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Fans furious there are too many Tigers in England's RWC squad
Eddie Jones’ 31-man England World Cup squad has made for some interesting reading with a number of shock call-ups. Bath’s Ruaridh McConnochie and Northampton’s Lewis Ludlam are perhaps the two most interesting call-ups, as is Piers Francis, Ludlam’s fellow Saints player.
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But one decision that has surprised a number of fans on social media is not so much the personnel in the squad, but the representation from different clubs.
After the eight-strong contingent provided by Premiership winners Saracens, Leicester Tigers have the most players in the squad with their half-dozen selections. This is despite them finishing in 11th place amid fears throughout the season that they would be relegated.
On the other hand, table toppers Exeter Chiefs only have three players, as have fourth place Northampton, while third place Gloucester only have one.
This has not sat well with some fans on Twitter, who feel some players are in the squad based on reputation rather than form. Then again, when looking at the Leicester squad, it is hard to blame Jones for some of his decisions.
Eddie Jones has named his 31-man England squad for the Rugby World Cuphttps://t.co/K41hq4OZmT
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 12, 2019
Jonny May and Ben Youngs are two favourites for England, and while Youngs’ form may have dipped slightly over the Six Nations, he was never worthy of being dropped. Manu Tuilagi, who fought back from a succession of injuries last season, is another player that was always likely to make it, simply due to the X-factor that he brings.
While there was a large number of fans that believed Premiership player of the year Danny Cipriani warranted a place over George Ford, the Tigers fly-half was one of the team’s only bright sparks last season and has always been part of Jones’ plans.
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🐯🐯🐯🏴🐯🐯🐯
Congratulations to the six members of the Leicester Tigers squad who have been announced as members of the 2019 @EnglandRugby Rugby World Cup Squad.https://t.co/jHXtuOzx7j
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) August 12, 2019
Therefore, at least four of the Tigers players deserve to go to Japan, albeit off the back of a very poor domestic season.
One area that is contentious, however, is the props. Dan Cole, whose international career looked to be over this time last year after missing out on the tour to South Africa, was selected by Jones ahead of Exeter’s Harry Williams. If this was a 50/50 call for Jones, some may be surprised that he opted for a player from an 11th place club side.
Appreciate @EllisGenge giving some time to talk @LeicesterTigers, @EnglandRugby, @HITZRugby and how proud he is to come from Bristol
https://t.co/uPjmx3vgY9— liam heagney (@heagneyl) June 2, 2019
Likewise, Ellis Genge was awarded the third loosehead prop slot after battling with Exeter’s Ben Moon over the past year. Had Jones opted for the two Exeter props, the squad would have looked slightly more fairly represented.
While the fans certainly have a point about the form of the Leicester players after last season, which will be a concern, it is also hard to argue with many of the selections. This is what has been said:
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Bit baffled by the England world cup squad @premrugby Six Leicester players and only 3 @ExeterChiefs and the POY @DannyCipriani87 Sat at home. Hoped to be proved wrong. #WearTheRose
— Olly Priestley (@OlvisIII) August 12, 2019
6 players from 11th place Leicester and 3 from 2nd place Exeter… What could go wrong? https://t.co/9AzqQblpS4
— Oli (@OliPlays13) August 12, 2019
Yeah I know as a Gloucester fan I'll sound biased but having 6 players from Leicester who were nearly relegated (great players but still) and 1 player from Gloucester who comfortably finished 3rd and were the only team anywhere near Sarries and Exeter seems a bit unfair
— Mat Dunnett (@UpTheDoon) August 13, 2019
Unbelievable that Bath and Leicester have so many representatives. Old boys club strikes again!!!
— Louise Jones (@parchot) August 12, 2019
How the hell Leicester have that many I have no idea! Exeter, Gloucester and Quins should have more
— Craig Davis (@craigdvs11) August 12, 2019
Travesty that so many Tigers are picked on reputation rather than form!
— Ryan Morgan (@RyanMorgan1989) August 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/kevin_lsi/status/1161245740376764417?s=20
How on Earth there are that many Tigers players after the last few years God only knows…
— James Tipping (@JamesETipping) August 12, 2019
Questions have also been raised regarding the third most represented side, Bath, who have five players in the squad despite finishing the season in sixth place.
However, both Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph missed large chunks of the season, and Sam Underhill also spent time on the sidelines. Those three could have easily helped their club to a higher finish.
Ultimately, Jones knows what he is going to get from many of the Leicester players and while they suffered a terrible 2018/19 season by their high standards, the Australian obviously still has faith in them.
WATCH: England boss Eddie Jones speaks at the announcement of his World Cup squad in Bristol
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
6 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
6 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments