International Rugby

[Dante Lavelli]

I’m there too.  God knows how long since my last international.  To be honest I can only afford it when invited through work associations, …and plan to fill my boots.

Odd how Freeman can play centre for England but isn’t ready for Saints.

[PaulWinch again]

Didn’t he play at the weekend for Saints?

[Dante Lavelli]

Didn’t he play at the weekend for Saints?

Possibly. Missed the game.  Last I saw was an interview saying he was playing there in training.

Sorry misread your comment - He definitely plays, but saint play him on the wing or 15.  I don’t think Saints think he is ready to play centre.

[PaulWinch again]

He scored 4 tries looking at it!

[paul_e]

He was exceptional at the weekend, one of the best performances you'll ever see from a winger. But it was a wingers performance, not a centres. I think he can be a very good 13 but we risk giving up a generational talent on the wing to get that.

Personally I'd be starting Dingwall and Lawrence and if that doesn't work for the autumn I'd give Ojomoh a go. Only after that would I look at Freeman, and I'd be keeping an eye on a few others in the meantime.

[PaulWinch again]

England have some serious talent on the wing.

[paul_e]

England have some serious talent on the wing.

We do but right now we have 1 genuinely world class winger and then 5-6 more with the potential to be nearly as good. If Feyi-Waboso, Roebuck and Arundell in particular were all a little more experienced and 'ready' I'd be happier with moving Freeman but for this weekend I'm concerned. I'd also be more comfortable if we'd got some more spark on the bench. I get why he's gone 6-2 because we have a lot of incredible back row options but we also have fantastic depth in the back 3 and have completely abandoned it. Not having Arundell to bring on against tired legs is just a really poor decision. Given Coles plays 6 nearly as much as he plays lock (and Chessum can do both as well) I don't think we needed Coles, Pollock and Curry all on the bench, feels to me like he wanted to reward Pepper and Underhill for their form, knows he has to include Pollock but couldn't imagine not picking Earl and Curry.