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#Post#: 133682--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: Quinten Poulsen
Date: January 31, 2025, 3:52 am
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Options are currently being limited playing Slade at 12 as well.
#Post#: 133684--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: poorfour
Date: January 31, 2025, 5:05 am
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--- Quote from: Brown Bottle link ---
>
> The problem is you need the players for that. You can't just
cap players because they play for Quins or might suit Marcus.
>
--- End Quote ---
No, you can't, but there are enough players who could
legitimately be in the frame and would definitely suit Marcus.
In a year's time, you could have Murley, Marchant and Green in
the side and that would give him enough targets as long as we
also had a proper 12 who could give go-forward in midfield.
Baxter and CCS look likely to be part of most XXIIIs.
We finally have some 12s emerging who might do the job - I have
been impressed by everything I've seen of Olly Hartley and Will
Rigg, and Waghorn has made a very promising start. Early days
for all of them, but given how bare the cupboard is I suspect
one or other of them will be given a shot before too long.
And several of the other players in the squad look like they
could connect. Marcus and Mitchell work well together,
Feyi-Waboso seemed to click pretty instantly, Furbank is a good
fit, too.
Which I guess means I have talked myself into the idea that the
problem is basically the midfield. But we knew that, right?
#Post#: 133687--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: Brown Bottle
Date: January 31, 2025, 5:48 am
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No you can't but I shall give you a list of Quins players along
with a few token others.
#Post#: 133689--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: poorfour
Date: January 31, 2025, 6:18 am
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--- Quote from: Brown Bottle link ---
>
> No you can't but I shall give you a list of Quins players
along with a few token others.
>
--- End Quote ---
Or to put it another way:
- 7 internationals who have featured in Borthwick's squads, four
of whom happen to be Quins or ex-Quins (and three of them are in
Saturday's squad)
- 4 players who might be candidates for a call up, two of whom
happen to be Quins (and Green is probably the most likely call
up, Waghorn the least likely)
The closest we have had to having that set of players on the
pitch was the first summer test against NZ, when 5 of the first
list (Furbank, Feyi-Waboso, Mitchell, CCS and Baxter) were on
the pitch at the same time. It was one of England's best
performances under Borthwick - though ironically Marcus's missed
kicks were a big contributor to not closing out the game.
#Post#: 133712--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith v Smith: no one does culture wars like English rugby
DIR By: poorfour
Date: February 1, 2025, 7:01 am
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Ugo weighs in with some constructive points:
HTML https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jan/31/marcus-smith-england-six-nations-rugby-union?fbclid=IwY2xjawIK-TJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQXDoxy8h6kH6IyJ2rsoXKkRxkf0E_RQ5j9FIsvnno39yud0VoAbvuYceQ_aem_qAFPIRh3WJPlkPtcBvUeAQ
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