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#Post#: 133522--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: SquareQuin
Date: January 27, 2025, 4:15 am
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--- Quote from: deadlyfrom5yardsout link ---
>
> Yes Borthwick has committed to selecting Marcus Smith much
more of late. No Borthwick has not committed to giving him the
players he needs around him consistently.
>
> It struck me watching a cracking game between Glaws and Tigers
yesterday that it is possible to "do a Gloucester" and change
from up the jumper play the percentages rugby to a very
Quinsesque style of rugby. It can be done.
>
--- End Quote ---
But it takes time to make these radical changes, and patience.
Ask Bristol, Northampton. Even Quins with our greater focus on
defence.
#Post#: 133524--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: January 27, 2025, 4:25 am
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--- Quote from: deadlyfrom5yardsout link ---
>
> Yes Borthwick has committed to selecting Marcus Smith much
more of late. No Borthwick has not committed to giving him the
players he needs around him consistently.
>
> It struck me watching a cracking game between Glaws and Tigers
yesterday that it is possible to "do a Gloucester" and change
from up the jumper play the percentages rugby to a very
Quinsesque style of rugby. It can be done.
>
--- End Quote ---
I don't think it's "the players he needs", tbh. It's a game plan
issue. Borthwick has a league full of players largely suited to
a game plan that isn't the Leicester kick and hope, but he
hasn't recognised that yet. For example, Lawrence is not a giant
crash ball 12, merely the best 13 in the league who should be
running outside arcs and punching holes that way. Freeman is
wasted sitting on the wing chasing kicks. Sleightholme is better
the more often he gets the ball. All of our current and
potential back row options benefit from a faster game.
We don't have a particularly large team and our set piece is
nothing special. We do have some top tier attacking talent and
some seriously impressive ball carriers who can punch holes when
they're not being asked to run directly into a trio of 22 stone
giants all the time.
#Post#: 133525--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: Yareet
Date: January 27, 2025, 4:35 am
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--- Quote from: Banstead Quin link ---
>
> I think that's more the point, Poorfour, it's a media issue
more than a head coach issue. Just look at all the hysteria
around Mercer when he was in France. Came over here and was
rubbish/injured. Then it was Barbeary, then J Willis (before he
went off to France), then Earl, then Pearson, now Pollock and T
Willis, yet ignoring Kenningham and pre-December wEV.......I get
it's their job, by the way, but Jones/Borethick have always
largely ignored them all.
>
> If there was a 3rd FH in the mix it would be fever pitch city.
Sadly, we'll only know if they play F Smith for the 6N as a
starter and see how it goes but then they'll all be on
Borethick's back for not picking Marcus, apart from our
favourite welsh nepotistic journalist.
>
--- End Quote ---
????? There is.
#Post#: 133527--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: January 27, 2025, 4:42 am
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--- Quote from: Yareet link ---
>
> ????? There is.
>
--- End Quote ---
Not exactly pushing for selection, though. He had a disastrous
autumn and his club form is a level below the other two.
#Post#: 133529--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: Banstead Quin
Date: January 27, 2025, 4:45 am
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hahahaha, sorry Yareet wasn't trying to antagonise you. I meant
young and talented as opposed to Ford's more pragmatic style and
experience. I really like Ford but he shouldn't be in the
conversation still unless, of course, Borethick wants to go back
to that territory/possession 'up your jumper' approach.
Again, not a slight on Ford but time to move on. Better for
Sharks in the long term as well
#Post#: 133530--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: Yareet
Date: January 27, 2025, 4:54 am
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--- Quote from: JammyGit link ---
>
> Not exactly pushing for selection, though. He had a disastrous
autumn and his club form is a level below the other two.
>
--- End Quote ---
Hmmmm. Let's see.
#Post#: 133531--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: January 27, 2025, 5:10 am
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What's there to see? He got dropped as the bench option and
unlike the two Smiths hasn't been tearing it up for his club. If
Borthwick selects him it'll be for reasons other than form.
There's a reason why all the talk is about the two younger
players (and rightly so!)
#Post#: 133532--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: QuincyJones
Date: January 27, 2025, 7:03 am
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Fin Smith is very good but you can't look past the fact that
almost every try England scored in the autumn came as a direct
result of something Marcus did. If you swap him out as one of
England's only attacking instigators, the team will stop scoring
tries until something is done about the game plan.
#Post#: 133535--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: T-Bone
Date: January 27, 2025, 11:48 am
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The English sports media love to hype the next big thing / the
person not in possession, build them up, then knock them down.
Same in other sports
Marcus had the hype, now it's f Smith's turn
As for ford, I don't think it's necessary time to move on fur
good, but the coaches know what he can do and know he'll slot
straight back in if needed, so no sense in picking him now, but
I'm sure he'll still be a contender come 2027
#Post#: 133537--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: Bod
Date: January 27, 2025, 2:49 pm
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Off to America to expand his sporting profile it seems?
HTML https://www.planetrugby.com/news/were-going-to-take-him-to-america-marcus-smiths-agency-lay-out-big-plans-for-england-fly-half
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