Three Saints in Staring England XV v Barbarians

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I'm looking forward to this game (more than the Prem final, anyway). Highlights on ITV, late on Sunday I think. I guess the live match is on subscription channels?

The Top14 barrages are also more of an attraction than the Prem final for me - Lyon v Montpellier, Racing v La Rochelle. The winners play Toulouse and Clermont next week-end, in Bordeaux.

Oh, and Brive play Grenoble for a place in the Top14 (Tigers fans might be interested in a potential opponent in the Challenge Cup - stop sniggering at the back!).

Not a bad rugby week-end.

Its a more exciting team than a normal England XV. Some players with big futures ahead of them. This is the kind of team Jim built his reputation on, so I am expecting a good result and an enjoyable game.

Williams blatantly picked to block future Wales selection

It's not a full international so wouldn't count as a representative game

fair point, still get him in the system etc

doesn’t even start for Newcastle who were garbage

I think Wales have enough Williams’s so won’t miss one.

The Mitchell/Smith axis is an interesting one. I wonder if it will ever appear at real senior level

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Saint Medard
I guess the live match is on subscription channels?

Sky sports.

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Wilson Pickett
fair point, still get him in the system etc
doesn’t even start for Newcastle who were garbage

Already in the system as was part of U-20 England squad though could move over like Moriaty. 11 starts in the prem this season isn't so bad, I think also 5 off bench. I would say outside backs weren't the problem for Newcastle this season

Ah, the BBC story mentions a couple of players (Dombrandt, Tei) without actually listing the whole team!

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shendy
Ah, the BBC story mentions a couple of players (Dombrandt, Tei) without actually listing the whole team!

actually it does at the end of the article.

Couldn’t give a toss, just hope none of them get hurt, that’s all that concerns me.

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Dragonboy

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shendy
Ah, the BBC story mentions a couple of players (Dombrandt, Tei) without actually listing the whole team!

actually it does at the end of the article.

It didn't when I posted - it was definitely absent!

Should probably highlight that a certain Jim Mallinder is in charge of this team. Being buttered up as the next England coach?

Remarkably few of that team look like they have the potential to go on and become England first choice or even squad/injury 3rd choice regulars IMHO.

Most England first 15 players are Lions.

Smith can do some fancy things and is very young so will get better but he'd be exposed defensively internationally. Plus could he oust Farrell or Ford?

Marchant has potential but would oust Slade, Jospeh, Tuilagi or Daly?

Dombrandt has had a stand out season and 6 is one of the positions England lack a little quality and depth so not impossible. But Lions quality?

Curry is talented but he is unfortunate to have a twin ahead of him and Underhill. I'd see him getting caps though given how attritioanl 7 is.

I find it hardest to judge the Saints cohort objectively.

Painter can scrum but lacks the mobility often desired in international props. Hill has the mobility but will his scrummaging ever be to international standard?

Scrum half is a position where Mitchell could put his hand up. I've been really impressed by his decison-making and decisive interventions at key moments that is a hallmark of the best players. Something that hasn't always been true of Ben Youngs. Care and Wigglesworth won't be around after the World Cup. Will Robson get over his dvt? Spencer is another Wigglesworth for me. Accurate, reliable but not Lions quality for me. So I really hope Alex impresses v the Barbarians as it could put him on the radar.