Comments on: England releases trio back to clubs

By: Jacob

Jacob — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 10:17:43 +0000

I’m struggling with this theory. In the games that Barritt hasn’t played – were we leaking loads of tries? Last years 6 nations, or even last Autumn – were we awful defensively? I’ve not seen that.

We’ve been poor defensively in two games since SL took charge. Against Wales in the 2013 6N, and against NZ in the third test. One of those Barritt played in and one he didn’t.

Does Burrell leave massive gaps and make defensive errors? Not from what I’ve seen of him. I’m not asking for a maverick – I just ask that we have someone in our centre pairing that get us over the gainline.

Also – nit picking a little but Watson didn’t score vs Samoa so not all three of our back three scored a try.

By: Dazza

Dazza — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 09:04:17 +0000

A lot of people moaning about Barritt on here, and to a point I can see why, as he doesn’t offer much going forward. What he does give is a very solid platform of defence in the back line. Last week this allowed Ford and Farrell more time to link up and play the run arounds etc they’ve been tasked to do (much like they did in the U20’s). He also allowed the ball to get out wide. We saw Watson and May with more ball than they did for the first two games, and guess what all of the back three scored a try. When was the last time that happened!? Yes admittedly it was against Samoa, but they are not the push over a lot of people assume they are. They are an incredibly physical team, who are difficult to play against.
Barritt is a leader in the back line, a defensive organiser, and without him I think England would have shipped a lot more tries than they have in the first three tests. He’s not everyones cup of tea as a centre, but he does very little wrong. He’s doing exactly what SL has told him to do. Look at it from SL’s point of view. You have a player who might create something from nothing, who might leave big holes in defence and get horribly out of position, and is not a great physical tackler. Or you can have a player who won’t give you much going forward, but will put himself in the of anything coming through his channel, is very unlikely to miss a tackle, will organise the back line into position and do exactly what you want him to do. It’s not particularly exciting to watch, but I know which one I would choose.
If we had a player who was fit that could do all Barritt does, and create something from nothing then I would pick him. At the moment we don’t have that luxury.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 14:51:56 +0000

I think we are saying the same thing re:Eastmond.

I also can’t say I disagree with bringing Roko back in; but I don’t think it is obvious to do so which is why I’d rather not criticise SL. Personally I’ve been impressed with Watson, more so against Samoa. He’s a real athlete, brilliant in the air, quick. I’d agree that personally I prefer Roko to Yarde, but it’s small margins. Roko can count himself very very unlucky, as I’m sure he’d have played all 4 tests had it not been for injury.

By: Blub

Blub — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 14:26:27 +0000

Jacob, i’m not so sure that Watson has taken his chance. Granted he has had little opportunity to do much, but the same can be said of Rokoduguni. For me, Yarde is decent but always seems one little error away from a good game, so i would have returned Rokoduguni to 14, and put Watson on the bench.

Eastmond has to consider himself very unfortunate, but I suspect that once they decided on playing Twelvetrees, with Farrell also in the group there was no way into the 23 for him.

I prefer Eastmond at 12, but I have no problem with Twelvetrees either. I thought he did well on Saturday.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 13:28:00 +0000

Absolutely no reason why he couldn’t – I think he is unlucky.

I don’t always agree with SL – but 9 times out of 10, I do understand the logic. Whilst I’d pick Roko over Yarde, it is pretty close so I have no reason to lambaste SL every time I don’t completely agree with his decisions.

Barritt is the one I will never quite get.

By: Benjit

Benjit — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 13:12:37 +0000

But why couldn’t Roko take Yarde place on the bench?

By: Benjit

Benjit — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 13:11:01 +0000

a couple of weeks ago Ford Snr confirmed to rugby Tonight that Burgess would play in the back row. I guess we’ll find out in a few weeks

By: Benjit

Benjit — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 13:09:14 +0000

Desperate time Brighty. I think I’d rather have a semi retired Tindall than Barritt at the moment!

By: kit

kit — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 11:56:43 +0000

As far as I understand it, the England set up want him to play 12, but Mike Ford has said that long term he see’s him playing in the back row. I think the Bath viewpoint is to play him at 12 until he’s learned the intricacies of the game well enough to play in the forwards.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 11:48:16 +0000

Personally I think Eastmond and particularly Roko are really unlucky – but can’t blame anyone for that. Roko got injured and Watson has really taken his chance. Can make a case for him over Yarde but I can also understand keeping Yarde in – he hasn’t exactly done anything wrong.

Eastmond again was unlucky to get injured, then Twelvetrees impressed off the bench last week. I’ve seen social media rumours that Ford/Twelvetrees will start on Saturday – so we’ll see.

Also – Kurandrani is out injured – stroke of luck for England as he’s been the form centre in world rugby this year.

Care was so woeful against SA I’m quite happy to see him back at Quins. More than likely scores will be tight going into the final 20 and I’d much rather see Wrigglesworth come in and put us in the right areas than Care come in and give Australia territory.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 11:40:32 +0000

See your point on consistency but I think Farrell has more credibility in the England camp that Eastmond and therefore the situations are quite different. He shouldn’t however be playing when he is in this poor form – it isn’t helping him.

Barritt – well I can’t explain that one. He’s a brilliant 6 masquerading in a 13 shirt.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 11:29:23 +0000

Very funny. And worryingly true. If you look at his stats, when he carries Robshaw does pass a fair bit…