England Saxons v Ireland Wolfhounds Preview Thread

former legend

Kingsholm, Gloucester; Saturday 25/01/2014. Kickoff 1700

Live on Sky Sports 1

England have announced their 23-man squad for this weekend's game. A good mix of experienced heads and talented youngsters.

An interesting inclusion is Semesa Rokoduguni, a Fijian who qualifies on residency grounds having served in the British Army and represented them at sevens; he's only in his second season as a pro player with Bath.

Forwards - Nathan Catt (Bath), Calum Clark (Northampton Saints), Sam Dickinson (Northampton Saints), Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Jamie George (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Tom Mercey (Northampton Saints), Elliott Stooke (Gloucester), Luke Wallace (Harlequins), Alex Waller (Northampton Saints), Dave Ward (Harlequins), Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons).

Backs - Freddie Burns (Gloucester), Elliot Daly (London Wasps), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Matt Hopper (Harlequins), Dave Lewis (Exeter Chiefs), Rob Miller (Sale Sharks), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath), Tom Varndell (London Wasps).

thomond2006

No Ugo Monye?

postitnote

Yay, Callum Clark. Nice fella.

English Lurker

Decent enough squad. Slightly weak up front with Scott Wilson very young and inexperienced (he was named in the U20 squad to begin with) and Tom Mercey rather forgettable; it's a serviceable front row otherwise although not special. Second row looks very exciting, three big prospects, back row has a pair of big ball carrying 8s in Ewers and Dickinson, one of our best young opensides in Wallace and a good blindside/bad human being in Calum Clarke. We should certainly give you guys some decent tackling practice if we get hold of the ball, our lineout should be fine, scrum might shake. Breakdown's the big one, lot depends on how hard the tight five hit it.

Behind the scrum - Joe Simpson and Dave Lewis are arguably in better form than the guys in the EPS, although that is not a huge compliment. Freddie Burns is struggling for form but is a huge talent, Henry Slade is very raw but it's nice to see him in so quickly. The big question in the backline is where is Elliot Daly playing, I suspect the answer will be full-back but almost hope not as I rate Rob Miller, the other full-back, and I don't rate Matt Hopper. I'd presume Hopper - lively, bit lightweight, occasionally a bit stupid, in the centre with Sam Hill, who's a strapping young lad with a bit of nous, maybe not quite big enough to make a real impression on international rugby. That leaves Daly, Varndell and Rokoduguni as the likely back three, which is about the fastest and most exciting English back three seen in a LONG time. If they get the ball in some space I think your guys are in for a real test although I don't know how well our guys will cope with a good kick-chase.

So... all in all, I think you guys will both have a challenge and an opportunity, that backline will not have the best defence but it can certainly attack. Should be a good game.

Larbre34

Yay some rugby Boo for 5pm

Tox56

It would be nice to win but this is one game where the performance really is more important than the result

ScissorPaperRock

Squad to be announced tomorrow (Thursday)

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/schmidts-support-cast-all-set-for-audition-night-29938459.html

razorblunt

Nathan Catt any relation to Mike?

Interested to see how Daly goes at full back, he's a good solid player reminds me of Matt Perry.

Digifriendly

razorblunt wrote: »

Nathan Catt any relation to Mike?

Interested to see how Daly goes at full back, he's a good solid player reminds me of Matt Perry.

Isn't Mike Nathan's father?

bilston

former legend wrote: »

Kingsholm, Gloucester; Saturday 25/01/2014. Kickoff 1700

Live on Sky Sports 1

England have announced their 23-man squad for this weekend's game. A good mix of experienced heads and talented youngsters.

An interesting inclusion is Semesa Rokoduguni, a Fijian who qualifies on residency grounds having served in the British Army and represented them at sevens; he's only in his second season as a pro player with Bath.

Forwards - Nathan Catt (Bath), Calum Clark (Northampton Saints), Sam Dickinson (Northampton Saints), Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Jamie George (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Tom Mercey (Northampton Saints), Elliott Stooke (Gloucester), Luke Wallace (Harlequins), Alex Waller (Northampton Saints), Dave Ward (Harlequins), Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons).

Backs - Freddie Burns (Gloucester), Elliot Daly (London Wasps), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Matt Hopper (Harlequins), Dave Lewis (Exeter Chiefs), Rob Miller (Sale Sharks), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath), Tom Varndell (London Wasps).

Interesting that neither Jack Nowell or Anthony Watson are selected, does this suggest we might see them in the Six Nations?

English Lurker

Not sure of any relationship between Nathan and Mike, there's certainly none mentioned on his RFU profile.

Nowell and Watson - Maybe, they're definitely in the squad, but then we virtually never release players from the 6N squad to play Saxons rugby, so I wouldn't take ought from this omission.

As for Daly... never really saw much of Perry, but Daly's potential excites me greatly. Somewhat bemused that he isn't in the main squad tbh

Buer

Given Mike was 16 and in school back in South Africa when Nathan was born, it's doubtful that he's his father!

some_dose

Rumour from another poster on PR is that we'll see an Irish back-row of:

Ruddock - TOD - Copeland

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

some_dose wrote: »

Rumour from another poster on PR is that we'll see an Irish back-row of:

Ruddock - TOD - Copeland

That would point to Henry for the Scotland game.

some_dose

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

That would point to Henry for the Scotland game.

With the TOD (fingers crossed) benching

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

some_dose wrote: »

With the TOD (fingers crossed) benching

Most likely. Will offer a nice injection of pace from bench

Does anyone know if Strauss is with the squad?

English Lurker

Roko and Varndell have both had to drop out injured. Charlie Sharples has been called up and Anthony Watson drops down from the main squad for this game. A shame, but I don't think England lose much there.


A Ruddock/O'Donnell/Copeland back row would have a nice balance to it while offering a lot of carrying options, would be pretty excited to see that. O'Donnell vs Wallace in particular looks a good match-up on paper.

Tox56

That is a good backrow. I'd say we're looking at:

Kilcoyne
Varley/Herring
Moore/Fitzpatrick
Foley
Henderson
Ruddock
TOD
Copeland
Marmion
Madigan
Gilroy
McFadden?
Cave
D Kearney/Bowe or Zebo if they need gametime
Henshaw

Varley/Herring
Cronin
Moore/Fitzpatrick
Diack?
Murphy
Boss
Keatley
D Kearney

So many calls that could go either way depending on who Schmidt wants to get a look at/who needs game time. Will be interesting anyway

andymx11

Tox56 wrote: »

That is a good backrow. I'd say we're looking at:

Kilcoyne
Varley/Herring
Moore/Fitzpatrick
Foley
Henderson
Ruddock
TOD
Copeland
Marmion
Madigan
Gilroy
McFadden?
Cave
D Kearney/Bowe or Zebo if they need gametime
Henshaw

Varley/Herring
Cronin
Moore/Fitzpatrick
Diack?
Murphy
Boss
Keatley
D Kearney

So many calls that could go either way depending on who Schmidt wants to get a look at/who needs game time. Will be interesting anyway

Is there a chance Marshall might start at 12 as so far Darcy still looks on course to be our main man at 12 this nations.

wp_rathead

Could well see Henshaw at 13 - but id prefer Cave 13 and Robbie 15

RoundBox11

I always look forward to this match but it's always so messy it's never really much of a game imo. Tox56 has Foley been added to the squad?

I'm expecting a team of

Kilcoyne
Herring
Moore
Henderson
Tuohy
Ruddock
TOD
Copeland

Marmion
Madigan
Zebo
Marshall
Cave
Kearney Jr.
Henshaw

Bench:
McGrath, Cronin, Fitzpatrick, Toner, Diack, Boss, Keatley, Gilroy

danthefan

Live on Sky? Well that's good.

Tox56

RoundBox11 wrote: »

Tox56 has Foley been added to the squad?

Thought he was in but he ain't, so it'll be Tuohy

Swiwi.

Aside from the Top 14 and that Anglo-Welsh thingee, there's not much rugby on this weekend, so this match is very welcome!

former legend

Buer wrote: »

Given Mike was 16 and in school back in South Africa when Nathan was born, it's doubtful that he's his father!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Farrell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Farrell

thomond2006

England Saxons:

15 Elliot Daly, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Matt Hopper, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Charlie Sharples, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Joe Simpson,
8 Dave Ewers, 7 Luke Wallace, 6 Calum Clark (c), 5 George Kruis, 4 Charlie Matthews, 3 Tom Mercey, 2 Jamie George, 1 Alex Waller

Replacements: 16 Dave Ward, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Sam Dickinson, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Rob Miller

Inspirational selection for captain, I wonder how he'll 'lead from the front'?

.ak

Simpson is probably one of the most underrated SH's in Europe. Absolute class player. With burns outside him it'll be interesting. Clark as captain... will probably showing the squad how to do arm-bars in the warm up.

sydthebeat

very dangerous and speedy back line there for saxons !!

Buer

former legend wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Farrell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Farrell

Doesn't really account for Mike being in the other hemisphere....

bilston

sydthebeat wrote: »

very dangerous and speedy back line there for saxons !!

I'll await our team announcement but I think this could be a hard enough task for the Wolfhounds.

.ak

bilston wrote: »

I'll await our team announcement but I think this could be a hard enough task for the Wolfhounds.

It always is, regardless of the quality of the Saxons. We bundle a lot of players together, usually coached by somebody with little tactical experience, and send them out to get roughed up for 80 minutes.

Last year it actually cost Trimble a place in the team, I'm sure of it.

I just hope this year Schmidt is a bit more open minded. It's a blow out session for some of the fringe players, and has no real relevance on form.

ssaye2

Is Schmidt picking this team or Foley/Doak?

.ak

I'd say Schmidt would say 'I need X, Y, and Z to get game time' and then Foley does the rest.

Tox56

Hopper at 13 is a potential weak spot, EOM made him look very naive in defence in this fixture two years ago, might be a chance there for Cave if he starts at 13

The Pheasant2

What time's the announcement scheduled for?

ssaye2

The @O2IrlRugby Ireland Wolfhounds will be annolunced at 1:30pm today. No live stream but we will have team then

jacothelad

Waller looks like a very good loose head prop. Whichever t/h we pick will have his work cut out. Moore or Archer I suspect.

andymx11

Cave at 12?

ssaye2

http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/30542.php

O2 IRELAND WOLFHOUNDS Team & Replacements (v England Saxons, 'A' International Match, Saturday, January 25, Kingsholm, kick-off 5pm): 15. Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster)
14. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
12. Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
11. Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)
10. Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
9. Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster)
1. David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)
2. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
3. Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)
4. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
5. Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
6. Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster) (capt)
7. Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
8. Robin Copeland (Cardiff Blues)

Replacements:
16. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
17. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
18. Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19. Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster)
20. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
22. Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster)
23. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)




i always guesss the url

swim2

Wolfhounds: Jones;FMcF,Henshaw,Cave,Gilroy, Madigan,Boss;Kilcoyne,Herring,Moore,Henderson,Tuohy,Ruddock,TO'D,Copeland

former legend

Like the look of that team, Boss ahead of Marmion is an odd one; this is the Wolfhounds after all.

Cave at 12 is a head-scratcher.

thomond2006

Well it looks like Zebo is behind McFadden and Gilroy then. Darren Cave being named at 12 screams stopgap selection.

Starting Boss in a match like this doesn't make any sense.

.ak

Cave at 12 is the curveball.

ssaye2

former legend wrote: »

Like the look of that team, Boss ahead of Marmion is an odd one; this is the Wolfhounds after all.

Cave at 12 is a head-scratcher.

Reckon it was the decision as Marmion only got off from citing so late in the week otherwise would have been different

bilston

ssaye2 wrote: »

http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/30542.php

O2 IRELAND WOLFHOUNDS Team & Replacements (v England Saxons, 'A' International Match, Saturday, January 25, Kingsholm, kick-off 5pm): 15. Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster)
14. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
12. Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
11. Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)
10. Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
9. Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster)
1. David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)
2. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
3. Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)
4. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
5. Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
6. Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster) (capt)
7. Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
8. Robin Copeland (Cardiff Blues)

Replacements:
16. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
17. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
18. Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19. Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster)
20. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
22. Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster)
23. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)




i always guesss the url

That's a good side actually, it seems a bit stronger than some of the A teams we've put out in the last year or two so I'm a bit more confident about this now than I was earlier on the day.

jamiedav2011

Moore, MCF and Henshaw at 13 probably the biggest news from that.

Hype710

Hon Strauss. Zebo the big omission from the starting team for me.

b.gud

former legend wrote: »

Like the look of that team, Boss ahead of Marmion is an odd one; this is the Wolfhounds after all.

Is there any possibility that Marmion was earmarked for the bench in case he got a ban? That's the only reason I've been able to come up with

would prefer Marmion starting.

No second row on the bench, Hendo and Tuohy going to have to last the 80 in what promises to be a pretty tiring game for the forwards (v big pack and fast, frantic backline).

12/13 will be interesting.

former legend

b.gud wrote: »

Is there any possibility that Marmion was earmarked for the bench in case he got a ban? That's the only reason I've been able to come up with

Ah yeah maybe, hadn't thought of that.

bilston

Diack as second row cover? He's played there a couple of times for Ulster but really only as a last resort.