Tour to SA

[Robespierre]

IMHO, Shields is better than all the mentioned & Robshaw, he is far more English than some of the other squad members. If he had been playing over here he would of had numerous caps by now, he has just been behind some awesome All Blacks, he is at least as English as BOC.

How much have you seen of him to formulate such an opinion ?

I have seen plenty of Super Rugby & NZ provincial rugby, he would of been a good signing for Tigers, better than either of the back row we have signed by some distance

I've not watched any Super rugby so cannot make a judgement, but I'm surprised that he's not going to have to make his mark in English club rugby before being selected for England. I will be watching the three-test series with added interest to see how he performs.

[Rugbyflanker]

Yes Shields is a very good player,just because he doesn't get picked for NZ means nada, especially when you're up against Kaino and Squires! Does he improve England's BR? Absolutely!

[WirralExile]

As others have said, Manu needs the pre-season to hopefully regain some of the form that he displayed so well a few seasons back. I hope that we haven't seen the best of him but we haven't seen the explosive power and runs that he had in the early seasons, especially when Alex T was on the wing.

We also have to consider that he only very recently became a father for the first time and he may well have indicated to EJ that he'd rather spend some quality time with baby and his fiance. There'll be other tours but spending time with the new baby can't be repeated.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Kaino, Squire, Messam, Fafita, Luatua, Dixon to name a few in front of Shields, don't forget Jordan Tafua hasn't got a cap.

[ellis9]

How hypocritical to leave out Manu but include Vunipola who hasn’t put together a string of games this season and will probably get injured again in the semifinal.

Manu asked not to be considered for selection. Vunipola didn't.

He didn’t ask he just said he didn’t think he was going to get selected there is a difference

No. Manu asked Jones not to consider him.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... -tour.html

[JP14]

Kaino, Squire, Messam, Fafita, Luatua, Dixon to name a few in front of Shields, don't forget Jordan Tafua hasn't got a cap.

Kaino’s international career might be over as is Messam while Luatua can’t be selected as he’s playing for Bristol.

[norfolkexpat]

The way Manu is playing he is lucky to be in the Tigers team, let alone an International one.Am afraid every team has a Manu now, and as we stand, they are all better. He has one more season before everyone will have to agree......

[JP14]

What a load of rubbish, Manu had two excellent games against Newcastle and Sale and was really good against Saracens and Worcester before his pectoral injury

[G.K]

Hmm seems more like England is continuing towards becoming a Southern hemisphere team playing in the north. Is this a team that can win test matches against SA in SA? I doubt it and then where are they with just over a year to the RWC?

[RagingBull]

The way Manu is playing he is lucky to be in the Tigers team, let alone an International one.Am afraid every team has a Manu now, and as we stand, they are all better. He has one more season before everyone will have to agree......

Ok name me every teams Manu then.

Hmm seems more like England is continuing towards becoming a Southern hemisphere team playing in the north.

How
Solomona
Te'o
Shields
Are the only ones not to have lived here the majority of their years and both Shields parents are english and Te'o mother is English.

So one player in the entire 34 man SA squad has no ties to England outside the 3 year residency period.

[Rugbyflanker]

Eddie Jones having a dig at us saying we are stifling George creativity. Pots and kettles spring to mind!

[JP14]

Eddie Jones having a dig at us saying we are stifling George creativity. Pots and kettles spring to mind!

He's right mind you.

[Rugbyflanker]

He is,but he does exactly the same with him for England. The old boring brumbies playbook.

[jgriffin]

Eddie Jones having a dig at us saying we are stifling George creativity. Pots and kettles spring to mind!

He's right mind you.

Resurrect my gripe about MOCs playbook...........

[Rugbyflanker]

Must be an Ozzie thing ;)