Comments on: Five things we’ve learned from England’s EPS announcement

By: Benjit

Benjit — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 16:23:08 +0000

The injury jinx was was true under Johnson, not for the other coaches. Andy Robinson was the real architect behind killing his career, giving him a one off chance at centre before binning him for the tried, trusted and super exciting Tindall/ Noon axis. He also ignored Olly Smith at the same time when he was playing out of skin for Leicester. The damage that Robinson did to england still makes me angry his legacy of negativity and fear still ran through the Ashton and Johnsopn eras.

By: brighty

brighty — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 15:34:56 +0000

Was it just that? I seem to recall some of England’s less adventurous coaches not liking his unstructured approach to the game?

By: Staggy

Staggy — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:48:02 +0000

Yes I have to say that he appears to have come to Glos for regular rugby so that he can further his career, rather than sitting on the bench and not doing so. Good backline at Glos for him to be a part of, just hope we can win the ball to use them!

By: Staggy

Staggy — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:44:23 +0000

He would have had the caps if he hadn’t got injured at the wrong time on a number of occassions. Sadly he is always only a whisker away from another injury and that has curtailed him. Would have done, whoever he’d played for sadly – great talent.

By: Matt Watts

Matt Watts — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 10:39:57 +0000

Dan – i dunno if Farrells got the pass for a scrum half.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 19:10:37 +0000

Fair enough, but that doesn’t change my points.

By: brighty

brighty — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:45:59 +0000

JSD – if he was Welsh he’d have had fifty caps by now. I could never understand why England overlooked him. Whenever the Blues played Gloucs he was always a pain/delight (depending on your support), always played an exciting game. Great player.

By: Benjit

Benjit — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:08:01 +0000

The EPS restriction only applies to the January reshuflle. SL not restricted on who he picks each summer.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:53:02 +0000

Hi Mark – all valid points.

I’d prefer to see Foden at 15 and Ford given a run at 10 with Farrell inside him, personally. The point of this article was to make some assumptions based on the recent tour and the EPS, but I completely agree that the Saxons selections could play a crucial role if they are required to step up.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 13:41:18 +0000

I think the one thing everyone seems to forget is that Lancaster is somewhat hamstrung when he announces his EPS, as there is a maximum percentage (25% I believe) of changes he can make.

I’m therefore not surprised that there are some areas that are not changed for a specific reason.

I also think that there is precedent for people stepping straight up into the EPS and going almost straight into the side (cast your minds back to January, Parling was left out in favour of Deacon and became 1st choice second row relatively quickly after Lawes injury).

So in that respect, I don’t think you can say that Foden’s future is deemed to be at 11. It may well be that he is used there, and why not, but it may be a more valid point to group him in your adaptability group.

Wade, Strettle and May are all in the second tier waiting to be moved up if/when injuries take their toll. Likewise, in respect of Point 2, Ford is sitting there waiting. Is he ready for Test rugby? Possibly not quite yet, for which reason his appearance at Saxons level is a valid progressive step. Ruling him out for the foreseeable future is a little sensational in my opinion.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 13:29:26 +0000

Two really valid points Staggy. Particularly the front row issue, where we’d be in trouble if Dan Cole was out for any length of time.

The openside issue concerned me throughout the last world cup, but seeing Robshaw in action recently, I’m convinced that two ‘6.5s’ (Robshaw and Wood) might actually give us better balance anyway.

By: xxxwookie

xxxwookie — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 13:26:53 +0000

Tom Croft operates lineout fairly effectively for Leicester and England, if he’s not injured and he’s in form over Wood/Johnson/every other 6 who looks fantastic in and England shirt