International Rugby

[Jon Crofts]

Itoje back for Italy game.

[cdbearsfan]

I like the concept of the International League, but it has to have inclusion based on merit and include promotion and relegation.

[paul_e]

I like the concept of the International League, but it has to have inclusion based on merit and include promotion and relegation.

Yep, also needs to take rest periods into account and not add games to the season. The very best players are hitting near 35 games a season and that's hard to sustain without picking up injuries. It's a big part of why England aren't hitting the heights they should.

[cdbearsfan]

They already play at least three Summer (Southern Hemisphere winter) and four Autumn games, don't they? Just get rid of them and you don't need to add games. Not sure how it would work with the Four Nations teams as can't see them being willing to sacrifice their home and away games against each other.

[paul_e]

They already play at least three Summer (Southern Hemisphere winter) and four Autumn games, don't they? Just get rid of them and you don't need to add games. Not sure how it would work with the Four Nations teams as can't see them being willing to sacrifice their home and away games against each other.

The problem is that the championship games would be away for the NH teams, meaning you could be drawn to play America, SA and Japan on consecutive weekends. On top of that you're adding games for the finals. If unions want to support the likes of Fiji, Georgia, etc then they become yet more games.I'd say extend it out and make them small divisions spread over 7-8 divisions and including almost anyone who wants to join with relegation and promotion.

[cdbearsfan]

You shouldn't be adding extra games for Fiji and Georgia, both are in the top twelve in the World Rankings so should be in the league on merit.

As for playing games in different continents, it's not that different to what South African Pro14 teams or the Japanese/Argie teams do in the Super Rugby. Sure you could iron such problems out, anyway.

The extra games for the finals might be an issue, agreed.

[Jon Crofts]

Robshaw back in the squad, no way he gets in ahead of Wilson surely.

[paul_e]

Robshaw back in the squad, no way he gets in ahead of Wilson surely.

I'd be amazed if he's in the 23, Wilson has been superb and you'd have Hughes and Shields ahead as 'impact' options, one or the other will be on the bench.

[Jon Crofts]

Itoje back for Italy game.

Or maybe not. Injured again in training.

[cdbearsfan]

Does it matter? They could stick me in and still beat Italy by thirty points.

[paul_e]

If Itoje isn't fit the selection will offer an interesting insight into how Jones thinks. The safe option is Kruis and Launchbury with Ewels on the bench but you lose the mobility that Lawes and Itoje offer. The braver choice would be to put Hughes, Wilson or Shields in there and keep the '4th back row' shape to the pack. Hughes in with Launchbury and Kruis on the bench would be my choice because Hughes and Launchbury play at club level together so would hopefully know each other well enough to make it work.

9 is the bigger decision though, Robson has to start if we intend for him to be part of the world cup as anything more than squad cover.

I'd start Cokanasiga as well, again he needs the experience if we want to use him in the world cup, I'd think about keeping Thorley around for the bench as well and giving May a break.

[Jon Crofts]

Does it matter? They could stick me in and still beat Italy by thirty points.

Not against Italy but yet again an England player is injured in training, they're like Villa players, dropping like flies!

[paul_e]

Does it matter? They could stick me in and still beat Italy by thirty points.

Not against Italy but yet again an England player is injured in training, they're like Villa players, dropping like flies!

England had a major problem a couple of years ago but it sounds like this one was just a case of him upping the intensity of training too quickly after his injury.

[Risso]

I'm going to Twickenham for the first time on Saturday.  I shall resist the urge to call it Twickers or HQ.

[cdbearsfan]

I think the correct term is "Twick-Q".