Moins de 20 choses à savoir sur Cédric Laborde, nouveau manager des U20

They are a young developing side, with some very exciting young coaches who will continue to grow into their roles.

And even if they don't quite match the heights of last season, there is a lot for england fans to get excited about. Pollock could be a generational talent, but Craig Wright and Archie MacParland aren't far off his level. And the backline is incredible. In Mitchell-Smith-Sleightholme-Dingwall-Freeman-Hendy-Furbank they have 7 players who could legitimately start for England in 2027. And that's not including Thame, Litchfield, Seabrook, Makepeace-Cubitt, Cousins, and the aforementioned MacParland, who could all be outside contenders for a spot on the plane to Australia.

Opoku-Fordjour has to be in the squad, and for the time being I'd have him down as a loosehead. If there are injuries to any of those three, or if Opoku-Fordjour is confirmed as a tighthead, then Rodd and Obano make much more long-term sense as squad players than Marler does.

we've seen that with Opoku-Fordjour at Sale - he's more than good enough to make the 23, but was rested for significant stretches so he could focus on developing physically and preparing mentally.

presumably Sela this season will start for England u20s and for Bath in the premiership cup. Add in a couple of bench appearences in full senior matches and he won't be lacking game time.

Egos, Egos everywhere!

“In here we talk behind a World Cup, it is the most important." ie NZ team/players cpnstantly talking about winning a RWC.

Literally all of NZ howled in derision shouting 'arrogance' when the Irish Captain dared to (correctly) suggest just once that Ireland were 'contenders' before the 2023 RWC. . Yet 1000s of times in media and amongst NZ players between RWCs, NZ muse about winning World Cups.

Has there ever been a more arrogant and lacking in self awareness team in any International sport?

I have no issue with NZ planning to win RWCs. But give over on the ridiculous self righteous/hypocritical policing of other teams.

Considering that 10 of the 2023 NZ squad for the RC were born outside, do you acceot that NZ supporters attacking Ireland or Aki may be guilty of hypocrisy?

Do you accept the bad taste in attcking Aki during an article on his citizenship?

Will you also accuse me of being an embarrassment to Ireland for holding these views?

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It's not unusual for a non-explosive winger to peak late - for example Ben Smith and Cory Jane were only established test regulars at about 27.

Would you say that JGP had a bit of an attitude problem in his youth? Not recalcitrant, just didn't do everything he needed to for success. That seems to be his own testimony. He had a lot of good halfbacks around his own age at the time so real success must have seemed a long way away - Smith, TKB, TJP, Weber, Hall.

You certainly have to credit the Ireland recruitment team and provincial coaches. They must have cursed the new five years rule.

As a lot of us have been saying for ages, expecting an All Black head coach to nominate his assistants when applying is too restrictive.