England Squad v BaaBaas

First topic message reminder :

Couldn't see this posted, but 27 man squad named for this fixture:

Forwards (14)
Mouritz Botha (Saracens)
Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)
Paul Doran Jones (Northampton Saints)
Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)
Carl Fearns (Bath Rugby)
Jamie Gibson (London Irish)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs)
Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)
Lee Mears (Bath Rugby)
Ben Morgan (Scarlets)
Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors)
Tom Palmer (Stade Francais)
Matt Stevens (Saracens)

Backs (13)

Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints)
Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Charlie Hodgson (Saracens)
Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)
David Strettle (Saracens)
Haydn Thomas (Exeter Chiefs)
Christian Wade (London Wasps)
Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)

Full article http://www.rfu.co.uk/News/2012/May/NewsArticles/150512_England_squad_Baa.aspx

Perhaps suggesting a few players on the fringes?

Sam I like the look of that backline but still don't see the necessity of Haydn Thomas.

He's not as good as the likes of the two Dicksons,Spencer,Wigglesworth,Care,P.Hodgson,Youngs,M.Young so I seriously don't see the point.

England have to be given license to be expansive.

He's not as good as the likes of the two Dicksons,Spencer,Wigglesworth,Care,P.Hodgson,Youngs,M.Young so I seriously don't see the point.

England have to be given license to be expansive.

Out of those 9s only 1 x Dickson, Wigglesworth and P Hodgson are available as well as Thomas. Hodgson has lost his place at LI and has left to go to Worcester where he will play behind the veteran 9 Shaun Perry. Thomas is a good attacking 9 who will snipe around the fringes and play at pace meaning he's a good fit for a Baabaas game and he is in form. Personally I think Simpson should have been given a run out but that is not possible as he's injured so with those restrictions Thomas is called up.

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/7759151/Clock-ticking-for-Flood

The above article (at the bottom) says that Corbisero & Morgan aren't expected to be ready in time for the Barbarians match, so Mullan could well get a start and the backrow looks like it might be Johnson, Fearns & Dowson.

niwatts wrote:http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/7759151/Clock-ticking-for-Flood

The above article (at the bottom) says that Corbisero & Morgan aren't expected to be ready in time for the Barbarians match, so Mullan could well get a start and the backrow looks like it might be Johnson, Fearns & Dowson.

Ill be watching that with a lot of interest...particularly Fearns performance...

What I'll be watching with interest is Flood's ankle. For Jebus' sake is he ever going to be fit for England. If he doesn't go to SA we'll be stuck with Farrell - in which case there's no point in taking a back 3 as they'll never see the ball. And we'll lose.

Barney McGrew did it wrote:What I'll be watching with interest is Flood's ankle. For Jebus' sake is he ever going to be fit for England. If he doesn't go to SA we'll be stuck with Farrell - in which case there's no point in taking a back 3 as they'll never see the ball. And we'll lose.

Whilst i can understand your apprehension..and i would much rather have Flood in there...Farrel controlled the games well in the 6n...something we will need in Sa..(though we'll miss Crofts lineout ability).

And hopefully Catts influence will get them to open up the ball a wee bit...Farrel is highly rated and MUST be able to pass a ball...so lets keep a hope...