Autumn Internationals

[Jacko27]

I see that Robshawe is also out for the autumn internationals. Desperation for Eddy. I think I'd better get my boots, scrum cap & jock strap out from the loft although the dubbin & wintergreen might have dried up by now.

[Spicer]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45883071

Robshaw out as well. Personally I'd give Ewers, Kvesic and Armand a go, works for Exceter.

[Leicestertinytiger]

For me Shields has done nothing to warrant a call up into the England squad, he needs to prove himself in the premiership first with Wasps before he should be considered at all.

I don’t think the backrow is as bad as some people think. We still have Ewers, Armand, T Curry, Kvesic, Morgan and Mercer which is very strong still. Some probably deserve to be there on form over some of the now injured players this season anyway.

[Robespierre]

Wilson of Newcastle must be considered too.

[Chobbsy]

Billy Vunipola has broken his arm - the other one this time. He'll undergo surgery tomorrow and will be out for 12 weeks. With Simmonds injured and Hughes facing a ban - what price Ben Morgan (MoM yesterday)?

Things are really looking bleak for the England back row...Maybe Kvesic at 8 perhaps or Mercer...can't think of any English qualified 8's other than the two mentioned other than shoehorning a Wilson into the position for example

I think this may be a humbling Autumn for the white rose...

The White Rose? surely the red rose ?

[G.K]

Billy Vunipola has broken his arm - the other one this time. He'll undergo surgery tomorrow and will be out for 12 weeks. With Simmonds injured and Hughes facing a ban - what price Ben Morgan (MoM yesterday)?

Things are really looking bleak for the England back row...Maybe Kvesic at 8 perhaps or Mercer...can't think of any English qualified 8's other than the two mentioned other than shoehorning a Wilson into the position for example

I think this may be a humbling Autumn for the white rose...

The White Rose? surely the red rose ?

Maybe the white fern is more appropriate nowadays?

[jgriffin]

TBH this is a blessing in disguise. If players like Armand, Kvesic etc plus all the U20 kids who are still standing get a look in, we may have less reliance on old codgers, past-their-sell-by-date faves and knackered warriors.

[strawclearer]

Mako Vunipola out of England’s autumn internationals - six weeks rehab after calf tear. No surgery needed. (Nick Isiekwe also out with a sprained ankle. Doesn't require surgery either and will be eight weeks.)

[POSTIGER]

Zach Mercer for me. That lad is going to be a great player.

[Chobbsy]

Zach Mercer for me. That lad is going to be a great player.

what at loose head???

[Chobbsy]

There must be some out of work kiwis or aussies Jones can call up. No point of looking in England!

Haven't you seen the England squad, not only Kiwis and Aussies but new SA

[jgriffin]

There must be some out of work kiwis or aussies Jones can call up. No point of looking in England!

Haven't you seen the England squad, not only Kiwis and Aussies but new SA

Mind you , play 'country of origin' and quite a few international players would've played elsewhere......Simon Shaw for Zimbabwe AIR etc .

[Chobbsy]

There must be some out of work kiwis or aussies Jones can call up. No point of looking in England!

Haven't you seen the England squad, not only Kiwis and Aussies but new SA

Mind you , play 'country of origin' and quite a few international players would've played elsewhere......Simon Shaw for Zimbabwe AIR etc .

Wasn't Shawsie Kenya?

[TigerCam]

TBH this is a blessing in disguise. If players like Armand, Kvesic etc plus all the U20 kids who are still standing get a look in, we may have less reliance on old codgers, past-their-sell-by-date faves and knackered warriors.

I don't see how Armand got left out?

[BFG]

I watched the Wasps v Bath match yesterday and there were five better back row players than Shields starting.
I wouldn't mind seeing a back row of Itoje/Thompson/Mercer, that's possibly about as old school as its gets from what is about, and I think it actually might be English!