I remember reading that Pollard really rated Atkinson as a young player. As Tiglon says a difference between having potential and achieving that potential
TigerFeetSteve wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2024 12:54 pm
The Portugal A side is a very young team significantly younger and weaker than England. Not one of their 23 was in their world cup squad.
..which makes me question the value of such a match. I’m all for the A team principle but to properly assess up and coming players, the opposition must be of a similar standard.
TigerFeetSteve wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2024 12:54 pm
The Portugal A side is a very young team significantly younger and weaker than England. Not one of their 23 was in their world cup squad.
..which makes me question the value of such a match. I’m all for the A team principle but to properly assess up and coming players, the opposition must be of a similar standard.
The problem is that Portugal are only allowed player releases from France based players (majority of their squad is France based) on the weekends of the European Rugby Championship not this weekend so Portugal are unable to pick their full side
Used to run around with an 11, 14 or 15 on my back.
I think there is a genuine risk this could be embarrassing, and people are going to feel short-changed.
Those in the know warned about the likely lack of strength that Portugal would be able bring in the middle of a tournament, in a slot where clubs are not obligated to release players.
Yet still, it was advertised by the RFU like they would be playing a team similar to the one that competed in the World Cup.
Last edited by Darc Tiger on Fri Feb 23, 2024 1:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Darc Tiger wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2024 1:15 pm
I think there is a genuine risk this could be embarrassing, and people are going to feel short-changed.
Those in the know warned about the likely lack of strength that Portugal would be able bring in the middle of a tournament, in a slot where clubs are not obligated to release players.
Yet still, it was advertised by the RFU like they would be playing a team similar to the one that competed in the World Cup.
TigerFeetSteve wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2024 12:54 pm
The Portugal A side is a very young team significantly younger and weaker than England. Not one of their 23 was in their world cup squad.
It's a shame they haven't added a few of the senior guys that still play in Portugal. Their captain is a dentist in Lisbon, he could have made an appearance.
Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2024 11:20 am
I really like what I’ve seen of Pepper. If Reffell were ever to move, hopefully not, he’s one I’d hope we would be chasing
I think Pepper's already rumoured to be going elsewhere for now - Bath I think.
Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2024 11:20 am
I really like what I’ve seen of Pepper. If Reffell were ever to move, hopefully not, he’s one I’d hope we would be chasing
I think Pepper's already rumoured to be going elsewhere for now - Bath I think.