Flutey Dropped- Joe Simpson in...

[tigerseb]

Quite a shock...according to numerous sources Flutey has been dropped from the team as Johnson as decided to bring in a 3rd scrum half...

If anyone should have been dropped- it should have been hape or banahan! My initial opinion is that Johnson has made the wrong decision..

Read below:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... njury.html

[trendylfj]

cannot disagree with tigerseb assessment and comments at all. It appears to me the jonno is wedded to Hape being in the side and can see that he makes contributions to the side that not many others can. I genuinely hope that his assessment is better than mine and we go on to be the next world champs but I dont think in this regard I am wrong. I have no problems with the 3rd scrum half just Flutey going and Hape and Bannerhan staying.

[4071]

I thought Flutey was nailed on when Hodgson was released to play for Sarries this weekend.

Now, we have two specialist FHs and no cover. Flutey could have been the competent third choice to alow us to manage with just two FHs.

If he's not there, then what happens if Jonny or Flood rolls an ankle in the pre-match warm up? Wigglesworth as FH cover?


Frankly, neither Flutey or Hape should be there. Worryingly enough, Flood and Banahan are probably the best inside centres in the squad. And neither of them are inside centres.

[Snorbins]

seems they are taking a 5th prop.

[drc_007]

seems they are taking a 5th prop.

Does Hape play prop? Would explain a lot.

[Darc Tiger]

Not ideal is it...

Wigglesworth is 3rd choice England flyhalf for the world cup!

[DickyP]

The journalists writing this may well be correct, but I'm waiting to see what Martinn Johnson says and not those who second guess him!

[tonyw]

The journalists writing this may well be correct, but I'm waiting to see what Martinn Johnson says and not those who second guess him!

You never need to second quess Jonno, he is THAT predictable!!!!!!!!!!!

[adambexson]

We only have one inside centre in the squad (Hape). Midfield really is our main area of concern. Why did he ignore Allen, and why did he send Sinbad back to Kingsholm?!

[PM76]

We only have one inside centre in the squad (Hape). Midfield really is our main area of concern. Why did he ignore Allen, and why did he send Sinbad back to Kingsholm?!

MJ ignored Allen because he thinks he is too small for international level but he has been a standout for Tigers for a year now, he was out of his depth when he made his debut but now he could really fill the void IMO. I am just hoping that Tindall does not get the 12 shirt, a 12 needs the ability to pass!!!

[DickyP]

.... and why did he send Sinbad back to Kingsholm?!

'cos he is lazy and tackle-shy. Wonderful to watch with ball in hand on a dry day but needs to learn that games go on for 80 minutes and he needs to be there in spirit for more than 40 of them. Also needs to go looking for work, especially defensively. Finally he needs to stop giving away tries.

[Jay C]

.... and why did he send Sinbad back to Kingsholm?!

'cos he is lazy and tackle-shy. Wonderful to watch with ball in hand on a dry day but needs to learn that games go on for 80 minutes and he needs to be there in spirit for more than 40 of them. Also needs to go looking for work, especially defensively. Finally he needs to stop giving away tries.

You could've just said "because he was injured" .....

(standard response, but also true in this case )

[Hot_Charlie]

Paul Ackford got it right in the Torygraph, IMHO.

He suggested taking Youngs and Simpson as SH, and allowing Foden/Flutey to cover the emergency SH role against weaker sides in the pool to allow Youngs time to rest (that said, I never knew Flutey had/could play at SH, but I'll give Ackford the benefit of the doubt).

PA suggest the blindingly obvious 10/12 axis of Wilkinson/Flood. This left the centres as Tindall, Manu, Flood, and Flutey (on account of the above versatility at 9/10/12), leaving Hape at home, and Banahan covering if necessary. Hodgson would travel as back up 10, although obviously Flood's there in reality.

Gets my vote.

[Jay C]

Quite a shock...according to numerous sources Flutey has been dropped from the team as Johnson as decided to bring in a 3rd scrum half...

If anyone should have been dropped- it should have been hape or banahan! My initial opinion is that Johnson has made the wrong decision..

IF this turns out to be correct, then I don't follow the logic at all :

I could understand only taking two scrum halves if YBY had been fully fit, but this has not been the case and therefore was a risk ..... then Care drops out and MJ decides he needs TWO players to replace him ???? Can he not decide who is better ? Or is YBY fitness more dodgy than we have been told ?

Again, 5 props with Sheridan not fully fit is understandable, but four locks when you also have Croft in the squad suggests, for me, that again MJ cannot decide who he prefers out of Deacon & old man Shaw ?

Finally, if this is correct, then we are only taking one 12 and he's not much good. I don't think Flutey (on current form) offers much to the squad, but surely we should have another option at 12 - I guess that's now Floody (which i wanted to see happen to see how he went - but before the 30 was selected would've been better if MJ was serious about it).

Those last couple of placces on the plane might never be required, but could end up being crucial !! Roll on monday & then the Ireland game.....