La décision qui a forcé Steve Borthwick à recruter Joe El-Abd

Following the RWC 3 or so players had the SR season off, one of those didn't play rugby at all. Generally their are always complaints about the lack of All Blacks, with them having to be rested for 4+ weeks of the comp and having minutes heavily restricted.

I'd suggest it's just a far more competitive league, so those that are allowed to play do, because every game is must win. They also don't have the funds to hold onto those back up or fringe players, so the Alex Nankivill's, Ioane's, Morgans aren't there to take over and not drop as many games when rotating. Already there is starting to become a similar sort of problem that has been outlined with the club scene in the North, where teams do choose one game to raise the white flag basically, and it turns into a rather poor product.

NZ has always led in this area of course, but it might be interesting if these stats show the north is getting better at it (it's obviously a trade off that most fans don't want). All the current injuries though are just par for the course (you especially have had it predicted to you about one of them so shouldn't be suprised), it's the way the teams have always done it. Just look at the Crusaders this year, Waikato are going in without a XV worth of players for their knockout game. This has existed forever, and goes back to the pre Professionalism attitude of training like it's a game I think, it's one of the (few) area's I've wondered if the game really has right here.

When you're B guys are like Julien Marchand or Thomas Ramos, you aren't really going to have a problem in that respect Nick. You're right though, thats more like what SR used to be like decades ago. I hope the league really is building something sustainable, we see the phenomenon every other year here with the Warriors, and it's clear the URC has gone back to sparsness in it's crowds.

The Lebanon example is no different to New Zealand and Australian players going off to play for a UK country for example. At least I think that timeline is the best migratory example.

I am also baffled by Dombrandt’s inclusion over Tom Willis. England have lacked go forward in the tight and Willis has brought that in buckets at club level, for both Wasps and Saracens. Give him the opportunity at Test level. Dombrandt is a slightly different kind of 8, seemingly more comfortable in the wider channels, and there’s a place for those players, but more importantly to me he’s had enough chances to impress in an England shirt but hasn’t taken them.

England need to win 3/4 of their autumn campaign to call it a success, and I am not sure this squad will get us there.

It's true that we've not seen the best of Dalton's offence but his defence has been superior to Canes as evidenced by Canes multiple missed tackles in the game against the Wallabies.

Cane also displays poor speed and even more invisible offence to compliment the missed tackles. He was also lucky not to receive a red card against South Africa.

Of course Canes most famous for being the only red card in a rugby world cup final and of course as the captain.

So, yes, Dalton must improve but is unable to do so when an inferior player is being selected instead due to his off field leadership.

The question for Razor is why on earth is Cane and not the current captain taking on off field mentoring, etc.

Most depressing is the barnstormer Dalton had recently in the NPC alongside Sotutu. Another player appearing to be now in his prime years and looking like he's heading off to represent England.

Could have a large part of the season in Japan first to rake in even more money as well. Obviously his brother has just come from them and another test player has gone to the Premiership.

If the rugby scene their turned into a British and Irish league how do you think Edinburgh and Glasgow would get on retaining the best players if movement is allowed?

which includes deciding on medical issues such as when a player undergoes surgery.

If I was a player I’d tell him to FRO!

Boy, do I hate loving the AB young-bloods!