Franck Azema to leave Toulon - report

At hooker, its obviously been a decent summer for Cowan-Dickie and George, and while it would have been nice to see Dan, or Oghre, or Langdon, do a little bit more to lay claim to the shirt, George’s continued form perhaps suggests he will be able to carry on until 2027, and the need for a successor can be postponed.

At second row, it does still seem like there’s a bit of a gulf between Itoje, Chessum, Martin, and the rest, but for the first time in a while, there look to be international standard players on both sides of that gulf.

At centre, Seb Atkinson’s breakthrough is as gratifying as it was predictable. It is a shame though, that we haven’t had the chance to see him work alongside Lawrence (or Dingwall, for that matter). I have my doubts about Northmore, but he’s really taken his opportunity, and might be the best option for the autumn tests.

At fullback, England have amazing depth, with Furbank, Daly, & Steward, but none of them are close to the level of Keenan or Kinghorn. De Glanville might be worth a look if Borthwick wants to roll the dice on someone else.

In just a few games he’s gone from being very much an also-ran - only included in England squads because Cole is past it, Sinckler is in France, and Fasogbon & Sela need more premiership experience - to being England’s form tighthead. Given Stuart and Opoku-Fordjour have hardly been out of form recently, that makes tighthead a pretty solid position for England.

My comments above are also to juxtapose France and New Zealand’s gains from this tour which Nick insists benefited the ABs more whereas I see it completely the other way around. That in fact France has learned more through experimenting with more players in rotation, and that NZ under Razor has done less experimenting going into his second season.

In fact if you have seen any of my other comments you will note that I think that NZ will likely rain on SAs parade this year already by winning both their games at home against the boks.

NZ are, and will always be, a major threat to any of the rugby nations. Especially any team which happens to be on top. I just find NZ and Razor’s management of the ABs to be below par to what I’ve come to expect of them given their past.

And I don’t agree with Nick’s negativity towards France. Who I have also said will win the World Cup in 2027 (if South Africa doesn’t).

I think that’s fair comment, don’t you?

Based on past test performance (2022 and 2023) you could justify starting DeGroot and Lomax with Williams and Newell off the bench.

Either way, Taylor must start and I’d keep the Crusader props together.

Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby

The officiating of last feet is non existent

The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2

Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game

About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise

The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip

I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons

The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management

Yellow every time head contact or above sternum

Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

Last feet to last feet + 1 m

When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum

As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club

Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

25 were scrum for dissent

Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error

All the s.ite would disappear

The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards

Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

Saying that Osborn has had a great season and is knocking at the door.