International Rugby

[cheltenhamlion]

He is a better scrum half than Laidlaw who is off with the Lions. He isn't a patch on Robson who we let go to keep Laidlaw. And his experience. But mostly his kicking.

[paul_e]

Laidlaw is shite, it was a blessing in disguise for the scots that he got injured early in the 6N because they had to switch to a 9 who can actually run and pass after that.  If he didn't have a kicking average in the high 80s and a good box kick he'd be playing at championship/national 1 standard not with the lions, I can honestly think of 2-3 9s I've played with that are at least as good as him.

[cheltenhamlion]

Yet is considered a huge miss by us domestically because we can't pay what the frogs are. Velacott as a kid is as capable as Laidlaw in defence and chucking the ball around.

[JD]

Heinz played for the Crusaders (Canterbury) for a few years and was a pretty good player for them. Maybe it's the NZ insight that Gatland has picked him for? I have no idea how he is playing etc, I can only go on his previous playing over here.

[paul_e]

Heinz played for the Crusaders (Canterbury) for a few years and was a pretty good player for them. Maybe it's the NZ insight that Gatland has picked him for? I have no idea how he is playing etc, I can only go on his previous playing over here.

No it's not Gatland/Lions.  It's to join the England team before they go to Argentina (but with no plan for him to tour as far as I can see).

[JD]

Heinz played for the Crusaders (Canterbury) for a few years and was a pretty good player for them. Maybe it's the NZ insight that Gatland has picked him for? I have no idea how he is playing etc, I can only go on his previous playing over here.

No it's not Gatland/Lions.  It's to join the England team before they go to Argentina (but with no plan for him to tour as far as I can see).

Sorry, should have read the full posts properly. In that case it seems a strange choice. I could understand if it was for the Lions but not England.   

[peter w]

Eddie Jones has lost 1 in 19 for England.

I'm backing his judgement.

[cheltenhamlion]

I am not suggesting Heinz has no ability, just that I struggle to understand why you pick an uncapped 30 year old kiwi ahead of Robson given the youthful nature of the rest of them.

[paul_e]

I am not suggesting Heinz has no ability, just that I struggle to understand why you pick an uncapped 30 year old kiwi ahead of Robson given the youthful nature of the rest of them.

Exactly, it seems at odds with the rest of the touring squad.

[cheltenhamlion]

Perhaps his Southern hemisphere team toured Argentina and he knows some good restaurants and wineries!

[Dave Summers]

As far as I'm aware Heinz was only called up for the training camp last week. The reason Robson and or Simpson weren't was because they were with Wasps preparing for the semi final. Eddie just needs numbers that's all 👍🏻

[paul_e]

As far as I'm aware Heinz was only called up for the training camp last week. The reason Robson and or Simpson weren't was because they were with Wasps preparing for the semi final. Eddie just needs numbers that's all 👍🏻

That's probably right, I'm just frustrated that Robson isn't going to Argentina.  Again today he came on and completely changed the tempo of the game which is why I'd like him to be with the squad.  What I love about the current England team is that our best bench is full of players who work in a more broken game, it's why it works so well because we let the game expand and bring on specialists to work in the open spaces.  Except for Care who often slows play down.

[paul_e]

Billy V is out of the lions squad with Haskell replacing him.

[PaulWinch again]

That is a big blow.

[Jon Crofts]

Lions management not happy that he has finished his domestic duties and now pulls out.