'Only' 7 Tigers in the World Cup Preliminary Squad

Jose · Post by **Jose** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:25 am

The only two other English qualified Tigers with the class are Ollie and Varndell. Varndell has the pace to scare anybody, even at international level, but didn't step up last season, and Ollie needs to recapture the form that took him on Lions duty. No arguments with the 7. If you add in Ayerza, Murphy, Castro, Jennings, Hamilton, Tuilagi, Rabeni, Cullen (?) (and Ellis if he wasn't injured) then more of our squad from last year will be going to the RWC than anybody else's.

WharfedaleTiger · Post by **WharfedaleTiger** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 12:24 pm

Gate wrote:I share your puzzlement at Gillies's lack of recognition. I'd say he was the principal playing reason for Wuss avoiding the drop (the other reasons all being Northampton-based). Throw up the big slaphead and have him thrash about like a man possessed, equals rock-solid lineout on own throw and a fair bit of disruption on opposition's. Well worth a try at least for the Saxons.

HE is an excellent player-but dosn't play for a 'fasionable' club...

k1 · Post by k1 » Sat Jun 16, 2007 4:39 pm

Overlooked because he doesn't play for one of the "big" clubs? Overlooked because he stands out amidst little other lineout talent at Wuss? I actually rate him - just trying to think why he has been overlooked.

I still don't understand your suggestion that Deacon is not talented enough. He is a class player - he's a lock by trade, just happens to be able to fit in the backrow because he played there as a youngster. I think he's better than the others you've suggested - 1st choice at Leicester ahead of Kay, Cullen, and Hamilton has to say something. Just my opinion though :oD

WharfedaleTiger · Post by **WharfedaleTiger** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:04 pm

k1 wrote:Overlooked because he doesn't play for one of the "big" clubs? Overlooked because he stands out amidst little other lineout talent at Wuss? I actually rate him - just trying to think why he has been overlooked.

I still don't understand your suggestion that Deacon is not talented enough. He is a class player - he's a lock by trade, just happens to be able to fit in the backrow because he played there as a youngster. I think he's better than the others you've suggested - 1st choice at Leicester ahead of Kay, Cullen, and Hamilton has to say something. Just my opinion though :oD

Fair point-I just don't see him as International class. I think he's fantastic for Tigers but when he's played internationally he hasn't looked up to it-he hasn't looked bad but he just ahsn't looked good enough to eb there.

He wouldn't be ahead of any of them in my Tigers team...

kornboy130 · Post by **kornboy130** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:31 pm

WharfedaleTiger wrote: He wouldn't be ahead of any of them in my Tigers team...

MOTM in two of the best wins this season - Stade and Munster. Good job you're not in charge.

simonp · Post by **simonp** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:53 pm

I'm surprised that Louis Deacon's selection is being doubted on here to be honest. He's had a great season for Leicester, is first choice for us and really does deserve to be in the squad! If he makes the final 30 will be a different story I suppose, although obviously I'd like him to.

kornboy130 · Post by **kornboy130** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:01 pm

simonp wrote:I'm surprised that Louis Deacon's selection is being doubted on here to be honest. He's had a great season for Leicester, is first choice for us and really does deserve to be in the squad! If he makes the final 30 will be a different story I suppose, although obviously I'd like him to.

its really only wharfedale who doubts him.

vinniechan · Post by **vinniechan** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:01 am

Consider the injury of Ellis.
I did think that Goode wud be brought as a cover but with Flood and Geraghty, it seems unlikely now. Flood can cover for many positions as well.

vinniechan · Post by **vinniechan** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:07 am

walters put in a huge tackling performance against us in the HC final. maybe some brute force in defence is wut we lack from the young ones? :o)

k1 · Post by k1 » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:25 am

Deacon's had more than one great season at leicester - he's one of our most consistent performers and must be one of the 1st names on the team sheet. I'm sure he'll make the final 30.

Reckon Goode must be a little miffed not to make the squad - though I'm not a big fan of his. He's probably done enough to be considered as cover, but agree it's unlikely now.

WharfedaleTiger · Post by **WharfedaleTiger** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:47 pm

kornboy130 wrote:
WharfedaleTiger wrote: He wouldn't be ahead of any of them in my Tigers team...
MOTM in two of the best wins this season - Stade and Munster. Good job you're not in charge.

Not against Stade surley-Corry or Hipkiss...

HEs a great club player but he is not international quality. HE has been anonomous in the 6N and looked out of his depth. Hes a fantastic player but is not itnernational class IMO.

k1 · Post by k1 » Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:56 am

WharfedaleTiger wrote:
kornboy130 wrote:
WharfedaleTiger wrote: He wouldn't be ahead of any of them in my Tigers team...
MOTM in two of the best wins this season - Stade and Munster. Good job you're not in charge.
Not against Stade surley-Corry or Hipkiss...

HEs a great club player but he is not international quality. HE has been anonomous in the 6N and looked out of his depth. Hes a fantastic player but is not itnernational class IMO.

MOTM against Munster

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/12_6232.php

and Stade

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/12_6394.php

I respect your opinion, but he has on many occasions outshone his opposite number - some of whom have won many international caps. IMO he is international class and will go on to win many caps - he may appear to be anonymous at times, but I feel that is because of the nature of his game. He's more of a grafter, doing the hard, often unnoticed, work. Moreover, few in an England shirt didn't look out of their depth in the 6N.

kornboy130 · Post by **kornboy130** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 12:30 pm

officialy man of the match - and just because he has a dopey looking demeaner on the pitch - that does not mean he isnt doing his job. he constructed the line out against scotland hwich - except one time, was extremely succesful.

Give credit where credit is due.

WharfedaleTiger · Post by **WharfedaleTiger** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:43 pm

What else did he do. He didn't hit many rucks, didn't carry, didn't make many tackles. You need more than that at International level-and these flaws where exposed against the Irish duo. He was rightly dropped.

k1 · Post by k1 » Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:14 am

WharfedaleTiger wrote:What else did he do. He didn't hit many rucks, didn't carry, didn't make many tackles. You need more than that at International level-and these flaws where exposed against the Irish duo. He was rightly dropped.

Are you referring to a particular game, or his general style? His flaws weren't exposed against the "Irish duo" against Munster when he won MOTM.

I assume the match you are referring to is the 43-13 thrashing against Ireland in the 6N, where the only England player to the leave the field with any kind of reputation intact was David Strettle. You cannot single one man out in a game that was so one-sided as that. Yes, Deacon played badly that afternoon - but so did all but one of the other England players. Also, his opposite number was playing like a man possessed and rightfully won MOTM.