[RinTin]

Harper, Bamber and RMW called up to the England A squad. Well done lads.

Squad as a whole strikes me as odd. It's a mix of next in line for England players, capped players, then players who are (currently) no where near top level call ups.

Shame Gus, Carps and Dugdale didn't get invited in

[Olyy]

Not sure how RMW has gotten the nod, presumably based on u20s form?

Gutted for Carpenter, but understand Hodge's inclusion and then I guess Shilcock covering 10 as well strengthens his position

Had to google who Harries and Englefield were - Englefield made his debut 5 years ago, has had 10 starts and 5 of them in the prem cup!

Definitely a Gloucester flavour running through the side, but I suppose it's to be expected with their coaches in charge

[RinTin]

Not sure how RMW has gotten the nod, presumably based on u20s form?

Gutted for Carpenter, but understand Hodge's inclusion and then I guess Shilcock covering 10 as well strengthens his position

Had to google who Harries and Englefield were - Englefield made his debut 5 years ago, has had 10 starts and 5 of them in the prem cup!

Definitely a Gloucester flavour running through the side, but I suppose it's to be expected with their coaches in charge

Based on who is selected Reketi will be starting at 13 with Hartley at 12 - no other centres named. Confidence booster here hopefully.

[Clutch]

Dugdale and Warr should be nowhere near this squad.

It’s a good mix. You have those who aren’t quite in the squad with a chance to make an impression and the up and coming lads with a load of potential.

It’s interesting for Harper. Convinced his issues are top 2 inches so hopefully this will spark him on.

RMW looks v raw but clearly huge potential. As does Bamber.

Carpenter unlucky but I suppose he’s still prone to inexplicable howlers so needs to iron those out. He must be very close.
Englefield looked good when I’ve seen him play. Surprised he’s 24. Seems random has he’s not been featuring much for Gloucester has he? Wonder if they thought about Nye as he’s u20s till recently and looked ok when he’s featured.

[RinTin]

@Clutch Why do you feel so strongly that Gus and Dugale should be nowhere near? Dugdale in particular has earnt the right imo given his age, experience and strength of his performances for us. At 24 he is still a prospect who can improve.

I struggle to see the logic of how Harper and RMW can get in there but not Gus and Sam (except different positions of course).

[Clutch]

Like Dugdale a lot. He’s a perfect squad player for us. He’s not an international though. There are younger more promising players than him. Especially when the squad is a mix of next cabs off the rank and potential future England players. Dugdale is neither of those. Just like Lewis Ludlow at Glouc for a comparison. Or Miles Reed etc.

Warr isn’t good enough to be England A level on merit and not convinced he has the potential to get there. He’s good for us when the pack dominates but he’s a long way off being close to England level. Dont think he’s good enough to be starting for a potential top 4 club either. We have seen that from his performances without a dominant pack this season. If Rafi gets fit and Nye continues to improve I can see Warr being 3rd choice in a few years time.

[Clutch]

Harper and RMW are there for potential. Obvious with RMW and Harper is enormous in a position we are lacking strength. Plus Asher is with u20.

[RinTin]

RMW misses out completely, Ben on the bench.

Quite disappointed as 10 days ago RMW was a shoe in at centre with Hartlety. Ojomoh then comes in, but now Oscar Beard has appeared too. I didn't even see Beard added to the squad, only Randall, Ewels Muir and Ojomoh.

What a back row that is on paper as well.

[Olyy]

Delighted for Ben but annoyed for Harper - while his form this season has been iffy he's still a better shout than Iosefa-Scott, who I don't think has as high of a ceiling, is older and is also a Kiwi being capped on residency

As much as Muir is one of my favourite players I would have rather seen Roebuck drop down from the seniors and play in the this considering he looks very unlikely to play this 6N

Not a fan of 30 cap Ewels starting as well, but it is what it is - I guess they want an experienced head in there (despite Portugal only sending across an A side, made up of amateurs), but even in that case I'd have rather had Isiekwe

That backrow is insane, would be happy seeing it start for the full England side

I get RMW dropping out, good learning experience being in camp but his performances this season are nowhere near the level of the others in the squad

[RinTin]

I get RMW dropping out, good learning experience being in camp but his performances this season are nowhere near the level of the others in the squad

To clarify, my point re RMW wasn't that he is better than Ojomoh or Beard at this time, it is the fact that he was a shoe in for a role in the 23 as recently as last week. Got to hit a little given when the squad was announced he was 1 of only 2 centres in it.

[DavenportSharky]

So adding the 2 England squads , we have 2 players out of 46. I know lots of injuries and some will be travelling reserves but that is pretty low.
Anyway at least it reduces the chances of yet more injuries.
What a season for Ben Bamber! All credit to the lad and hopefully could go higher yet.

[Evo]

Shame for RMW as would have been really interesting to see how he went at this level; seems like we and England see his potential. He has all the attributes to go far....what is intriguing how with a full pre season with a seemingly reshaped squad how everyone slots into Alex's plan in the backline..

[DavenportSharky]

Shame it does not seem to be on TV??

Unless it’s this ?

[Olyy]

Yeah, it's being streamed on YouTube

[Olyy]

Bamber on at 50mins

Looks like Raffi is sat with the subs, not sure if he's been training with them during the week (maybe after Randall went into the main squad?)