ashton’s defence has got better (although he still has a habit of tackling too high). I was thinking Yarde, but haven’t seen too much of him this season, but Ashton has already finished a few chances, and supported well.

On the defence side of things, I think this would be pretty solid. If you put May and Goode in I think it would be a lot weaker, but with Nowell and Watson I would be quite happy.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 13:42:21 +0000

Would pretty much go exactly the same. I’d lean towards Robshaw at 6 with Ewers coming off the bench. Cole would possibly come in at 3 with Brookes a better impact sub – Cole looked back to his best yesterday.

Would also probably have Yarde over Ashton, mainly due to style that form though. I think without a bigger ball carrier in the midfield, Yarde would be a useful addition to the backline.

@ Leon – outside of Ashton, I can’t see one weak defender in the back line, so what makes you think we would struggle in that area? Certainly Daly and Slade are rock solid in defense, as is Farrell.

By: Leon

Leon — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 13:24:42 +0000

Based on form alone that sounds about right you could include Goode’s in that team in place of Watson. However we might struggle defensively with that backline

By: Dazza

Dazza — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:48:51 +0000

If I was picking the England squad on form so far this season, this would be my starting 15.
1. M Vunipola, 2. George, 3. Brookes, 4. Launchbury, 5. Itoje, 6. Ewers, 7. O’Connor, 8. B Vunipola, 9. Simpson, 10. Farrell, 11. Nowell, 12. Slade, 13. Daly, 14. Ashton, 15. Watson

By: Dazza

Dazza — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:37:08 +0000

Don’t know if they’re injured but I know Ward had a great game at 7 last week, and heard he was starting there again this week.

Always thought Wallace was a good option, I just wish he’d cut his bloody hair!!!!

By: Dazza

Dazza — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:35:06 +0000

I think after his performances last season, and the form he’s shown so far this season, he will be playing more and more. De Kock has lost a lot of pace, and is not the player he used to be. He is a very experienced player though, and I’m sure that has benefited Spencer.

I just hope they keep playing him, as he is a player with serious potential.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:19:03 +0000

Can’t believe how De Kock, or even Wrigglesworth, can play ahead of him to be honest. I remember him playing a few years ago and really liked the look of him. He’s 23, which really isn’t that young to still be 3rd choice at club level. If Sarries don’t offer it, he may need to look elsewhere for game time.