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#Post#: 120158--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: A222Quin
Date: February 18, 2024, 10:28 am
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--- Quote from: T-Bone link ---
>
> Both can feel aggrieved to have lost out to Vunipola. Not sure
mercer can feel aggrieved to lose out to dombrandt. Anyway, both
of them are wasted under borthwick. He wants someone to truck it
up, not anything more expansive, which is their point of
difference
>
--- End Quote ---
I don't like Borthwick's approach thus far but Ben Earl hardly
fits the description of a truck it up merchant.
#Post#: 120176--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: Guildford Quin
Date: February 18, 2024, 5:20 pm
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--- Quote from: A222Quin link ---
>
> I don't like Borthwick's approach thus far but Ben Earl hardly
fits the description of a truck it up merchant.
>
--- End Quote ---
Ben Earl hardly fits the description of an International No.8.
He adapted well during RWC during Vunipola's ban but he's a 7
not an 8. Quite why Borthwick has Dombrandt in the squad as the
only specialist 8 but refuses to pick him is beyond me. A
balanced back row would look something like:-
6 Roots/Cunningham South*
7. Earl/Curry
8. Dombrandt/Cunningham South*
*probably on the bench to cover both
Underhill should be nowhere near the squad
#Post#: 120180--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: A222Quin
Date: February 19, 2024, 2:47 am
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Agreed, seems mad not to pick Dombrandt at 8 and let Earl play
his best position as well. I’m just of the mind that there’s
plenty SB can be criticised for but picking a truck it up
merchant at 8 isn’t one of them.
#Post#: 120198--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: T-Bone
Date: February 19, 2024, 6:11 am
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--- Quote from: A222Quin link ---
>
> I don't like Borthwick's approach thus far but Ben Earl hardly
fits the description of a truck it up merchant.
>
--- End Quote ---
That's a fair point
#Post#: 120224--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: February 20, 2024, 2:15 am
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--- Quote from: RodneyRegis link ---
>
> Yes, just like he won the French player of the year because he
only showed up when the cameras were in town.
>
--- End Quote ---
Boom! Head shot!
#Post#: 120226--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: J Scott
Date: February 20, 2024, 2:42 am
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I can only think it must be a personality issue that prevents
Mercer being involved. He hasn’t been in great form this season
but he is a class player and dare I say it probably more of a
threat than Dommers due to his pace.
Mercer did spit his dummy when not selected and maybe there is
more of that on the training pitch which is why he was omitted
pre World Cup.
#Post#: 120229--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: February 20, 2024, 2:52 am
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So you think he might be an "energy sapper"? Interesting.
#Post#: 120231--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: J Scott
Date: February 20, 2024, 3:06 am
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It’s an option as I can’t think why else he was omitted so
surprisingly pre World Cup and not selected since.
I’d say the majority of the rugby public had him as Englands RWC
8.
#Post#: 120233--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: RodneyRegis
Date: February 20, 2024, 3:19 am
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This is so weird. Everyone seems to have taken on the wisdom
that mercer is some kind of dreadful influence. Is it not more
likely that Steve is just absolutely useless at selection? He's
still picking Daly, underhill and slade. But everybody has
decided that mercer is this awful person.
Again, he won French player of the year - that wouldn't have
happened if he was an energy sapper. There's no evidence of that
at all other than a single interview in which he voices his
frustrations. Can you imagine a certain fullback not long ago of
this parish doing that? Or the current England number 22?
Billy v reportedly told Steve he was a terrible coach and a
worse player and still got picked for the RWC.
There's approximately zero evidence that mercer is a wnkr and
loads that Steve is a very bad selector and tactician.
#Post#: 120237--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: Yareet
Date: February 20, 2024, 3:32 am
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Reported in various places that Mercer is potentially looking to
go back to the top 14 despite a contract with Gloucester. For
me, that does have a whiff of playthings being evacuated from
the baby carriage.
Although there is also the possibility that he came back based
on conversations that haven't panned out as expected so has cut
his (financial) losses.
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