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Post by elstoof on Jan 7, 2023 17:11:50 GMT
Nick Evans was such a class player, has he been coaching at Quins since retirement?
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 7, 2023 17:27:07 GMT
I am not forum member Danno... but yes, he has.
Supposedly he'll be working with Borthwick on a short-term deal, returning to Quins during 6N off-weeks; however, if the tournament goes well, I can see him being offered a permanent contract with England.
He'll be sorely missed at The Stoop if that happens.
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Post by Danno on Jan 7, 2023 18:20:28 GMT
I'm hoping Evans' appointment means that Smith is left to play more of his natural game. He's been pretty poor in white so far, and I don't feel like it's his fault
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 9, 2023 11:33:27 GMT
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 11, 2023 12:04:41 GMT
A four-match ban, reduced to three if he "completes the World Rugby coaching intervention programme" (despite having previous form for the same offence): www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/64233595Conveniently allows him to start the 6N campaign. |
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Post by elstoof on Jan 11, 2023 13:08:02 GMT
Shithousery
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Post by Dougs on Jan 11, 2023 14:15:21 GMT
/shocked face
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 14, 2023 13:26:07 GMT
Last night's Leicester vs. Clermont game was great to watch as a neutral.
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 14, 2023 21:23:35 GMT
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Post by elstoof on Jan 14, 2023 22:29:48 GMT
Disgraceful
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Post by Danno on Jan 15, 2023 7:59:12 GMT
FUCK ME, WHAT A TWIST.
Still, at least he's the greatest player that ever graced a pitch. That tackle technique. The glorious pass to his right. 70% goal kicking. Incredible rapport with the ref. What a running game that all teams fear. If we can't make an exception for our Lord and Saviour O.F., then who?
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 15, 2023 22:16:15 GMT
A dreadful refereeing performance in the Racing vs. Quins match this afternoon, matched only by Quins' ineptitude at restarts and in the lineout.
Marcus Smith was amazing upon his return; Aaron Morris was not.
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 15, 2023 22:17:00 GMT
Oh, and isn't the England squad for the 6N due to be announced tomorrow? I'm actually looking forward to it now that Jones is out of the picture.
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Post by jono62 on Jan 15, 2023 23:29:20 GMT
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 15, 2023 23:56:55 GMT
Wow! That actually *is* unexpected.
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Post by Danno on Jan 16, 2023 0:14:32 GMT
When will Unions stop signing him on long term contracts??
Dude must have slept with everyone's wife.
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Post by elstoof on Jan 16, 2023 6:58:10 GMT
The speed of this makes me suspect shenanigans
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 16, 2023 10:51:52 GMT
Borthwick's first England squad:
EDIT: Ben Youngs must have dirt on the entire RFU! The guy's literally undroppable. And no Danny Care? Harsh, in my view - yes, his last outing in an England shirt ended poorly, but he has been in fine form for Quins this season.
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Post by Danno on Jan 16, 2023 12:08:23 GMT
Slightly mixed bag. No Lawrence, Ribbans, Ted Hill when they're all having great seasons is a bit meh and I would have liked Quirke over Mitchell/Youngs despite only getting back onto a pitch this weekend.
Not a fan of Ben Earl, not much of a fan of Ludlam and didn't Lawes have a brain scan recently? Would have Tom Willis over Simmonds too.
Dropping Billy and Nowell is good. Willis, BCurry (never understood why he was never selected after the Arg tour) Murley, Hassel-Collins and Dan Kelly in is good.
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Post by Danno on Jan 16, 2023 12:28:30 GMT
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Post by elstoof on Jan 16, 2023 17:12:53 GMT
More than a bit of luck that the full back hadn't wiped his hands properly
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Post by elstoof on Jan 16, 2023 17:14:15 GMT
I had no idea Dan Cole was even still playing, fucking hell
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 16, 2023 17:27:16 GMT
Dank Hole and Mako Vunipola may be the most left-field choices from this particular squad.
I've no idea why Ben Youngs keeps getting picked.
Farrell as captain again - will he be playing 10, with Marcus Smith relegated to the bench? Jones failed to get a Smith-Farrell combination working, but maybe Borthwick can do so.
Joe Marchant is an interesting one, as he'll be playing in France next season (and will therefore be ineligible for World Cup selection, or so I assume). Totally deserving of his spot, though.
On the plus side, Hassell-Collins, Murley, and Fin Smith are all exciting uncapped prospects.
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Post by elstoof on Jan 16, 2023 17:50:12 GMT
Is there a better 9 than Youngs in the Premiership? Don’t remember Quirk being that great for England last year
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Post by elstoof on Jan 16, 2023 17:51:35 GMT
Is Farrell still captain then, christ. The talisman isn’t even good enough to get picked in his own position
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 16, 2023 18:01:23 GMT
Re scrum-half, I don't know how Dan Robson has been doing since Wasps went under, but I'd still be inclined to pick him ahead of Youngs. Ditto Quirke, actually. And I'd certainly have Care on the bench to come on after an hour, told to play his natural game instead of sticking to a rigid Jones-esque game plan. Sadly, Farrell is indeed captain, confirmed by Borthwick today. Apparently it's important that we recognise how "special" he is: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/64296325 |
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Post by grey_matters on Jan 16, 2023 18:10:19 GMT
After Smith and maybe Itoje I'd have Farrell next to play for us. I'm not sure that would be the prevailing mood over here though. The imminent disappearance of Sexton might be an influence I guess.
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 17, 2023 0:10:21 GMT
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Post by Danno on Jan 17, 2023 0:16:01 GMT
After Smith and maybe Itoje I'd have Farrell next to play for us. I'm not sure that would be the prevailing mood over here though. The imminent disappearance of Sexton might be an influence I guess. As long as everyone lines up on his left side you'll be fine. |
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Post by Danno on Jan 17, 2023 0:19:42 GMT
Zero surprises really. Unless you're the RFU/PRL and suddenly realise that widening the audience might be in your/everyone's interests |
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